Pasek and Paul
{{short description|American songwriting duo}}
{{Use American English|date=January 2022}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2020}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Pasek and Paul
| image = Pasek and Paul - Benj Pasek and Justin Paul.JPG
| landscape = yes
| caption = Pasek (left) and Paul in 2009
| background = group_or_band
| website = {{URL|http://pasekandpaul.com}}
| genre = Musical theatre
| current_members = Benj Pasek
Justin Paul
}}
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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.ascap.com/news-events/articles/2017/02/oscar-for-best-original-song|title=Benj Pasek and Justin Paul Win Best Original Song Oscar for 'City of Stars' from La La Land|last=Philbrook|first=Erik|date=2017-02-27|publisher=American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers |access-date=2021-12-31}}{{cite web |url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Pasek-and-Paul-Among-Winners-of-Jonathan-Larson-Awards-20070216 |title=Pasek and Paul Among Winners of Jonathan Larson Awards |author=BWW News Desk |date=2007-02-16 |website=BroadwayWorld |access-date=2022-01-09}}{{cite web |url=http://www.playbill.com/article/the-screening-room-pasek-and-pauls-new-song-for-smash-sung-by-katharine-mcphee-com-202165 |title=THE SCREENING ROOM: Pasek and Paul's New Song for "Smash," Sung by Katharine McPhee |last=Hetrick |first=Adam |date=2013-02-01 |work=Playbill |access-date=2019-05-25 }}{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/26/movies/oscar-winners.html |title=Oscar Winners 2017 |date=2017-02-27 |website=The New York Times |access-date=2022-01-09}}
While Pasek usually writes lyrics and Paul usually writes music, they share credit for both elements.{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/13/theater/benj-pasek-justin-paul-dear-evan-hansen.html |title=What It's Like to Make It in Showbiz With Your Best Friend |last=Paulson |first=Michael |date=November 10, 2016 |work=The New York Times }} Both are graduates of the University of Michigan{{cite web |url=https://smtd.umich.edu/departments/musical-theatre/#alumni |title=Here are just a few of our celebrated alumni |website=University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance |access-date=2012-07-27}} and winners of the American Theatre Wing's 2007 Jonathan Larson Grant,{{cite web |url=https://americantheatrewing.org/recipients/benj-pasek-and-justin-paul/ |title=Recipient Benj Pasek and Justin Paul |website=American Theatre Wing |access-date=2012-07-27}} which honors achievement by composers, lyricists and librettists.
In September 2024, the duo became the 20th and 21st EGOT winners.
History
=Start at the University of Michigan=
Pasek and Paul started working together as freshmen at the University of Michigan.[http://www.mtishows.com/biography.asp?writerid=3656 "Biography of Benj Pasek"]. MTIshows.com. Retrieved July 27, 2012 Both got "background" roles in the school's musical theater production, which inspired them to write Edges, a song cycle about the trials and tribulations of moving into adulthood and the search for meaning. Edges premiered in Ann Arbor, Michigan, on April 3, 2005.
On May 14, 2006, the duo made their New York City premiere: a benefit concert of original songs titled Become: The Music of Pasek & Paul. Presented by Jamie McGonnigal,{{Cite web|title=BECOME: The Music of Pasek & Paul at Joe's Pubs|date=May 3, 2006|url=https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/news-features/become-the-music-of-pasek-paul-at-joes-pubs|website=New York Theatre Guide|access-date=March 27, 2018}} performers included Gavin Creel, Cheyenne Jackson, Celia Keenan-Bolger, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, and Steven Pasquale.{{Cite web|last=Gans|first=Andrew|title=Benanti, Keenan-Bolger, Hilty, Jackson and More Set for Become Concert|date=May 2, 2006|url=http://www.playbill.com/article/benanti-keenan-bolger-hilty-jackson-and-more-set-for-become-concert-com-132328|website=Playbill|access-date=March 27, 2018}} They also contributed to the 2006 off-Broadway musical White Noise: A Cautionary Musical, which won Talkin' Broadway's 2006 Summer Theatre Festival Citation for Outstanding Original Score.
