Pasek and Paul
Pasek and Paul | |
|---|---|
 Benj Pasek (left) and Justin Paul, 2009 | |
| Background information | |
| Genres | Musical Theatre |
| Members | Benj Pasek Justin Paul |
| Website | pasekandpaul |
Benj Pasek | |
|---|---|
| Born | June 9, 1985 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States |
| Occupation(s) | Composer, lyricist, singer |
Justin Paul | |
|---|---|
| Born | January 3, 1985 St. Louis, Missouri, United States |
| Occupation(s) | Composer, lyricist, singer |
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 works include A Christmas Story, Dogfight, Edges, Dear Evan Hansen, and James and the Giant Peach. Their original songs have been featured on NBC's Smash and in the films 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]
Both artists are graduates of the University of Michigan[6] and winners of the American Theatre Wing's 2007 Jonathan Larson Award,[7] which honors achievement by composers, lyricists and librettists.
Their work on original musical Dear Evan Hansen has received widespread critical acclaim and earned them the Tony Award for Best Original Score.
History
Start at the University of Michigan
Pasek and Paul started working together as freshmen at the University of Michigan where they completed their BFA degrees in musical theatre in December 2006.[8] Both got "background" roles in the school's musical theater production, which inspired them to write the series of songs turned into a show, Edges. While Pasek usually writes lyrics and Paul usually writes music, they opted to share credit for both elements of the songwriting.[9]
Musical theatre
Early projects
They wrote Edges, a song cycle about the trials and tribulations of moving into adulthood. It examines the search for love, commitment and meaning. It premiered at the Kerrytown Concert House in Ann Arbor, Michigan on April 3, 2005.[6] Popular on social media,[10] by 2012 it had over 200 productions worldwide in Australia,[11] South Africa,[12] Denmark,[13][14] France,[15] South Korea, the United Kingdom,[16] Canada,[17] the Philippines,[18] and he United States.[19]
Their New York premiere was a concert of songs titled Become: The Music of Pasek & Paul and was performed May 14, 2006, at Joe's Pub at the Public Theatre. The evening was a benefit for the Wylie Foundation. The evening was presented by Jamie McGonnigal.[20] It featured performers including Gavin Creel, Cheyenne Jackson, Celia Keenan-Bolger, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, and Steven Pasquale.[21]
As of 2007, they had contributed to the off-Broadway musical [[White Noise [A Cautionary Musical], which won Talkin' Broadway's 2006 Summer Theatre Festival Citation for Outstanding Original Score.[22]
Pasek and Paul wrote the score to the musical adaptation of Roald Dahl's James and the Giant Peach. The show premiered at the Norma Terris Theatre at Goodspeed Musicals in 2010 in a developmental production.[23]
Other works include If You Give A Pig A Pancake 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 Dogfight, a musical which premiered in 2012.[26] They contributed to A Christmas Story, The Musical, which was nominated for a Tony Award in 2013 for Best Original Score.[27]
Dear Evan Hansen in 2015
Their musical Dear Evan Hansen premiered at the Arena Stage (Washington, D.C.) on July 30, 2015, running through August 23. The musical was inspired by a traumatic incident in Pasek's life, the death of a high school student. The book was written by Steven Levenson, directed by Michael Greif and starred Ben Platt as Evan.[28][29][30] The musical made its Off-Broadway debut in March 2016 (previews) at the Second Stage Theatre's Tony Kiser Theatre. Again directed by Greif, most of the Arena Stage cast appeared in the Off-Broadway production.[31] The musical is a recipient of the Edgerton Foundation New Play Award and the 2016 Obie Award for Musical Theatre presented by the American Theatre Wing and The Village Voice.[32] Dear Evan Hansen premiered on Broadway on November 14, 2016, and opened December 4, 2016, 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.[33]
Television
Johnny and the Sprites in 2007
As of 2007, Pasek and Paul were writing music for the Disney Channel show Johnny and the Sprites,[22] for six episodes and for one story in the series' premiere episode.
Smash in 2013
As television songwriters, their original material was featured on season 2 of NBC's Smash in 2013,[34] and have risen to the Top 25 on the iTunes Pop Charts.
The Flash tracks in 2014
Pasek and Paul also wrote the original song "Runnin' Home to You" performed by Grant Gustin for the musical crossover episode of The Flash "Duet" between The Flash and Supergirl.[35] Melissa Benoist sang it in Supergirl's Crisis on Earth-X crossover episode.[36]
Films
Pasek and Paul also wrote the 2016 song "Get Back Up Again" for the film Trolls,[37] as well as five original songs for the 2016 animated direct-to-video feature Tom and Jerry: Back to Oz.[38]
La La Land in 2016
Pasek and Paul wrote the lyrics for the musical romantic comedy-drama film La La Land. Justin Hurwitz wrote the music. The film stars Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling. It was written and directed by Damien Chazelle.[39] The film, in its world premiere, was the opening film at the 73rd Venice International Film Festival on August 31, 2016.[40] "City of Stars", their song from the film composed 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.[41] They also won the Academy Award for Best Original Song for "City of Stars." [42]
The Greatest Showman in 2017
Pasek and Paul wrote the songs for the 2017 musical drama film The Greatest Showman directed by Michael Gracey in his directorial debut, with the film inspired by the story of P. T. Barnum's creation of the Barnum & Bailey Circus and the lives of its star attractions. The film features Hugh Jackman, Zac Efron, Michelle Williams, Rebecca Ferguson and Zendaya; in collaboration with John Debney and Joseph Trapanese. The Greatest Showman held its premiere on December 8, 2017 aboard the RMS Queen Mary 2, while it was docked in New York City.[43] Their song "This Is Me" won a Golden Globe for Best Original Song[44] and was nominated for Best Original Song at the 90th Academy Awards.
