Fact-checked by Grok 2 weeks ago

Fred Ebb

Fred Ebb (April 8, 1928 – September 11, 2004) was an American lyricist, librettist, and director best known for his four-decade creative partnership with composer John Kander, which produced landmark Broadway musicals such as the Tony Award-winning Cabaret (1966), Chicago (1975), Woman of the Year (1981), and Kiss of the Spider Woman (1993). Their works often explored themes of decadence, corruption, and show business with sharp wit and innovative staging, earning Ebb four Tony Awards for Best Original Score, along with Emmy, Grammy, and Olivier Awards. Ebb's contributions extended to film adaptations, television specials, and solo projects, solidifying his influence on American musical theater until his death from a heart attack at age 76.

Early Life and Education

Family and Upbringing

Fred Ebb was born on April 8, 1928, in , , to Jewish parents Anna Evelyn (née Gritz) and Harry Ebb. He grew up in a working-class environment, including time in a family dry-goods business, amid the urban of the city, though his household lacked musical influences. Ebb attended in , graduating as in 1944 despite financial hardships following his father's death, which left the family nearly penniless. Early exposure to theater occurred independently of his family, fostering a childhood interest in performance and writing that he pursued against his mother's advice, who dismissed the notion of becoming a as insufficient for .

Academic Background

Fred Ebb completed his undergraduate studies at New York University, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in English literature in 1955. He initially pursued other majors before shifting to English literature, reflecting an evolving interest in literary analysis and composition. Following his bachelor's degree, Ebb advanced to graduate studies at Columbia University, where he obtained a Master of Arts in English in 1957. His coursework emphasized textual interpretation, poetic forms, and narrative techniques drawn from classical and modern literature, fostering a disciplined approach to language that prioritized clarity and rhetorical precision. No records indicate interruptions such as military service during this period, allowing uninterrupted focus on academic pursuits. This formal training in laid essential groundwork for Ebb's pre-professional development of literary skills, particularly in crafting concise, narrative-driven expressions suited to satirical themes—qualities that distinguished his eventual from more sentimental conventions in popular songwriting.

Early Career

Initial Songwriting Ventures

Fred Ebb's entry into professional songwriting occurred in 1951 with his earliest known lyric, "If You’ve Forgotten Me," recorded by on . His first formal assignment came in 1953, when he and composer Phil Springer were commissioned by to write "Heartbroken" for , marking Ebb's debut in crafting material for a major artist. That same year, Ebb co-wrote "The Devil on Wheels," recorded by on , reflecting his initial forays into pop and novelty styles amid the competitive scene in . Ebb's primary early collaborator was , whom he met through a mutual acquaintance and who mentored him in , including prosody and forms like AABA versus verse-chorus. Together, they produced works such as "Don’t Forget" (1954), a hit for , and novelty tracks like "Close the Door" (1955) by . Other 1950s efforts included "I Like 'Em All" (1955) for and "The Shadows" (1956) for , alongside "I Never Loved Him Anyhow" (1956), recorded by . Ebb also contributed lyrics to acts and unpublished material, honing his craft through daily eight-hour writing sessions. Despite these recordings by prominent performers, Ebb's pre-1960s output yielded limited commercial breakthroughs, consisting mainly of one-off pop singles and novelties rather than sustained hits. To support himself, he held disparate day jobs, including at a company, a department store credit office, as a trucker's helper, and bronzing baby shoes, underscoring the financial typical of aspiring lyricists navigating New York's rejection-heavy industry. This period emphasized persistence through merit-driven output over connections, as Ebb built a foundation of modest credits without immediate acclaim.

Work in Revues and Television

In the late 1950s and early 1960s, Fred Ebb wrote lyrics for various nightclub acts and satirical revues, showcasing his emerging talent for witty, topical material in non-musical theater formats. He collaborated with composer Paul Klein on songs featured in the cabaret revue Isn't America Fun (1959) and contributed additional numbers to the Broadway revue From A to Z (1960), which ran for 270 performances but achieved limited commercial success amid a competitive field of sketch-based shows. These efforts yielded modest recognition, with no breakout hits, reflecting the era's emphasis on ephemeral, venue-specific content over enduring catalog pieces. Ebb extended his satirical style to television by providing material for That Was the Week That Was (TW3), the news-parody program that aired weekly from January 1964 to May 1965 and drew an average of 11 million viewers per episode with its irreverent sketches lampooning current events and political figures. His contributions emphasized concise, ironic that critiqued social and cultural norms, honing his precision in blending humor with observation—a skill transferable to later book musicals but underappreciated in these short-form mediums due to the format's focus on timely disposability rather than archival impact. This period underscored Ebb's adaptability across live revues and broadcast , building professional experience without the structural demands of full-length narratives.