In December 2006, they completed their BFA degrees in musical theatre.
=Musical theatre=
==Early projects==
Edges proved popular on social media[http://www.torontolivetheatre.com/showdetail.cfm?ID=3240 "Edges – Show Details, October 20, 2008"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120329124321/http://www.torontolivetheatre.com/showdetail.cfm?ID=3240 |date=March 29, 2012 }}. torontolivetheatre.com. Retrieved July 27, 2012 and within several years it had over 200 productions worldwide, with countries including Australia,[http://www.theatre.asn.au/musicals_and_opera/edges_a_song_cycle "Edges A Song Cycle – Sydney Production (OPENS MARCH 25)"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120405140716/http://www.theatre.asn.au/musicals_and_opera/edges_a_song_cycle |date=April 5, 2012 }} theatre.asn.au, March 16, 2010 South Africa,{{cite web |last=Denette |first=Kelsey |title=Pasek and Paul's EDGES Plays On Broadway, 10/12-15 |url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/south-africa/article/Pasek-and-Pauls-EDGES-Play-On-Broadway-1012-15-20111005 |website=BroadwayWorld |date=October 5, 2011}} Denmark,[http://www.elon.edu/mobile/Enet.mvc/Note/953738 "Music Theatre Professor Directs Production in Denmark"] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20120801062528/http://www.elon.edu/mobile/Enet.mvc/Note/953738 |date=August 1, 2012 }}. elon.edu, July 11, 2011[http://fredericiateater.dk/egenproduktioner/edges Edges] fredericiateater.dk {{dead link|date=May 2016|bot=medic |fix-attempted=yes}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} France,{{cite web|url=http://amtlive.org/2013/04/24/edges-coming-to-paris-with-amt-live/|title=Edges coming to Paris |work=AMT Live|date=April 24, 2013 |access-date=April 28, 2013}} South Korea, the United Kingdom,Tay, Rebecca. [http://www.fringereview.co.uk/fringeReview/3641.html "Fringe Review. Edinburgh Fringe 2010. Edges – the Musical"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120330111916/http://www.fringereview.co.uk/fringeReview/3641.html |date=March 30, 2012 }}. fringereview.co.uk, August 19, 2010 Canada,[https://www.broadwayworld.com/toronto/article/Acting-Up-Stage-Theatre-Company-to-Present-to-Toronto-Premiere-of-Edges-20080918 "Acting Up Stage Theatre Company to Present to Toronto Premiere of Edges"]. Broadwayworld.com, September 18, 2008 the Philippines,[https://www.broadwayworld.com/philippines/article/Ateneo-Blue-Repertory-Presents-Musical-Revue-EDGES-Until-731-20100718 "Ateneo Blue Repertory Presents Musical Revue Edges"]. Broadwayworld.com, July 18, 2010 and the United States.{{cite web |last=Gans |first=Andrew |title=Pasek and Paul's Edges to Play Sondheim Center with Alvin, Bashor and Hanlon |url=https://www.playbill.com/article/pasek-and-pauls-edges-to-play-sondheim-center-with-alvin-bashor-and-hanlon-com-147730 |website=Playbill |access-date=May 20, 2022 |date=February 15, 2008}}
Pasek and Paul wrote the score to the musical adaptation of Roald Dahl's James and the Giant Peach, which premiered in 2010 through Goodspeed Musicals.Jones, Kenneth. [http://www.playbill.com/news/article/144148-James-and-the-Giant-Peach-the-Musical-Blossoms-With-the-Help-of-Pilobolus-Oct-21 "'James and the Giant Peach, the Musical', Blossoms With the Help of Pilobolus, Oct. 21"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101114131418/http://www.playbill.com/news/article/144148-James-and-the-Giant-Peach-the-Musical-Blossoms-With-the-Help-of-Pilobolus-Oct-21 |date=November 14, 2010 }}. Playbill, October 21, 2010 Other early works include If You Give A Pig A Pancake (2010) and Duck For President for Theatreworks USA,[http://www.cpa.psu.edu/publications/ons-pig.pdf "Onstage. If You Give A Pig A Pancake, January 24, 2010"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120404094136/http://www.cpa.psu.edu/publications/ons-pig.pdf |date=April 4, 2012 }}. Penn State. Retrieved July 27, 2012 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.[http://broadwayworld.com/article/One-Night-Stand-Documentary-Feat-Cheyenne-Jackson-Jesse-Tyler-Ferguson-Mandy-Gonzalez-et-al-Makes-NewFest-Premiere-724-20110723 "One Night Stand Documentary Feat. Cheyenne Jackson, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Mandy Gonzalez et al. Makes NewFest Premiere, 7/24"]. Broadwayworld.com, July 24, 2011 They wrote the lyrics and music to the 2012 musical Dogfight,