Upcoming film projects
In 2016, it was reported that Pasek and Paul will be writing songs for Disney's upcoming live-action film adaptation of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.[45]
Pasek and Paul will be writing new songs for Disney's upcoming 2019 live-action film adaptation of Aladdin directed by Guy Ritchie and starring Mena Massoud, Naomi Scott and Will Smith; in collaboration with Alan Menken which will also include original 1992 song compositions written by Menken, Howard Ashman, and Tim Rice.[46]
Awards and nominations
| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Jonathan Larson Grant† | — | Honorees | |
| Dramatist Guild Fellowship (2007–08) | — | Honorees | ||
| 2011 | Sundance Institute Fellowship | — | Honorees | |
| American Academy of Arts and Letters, Richard Rodgers Awards for Musical Theater | — | Honorees | ||
| ASCAP Foundation Award | Richard Rodgers New Horizons Award | — | Honorees | |
| Songwriter's Fellowship Award | — | Honorees | ||
| 2013 | Tony Award | Best Original Score | A Christmas Story: The Musical | Nominated |
| Drama Desk Award | Outstanding Music | Nominated | ||
| Lucille Lortel Award | Outstanding Musical | Dogfight | Won | |
| Outer Critics Circle Award | Outstanding New Score | Nominated | ||
| 2016 | The Charles MacArthur Award for Outstanding Original New Play or Musical | Dear Evan Hansen | Nominated | |
| Drama Desk Award | Outstanding Lyrics | Won | ||
| Outer Critics Circle Award | Outstanding New Score | Nominated | ||
| Obie Award | Musical Theater, Music and Lyrics | Won | ||
| Hollywood Music in Media Award | Best Song in a Feature Film ("City of Stars") | La La Land | Won | |
| Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award | Best Music | Won | ||
| Critics' Choice Movie Award | Best Song ("City of Stars") | Won | ||
| Best Song ("Audition") | Nominated | |||
| Phoenix Film Critics Society Award | Best Song ("City of Stars") | Won | ||
| Best Song ("Audition") | Nominated | |||
| Satellite Award | Best Original Song ("City of Stars") | Won | ||
| Best Original Song ("Audition") | Nominated | |||
| Houston Film Critics Society Award | Best Original Song ("City of Stars") | Won | ||
| Best Original Song ("Audition") | Nominated | |||
| Golden Globe Award | Best Original Song ("City of Stars") | Won | ||
| 2017 | Academy Award | Best Original Song ("City of Stars") | Won | |
| Best Original Song ("Audition") | Nominated | |||
| Tony Award | Best Original Score | Dear Evan Hansen | Won | |
| 2018 | Grammy Award | Best Musical Theater Album | Won | |
| Best Song Written for Visual Media ("City of Stars") | La La Land | Nominated | ||
| Hollywood Music in Media Award | Best Song in a Feature Film ("This Is Me") | The Greatest Showman | Nominated | |
| Critics' Choice Movie Award | Best Song ("This Is Me") | Nominated | ||
| Golden Globe Award | Best Original Song ("This Is Me") | Won | ||
| Academy Award | Best Original Song ("This Is Me") | Nominated | ||
†: Pasek and Paul became the youngest winners of the Jonathan Larson Grant in history.
Personal lives
Pasek is the son of professor Kathy Hirsh-Pasek.[47] His alma mater is the University of Michigan and Friends' Central School.[48]
Paul's alma mater is the University of Michigan and Staples High School. Paul is married; he and his wife have a daughter, born in 2016.[48]
References
- ^ "Benj Pasek and Justin Paul Win Best Original Song Oscar for "City of Stars" from La La Land".
- ^ "Jonathan Larson Awards". Broadwayworld.com, February 16, 2007
- ^ "Pasek and Pauls New Song for 'Smash' Sung by Katharine McPhee" Archived 2013-05-07 at the Wayback Machine playbill.com
- ^ a b Barone, Joshua, Golden Globe Winners 2017, The New York Times, January 8, 2017.
- ^ Oscars 2017. The New York Times, February 27, 2017.
