Fred Ebb collaborated with composer John Kander for four decades, creating what many would consider Broadway standards and contemporary classics. One of their first collaborations became a hit song for Barbra Streisand, “My Coloring Book,” earning John and Fred a Grammy nomination. In 1965 the pair worked on their first Broadway show FLORA, THE RED MENACE. Produced by Hal Prince and directed by George Abbott, FLORA also introduced a rising new star – Liza Minnelli. Followed by: CABARET (Tony Award for music and lyrics), THE HAPPY TIME, ZORBA, 70 GIRLS 70, Chicago, The Act, Woman of the Year (Tony Award for music and lyrics), THE RINK, KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN (Tony Award for music and lyrics) and STEEL PIER. Their collaboration also transferred itself to movies and television as they wrote original material for the Academy Awards, “Liza with a Z” and HBO’s “Liza Minnelli’s Steppin’ Out” (both Emmy winners), “Baryshnikov on Broadway,” “Goldie and Liza Together,” FUNNY LADY, LUCKY LADY, NEW YORK, NEW YORK, STEPPIN’ OUT and CHICAGO, the movie. In 1985 their song “New York, New York” became the official anthem of New York City. At the time of the unfortunate death of Mr. Ebb, Kander and Ebb had several projects in different stages of completion waiting in the wings, THE VISIT which had a successful run at the Goodman Theatre in Chicago starring Chita Rivera, ALL ABOUT US (a musical adaptation of Thornton Wilder’s play THE SKIN OF OUR TEETH) and THE MINSTREL SHOW. Life goes on.