{{Cite web | title=Dogfight | work=pasekandpaul.com | url=http://pasekandpaul.com/projects/dogfight/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180328102720/http://pasekandpaul.com/projects/dogfight/ |archive-date=March 28, 2018 |url-status=dead}} also contributing to A Christmas Story, The Musical, which was nominated for a Tony Award in 2013 for Best Original Score.{{cite web|url=http://www.tonyawards.com/en_US/nominees/index.html|title=The Tony Award Nominees – All Categories|website=Tony Awards |access-date=April 24, 2019}}
==''Dear Evan Hansen'' (2015)==
Pasek and Paul wrote the music and lyrics to their musical Dear Evan Hansen. The musical, inspired by the death of a fellow student while Pasek was in high school, features book by Steven Levenson. Directed by Michael Greif and starring Ben Platt in the title role, it premiered at the Arena Stage in Washington, D.C. on July 30, 2015.Rothstein, Mervyn. [https://www.playbill.com/article/next-to-normals-michael-greif-stirs-up-more-family-drama-with-dear-evan-hansen-com-352566 "Next to Normal{{'}}s Michael Greif Stirs Up More Family Drama With Dear Evan Hansen"] Playbill, July 6, 2015Gioia, Michael. [https://www.playbill.com/article/pasek-and-pauls-dear-evan-hansen-about-the-high-school-struggle-to-fit-in-premieres-in-dc-com-355138 "Pasek and Paul's Dear Evan Hansen, About the High School Struggle to Fit In, Premieres in D.C."] Playbill, July 30, 2015Marks, Peter. [https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/theater_dance/benj-pasek-and-justin-paul-swing-for-the-fences-with-dear-evan-hansen/2015/07/09/50f59f48-219c-11e5-aeb9-a411a84c9d55_story.html "Dear Evan Hansen: Original story, high hopes for Benj Pasek and Justin Paul"] The Washington Post, July 10, 2015 It made its Off-Broadway debut in March 2016 at the Second Stage Theatre,Clement, Olivia. [http://www.playbill.com/article/dear-evan-hansen-begins-tonight-com-383684# "Pasek and Paul's Dear Evan Hansen Bows in New York"], Playbill, March 26, 2016 and on Broadway on November 14, 2016, opening three weeks later 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.{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/grammys/8096569/grammys-2018-winners-list|title=Grammys 2018 Winners: The Complete List (Live Updating)|magazine=Billboard |access-date=January 28, 2018}} The musical received the Edgerton Foundation New Play Award and a 2016 Obie Award for Musical Theatre.Obie Awards, [http://www.obieawards.com/events/year-2016/ 2016 Winners]. The show broke box office records at the Music Box Theatre and became the longest-running production to play the venue in Broadway’s history.{{cite web |last=Gans |first=Andrew |title=Broadway's Dear Evan Hansen Breaks Music Box Theatre Record |url=https://www.playbill.com/article/broadways-dear-evan-hansen-breaks-music-box-theatre-record |website=Playbill |date=August 1, 2022}}
The musical made its West End debut at the Noël Coward Theatre in London on November 19, 2019, following previews in October of the same year. The show was nominated for seven Laurence Olivier Awards at the 2020 ceremony and won three: Best New Musical, Best Actor in a Musical for star Sam Tutty and Best Original Score or New Orchestrations for Pasek and Paul.{{Cite web|url=https://officiallondontheatre.com/olivier-awards/year/olivier-awards-2020/|title=Olivier Awards 2020 with Mastercard - Theatre's Biggest Night|website=Officiallondontheatre.com|access-date=December 31, 2021}}
=Television=
The duo have written original music for several television shows. In 2007 and 2008 Pasek and Paul wrote music for the Disney Channel show Johnny and the Sprites,{{Cite web |first=Kenneth |last=Jones |date=October 16, 2007 |title=Pasek and Paul's Edges Gets Equity Bow in Albany with Hanlon and Alvin |website=Playbill |url=http://www.playbill.com/article/pasek-and-pauls-edges-gets-equity-bow-in-albany-with-hanlon-and-alvin-com-144597}} with songs used in six episodes and for one story in the season's premiere.