Collaboration with John Kander

Origins of the Partnership

Fred Ebb and John Kander met in 1962 through their mutual music publisher, Tommy Valando, at a time when both had recently faced Broadway disappointments—Kander with the short-lived A Family Affair (1962) and Ebb with Morning Sun, which closed after just eight performances. This shared experience of early setbacks facilitated an immediate creative rapport, with Ebb later describing their initial interactions as marked by "instant communication and instant songs" owing to complementary artistic temperaments and "neuroses." Their first joint effort was the pop ballad "My Coloring Book," written shortly after meeting and recorded by Barbra Streisand in 1963, earning a Grammy nomination and providing early validation of their synergy. The duo's initial theatrical venture, the unproduced musical , tested their collaborative mechanics without public exposure, paving the way for their Broadway debut with in 1965. Directed by , this Depression-era satire about Communist agitation in featured in a breakout role, for which she received a Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical; however, the production closed after only 87 performances amid mixed reviews and commercial underperformance. Despite the flop, formalized their partnership under contractual arrangements with producers, demonstrating resilience rooted in professional determination rather than collaborative idealization—Ebb's proven songwriting for revues and television paired with Kander's orchestration expertise ensured continuity beyond initial failures. Ebb's sardonic, literate lyrics—droll and penetrating in their urban cynicism—meshed effectively with Kander's versatile scores, which drew from , , and nascent European cabaret motifs to convey vitality and thematic depth. This stylistic complementarity, unburdened by personal mythology, emphasized discrete talents: Ebb's narrative acuity in words and Kander's melodic adaptability, fostering a pragmatic alliance that prioritized empirical output over sentiment. Their mutual affinity for Weimaresque irony and skepticism, evident even in embryonic works, underscored a causal dynamic where individual proficiency drove evolution, undeterred by Flora's reception.

Key Musicals and Productions

Cabaret, which premiered on Broadway on November 20, 1966, marked Kander and Ebb's breakthrough, running for 1,166 performances and grossing over $20 million in its original production. The musical's dark satire of Weimar-era decadence and the encroaching Nazi threat featured innovative framing through cabaret numbers, earning critical acclaim for its evocative score including "Willkommen" and "Cabaret," though some Nazi references, such as a lyric in "If You Could See Her," faced cuts amid accusations of insensitivity. It secured eight 1967 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Original Score, and Best Featured Actor for Joel Grey as the Emcee. Subsequent works included (1971), a commercial failure that closed after 35 performances despite its ensemble-driven score exploring elderly retirees in a hotel plotting minor crimes for excitement. Factors contributing to its flop status encompassed poor timing amid economic pressures and a mismatched market for its whimsical yet uneven narrative. followed in 1975, satirizing celebrity culture and media sensationalism through jazz-age murderesses and ; its original run totaled 936 performances with mixed reviews and no wins, attributed partly to post-Watergate cynicism clashing with audiences seeking . However, the 1996 revival, directed by and choreographed by , revitalized it into a long-term , amassing over 10,000 total performances worldwide and generating substantial revenue through stripped-down staging that highlighted songs like "All That Jazz" and "." Woman of the Year (1981), adapted from the 1942 film, centered on a power couple's marital strains, starring Lauren Bacall as journalist Tess Harding; it ran for 449 performances and won Tonys for Best Actress in a Musical (Bacall) and Best Original Score, praised for its witty lyrics but critiqued for formulaic plotting reliant on star appeal. Kiss of the Spider Woman (1993), based on Manuel Puig's novel, depicted political prisoners in a Latin American jail using fantasy escapism; its Broadway production earned seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical and Best Original Score, for blending hallucinated musical sequences with themes of repression and identity, achieving 904 performances through innovative direction by Harold Prince and stars Chita Rivera and Anthony Crivello. The Scottsboro Boys premiered Off-Broadway in 2009 before a 2010 Broadway run of only 49 performances, employing a controversial format to recount the 1931 false rape accusations against nine Black teenagers in , aiming to subvert racist tropes for anti-lynching commentary but drawing protests over perceived insensitivity in its vaudeville-style framing. Despite critical nods for Kander's percussive score and Ebb's sharp lyrics—completed posthumously after Ebb's death—the production's bold structure alienated some audiences amid debates on historical representation, limiting commercial viability despite earlier regional successes.

