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Pasek and Paul

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Pasek and Paul
Benj Pasek (left) and Justin Paul (right), 2009
Benj Pasek (left) and Justin Paul (right), 2009
Background information
GenresMusical Theatre
MembersBenj Pasek
Justin Paul
Websitepasekandpaul.com
Benj Pasek
Born (1985-06-09) June 9, 1985 (age 39)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Occupations
  • Composer
  • lyricist
Justin Paul
Born (1985-01-03) January 3, 1985 (age 39)
St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
Occupations
  • Composer
  • lyricist

Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, known together as Pasek and Paul, are an American songwriting duo and composing team for musical theater, films and television.[1][2] Their theater works include Edges, Dogfight, A Christmas Story, James and the Giant Peach, and Dear Evan Hansen. Their original songs have been featured in Only Murders in the Building, Sesame Street, Welcome to Wrexham, Harlem, Smash and in the films Aladdin, Trolls, Pink: All I Know So Far, La La Land, for which they won both the Golden Globe and Academy Award for Best Original Song for the song "City of Stars", and The Greatest Showman.[3][4][5] Their work on the original musical Dear Evan Hansen has received widespread critical acclaim and earned them the 2017 Tony Award for Best Musical and Best Original Score. In 2022, they won the Tony Award for Best Musical for serving as producers for the Broadway production of Michael R. Jackson's Pulitzer Prize-winning musical A Strange Loop.

While Pasek usually writes lyrics and Paul usually writes music, they share credit for both elements.[6] Both are graduates of the University of Michigan[7] and winners of the American Theatre Wing's 2007 Jonathan Larson Grant,[8] which honors achievement by composers, lyricists and librettists.

In September 2024 the duo became the 20th and 21st EGOT winners, having won Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony Awards.

History

Start at the University of Michigan

Pasek and Paul started working together as freshmen at the University of Michigan.[9] Both got "background" roles in the school's musical theater production, which inspired them to write Edges, a song cycle about the trials and tribulations of moving into adulthood and the search for meaning. Edges premiered in Ann Arbor, Michigan on April 3, 2005.[7]

On May 14, 2006, the duo made their New York City premiere: a benefit concert of original songs titled Become: The Music of Pasek & Paul. Presented by Jamie McGonnigal,[10] performers included Gavin Creel, Cheyenne Jackson, Celia Keenan-Bolger, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, and Steven Pasquale.[11] They also contributed to the 2006 off-Broadway musical White Noise: A Cautionary Musical, which won Talkin' Broadway's 2006 Summer Theatre Festival Citation for Outstanding Original Score.[12]

In December 2006, they completed their BFA degrees in musical theatre.

Musical theatre

Early projects

Edges proved popular on social media[13] and within several years it had over 200 productions worldwide, with countries including Australia,[14] South Africa,[15] Denmark,[16][17] France,[18] South Korea, the United Kingdom,[19] Canada,[20] the Philippines,[21] and the United States.[22]

Pasek and Paul wrote the score to the musical adaptation of Roald Dahl's James and the Giant Peach, which premiered in 2010 through Goodspeed Musicals.[23] Other early works include If You Give A Pig A Pancake (2010) and Duck For President for Theatreworks USA,[24] and Dr. Williams, written for the Orchard Project's 24 Hour Musicals benefit. The show starred Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Cheyenne Jackson. Pasek and Paul were featured in the 2011 documentary film One Night Stand about the process.[25] They wrote the lyrics and music to the 2012 musical Dogfight,[26] also contributing to A Christmas Story, The Musical, which was nominated for a Tony Award in 2013 for Best Original Score.[27]

Dear Evan Hansen (2015)