Their original material was featured on season 2 of NBC's Smash in 2013,{{Cite web
|first=Adam |last=Hetrick
| date=February 1, 2013
| title=Pasek and Paul's New Song for "Smash," Sung by Katharine McPhee
| website=Playbill
| url=http://www.playbill.com/article/the-screening-room-pasek-and-pauls-new-song-for-smash-sung-by-katharine-mcphee-com-202165
}} and have risen to the Top 25 on the iTunes Pop Charts.
Pasek and Paul also wrote the original song "Runnin' Home to You" performed by Grant Gustin for The Flash episode "Duet", a musical crossover between The Flash and Supergirl.{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/tv/2017/01/31/flash-supergirl-musical-crossover-rachel-bloom-song/|title=The Flash-Supergirl musical crossover to feature songs by Rachel Bloom, Dear Evan Hansen duo|last=Agard|first=Chancellor|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=January 31, 2017|access-date=January 31, 2017}} Melissa Benoist sang it in Supergirl
They also wrote original songs for an episode of the Hulu show Only Murders in the Building, including "Look for the Light", a duet sung by Meryl Streep and Ashley Park.{{cite web|url=https://people.com/only-murders-in-the-building-meryl-streep-ashley-park-song-sara-bareilles-pasek-paul-season-3-7629189 |title=The Story Behind 'Magnificent' Meryl Streep's Show-Saving 'Only Murders' Duet with Ashley Park (Exclusive)|work=People}} Another song, "Which of Pickwick Triplets Did It?" was written by Pasek and Paul working for the first time in collaboration with Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman of Hairspray fame. The tongue-twisting patter song was performed primarily by Only Murders actor Steve Martin, and also by Matthew Broderick for one episode, followed by Martin Short.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-news/steve-martin-which-of-the-pickwick-triplets-did-it-only-murders-in-the-building-1234828882/ |title=Watch Steve Martin Belt Out 'Which of the Pickwick Triplets Did It' for 'Only Murders in the Building' |date=September 20, 2023 |last=Madarang |first=Charisma |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=February 2, 2024}}{{cite web |url=https://broadwaydirect.com/how-the-catchy-only-murders-in-the-building-song-was-written/ |title=How the Catchy Only Murders in the Building Song Was Written |first=Leigh |last=Scheps |date=October 4, 2023 |work=Broadway Direct |access-date=February 2, 2024}} They won a Primetime Emmy for "Which of the Pickwick Triplets Did It?" in 2024.{{Cite web |title=Outstanding Original Music And Lyrics 2024 - Nominees & Winners |url=https://www.televisionacademy.com/awards/nominees-winners/2024/outstanding-original-music-and-lyrics |access-date=2025-04-13 |website=Television Academy |language=en}} In 2025, they reunited with Shaiman and Wittman to pen "Sometimes All You Need Is a Song," for Cynthia Erivo and the Broadway Inspirational Voices to perform as the opening number of the 78th Tony Awards.{{Cite web |title=The best and worst moments from the 2025 Tony Awards |url=https://ew.com/tony-awards-2025-highlights-best-and-worst-moments-11747808 |access-date=2025-06-09 |website=Entertainment Weekly |language=en}}
=Films=
Pasek and Paul wrote the 2016 song "Get Back Up Again" for the film Trolls,{{Cite web
|year=2016
| title=Get Back Up Again
| website= AllMusic
| url=https://www.allmusic.com/song/get-back-up-again-mt0053586567
| access-date=March 27, 2018
}} as well as five original songs for the 2016 animated direct-to-video feature Tom and Jerry: Back to Oz.{{Cite web
|year=2016
| title= Tom and Jerry: Back to Oz
| publisher= IMDb
| url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5737408/soundtrack