Adaptations and Non-Theater Works

The 1972 film adaptation of , directed by , retained the score by and lyrics by Fred Ebb from the original stage musical, with starring as and reprising his role as the Emcee. The production incorporated additional songs by tailored for the screen, emphasizing the Weimar-era setting's decadence and rising authoritarianism. The 2002 film version of , directed by , adapted the 1975 stage musical's book, music, and lyrics by , starring as and as . It featured seven of the original songs alongside new interpolations, grossing $306.8 million worldwide against a $45 million budget. Ebb extended his work into television through specials featuring Liza Minnelli, producing and contributing lyrics to Liza with a "Z" (1972), a directed and choreographed by that showcased Minnelli performing compositions like "Ring Them Bells." He also wrote the script for An Evening with Liza Minnelli (1980), a variety special blending musical numbers with Minnelli's interpretations of his lyrics. These projects highlighted Ebb's versatility in adapting theatrical material for broadcast formats, often retaining the sardonic wit of his stage lyrics.

Awards and Honors

Major Theater Accolades

Fred Ebb, in collaboration with composer , earned three Tony Awards for Best Original Score Written for the Theatre, recognizing their contributions to lyrics and, in some cases, libretto for musicals. Their score for the 1966 production of secured the award at the 1967 , amid a field that included nominees like and , highlighting the duo's innovative blend of cabaret-style songs with narrative depth that propelled the show's eight total Tony wins, including Best Musical. The 1981 musical Woman of the Year, with lyrics by Ebb and music by Kander, also won the Best Original Score , competing against entries like 42nd Street and ; this victory underscored Ebb's skill in crafting character-driven songs for stars like , though the show itself received mixed commercial reception initially. In 1993, Kiss of the Spider Woman earned Ebb and Kander another for Best Original Score, following its premiere and Broadway transfer, where it triumphed over nominees including in a season favoring adaptation-based works, bolstered by Chita Rivera's performance and the musical's exploration of identity and fantasy. Ebb's theater honors extended to Drama Desk Awards, where he received nominations for Outstanding Lyrics on projects like Curtains (2007) and posthumously for The Visit (2015), reflecting ongoing industry esteem for his lyrical precision. In 2007, the Drama Desk presented a special award to collectively for "42 years of excellence in advancing the art of the ," acknowledging their sustained output across revues, originals, and adaptations despite commercial variability, such as the 1975 loss for Chicago's score to A Chorus Line in a year emphasizing ensemble choreography over revue-style numbers. Overall, Ebb garnered twelve nominations, a tally that speaks to consistent peer recognition in Broadway's competitive landscape, where longevity and thematic innovation often distinguished enduring partnerships from one-off successes.

Broader Recognitions

Ebb and his collaborator received two for cast recordings: Best Musical Theater Album for in 1967 and for in 1976. These honors recognized the musical impact of their scores beyond live stage performances. In television, Ebb earned four Primetime Emmy Awards for contributions to specials, including Outstanding Variety Special for Liza with a Z in 1973 and Outstanding Special - Comedy-Variety or Music for Gypsy in My Soul in 1976. Additional Emmys came for Outstanding Individual Achievement in Music and Lyrics in 1993 and other variety programming efforts. These accolades highlighted his versatility in adapting musical content for broadcast media. Ebb also secured an Olivier Award, Britain's premier theater honor, affirming the international reach of his lyrics in productions mounted in . In 1998, Ebb and Kander were jointly awarded the , a lifetime achievement recognition for their enduring influence on American , presented at the Center for the . Posthumously, the commercial viability of Ebb's catalog is demonstrated by ongoing royalties, which have sustained the Fred Ebb Foundation and enabled donations exceeding $10 million to since his 2004 death. This revenue stream from licensing underscores measurable, market-driven validation of his work's appeal.