Pasek and Paul wrote the music and lyrics to their musical Dear Evan Hansen. The musical, inspired by the death of a fellow student while Pasek was in high school, features book by Steven Levenson. Directed by Michael Greif and starring Ben Platt in the title role, it premiered at the Arena Stage in Washington, D.C. on July 30, 2015.[28][29][30] It made its Off-Broadway debut in March 2016 at the Second Stage Theatre,[31] and on Broadway on November 14, 2016, opening three weeks later at the Music Box Theatre. At the 71st Tony Awards, it was nominated for nine awards including Best Musical, Best Score, Best Book of a Musical, and Best Actor in a Musical for Platt. It won six awards including Best Musical and Best Original Score for the duo. At the 2018 Grammy Awards, Dear Evan Hansen won Best Musical Theater Album.[32] The musical received the Edgerton Foundation New Play Award and a 2016 Obie Award for Musical Theatre.[33] The show broke box office records at the Music Box Theatre and became the longest-running production to play the venue in Broadway’s history.[34]

The musical made its West End debut at the Noël Coward Theatre in London on November 19, 2019, following previews in October of the same year. The show was nominated for seven Laurence Olivier Awards at the 2020 ceremony and won three: Best New Musical, Best Actor in a Musical for star Sam Tutty and Best Original Score or New Orchestrations for Pasek and Paul.[35]

Television

The duo have written original music for several television shows. In 2007 and 2008 Pasek and Paul wrote music for the Disney Channel show Johnny and the Sprites,[12] with songs used in six episodes and for one story in the season's premiere.

Their original material was featured on season 2 of NBC's Smash in 2013,[36] and have risen to the Top 25 on the iTunes Pop Charts.

Pasek and Paul also wrote the original song "Runnin' Home to You" performed by Grant Gustin for The Flash episode "Duet", a musical crossover between The Flash and Supergirl.[37] Melissa Benoist sang it in Supergirl's "Crisis on Earth-X" crossover episode.[38]

They also wrote original songs for an episode of the Hulu show Only Murders in the Building, including "Look for the Light", a duet sung by Meryl Streep and Ashley Park.[39] Another song, "Which of Pickwick Triplets Did It?" was written by Pasek and Paul working for the first time in collaboration with Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman of Hairspray fame. The tongue-twisting patter song was performed primarily by Only Murders actor Steve Martin, and also by Matthew Broderick for one episode, followed by Martin Short.[40][41] They received an Primetime Emmy nomination for "Which of Pickwick Triplets Did It?" in July of 2024. [42]

Films

Pasek and Paul wrote the 2016 song "Get Back Up Again" for the film Trolls,[43] as well as five original songs for the 2016 animated direct-to-video feature Tom and Jerry: Back to Oz.[44]

They wrote the lyrics for the musical romantic comedy-drama film La La Land, which had music written by Justin Hurwitz.[45] The film, in its world premiere, was the opening film at the 73rd Venice International Film Festival on August 31, 2016.[46] The film's track "City of Stars", with their lyrics and composition by Justin Hurwitz, won the 2017 Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song.[4] "City of Stars" and "Audition" received nominations for Best Original Song at the 89th Academy Awards,[47] and they won the Academy Award for Best Original Song for "City of Stars."[48] It was then announced in February 2023 that they would reunite with Hurwitz on a stage musical adaptation of the film currently in development, with a book by Ayad Akhtar and Matthew Decker and direction by Bartlett Sher.[49]

Pasek and Paul wrote the songs for the 2017 musical drama film The Greatest Showman. About the Barnum & Bailey Circus, the film premiered on December 8, 2017.[50] The duo's song "This Is Me" won a Golden Globe for Best Original Song[51] and was nominated for Best Original Song at the 90th Academy Awards.