| access-date=March 27, 2018
}}
They wrote the lyrics for the musical romantic comedy-drama film La La Land, which had music written by Justin Hurwitz.Gans, Andrew and Viagas, Robert. [http://www.playbill.com/article/la-la-land-film-with-ryan-gosling-to-feature-songs-by-pasek-and-paul-and-justin-hurwitz-com-348167# "La La Land Film, With Ryan Gosling, to Feature Songs by Pasek and Paul and Justin Hurwitz"] Playbill, March 8, 2016 The film, in its world premiere, was the opening film at the 73rd Venice International Film Festival on August 31, 2016.{{cite web |last=Gans |first=Andrew |title=La La Land Movie Musical Debuts Tonight, Featuring Pasek & Paul Songs |url=https://www.playbill.com/article/la-la-land-movie-musical-debuts-tonight-featuring-pasek-paul-songs |website=Playbill |access-date=May 20, 2022 |date=August 31, 2016}} The film's track "City of Stars", with their lyrics and composition by Justin Hurwitz, won the 2017 Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song.Barone, Joshua, [https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/08/arts/golden-globes-winners-list-2017.html Golden Globe Winners 2017], The New York Times, January 8, 2017. "City of Stars" and "Audition" received nominations for Best Original Song at the 89th Academy Awards,{{cite web|url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2017/01/oscar-nominations-2017-full-list|title=Oscar Nominations 2017: See the Full List|access-date=January 24, 2017|date=January 24, 2017|work=Vanity Fair}} and they won the Academy Award for Best Original Song for "City of Stars."{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/26/movies/oscar-winners.html|title=Oscar Winners 2017|date=February 26, 2017|work=The New York Times}} It was then announced in February 2023 that they would reunite with Hurwitz on a stage musical adaptation of the film currently in development, with a book by Ayad Akhtar and Matthew Decker and direction by Bartlett Sher.{{Cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lifestyle/arts/la-la-land-broadway-musical-1235319367/|title='La La Land' to Become a Broadway Musical|first=Mia|last=Galuppo|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=February 7, 2023|accessdate=February 7, 2023}}
Pasek and Paul wrote the songs for the 2017 musical drama film The Greatest Showman. About the Barnum & Bailey Circus, the film premiered on December 8, 2017.{{cite web |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cunard-to-broadcast-live-red-carpet-from-the-greatest-showman-world-premiere-on-flagship-queen-mary-2-300567705.html |title=Cunard to Broadcast LIVE Red Carpet from 'The Greatest Showman' World Premiere on Flagship Queen Mary 2 |work=Cision |date=December 6, 2017 |access-date=December 8, 2017}} The duo's song "This Is Me" won a Golden Globe for Best Original Song[https://www.goldenglobes.com/song/me Golden Globe Awards for "This Is Me"], January 7, 2018 and was nominated for Best Original Song at the 90th Academy Awards. A stage musical adaptation of the film is set to open at the Bristol Hippodrome in Bristol in the spring of 2026, with Pasek and Paul returning to write additional new songs for the show.https://www.broadwaynews.com/the-greatest-showman-to-premiere-in-bristol-england-in-spring-2026-with-new-songs-by-pasek-and-paul-2/{{Cite web |last=Moss |date=2024-08-10 |title='The Greatest Showman' Currently in Development for a Stage Musical Adaptation |url=https://thewaltdisneycompany.com/the-greatest-showman-stage-musical-adaptation-in-development/ |access-date=2025-03-05 |website=The Walt Disney Company |language=en-US}}