Personal Life

Relationships and Lifestyle

Ebb maintained a private personal life despite his prominence in the theater world, never marrying and having no children. He was homosexual, sharing a long-term relationship with Edwin "Eddie" Aldridge, a stage manager who predeceased him in 1997. Aldridge had worked on productions such as in the late 1960s and early 1970s, during which their partnership likely developed. Ebb also maintained a close association with Martin Cohen, his longtime assistant who died in 1995. The three men are interred together in a at in , , inscribed with "Together Forever." Ebb resided in a apartment in , where his daily routine revolved around his collaborative songwriting and theater projects rather than public social engagements. He eschewed discussions of his sexuality in interviews, focusing instead on professional matters, which aligned with a broader reticence among many in his generation of figures to address personal matters openly. His social connections remained predominantly within professional theater circles, emphasizing work relationships over personal entanglements. Ebb suffered a fatal heart attack at his home on , 2004.

Philanthropic Efforts

During his lifetime, Fred Ebb contributed to theater-related charities, particularly (BC/EFA), through fundraising tied to his productions with , including collections at performances that supported AIDS services and arts programs. These efforts reflected Ebb's investment in sustaining the ecosystem he helped shape, channeling resources to aid performers and organizations facing health crises prevalent in the industry during the and . In his will, Ebb directed his share of royalties from works co-created with Kander—such as and —to BC/EFA, establishing a perpetual funding stream for HIV/AIDS initiatives and theater equity programs. This bequest yielded $1.2 million in 2011 alone from ongoing revenue streams, demonstrating the long-term financial impact of tying to charitable causes rather than one-time gifts. By 2021, cumulative distributions from this estate provision and related mechanisms exceeded $24 million to BC/EFA, funding grants to over 400 organizations for like emergency assistance and professional development in the .

Death and Legacy

Final Years and Passing

In his later years, Fred Ebb continued collaborating with composer on new theatrical projects, including the musical Curtains, a backstage mystery comedy that was in development at the time of his death. Ebb, who had maintained a prolific output throughout his career, showed no public signs of significant health decline prior to his sudden passing. Ebb died of a heart attack on September 11, 2004, at his home in , , at the age of 76. , his longtime writing partner, confirmed the cause of death and noted the abrupt nature of the event. In the immediate aftermath, theater marquees dimmed their lights in tribute, and Kander expressed grief over unfinished works like Curtains, which premiered posthumously in 2007 after completion by other contributors.

Cultural Impact and Influence

Ebb's collaborations with composer advanced the "" format, where thematic elements like corruption and are interwoven through Brechtian techniques, as seen in (1966), which marked director Harold Prince's inaugural experiment in subordinating plot to a central of amid rising . This approach prioritized narrative cynicism and social critique over escapist uplift, influencing subsequent works to employ songs as detached commentary rather than character-driven expression, thereby establishing a precedent for modernist musical theater that challenged the optimistic conventions of mid-20th-century . The empirical longevity of Ebb's works underscores their enduring commercial viability, with the 1996 revival of achieving over 11,383 performances and grossing $825 million on through 2025, making it the longest-running revival in history and contributing to worldwide earnings exceeding $1.6 billion. Similarly, multiple revivals, including international productions influenced by ' 1993 interpretation, have sustained the show's relevance by adapting its provocative framing to contemporary audiences, demonstrating how Ebb's cynical lens on human retains appeal amid perceptions of sanitized narratives in modern theater. While praised for innovation in blending cynicism with structural integration, some analyses note that Ebb's satirical edge in works like —drawing from 1920s tabloid scandals—can appear derivative of earlier jazz-age revues or dated in its gleeful when viewed through later ethical lenses, though this has not diminished revenue-driven revivals' dominance over original runs. The duo's output, spanning over 16 shows, exemplifies causal persistence in theater economics, where thematic darkness correlates with revival profitability rather than initial box-office risks.

Fred Ebb Foundation and Award

The Fred Ebb Foundation was established following the death of Fred Ebb in September 2004, drawing from his estate to perpetuate support for musical theater innovation. Administered independently, it channels resources from royalties, bequests, and related endowments toward fostering emerging talent in musical theater songwriting, emphasizing original compositions without reliance on public funding mechanisms. This aligns with Ebb's collaborative legacy alongside composer , prioritizing bold, narrative-driven works that advance the genre's artistic boundaries. Central to the foundation's mission is the annual Fred Ebb Award, inaugurated in 2005 to recognize excellence among aspiring musical theater songwriters who have yet to attain substantial commercial recognition. The prize includes a $60,000 , intended to enable recipients to develop new projects free from immediate financial pressures. By 2024, the award had reached its twentieth iteration, with recipients Cheeyang Ng and Sorrels selected for their contributions to musical theater songwriting; prior winners include Freya Smith and Jack Williams (nineteenth annual, 2023). Applications for the 2025 award remain open to eligible teams or individuals demonstrating potential for innovative, stage-ready material. Over two decades, the foundation has disbursed more than twenty such awards, cultivating careers through targeted monetary support and occasional public showcases of recipients' work. This private initiative underscores a commitment to merit-based advancement in an industry often challenged by market uncertainties, yielding tangible outputs like premiered compositions from awardees without entangling governmental or institutional subsidies.