In collaboration with Alan Menken, Pasek and Paul wrote the lyrics for two new songs for Disney's 2019 live action film adaptation of Aladdin. The film also includes original 1992 song compositions written by Menken, Howard Ashman, and Tim Rice.[52]

Pasek and Paul also adapted Dear Evan Hansen as a feature film for Universal Pictures and director Stephen Chbosky. They wrote two new songs for the film, including "The Anonymous Ones," which was written in collaboration with Amandla Stenberg for the character of Alana Beck, whom Stenberg plays in the film. They also wrote "A Little Closer" for the character of Connor Murphy, played by Colton Ryan, who reprises the role in which he understudied in the Broadway production.[53] Paul also composed the film's underscore with Dan Romer.[54] It premiered at the 2021 Toronto International Film Festival on September 9, 2021, followed by a release in theaters on September 24, 2021.[55][56][57]

The duo has also written original songs for Sony Pictures Entertainment's live-action/animated adaptation of Bernard Waber's children's book Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile (released on October 7, 2022)[58][59] and Apple Original Films' Spirited (November 11).[60] As of 2023, Pasek and Paul are writing new songs for Disney's upcoming live-action remake of Snow White.[61][62] They are also collaborating with Pharrell Williams on songs for the semi-autobiographical musical drama Atlantis, which will reunite them with Steven Levenson for the first time since Dear Evan Hansen. Both films are slated for release in 2025.[63][64]

Personal lives

Pasek is the son of Temple University professor Kathy Hirsh-Pasek.[65] His alma mater is the University of Michigan and Friends' Central School.[6] He is gay.[6]

Paul's alma mater is the University of Michigan and Staples High School. Paul is married; he and his wife have four children.[6]

Musicals

Year Title Notes
2005 Edges
  • Written at the University of Michigan
2010 James and the Giant Peach Book by Timothy Allen McDonald
2012 Dogfight Book by Peter Duchan
2012 A Christmas Story: The Musical Book by Joseph Robinette
2016 Dear Evan Hansen Book by Steven Levenson

Filmography

Year Title Notes
2016 Tom and Jerry: Back to Oz
  • Film songwriting debut
  • Wrote 5 new songs, including: "There's No Place Like Home," "All Hail! (What's Mine is Mine)," "Oh My, Oh My, Oh My!" and "A Mighty Fine Affair."
Trolls Writers of "Get Back Up Again"
La La Land
2017 The Greatest Showman
2019 Aladdin Wrote the lyrics for two new songs in collaboration with Alan Menken, including "Speechless"
2021 Dear Evan Hansen[55]
2022 Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile[58] Also executive producers
Spirited Also executive producers
2023 Only Murders in the Building Composed songs for Season 3's "Death Rattle Dazzle" musical
2025 Snow White[61] New songs
Atlantis Wrote songs in collaboration with Pharrell Williams
2027 Oh, the Places You'll Go!

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Work Result
2007 Dramatists Guild Fellowship (2007–2008) N/A N/A Honorees
Jonathan Larson Grant† Honorees
2011 American Academy of Arts and Letters Richard Rodgers Award for Musical Theater Honorees
ASCAP Foundation Award Richard Rodgers New Horizons Award Honorees
Songwriter's Fellowship Award Honorees
Sundance Institute Fellowship N/A Honorees
2013 Drama Desk Award Outstanding Music A Christmas Story: The Musical Nominated
Lucille Lortel Award Outstanding Musical Dogfight Won
Outer Critics Circle Award Outstanding New Score Nominated
Tony Award Best Original Score A Christmas Story: The Musical Nominated
2016 The Charles MacArthur Award for Outstanding Original New Play or Musical Dear Evan Hansen Nominated
Critics' Choice Movie Award Best Song "Audition" (from La La Land) Nominated
"City of Stars" (from La La Land) Won
Drama Desk Award Outstanding Lyrics Dear Evan Hansen Won
Golden Globe Award Best Original Song "City of Stars" (from La La Land) Won
Hollywood Music in Media Award Best Song in a Feature Film Won
Houston Film Critics Society Award Best Original Song "Audition" (from La La Land) Nominated
"City of Stars" (from La La Land) Won
Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award Best Music La La Land Won
Obie Award Musical Theater, Music and Lyrics Dear Evan Hansen Won
Outer Critics Circle Award Outstanding New Score Nominated
Phoenix Film Critics Society Award Best Song "Audition" (from La La Land) Won
"City of Stars" (from La La Land) Nominated
Satellite Award Best Original Song "Audition" (from La La Land) Nominated
"City of Stars" (from La La Land) Won
2017 Academy Award Best Original Song "Audition" (from La La Land) Nominated
"City of Stars" (from La La Land) Won
Tony Award Best Original Score Dear Evan Hansen Won
Best Musical Won
2018 Academy Award Best Original Song "This Is Me" (from The Greatest Showman) Nominated
Critics' Choice Movie Award Best Song Nominated
Golden Globe Award Best Original Song Won
Grammy Award Best Musical Theater Album Dear Evan Hansen Won
Best Song Written for Visual Media "City of Stars" (from La La Land) Nominated
Hollywood Music in Media Award Best Song in a Feature Film "This Is Me" (from The Greatest Showman) Nominated
Primetime Emmy Award Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics "In The Market for a Miracle" (from A Christmas Story Live!) Nominated
2019 Critics' Choice Movie Award Best Song "Speechless" (from Aladdin) Nominated
Hollywood Music in Media Award Best Song in a Feature Film Nominated
2020 Laurence Olivier Award Best Original Score or New Orchestrations Dear Evan Hansen Won
2022 Grammy Award Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media Dear Evan Hansen Nominated
Best Song Written for Visual Media "All I Know So Far" (from Pink: All I Know So Far) Nominated
Tony Award Best Musical A Strange Loop Won
2024 Primetime Emmy Award Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics "Which of the Pickwick Triplets Did It?" (from Only Murders in the Building: Sitzprobe) Won

