Kander and Ebb's next two productions were not as critically acclaimed. In 1997 they wrote the music for "Steel Pier," a play about a dance marathoner during the depression. In 1999 they wrote the music for "Over and Over," a play based on the book THE SKIN OF OUR TEETH by Thornton Wilder. In 2000 Kander and Ebb were working on a new musical together called "The Visit" based on a play by Friedrich Durrenmatt. Film and Television Scores Kander's career has not been limited to theater. He has written scores for several films. These include: SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE (1969), A MATTER OF TIME (1976), KRAMER VS. KRAMER (1979), STILL OF THE NIGHT (1982), BLUE SKIES AGAIN (1983), PLACES IN THE HEART (1984), I WANT TO GO HOME (1989), and BILLY BATHGATE (1991). He also collaborated with Ebb for one of their most famous accomplishments, NEW YORK, NEW YORK (1977). The duo also wrote music for CABARET (1972), FUNNY LADY AND LUCKY LADY (1975), and FRENCH POSTCARDS (1979). Kander and Ebb also collaborated on music for several television specials. In 1974 they won an Emmy award for their work on LIZA WITH A 'Z' and the soundtrack also won a Grammy award. They won another Emmy in 1993 for LIZA MINNELLI IN LONDON, STEPPIN' OUT. The partners also worked with Minnelli on GOLDIE AND LIZA TOGETHER (1980), STANDING ROOM ONLY: LIZA IN LONDON (1986), LIZA MINNELLI: A TRIPLE PLAY (1988), and LIZA MINNELLI LIVE! FROM RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL (1992). Additionally, the duet created music for Shirley MacLain's GYPSY IN MY SOUL (1976), BARYSHNIKOV ON BROADWAY (1980), BREATHING LESSONS (1995), and THE BOYS NEXT DOOR (1995). Kander and Ebb also wrote music for two Academy Awards presentations in 1988 and 1993. Awards and Impact In addition to his Tony, Grammy, and Emmy awards, Kander has received other public acknowledgements for his contributions to music. He received honorary doctorate degrees from Oberlin College in 1988 and Niagara University in 1994, where he is also a guest lecturer. In 1996 he received the President's Award from the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers. In 1998 both Kander and Ebb were Kennedy Center Honorees and in 2000 they were awarded the Oscar Hammerstein Award for Lifetime Achievement in musical theater by the York Theatre Company of New York City. For almost four decades Kander and Ebb have been writing music together for theater, film, and television. Their collaboration is a true partnership. As Kander explained, the two always work together in the same room at the same time when they are writing. In a February 1997 article in AMERICAN THEATRE, Marilyn Stasio wrote that "The two artists who do not always agree with each other have nevertheless maintained a perfect balance in their work. They complement each other as Kander's lyricism sweetens Ebb's wit and Ebb's cynicism toughens up Kander's raging romanticism." While the two artists have been successful in many endeavors, they have left the biggest impression on Broadway. As Kander stated in a February 1997 article with Marilyn Stasio in AMERICAN THEATRE, "if you're going to write on a canvas of some size, the Broadway theatre is still the only place that offers you that opportunity." They have created a unique style of musical theater that is characterized by youthful joy and romanticism. In an April 1997 article in the NEW YORK TIMES, Ethan Mordden wrote, "Mr. Kander and Mr. Ebb celebrate the Big Break, the American love of show biz, making it, performance. Their musicals may be set in Germany, Greece, or South America, may defy Fascism or flirt with death. But at the center of their art lies a love of the talent-take-all wonder of entertainment." Source: ENCYCLOPEDIA OF WORLD BIOGRAPHY SUPPLEMENT, VOL. 21. Gale Group, © 2001 Gale Group. Reprinted by permission of The Gale Group. back to page 2