Pasek and Paul Musicals – The Full List
Benj Pasek and Justin Paul are an extremely successful contemporary songwriting duo who have together created one musical theatre hit after another. And for your convenience, here’s our list of all of the exciting Pasek and Paul stage and movie musicals, sorted chronologically.
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Musicals by Pasek and Paul
Music/Lyrics/Book: Benj Pasek, Justin Paul
Musical Type: Contemporary (2005)
Edges was the first collaboration between Pasek and Paul. They worked on this song cycle together while musical theatre undergrads at the University of Michigan. The show went on to be produced across the world in countries including, Australia, South Korea, Denmark, South Africa, and the Philippines
Music/Lyrics: Benj Pasek, Justin Paul Book: Joseph Robinette
Musical Type: Contemporary (2009)
In 2009, Pasek and Paul worked with Joseph Robinette on a stage musical adaptation of the popular film, A Christmas Story. This was Pasek and Paul’s Broadway debut and was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Original Score.
Music: Justin Paul Lyrics: Benj Pasek Book: Timothy Allen McDonald
Musical Type: Contemporary (2010)
In 2010, Pasek and Paul wrote the music for the stage adaptation of Roald Dahl’s James and the Giant Peach, which is now popular in youth/regional theatre productions.
Music/Lyrics: Benj Pasek, Justin Paul Book: Peter Duchan
Musical Type: Contemporary (2012)
In 2011, Pasek and Paul worked with Peter Duchan to create an adaptation of Nancy Savoca’s film Dogfight. This musical played both Off-Broadway and Off-West End in 2012 and 2014.
Music/Lyrics: Benj Pasek, Justin Paul Book: Steven Levenson
Musical Type: Contemporary (2015)
Dear Evan Hansen was an enormous success for the duo! The Broadway musical won six Tony Awards – including Best Musical and Best Score. It also received an Obie Award for Musical Theatre, a Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Musical, and a Grammy Award for Best Musical Theatre Album.
Film Musicals by Pasek and Paul
La La Land
Music: Justin Hurwitz Lyrics: Benj Pasek, Justin Paul Book: Ayad Akhtar, Matthew Decker
Musical Type: Coming Soon to Broadway (2023)
Pasek and Paul wrote the lyrics for La La Land, a musical film that was released in 2016. The movie received 14 Academy Award nominations and 6 wins, including a Golden Globe for Best Original Song for the song “City of Stars”. “Audition (The Fools Who Dream)” was nominated for Best Song as well. La La Land is now set to premiere on Broadway on an unannounced date.
The Greatest Showman
Music/Lyrics: Benj Pasek, Justin Paul, John Debney, Joseph Trapanese
Musical Type: Contemporary Film (2017)
In 2017, Benj Pasek and Justin Paul wrote nine original songs for the musical film The Greatest Showman, which is now one of the most popular contemporary musical movies.
Additional Work by Pasek and Paul
2007: Songs for Johnny and the Sprites
2010: If You Give a Pig a Pancake
2010: Duck for President for Theatreworks USA
2013: NBC’s Smash➝ (songs featured in the series)
2016: “Get Back Up Again” – Trolls➝
2017: “Runnin’ Home to You” – The Flash➝ (TV series)
2019: “Speechless” – New Song for Disney’s Aladdin➝ (lyricists with Alan Menken)
Upcoming: Currently working on songs for Disney’s upcoming Snow White film
Upcoming: Currently working on songs for Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile
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Which of these musicals by Pasek and Paul is your favorite?
Or have you ever played a role in any of these Pasek & Paul musicals? Feel free to share in the comments! And if you enjoy exploring these lists, check out the musical database, where you can discover musicals organized by composer, theme, setting, and much more!
Author: Stacy Karyn
Stacy Karyn is the founder of Theatre Trip, author of The Thespian’s Bucket List, and creator of The Cast Album List. She holds a BA in theatre and a TESOL drama certificate, with experience working and interning in Broadway and Off-Broadway theaters.