†: Pasek and Paul were the youngest winners of the Jonathan Larson Grant in history.

References

  1. ^ Philbrook, Erik (February 27, 2017). "Benj Pasek and Justin Paul Win Best Original Song Oscar for 'City of Stars' from La La Land". American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. Retrieved December 31, 2021.
  2. ^ BWW News Desk (February 16, 2007). "Pasek and Paul Among Winners of Jonathan Larson Awards". BroadwayWorld. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
  3. ^ Hetrick, Adam (February 1, 2013). "THE SCREENING ROOM: Pasek and Paul's New Song for "Smash," Sung by Katharine McPhee". Playbill. Retrieved May 25, 2019.
  4. ^ a b Barone, Joshua, Golden Globe Winners 2017, The New York Times, January 8, 2017.
  5. ^ "Oscar Winners 2017". The New York Times. February 27, 2017. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
  6. ^ a b c d Paulson, Michael (November 10, 2016). "What It's Like to Make It in Showbiz With Your Best Friend". The New York Times.
  7. ^ a b "Here are just a few of our celebrated alumni". University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance. Retrieved July 27, 2012.
  8. ^ "Recipient Benj Pasek and Justin Paul". American Theatre Wing. Retrieved July 27, 2012.
  9. ^ "Biography of Benj Pasek". MTIshows.com. Retrieved July 27, 2012
  10. ^ "BECOME: The Music of Pasek & Paul at Joe's Pubs". New York Theatre Guide. May 3, 2006. Retrieved March 27, 2018.
  11. ^ Gans, Andrew (May 2, 2006). "Benanti, Keenan-Bolger, Hilty, Jackson and More Set for Become Concert". Playbill. Retrieved March 27, 2018.
  12. ^ a b Jones, Kenneth (October 16, 2007). "Pasek and Paul's Edges Gets Equity Bow in Albany with Hanlon and Alvin". Playbill.
  13. ^ "Edges – Show Details, October 20, 2008" Archived March 29, 2012, at the Wayback Machine. torontolivetheatre.com. Retrieved July 27, 2012
  14. ^ "Edges A Song Cycle – Sydney Production (OPENS MARCH 25)" Archived April 5, 2012, at the Wayback Machine theatre.asn.au, March 16, 2010
  15. ^ Denette, Kelsey (October 5, 2011). "Pasek and Paul's EDGES Plays On Broadway, 10/12-15". BroadwayWorld.
  16. ^ "Music Theatre Professor Directs Production in Denmark" Archived August 1, 2012, at archive.today. elon.edu, July 11, 2011
  17. ^ Edges fredericiateater.dk [permanent dead link‍]
  18. ^ "Edges coming to Paris". AMT Live. April 24, 2013. Retrieved April 28, 2013.
  19. ^ Tay, Rebecca. "Fringe Review. Edinburgh Fringe 2010. Edges – the Musical" Archived March 30, 2012, at the Wayback Machine. fringereview.co.uk, August 19, 2010
  20. ^ "Acting Up Stage Theatre Company to Present to Toronto Premiere of Edges". Broadwayworld.com, September 18, 2008
  21. ^ "Ateneo Blue Repertory Presents Musical Revue Edges". Broadwayworld.com, July 18, 2010
  22. ^ Gans, Andrew (February 15, 2008). "Pasek and Paul's Edges to Play Sondheim Center with Alvin, Bashor and Hanlon". Playbill. Retrieved May 20, 2022.
