I saw Spirited over the weekend, and now I have decided that it is my absolute OBLIGATION to make sure that everyone knows exactly who Benji Pasek and Justin Paul are.
The newest musical Christmas movie to hit the screen is Spirited. The film tells the story of The Ghost of Christmas Past, played by Will Ferrell, who seeks to redeem lost a lost soul, played by Ryan Reynolds, who, based on the calculations done behind the scenes in the ghost realm, has been previously identified as being unredeemable. Ferrell and Reynolds share a similar sardonic and playful sense of humor that, when coupled together, is a delight to watch on screen. Not only do we spend the film listening to the two make witty remarks, but we get to see them break out into song and dance.
The musical numbers in Spirited are the reason that the film is going to get stuck in the heads of many for years to come. That is all thanks to Pasek and Paul.
Now comes the heart of the article.
If you have not heard the names Pasek and Paul before (or you have heard them in the back of distant conversations but have not looked into them deeply but rather allowed their names to wash into a separate plain of existence where in names you have heard before but don't know much about go to live out their days) it is now time to change that.
From Broadway to the big screen Benji Pasek and Justin Paul have become staples of the world we are listening to today. They are the two youngest people ever to win the Jonathan Larson Award for Most Promising Musical Theatre Songwriters. (Believe us, this award is WELL deserved!)
They are the musical masterminds behind many of the incredible Broadway shows that have come out in the past few years. They have worked with big names in Hollywood turning movies into stuck-in-your head masterpieces.
Don't worry! If you have not known who they are up to this point, we are now here to change that. Here are the projects that they have had a hand in that you simply MUST know about! If you think you haven't been listening to them, yes you have been.
1. Dear Evan Hansen
That's right. Tony Award Winning musical Dear Evan Hansen came from the brilliant minds of Pasek and Paul. The two have a brilliant, breathtaking way of creating songs that are both catchy and yank on the heartstrings. The show is one of the most deeply heartfelt and meaningful to be on Broadway in years, and that is largely due to the genius of this incredible pairing.
2. La La Land
If you loved watching Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone sing their way around their artistic lives in California, you again have the brilliant music duo to thank. Again, the two found a way to create songs that stay in the mind forever. For the song City of Stars, the two were nominated for Best Original Composition at the Academy Awards. They are truly winners through and through.
3. Dogfight
Dogfight is one of the most gripping musicals to come out in our time, and, of course, Pasek and Paul were behind it. The show follows the story of boys getting ready to head to fight the Vietnam War. On their last night they hold a, "dogfight," a dance where they compete to see who can bring the ugliest girl to the party. Of course, the story follows gut wrenching twists and turns and features music that is absolutely unforgettable. For this show, the two won the Lucille Lortel Award for Best New Musical.
4. The Greatest Showman
Maybe the whole family didn't watch La La Land, but they sure did watch The Greatest Showman. This incredible musical about Barnum's circus was composed by the musical duo. While this movie came out back in 2018, the songs have remained staples, each one seeming to have its time in the spotlight on TikTok.
5. A Christmas Story
Pasek and Paul have a project for every time of year. Back in 2012, the two made their Broadway debut creating the score for the well loved Christmas classic, A Christmas Story. Once again, this was their Broadway debut. The score was Tony nominated. One more time for the people in the back: their. Broadway. debut.
6. Smash
If you watched the Broadway-based television series Smash, you have been listening to the artistic stylings of Pasek and Paul for quite some time. The two wrote many songs for the show including Caught in the Storm, Original, and Rewrite This Story.
7. Edges
This one is for the niche musical theatre kid out there, but if you have not been listening to Edges or did not even know that Edges was something that existed, don't worry. You're welcome. Edges is a song cycle that was created by Pasek and Paul very early on in their careers. The songs are beautifully perfect, magically heartfelt, and endlessly catchy. Do yourself a favor and dive over the edge (get it?) and into the Edges world now. You will be so glad that you did!
8. Spirited
I mean, this is the reason for the season after all, right (and by season, I mean article)?
Go forth, and continue to listen to all things Pasek and Paul. Trust me, this does not cover everything. The two have a discography so deep that it would take us all day to dive all the way into, and that would take away from the time we have to go and listen to more songs by Pasek and Paul. Happy listening!
