Musical theatre composers have an extremely important job – to create music that not only elevates the play but also resonates with the audience. Many composers branch out of musical theatre, lending their expert hand to films, TV, and more.

With such excellent contributions to musical theatre, it can be difficult to select just a few. We’ve compiled our top 10 list of musical theatre composers in a handy list:

Stephen Sondheim

This American lyricist and composer has a career spanning more than 50 decades. James Hammerstein, the son of the playwright and lyricist Oscar Hammerstein II, became his friend and the latter his mentor when Sondheim was around 10 years old. Some of his famous work includes lyric writing for West Side Story (1957), Sweeney Todd (1979), and Assassins (1990).

George Gershwin

An American composer and pianist, George Gershwin was the younger brother of lyricist Ira Gershwin. He composed for a varied number of Broadway musicals, operas, films, orchestras, and more. Some of his famous work includes Swanee (1919), Rhapsody in Blue (1924), and Porgy and Bess (1935).

Jeanine Tesori

With five nominations for Tony Awards and five Broadway musicals, Jeanine Tesori is one of the most honoured and prolific female theatrical composers. Some of her famous work includes Violet (1997), Shrek the Musical (2008), and Fun Home (2011).

Oscar Hammerstein II

His first success was as a librettist in Wildflower (1923) in which he collaborated with Otto Harbach. Considered to be one of the most important figures in all of American musical theatre, his contributions to Broadway are undeniable. Some of his famous work includes popular musicals in collaboration with Richard Rodgers, such as Oklahoma! (1943), The King and I (1951), and The Sound of Music (1959).

Jason Robert Brown

Considered to be one of “Broadway’s smartest and most sophisticated songwriters since Stephen Sondheim” by the Philadelphia Inquirer, Jason Robert Brown has scored works like The Bridges of Madison County. He has created arrangements and orchestrations and conducted for industry-renowned names like John Pizzarelli and Liza Minnelli. Some of his famous work includes The Last Five Years, Parade, and Songs for a New World.

Leonard Bernstein

Leonard Bernstein’s career had a sudden and public start. He replaced the sick Bruno Walter at Carnegie Hall and led the Philharmonic through the very difficult routine with less than 24 hours of notice. He received a lot of praise for his Broadway musicals due to his style of strong contrasts of tenderness and violence. Leonard Bernstein is best known for West Side Story (1957).

Irving Berlin

Thought to be one of the best songwriters in American history, Irving Berlin had a 60-year career which produced approximately 1,500 songs. Many of his songs have become popular hits, like Anything You Can Do (I Can Do Better), White Christmas, and There’s No Business Like Show Business. Some of his famous work also includes the This is the Army and God Bless America.

Alan Menken

Alan Menken is famous for his Disney music for films such as Aladdin, The Little Mermaid, and Beauty and the Beast. His first breakthrough was in 1982, with the Off-Broadway hit Little Shop of Horrors. As a composer, he’s incredibly versatile and has the ability to enchant children and adults alike with his music. Some of his famous work includes Little Shop of Horrors (1982), A Christmas Carol (1994-2003), and Sister Act (2009).

Andrew Lloyd Webber

English composer Andrew Lloyd Webber has had musical in the West End for more than a decade. He’s been regarded as having “more or less single-handedly reinvented the musical” by lyricist Don Black. Some of his famous work includes Jesus Christ Superstar (1970), Evita (1978), Cats (1982), and The Phantom of the Opera (1988).

Lynn Ahrens

With a plethora of awards under her belt, Lynn Ahrens is a prolific writer and lyricist for television, film, and musical theatre. Her collaboration with Stephen Flaherty has led to a wide range of musicals like Ragtime, Seussical, and more. Some of her famous work includes Schoolhouse Rock! (1973-2009), Anastacia (1997), and writing the lyrics for Rocky the Musical (2010).