  23. ^ Jones, Kenneth. "'James and the Giant Peach, the Musical', Blossoms With the Help of Pilobolus, Oct. 21" Archived November 14, 2010, at the Wayback Machine. Playbill, October 21, 2010
  24. ^ "Onstage. If You Give A Pig A Pancake, January 24, 2010" Archived April 4, 2012, at the Wayback Machine. Penn State. Retrieved July 27, 2012
  25. ^ "One Night Stand Documentary Feat. Cheyenne Jackson, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Mandy Gonzalez et al. Makes NewFest Premiere, 7/24". Broadwayworld.com, July 24, 2011
  26. ^ "Dogfight". pasekandpaul.com. Archived from the original on March 28, 2018.
  27. ^ "The Tony Award Nominees – All Categories". Tony Awards. Retrieved April 24, 2019.
  28. ^ Rothstein, Mervyn. "Next to Normal's Michael Greif Stirs Up More Family Drama With Dear Evan Hansen" Playbill, July 6, 2015
  29. ^ Gioia, Michael. "Pasek and Paul's Dear Evan Hansen, About the High School Struggle to Fit In, Premieres in D.C." Playbill, July 30, 2015
  30. ^ Marks, Peter. "Dear Evan Hansen: Original story, high hopes for Benj Pasek and Justin Paul" The Washington Post, July 10, 2015
  31. ^ Clement, Olivia. "Pasek and Paul's Dear Evan Hansen Bows in New York", Playbill, March 26, 2016
  32. ^ "Grammys 2018 Winners: The Complete List (Live Updating)". Billboard. Retrieved January 28, 2018.
  33. ^ Obie Awards, 2016 Winners.
  34. ^ Gans, Andrew (August 1, 2022). "Broadway's Dear Evan Hansen Breaks Music Box Theatre Record". Playbill.
  35. ^ "Olivier Awards 2020 with Mastercard - Theatre's Biggest Night". Officiallondontheatre.com. Retrieved December 31, 2021.
  36. ^ Hetrick, Adam (February 1, 2013). "Pasek and Paul's New Song for "Smash," Sung by Katharine McPhee". Playbill.
  37. ^ Agard, Chancellor (January 31, 2017). "The Flash-Supergirl musical crossover to feature songs by Rachel Bloom, Dear Evan Hansen duo". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved January 31, 2017.
  38. ^ "Benoist Sings in Supergirl Crisis on Earth-X Part 1 Crossover". November 27, 2017. Retrieved December 1, 2017.
  39. ^ "The Story Behind 'Magnificent' Meryl Streep's Show-Saving 'Only Murders' Duet with Ashley Park (Exclusive)". People.
  40. ^ Madarang, Charisma (September 20, 2023). "Watch Steve Martin Belt Out 'Which of the Pickwick Triplets Did It' for 'Only Murders in the Building'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved February 2, 2024.
  41. ^ Scheps, Leigh (October 4, 2023). "How the Catchy Only Murders in the Building Song Was Written". Broadway Direct. Retrieved February 2, 2024.
  42. ^ Josephs, Brian (July 17, 2024). "Benj Pasek and Justin Paul Approach EGOT after 'Only Murders' Nod". New York Times. Retrieved July 17, 2024.
  43. ^ "Get Back Up Again". AllMusic. 2016. Retrieved March 27, 2018.
  44. ^ "Tom and Jerry: Back to Oz". IMDb. 2016. Retrieved March 27, 2018.
  45. ^ Gans, Andrew and Viagas, Robert. "La La Land Film, With Ryan Gosling, to Feature Songs by Pasek and Paul and Justin Hurwitz" Playbill, March 8, 2016