- ^ a b "UM Musical Theatre Department.News Of Graduates.2011 - 12". University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre, and Dance, accessed July 27, 2012
- ^ "Larson Grants Recipients". americantheatrewing.org, accessed July 27, 2012
- ^ "Biography of Benj Pasek". MTIshows.com, accessed July 27, 2012
- ^ Paulson, Michael, "What It’s Like to Make It in Showbiz With Your Best Friend". The New York Times, November 13, 2016, p. AR6, sub. nom "Best Friends, Making It in Showbiz." Accessed August 8, 2017
- ^ "'Edges' - Show Details, October 20, 2008". torontolivetheatre.com, accessed July 27, 2012
- ^ "'Edges A Song Cycle' - Sydney Production (OPENS MARCH 25)" Archived 2012-04-05 at the Wayback Machine theatre.asn.au, 16 March 2010
- ^ "Pasek and Pauls 'Edges'".Broadwayworld.com, October 5, 2011
- ^ "Music Theatre Professor Directs Production in Denmark". elon.edu, July 11, 2011
- ^ Edges fredericiateater.dk [dead link]
- ^ "Edges coming to Paris". AMT Live. Retrieved April 28, 2013.
- ^ Tay, Rebecca. "Fringe Review. Edinburgh Fringe 2010. 'Edges - the Musical'" Archived 2012-03-30 at the Wayback Machine. fringereview.co.uk, 19 August 2010
- ^ "Toronto Premiere of 'Edges'". Broadwayworld.com, September 18, 2008
- ^ "Ateneo Blue Repertory Presents Musical Revue 'Edges'". Broadwayworld.com, July 18, 2010
- ^ Gans, Andrew. "Pasek and Paul's Edges to Play Sondheim Center with Alvin, Bashor and Hanlon", (March 2018). Playbill.com.
- ^ "BECOME: The Music of Pasek & Paul at Joe's Pubs", New York Theatre Guide, May 3, 2006
- ^ Andrew Gans (May 2, 2006), "Benanti, Keenan-Bolger, Hilty, Jackson and More Set for Become Concert", Playbill
- ^ a b Kenneth Jones (October 16, 2007), "Pasek and Paul's Edges Gets Equity Bow in Albany with Hanlon and Alvin", Playbill
- ^ Jones, Kenneth. "'James and the Giant Peach, the Musical', Blossoms With the Help of Pilobolus, Oct. 21" Archived 2010-11-14 at the Wayback Machine. Playbill, October 21, 2010
- ^ "Onstage. If You Give A Pig A Pancake, January 24, 2010" Archived April 4, 2012, at the Wayback Machine. Penn State, accessed July 27, 2012
- ^ "'One Night Stand' Documentary Feat. Cheyenne Jackson, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Mandy Gonzalez et al. Makes NewFest Premiere, 7/24". Broadwayworld.com, July 24, 2011
- ^ Dogfight, pasekandpaul.com
- ^ "The Tony Award Nominees - All Categories". TonyAwards.com.
- ^ Rothstein, Mervyn. "Next to Normal 's Michael Greif Stirs Up More Family Drama With Dear Evan Hansen" Playbill.com, July 6, 2015
- ^ Gioia, Michael. "Pasek and Paul's Dear Evan Hansen, About the High School Struggle to Fit In, Premieres in D.C." Playbill.com, July 30, 2015
- ^ Marks, Peter. "Dear Evan Hansen: Original story, high hopes for Benj Pasek and Justin Paul" Washington Post, July 10, 2015
- ^ Clement, Olivia. "Pasek and Paul's 'Dear Evan Hansen' Bows in New York", Playbill, March 26, 2016
- ^ Obie Awards, 2016 Winners.
- ^ "Grammys 2018 Winners: The Complete List (Live Updating)". Billboard. Retrieved 2018-01-28.
- ^ Adam Hetrick (February 1, 2013), "Pasek and Paul's New Song for "Smash," Sung by Katharine McPhee", Playbill
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Benoist Sings in Supergirl Crisis on Earth-X Part 1 Crossover". November 27, 2017. Retrieved December 1, 2017.
- ^ Get Back Up Again, Allmusic, 2016
- ^ Tom and Jerry: Back to Oz, IMDB, 2016
- ^ 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
- ^ Gans, Andrew. "Watch New Trailer for Forthcoming La La Land' Movie Musical" Playbill, August 23, 2016
- ^ "Oscar Nominations 2017: See the Full List". Vanity Fair. January 24, 2017. Retrieved January 24, 2017.
- ^ "Oscar Winners 2017". 26 February 2017 – via NYTimes.com.
- ^ "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.
- ^ Golden Globe Awards for 'This Is Me', January 7, 2018
- ^ "Disney Developing Live-Action 'Snow White' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. October 31, 2016. Retrieved July 17, 2017.
- ^ "VIDEO: Pasek & Paul to Team with Menken on Live-Action ALADDIN; Miranda Confirmed for LITTLE MERMAID". Broadway World.
- ^ "Home - The International Congress of Infant Studies". The International Congress of Infant Studies. Retrieved January 6, 2018.
- ^ a b Paulson, Michael What It’s Like to Make It in Showbiz With Your Best Friend, The New York Times, November 10, 2016.