References

  1. [1]
    Fred Ebb, 76, Lyricist Behind 'Cabaret' and Other Hits, Dies
    Sep 13, 2004 · Fred Ebb, witty Broadway lyricist who was half of legendary musical theater team of Kander and Ebb, dies; age is thought to be 76; ...
  2. [2]
    Fred Ebb | Concord Theatricals
    Fred Ebb earned four Tony Awards (for Cabaret, Woman of the Year, and Kiss of the Spider Woman) and four Primetime Emmy awards (for Liza with a Z, Gypsy in ...
  3. [3]
    Kander and Ebb - Fred Ebb Foundation
    Mr. Ebb is a Tony®, Grammy®, Emmy®, Olivier® and Kennedy Center Honors Lifetime Achievement Award winning recipient. Their long, successful ...
  4. [4]
    BMI Broadway Composer Fred Ebb Dies | News
    Sep 12, 2004 · BMI composer Fred Ebb, lyricist for such Broadway classics as "Cabaret" and "Chicago," died on September 11 at the age of 76. The cause was a ...
  5. [5]
    Fred Ebb - The Kennedy Center
    Fred Ebb (lyricist, born April 8, 1935, New York, New York; died September 12, 2004) For nearly five decades, composer John Kander and lyricist Fred Ebb have ...
  6. [6]
    Fred Ebb - Nordiska - International Performing Rights Agency
    Ebb was born in Manhattan to a Jewish family, the son of Anna Evelyn (née Gritz) and Harry Ebb. He worked during the early 1950s bronzing baby shoes, as a ...Missing: parents childhood
  7. [7]
    Fred Ebb - Biography - JewAge
    Ebb was born in Manhattan to a Jewish family, the son of Anna Evelyn (Gritz) and Harry Ebb. He worked during the early 1950s bronzing baby shoes, as a ...Missing: parents childhood
  8. [8]
    Fred Ebb | Research Starters - EBSCO
    Fred Ebb · Born: April 8, 1933 · Birthplace: New York, New York · Died: September 11, 2004 · Place of death: New York, New York.Missing: notable | Show results with:notable
  9. [9]
    Ebb, Fred 1933 (?)- | Encyclopedia.com
    Ebb and his mother were left practically penniless. He still managed to graduate as the valedictorian of his class at DeWitt Clinton High School, but when ...
  10. [10]
    Fred Ebb | Encyclopedia.com
    Fred Ebb (born 1932) is the lyricist half of the award-winning songwriting team of Kander and Ebb. Partners since the early 1960s.Missing: notable | Show results with:notable
  11. [11]
    Fred Ebb: Lyricist Profile - The Atlanta Opera
    ... born in New York City, NY on April 8, 1935. His lifelong love of the theater began while Ebb was still a child, and ... Subscribe to stay up to date ...Missing: exact | Show results with:exact
  12. [12]
    Fred Ebb - The Official Masterworks Broadway Site
    Lyricist Fred Ebb (b. New York City, April 8, 1933(?); d. New York City, September 11, 2004), was the literary half of the brilliant songwriting team of Kander ...Missing: exact | Show results with:exact
  13. [13]
    Fred Ebb | Songwriters Hall of Fame
    He graduated from New York University and following received his Masters Degree in English Literature from Columbia University. In the early 1950's, Ebb ...
  14. [14]
    "Ebb Tide": Fred Ebb Before John Kander
    Dec 5, 2024 · 1955 was a big year for Ebb, with and without Springer, including the first of several zany, even wacky, novelty hits. This one charted in a ...
  15. [15]
    Fred Ebb papers, 1927-2004 - NYPL Archives
    Fred Ebb was born in the Bronx on April 8, 1928. He grew up in New York and studied at New York University and Columbia University. By 1951, songs with Ebb ...Missing: background | Show results with:background
  16. [16]
    Harlem's Fred Ebb, Legendary Lyricist, Columbia Grad, Co-Writer Of ...
    Jul 15, 2021 · Fred Ebb, April 8, 1928 – September 11, 2004, who lived in West Harlem was a musical theatre lyricist who had many successful collaborations ...
  17. [17]
    Fred Ebb - The Telegraph
    Sep 14, 2004 · He continued to contribute to nightclub acts and revues throughout the late 1950s; in 1960, he was involved in three shows: Put it in ...
  18. [18]