  46. ^ Gans, Andrew (August 31, 2016). "La La Land Movie Musical Debuts Tonight, Featuring Pasek & Paul Songs". Playbill. Retrieved May 20, 2022.
  47. ^ "Oscar Nominations 2017: See the Full List". Vanity Fair. January 24, 2017. Retrieved January 24, 2017.
  48. ^ "Oscar Winners 2017". The New York Times. February 26, 2017.
  49. ^ Galuppo, Mia (February 7, 2023). "'La La Land' to Become a Broadway Musical". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved February 7, 2023.
  50. ^ "Cunard to Broadcast LIVE Red Carpet from 'The Greatest Showman' World Premiere on Flagship Queen Mary 2". Cision. December 6, 2017. Retrieved December 8, 2017.
  51. ^ Golden Globe Awards for "This Is Me", January 7, 2018
  52. ^ Robbins, Caryn (July 17, 2017). "VIDEO: Pasek & Paul to Team with Menken on Live-Action ALADDIN; Miranda Confirmed for LITTLE MERMAID". BroadwayWorld.
  53. ^ a b Wood, Alex (August 21, 2021). "Dear Evan Hansen movie to have two new numbers and rewritten ending, Ben Platt reveals". WhatsOnStage. Retrieved August 21, 2021.
  54. ^ "Dan Romer & Justin Paul Scoring Stephen Chbosky's 'Dear Evan Hansen' | Film Music Reporter". Filmmusicreporter.com. Retrieved December 31, 2021.
  55. ^ a b Busch, Anita (November 29, 2018). "Tony Award-Winning Musical Dear Evan Hansen Will Be Universal Pictures, Marc Platt Film; Wonder's Stephen Chbosky May Direct". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved November 30, 2018.
  56. ^ Kroll, Justin (August 17, 2020). "Universal's 'Dear Evan Hansen' Adaptation Adds 'The Hate U Give' Star Amandla Stenberg". Deadline.
  57. ^ "Universal's 'Dear Evan Hansen' Pic Gets Theatrical Release Date". January 29, 2021.
  58. ^ a b Milligan, Mercedes (July 9, 2021). "Javier Bardem to Star in Sony's Hybrid 'Lyle, Lyle Crocodile' Adaptation". Animationmagazine.net. Retrieved December 31, 2021.
  59. ^ "WORK".
  60. ^ Rubin, Rebecca (November 18, 2021). "Ryan Reynolds and Will Ferrell's Musical 'Spirited' Adds Three Songwriters Alongside Pasek and Paul (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety.
  61. ^ a b "Disney Developing Live-Action Snow White (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. October 31, 2016. Retrieved July 17, 2017.
  62. ^ "Marc Webb Eyed to Direct Disney's 'Snow White' Remake (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. May 30, 2019. Retrieved May 31, 2019.
  63. ^ McClintock, Pamela (October 27, 2023). "Disney Delays Snow White Amid SAG-AFTRA Strike". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on October 27, 2023. Retrieved October 27, 2023.
  64. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (August 29, 2024). "Pharrell Williams & Michel Gondry 1977-Set Musical Feature Titled Atlantis, Lands Early-Summer 2025 Release". Deadline. Retrieved September 9, 2024.
  65. ^ "Home – The International Congress of Infant Studies". The International Congress of Infant Studies. Retrieved January 6, 2018.
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