Role

:

Composer  

Country

:

United States of America

Birth

:

September 18, 1960 in Pittsburgh, PA

Genre

:

Orchestral

 

Stephen Flaherty is a renowned American composer of classical music, known for his contributions to the world of musical theater. Born on September 18, 1960, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Flaherty grew up in a family that was passionate about music. His mother was a music teacher, and his father was a jazz musician. Flaherty started playing the piano at a young age and showed a natural talent for music. Flaherty attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he studied music composition. After graduating, he moved to New York City to pursue a career in music. In the early 1980s, Flaherty began working as a rehearsal pianist for various Broadway shows. He also started composing his own music and collaborating with lyricist Lynn Ahrens. Flaherty and Ahrens' first major success came in 1988 with the musical "Lucky Stiff." The show, which was based on a novel by Michael Butterworth, received critical acclaim and earned Flaherty and Ahrens a nomination for the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Music. The success of "Lucky Stiff" led to more opportunities for Flaherty and Ahrens, and they went on to collaborate on several more musicals. In 1990, Flaherty and Ahrens wrote the music for "Once on This Island," a musical set in the Caribbean. The show was a critical and commercial success, earning eight Tony Award nominations and winning the award for Best Musical. The success of "Once on This Island" cemented Flaherty and Ahrens' reputation as talented composers and lyricists. Flaherty and Ahrens' next major success came in 1997 with the musical "Ragtime." Based on the novel by E.L. Doctorow, "Ragtime" tells the story of three families in early 20th century America. The show was a critical and commercial success, earning 13 Tony Award nominations and winning four, including Best Original Score. The score for "Ragtime" is considered one of the greatest in the history of musical theater, and it cemented Flaherty and Ahrens' place as two of the most talented composers of their generation. In addition to his work in musical theater, Flaherty has also composed music for film and television. He wrote the score for the 1997 animated film "Anastasia," which earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song. He also wrote the score for the 2000 film "Loving You," which was directed by his wife, Susan Stroman. Flaherty's most recent work in musical theater is the 2017 musical "Anastasia," which is based on the 1997 film of the same name. The show has been a commercial success and has received positive reviews from critics. Throughout his career, Flaherty has been recognized for his contributions to the world of music. He has won several awards, including the Tony Award for Best Original Score for "Ragtime" and the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Music for "Lucky Stiff" and "Once on This Island." He has also been inducted into the Theater Hall of Fame. Flaherty's music is known for its emotional depth and its ability to tell stories through song. His work in musical theater has helped to redefine the genre and has inspired countless composers and lyricists. With a career spanning over three decades, Flaherty has left an indelible mark on the world of classical music, and his legacy will continue to inspire future generations of musicians.

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