    John Kander - The Kennedy Center
    Ebb had been writing material for nightclub acts, revues, and for the satirical television show, "That Was the Week That Was." By the time he met Kander, he too ...<|separator|>
  19. [19]
    Flora, The Red Menace – 1965 - Masterworks Broadway
    Flora the Red Menace (Original Broadway Cast Recording) · Original Broadway ... Abbott's 105th production, the musical lasted only for 87 performances.Missing: run length
  20. [20]
    Best Kander and Ebb Musicals List: A Complete History
    His forty-year musical partnership with Fred Ebb resulted in at least sixteen Broadway shows, including Flora the Red Menace (1965) and Chicago (1975).
  21. [21]
    On this day in 1966, Cabaret first opened on Broadway. Kander ...
    Nov 20, 2021 · Cabaret opened to glowing reviews and strong box office, eventually taking in more than $20 million.
  22. [22]
    Cabaret (Original 1966) - Concord Theatricals
    Accolades. Winner! Eight 1967 Tony Awards, including Best Musical and Composer/Lyricist Winner! 1967 Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Production
  23. [23]
    70, girls, 70 - StageSceneLA
    Nov 12, 2023 · ... 1971 Broadway flop 70, Girls, 70. Taking place in and around a dilapidated New York City hotel for seniors called the Sussex Arms, 70, Girls, 70 ...
  24. [24]
    70, Girls, 70: Kander & Ebb's Felonious Old-Fogey FLOP! - YouTube
    Feb 26, 2023 · Learn why the musical opened at the WORST time possible, the story ... 70, Girls, 70: Kander & Ebb's Felonious Old-Fogey FLOP! 4.2K ...Missing: 1971 | Show results with:1971
  25. [25]
    'Chicago' theatrical records: How the trailblazing musical set a new ...
    Jul 13, 2022 · The original Broadway production of Chicago opened in 1975 and ran for 936 performances, which is still unusually long for a show.Missing: reception revenue
  26. [26]
    On June 3, 1975: Chicago Opened on Broadway | Playbill
    Jun 3, 2025 · The Kander and Ebb musical turns 50. The original Broadway run won no Tony Awards but it's since made history. By Margaret Hall.
  27. [27]
    THE `CHICAGO' STORY - Chicago Tribune
    Jul 13, 1997 · The Encores! reception led to an incredibly successful Broadway revival that won six 1997 Tony Awards and to an equally acclaimed touring ...
  28. [28]
    Analyzing the Sustained Success of the Musical 'Chicago' - Goover
    Jul 11, 2024 · The bold, seductive score by John Kander and Fred Ebb is integral to the show's lasting success, which includes over 10,000 performances on ...
  29. [29]
    A Look Back at Lauren Bacall in Woman of the Year on Broadway
    Mar 29, 2018 · Woman of the Year, the 1981 John Kander, Fred Ebb, and Peter Stone musical opened March 29, 1981 at the Palace Theatre on Broadway.
  30. [30]
    Woman of the Year – Broadway Musical – Original | IBDB
    Book by Peter Stone; Music by John Kander; Lyrics by Fred Ebb; Based on the MGM film by Ring Lardner, Jr. and Michael Kanin; Musical Director: Donald Pippin.
  31. [31]
    Look Back at Kiss of the Spider Woman on Broadway - Playbill
    The musical would go on to be nominated for 11 Tony Awards, winning seven, including Best Musical, Best Actress for Rivera, and Best Actor for Carver. The ...
  32. [32]
    Kiss of the Spider Woman – Broadway Musical – Original | IBDB
    Tony Award® ; Best Musical. 1993 Winner ; Best Book of a Musical. 1993 Winner Book by Terrence McNally ; Best Original Score. 1993 Winner Lyrics by Fred Ebb Music ...
  33. [33]
    The Oral History of The Scottsboro Boys | Playbill
    Oct 30, 2020 · ... The Scottsboro Boys was a polarizing and controversial show. On October 31, 2010, The Scottsboro Boys opened at Broadway's Lyceum Theatre ...
  34. [34]
    The Scottsboro Boys: a minstrel show like no other - The Guardian
    Oct 29, 2013 · This Kander and Ebb musical about nine black teenagers falsely accused of rape caused controversy when it premiered in New York.