In collaboration with Alan Menken, Pasek and Paul wrote the lyrics for two new songs for Disney's 2019 live action film adaptation of Aladdin. The film also includes original 1992 song compositions written by Menken, Howard Ashman, and Tim Rice.{{cite web|last=Robbins|first=Caryn|url=http://www.broadwayworld.com/article/VIDEO-Pasek-Paul-to-Team-with-Menken-on-Live-Action-ALADDIN-Miranda-Confirmed-for-LITTLE-MERMAID-20170717|title=VIDEO: Pasek & Paul to Team with Menken on Live-Action ALADDIN; Miranda Confirmed for LITTLE MERMAID|website=BroadwayWorld|date=July 17, 2017}}
Pasek and Paul also adapted Dear Evan Hansen as a feature film for Universal Pictures and director Stephen Chbosky. They wrote two new songs for the film, including "The Anonymous Ones," which was written in collaboration with Amandla Stenberg for the character of Alana Beck, whom Stenberg plays in the film. They also wrote "A Little Closer" for the character of Connor Murphy, played by Colton Ryan, who reprises the role in which he understudied in the Broadway production.{{cite web|url= https://www.whatsonstage.com/london-theatre/news/dear-evan-hansen-movie-new-numbers-ending_54746.html|title=Dear Evan Hansen movie to have two new numbers and rewritten ending, Ben Platt reveals| date=August 21, 2021|last=Wood|first=Alex|website=WhatsOnStage|access-date=August 21, 2021}} Paul also composed the film's underscore with Dan Romer.{{Cite web|url=https://filmmusicreporter.com/2021/08/24/dan-romer-justin-paul-scoring-stephen-chboskys-dear-evan-hansen/|title=Dan Romer & Justin Paul Scoring Stephen Chbosky's 'Dear Evan Hansen' | Film Music Reporter|website=Filmmusicreporter.com|access-date=December 31, 2021}} It premiered at the 2021 Toronto International Film Festival on September 9, 2021, followed by a release in theaters on September 24, 2021.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2018/11/dear-evan-hansen-film-tony-award-winning-musical-wonder-stephen-chbosky-marc-platt-1202222391/|title=Tony Award-Winning Musical Dear Evan Hansen Will Be Universal Pictures, Marc Platt Film; Wonder{{'}}s Stephen Chbosky May Direct|first1=Anita|last1=Busch|date=November 29, 2018 |access-date=November 30, 2018|work=Deadline Hollywood}}{{Cite web|last=Kroll|first=Justin|url=https://deadline.com/2020/08/universals-dear-evan-hansen-the-hate-you-give-amanda-stenberg-1203015188/|title=Universal's 'Dear Evan Hansen' Adaptation Adds 'The Hate U Give' Star Amandla Stenberg|website=Deadline|date=August 17, 2020}}{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2021/01/dear-evan-hansen-movie-release-date-ben-platt-amy-adams-julianne-moore-1234683675/#comments|title=Universal's 'Dear Evan Hansen' Pic Gets Theatrical Release Date|date=January 29, 2021}}
The duo has also written original songs for Sony Pictures Entertainment's live-action/animated adaptation of Bernard Waber's children's book Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile (released on October 7, 2022){{Cite web|url=https://www.animationmagazine.net/features/javier-bardem-to-star-in-sonys-hybrid-lyle-lyle-crocodile-adaptation/|title=Javier Bardem to Star in Sony's Hybrid 'Lyle, Lyle Crocodile' Adaptation|website=Animationmagazine.net|first=Mercedes|last=Milligan|date=July 9, 2021|access-date=December 31, 2021}}{{cite web |url=https://pasekandpaul.com/work-3|title=WORK }} and Apple Original Films' Spirited (November 11).{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2021/film/news/ryan-reynolds-will-ferrell-christmas-carol-pasek-paul-1234867879/|title=Ryan Reynolds and Will Ferrell's Musical 'Spirited' Adds Three Songwriters Alongside Pasek and Paul (EXCLUSIVE)|author=Rubin, Rebecca|date=November 18, 2021|work=Variety}} Pasek and Paul have also written new songs for Disney's live-action remake of Snow White, released in March of 2025.