Justin Paul

Justin Paul
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Name	Justin Paul
Birth date	3 January 1985
Birth place	St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
Alma mater	University of Michigan
Occupation	Composer, Lyricist, Songwriter
Years active	2007–present
Spouse	Lauren Pritchard (m. 2013)
Awards	Full list

Justin Paul. He is an American composer, lyricist, and songwriter, best known as one half of the acclaimed songwriting duo Pasek and Paul with his collaborator Benj Pasek. Paul, along with Pasek, has achieved significant success across Broadway, film, and television, winning major awards including an Academy Award, a Tony Award, and a Grammy Award. Their work is celebrated for its melodic and emotionally resonant songs that have defined several hit musicals and popular movie musicals.

Early life and education

Justin Paul was born in St. Louis, Missouri, and developed an early interest in music and theatre. He attended the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, where he studied musical theatre and first met his future collaborator Benj Pasek in 2003 as freshmen. While at Michigan, they began writing songs together, contributing to student productions like the original musical Edges. Their early work garnered attention, leading them to move to New York City after graduation to pursue careers in the American theatre industry.

Career

Paul's professional career, intricately linked with Benj Pasek, took off with their contributions to the Broadway musical A Christmas Story: The Musical. Their major breakthrough came with the stage musical Dear Evan Hansen, for which they wrote the music and lyrics; the show premiered on Broadway in 2016 at the Music Box Theatre and became a cultural phenomenon, winning the Tony Award for Best Original Score. Simultaneously, they found massive success in film, writing lyrics for the songs in La La Land, composed by Justin Hurwitz, which earned them the Academy Award for Best Original Song for "City of Stars". They later composed all new songs for the hit musical film The Greatest Showman, whose soundtrack, featuring performers like Hugh Jackman and Zac Efron, topped charts globally. Their television work includes songs for the NBC series Smash and the Apple TV+ holiday special Spirited, starring Will Ferrell and Ryan Reynolds. Other stage works include Dogfight and James and the Giant Peach.

Awards and nominations

Justin Paul, alongside Benj Pasek, has received numerous prestigious accolades. For Dear Evan Hansen, they won the Tony Award for Best Original Score, the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Music, and a Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album. Their work on La La Land earned them the Academy Award for Best Original Song, a Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song, and a Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Song. The Greatest Showman brought them another Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song nomination for "This Is Me". They have also been honored with the Jonathan Larson Award and awards from the Drama League.

Personal life

Justin Paul married actress and singer Lauren Pritchard, known for her work in the musical Spring Awakening, in 2013. The couple resides in Los Angeles. He maintains a strong professional and personal partnership with Benj Pasek, with their collaboration often cited as one of the most successful in contemporary musical theatre and film. Paul is also involved in mentoring young writers through workshops and programs associated with institutions like the University of Michigan and the Dramatists Guild of America.

Discography

* Edges (song cycle) – 2005 * Dogfight (Original Cast Recording) – 2012 * A Christmas Story: The Musical (Original Cast Recording) – 2012 * Dear Evan Hansen (Original Cast Recording) – 2017 * The Greatest Showman (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) – 2017 * La La Land (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) – 2016 * Spirited (Original Soundtrack) – 2022

Category:American composers Category:American lyricists Category:American songwriters Category:University of Michigan alumni Category:People from St. Louis