  35. [35]
    Chicago (2002) - IMDb
    Rating 7.2/10 (253,283) The movie follows the lives of two women, living in the tough city of "Chicago" in the 1920's. Velma Kelly (played by Catherine Zeta Jones) is a sexy stage ...Full cast & crew · Trivia · Chicago · Awards
  36. [36]
    Liza with a Z (TV Special 1972) - IMDb
    Rating 8.4/10 (1,056) Liza Minnelli stars in a television concert directed and choreographed by Bob Fosse. ... Written by John Kander and Fred Ebb Performed by Liza Minnelli. Details.
  37. [37]
    An Evening with Liza Minnelli (TV Special 1980) - IMDb
    Rating 9/10 (30) An Evening with Liza Minnelli ; Director. Marty Callner ; Writer. Fred Ebb ; Stars. Liza Minnelli · Obba Babatundé · Roger Minami.
  38. [38]
    Singer Presents Liza with a "Z" - Television Academy
    Singer Presents Liza with a "Z". NBC. Fred Ebb Bob Fosse Liza Minnelli. Nominee. Outstanding Writing Achievement In Comedy, Variety Or Music - 1973. Singer ...
  39. [39]
    Fred Ebb Tony Awards Wins and Nominations - Broadway World
    Cabaret Production took place the previous year. Awards winner. 1968 · Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre · The Happy Time · 1976 ...
  40. [40]
    Celebrating the Music of Tony Winners Kander and Ebb (Video)
    Kander and Ebb received Tony Awards for the scores of Cabaret, Woman of the Year and Kiss of the Spider Woman and were Tony-nominated for their work on The ...
  41. [41]
    Fred Ebb (Director) - Playbill
    Awards. Drama Desk Award. 2015, Outstanding Lyrics. The Visit. Nominee. 2007, Outstanding Lyrics. Curtains. Nominee. 2007, Special Award, Winner. 1969 ...
  42. [42]
    Drama Desk Awards 2006-2007 winners announced
    Oct 19, 2017 · Drama Desk Awards 2006-2007 winners announced · John Kander and Fred Ebb for 42 years of excellence in advancing the art of the musical theatre.
  43. [43]
    THE VINEYARD THEATRE TO HONOR LEGENDARY COMPOSER ...
    They are the recipients of two Grammy Awards – for the Original Cast Album of CABARET and for the Musical Show Album of CHICAGO, and in 1998, they received the ...
  44. [44]
    Fred Ebb | Television Academy
    4 Emmys · Outstanding Individual Achievement In Music And Lyrics - 1993 · Outstanding Special - Comedy-Variety Or Music - 1976 · Outstanding Writing In A Comedy- ...Missing: specifics | Show results with:specifics
  45. [45]
    About - Fred Ebb Foundation
    A Tony, Grammy, Emmy, Olivier, and Kennedy Center Honors Lifetime Achievement Award winner, Ebb was part of one of the most important collaborations the ...Missing: notable | Show results with:notable
  46. [46]
    Kennedy Center Honors: Kander & Ebb - YouTube
    Jul 31, 2020 · The Kennedy Center honors John Kander & Fred Ebb in 1998 for their contributions to the American Musical Theatre.Missing: Grammy Emmy Olivier
  47. [47]
    Fred Ebb Foundation: Home
    Fred Ebb collaborated with John Kander for over 35 years, creating some of the most memorable and groundbreaking Broadway musicals of the past 50 years.
  48. [48]
    Fred Ebb Foundation's Generosity Tops $10 Million Mark
    The Fred Ebb Foundation donated $1.65 million to Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, bringing its total contribution to $10 million since Ebb died in 2004.Missing: posthumous | Show results with:posthumous
  49. [49]
    Did you know that Fred Ebb, the brilliant lyricist behind Cabaret ...
    Jun 24, 2025 · He never publicly discussed his sexuality, but his work—often centered around outsiders, performance, survival, and coded expression—spoke ...Missing: chain | Show results with:chain
  50. [50]
    [PDF] Kander, John (b. 1927) and Fred Ebb (1932?-2004)
    Composer John Kander and lyricist Fred Ebb are the musical poets of the polymorphous perverse. The stage. (and, in two cases, subsequent film) versions of ...
  51. [51]
    The Fred Ebb Foundation - Dancers Responding to AIDS
