Broadway Music and My Favorite Composers

 I would like to tell you about my favorite composers.

These composers made an impact on the stage as well in music.

Here is Alan Menken in his recording studio 

Alan Menken was one of my favorites. He wrote the music for Beauty and the Beast as well as Little Shop of Horrors. I like him because he wrote music for Broadway as well as for the movies and both of these were made into movies. 

Here is a young Stephen Sondheim at an event 

Another one I enjoy is Stephen Sondheim. He wrote the music for Gypsy, Company, Sweeney Todd, Into the Woods and Follies, just to name a few. He had a very long and legendary career on Broadway.

Sondheim was a trailblazer. When he passed away in 2021 the loss was immense. Even the Broadway lights dimmed for him. A lot of famous people posted on social media their condolences and their memories of him.

Here is Andrew Lloyd Webber during a Phantom photoshoot

Another composer I like is Andrew Lloyd Webber. He wrote the music to Phantom of the Opera, Starlight Express and Sunset Boulevard. He also  worked with Tim Rice on Jesus Christ Superstar.

The Phantom of the Opera was one of the longest running shows in Broadway history. It opened in January 1988 and closed in April 2023. Many people from all around the world saw it while it was there.

Here is Anaïs Mitchell with a guitar

Anais Mitchell wrote the music for Hadestown. She combined jazz, folk and rock for that show. I also know that Hadestown won a Tony award for Best Musical. It is loosely based on the Greek tragedy of  Orpheus and Eurydice. Mitchell wrote the book, music and lyrics.

I saw this musical in September 2019 for my 24th birthday. My best friend went with me to New York City. We met my dad in Penn Station NYC and the three of us had dinner before going to the musical.

They are all impactful in the Broadway industry and I like both their music and the musicals. 

Who is your favorite Broadway composer?