{{cite web | url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/snow-white-live-action-works-at-disney-942601 | title=Disney Developing Live-Action Snow White (Exclusive) | work=The Hollywood Reporter | date=October 31, 2016 | access-date=July 17, 2017}}{{cite web | url=https://variety.com/2019/film/news/marc-webb-disney-snow-white-remake-1203229326/ | title=Marc Webb Eyed to Direct Disney's 'Snow White' Remake (EXCLUSIVE) | work=Variety | date=May 30, 2019 | access-date=May 31, 2019}} They also collaborated with Pharrell Williams on songs for the semi-autobiographical musical drama Golden, reuniting them with Steven Levenson for the first time since Dear Evan Hansen. In February of 2025 it was announced that Golden was shelved and would never see release in any capacity.{{Cite web |last=Donnelly |first=Matt |date=2025-02-07 |title=Pharrell Williams, Michel Gondry Scrap Their Movie Musical at Universal in Postproduction (EXCLUSIVE) |url=https://variety.com/2025/film/news/pharrell-movie-shut-down-michel-gondry-golden-1236300426/ |access-date=2025-03-08 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}
Personal lives
Pasek is the son of Temple University professor Kathy Hirsh-Pasek.{{Cite web|url=https://infantstudies.org/|title=Home – The International Congress of Infant Studies|website=The International Congress of Infant Studies |access-date=January 6, 2018}} His alma mater is the University of Michigan and Friends' Central School. He is gay.
Paul's alma mater is the University of Michigan and Staples High School. Paul is married; he and his wife have four children.
Musicals
class="wikitable"
|+ !Year !Title !Notes | |
2005 | {{plainlist|
}} |
2010
|Book by Timothy Allen McDonald | |
2012
|Book by Peter Duchan | |
2012
|A Christmas Story: The Musical |Book by Joseph Robinette | |
2016
|Book by Steven Levenson | |
2026
|Book by Tim Federle | |
TBA
|Book by Ayad Akhtar and Matthew Decker |
Filmography
class="wikitable"
|+ !Year !Title !Notes | |
rowspan= 3 |2016 | {{plainlist|* Film songwriting debut
|
Trolls
|Writers of "Get Back Up Again" | |
La La Land
| {{plainlist|* Lyrics by Pasek and Paul, music by Justin Hurwitz
| |
2017
| {{plainlist|* Won a Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song for "This Is Me"
| |
2019
|Wrote the lyrics for two new songs in collaboration with Alan Menken, including "Speechless" | |
2021
|{{plainlist|* Wrote two new songs, including: "The Anonymous Ones," with Amandla Stenberg and "A Little Closer."
| |
rowspan= 2 |2022
|rowspan=2| Also executive producers | |
Spirited | |
2023
|Composed songs for S3's "Death Rattle Dazzle" musical | |
2025
|{{plainlist| * New songs
| |
2028
|Warner Bros. Pictures Animation adaptating the 1990 book by Dr. Seuss | |
N/A
|{{plainlist|
|
Awards and nominations
{{Main|List of awards and nominations received by Pasek and Paul}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.pasekandpaul.com Pasek and Paul website]
- {{IMDb name|2537947|Benj Pasek}}
- {{IMDb name|2524192|Justin Paul}}
{{Pasek and Paul}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:American musical theatre composers
Category:American musical theatre lyricists
Category:American songwriting teams
Category:Best Original Song Academy Award–winning songwriters
Category:Broadway composers and lyricists
Category:Children's and Family Emmy Award winners
Category:Friends' Central School alumni
Category:Golden Globe Award–winning musicians
Category:American male musical theatre composers
Category:Primetime Emmy Award winners
Category:University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance alumni