    ... Fred Ebb Foundation, which has given $850,000 to Broadway Cares since 2005. ... In addition to supporting BC/EFA, the foundation gives a $50,000 annual gift ...Missing: philanthropic | Show results with:philanthropic
  52. [52]
    Fred Ebb Legacy Continues To Lift BC/EFA | Broadway Cares
    During Ebb's lifetime, he and Kander helped raise a significant amount of money for BC/EFA, through collections at their shows and various other fundraising ...Missing: non- achievements
  53. [53]
    Fred Ebb Foundation Donates Largest Gift in Broadway Cares ...
    Jan 5, 2022 · The Fred Ebb Foundation has awarded $2.6 million to Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, topping the foundation's previous donation and cementing ...Missing: philanthropic | Show results with:philanthropic
  54. [54]
    Fred Ebb Legacy Continues To Lift BC/EFA
    Debra Monk's two Tony Award nominations both came from performances in Kander and Ebb musicals,Curtains and Steel Pier. “It doesn't surprise me at all that ...
  55. [55]
    Kander Without Ebb? Start Spreading the News - The New York Times
    Aug 27, 2006 · Fred Ebb, the lyricist, died after a heart attack in 2004, leaving "Curtains" incomplete. And not just "Curtains"; in a way the death left Mr.Missing: issues smoking
  56. [56]
    Inside CABARET by Scott Miller - New Line Theatre
    It was director Hal Prince's first experiment in making a concept musical (a show in which the story is secondary to a central message or metaphor), a form he ...<|separator|>
  57. [57]
    CHICAGO Broadway Grosses
    All time ; Gross $825,636,571 ; Attendance 10,945,158 ; Performances 11,383 ; Previews 25.
  58. [58]
    Chicago smashes box office record on Broadway | West End Theatre
    Jan 3, 2023 · Chicago has grossed over $700 million on Broadway since it opened in 1996 and grossed over $1.6 billion worldwide. It's been seen by more than ...
  59. [59]
    John Kander & Fred Ebb: A Lifelong Partnership in Musical Theater
    Sep 17, 2024 · Their collaborations over the years led to at least 16 Broadway productions, some more successful than others, but began first with Flora the ...
  60. [60]
    Life Is a Cabaret! The Shimmering Kander and Ebb Classic ... - Vogue
    Mar 5, 2024 · Over three decades later, I've seen more stage productions of Cabaret than any other show, including a revival ... show has had such longevity.
  61. [61]
    Kander and Ebb: The Art of the Razzle-Dazzle - Signature Theatre
    Renowned musical writing team John Kander and Fred Ebb have perfected the art of presenting social commentary as provocative musicals.
  62. [62]
    Fred Ebb Foundation
    Since its first contribution in 2005, the Ebb Foundation has donated almost 31 million dollars to Broadway Cares. Home · About · Fred Ebb Award · Photo ...Missing: philanthropic | Show results with:philanthropic
  63. [63]
    Fred Ebb Foundation
    Oct 6, 2021 · The foundation provides an annual award to one or more persons working in the field of musical theater as composers and/or lyricists.
  64. [64]
    Fred Ebb Award
    Fred Ebb Award. Submissions for the 2025 Fred Ebb Award will be accepted from June 1st – June 30th, 2025 via email to fredebbfound@gmail.com.
  65. [65]
    Past Recipients - Fred Ebb Foundation
    Twentieth Annual Fred Ebb Award Winners: Cheeyang Ng and Eric Sorrels · Nineteenth Annual Fred Ebb Award Winners: Freya Catrin Smith and Jack Williams.
  66. [66]
    Cheeyang Ng and Eric Sorrels Receive 20th Annual Fred Ebb Award
    Nov 4, 2024 · The prize includes a $60,000 award. The Fred Ebb Foundation is funded by royalties from Mr. Ebb's vast catalogue of work. Past winners include ...Missing: licensing revenue
  67. [67]
    Cheeyang Ng and Eric Sorrels Receive 20th Annual Fred Ebb Award
    Nov 15, 2024 · The goal of this award program is to encourage and support aspiring songwriters to create new works for musical theatre, and as such the ...