Stephen Flaherty is a composer of musical theatre and film. He works most often in collaboration with the lyricist/book writer Lynn Ahrens. They are best known for writing the Broadway musicals Ragtime, which was nominated for thirteen Tony Awards, two Grammy Awards, and won the Tony for Best Original Score; Once On This Island, which won the Tony Award for Best Revival Of A Musical, the Olivier Award for London's Best Musical, and was nominated for a Grammy Award and eight Tony Awards; and Seussical, which was nominated for a Grammy and is now one of the most performed shows in America. Flaherty was also nominated for two Academy Awards and two Golden Globe Awards (with Lynn Ahrens) for his songs and song score for the animated film musical Anastasia.
We had Lynn Ahrens on the podcast a few weeks ago, which makes today the first time we’ve ever had a musical theater songwriting team on the show at separate times. So now hear Stephen’s perspective on how they do what they do and . . .
- How Stephen Sondheim helped him find a Lyricist (and why if he hadn’t listened his career might be very different today).
- Why he’s never experienced Writer’s block, and how you can get through it if you have it.
- The animated movie he wrote that may never see the light of day, and how it inspired another one.
- Why not having his first two shows produced was a good thing.
- The speed writing 11 day audition process he and Lynn went through to be chosen to write Ragtime.
Keep up with me: @KenDavenportBway