Kristen Anderson-Lopez

Last updated

Kristen Anderson-Lopez
20180523--Kristen Anderson-Lopez, Tony Awards screenshot (00m03s) (cropped).jpg
Anderson-Lopez in 2018
Born
Kristen Anderson

(1972-03-21) March 21, 1972 (age 51)
New York City, New York, U.S.
Alma mater Williams College (BA)
OccupationSongwriter
Spouse
​
(m. 2003)​
Children2
Awards2014: Academy Award for Best Original Song
2015: Grammy Award for Best Song Written for Visual Media
2015: Grammy Award for Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media
2018: Academy Award for Best Original Song
2021: Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics

Kristen Anderson-Lopez (born March 21, 1972) is an American songwriter known for co-writing the songs for the 2013 computer-animated musical film Frozen and its 2019 sequel Frozen II with her husband Robert Lopez. The couple won the Academy Award for Best Original Song for "Let It Go" from Frozen and "Remember Me" from Coco (2017) at the 86th and 90th awards respectively. She also won two Grammy Awards at the 57th Annual Grammy Awards.

Contents

Personal life

Anderson-Lopez was raised in Croton-on-Hudson, New York (a suburb of New York City), until 1986; the Myers Park neighborhood of Charlotte, North Carolina, from 1986 to 1990; and Waxhaw, North Carolina (a suburb of Charlotte), from 1990 onward (which was her home during her college years). [1] [2] Her parents, Erin and John, still live in Waxhaw. [2] [3] According to her father, Anderson-Lopez first fell in love with the theater at the age of four, when he took her to see a U.S. Bicentennial musical tribute staged in their then-hometown of Croton-on-Hudson. [3] After her family moved to North Carolina, she attended and graduated from Charlotte Country Day School. [1] She went on to Williams College in western Massachusetts, where she double-majored in drama and psychology and graduated in 1994. While at Williams, she became a member of the college's oldest all gender a capella group-The Ephlats. [2] [3] After a theater internship in Florida, [2] Anderson-Lopez spent several years working temporary jobs while pursuing her dream of becoming a Broadway theatre performer in New York City. [3] In 1999, she entered the BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop [1] and found her true calling as a lyricist, and also met her future husband Robert Lopez. [4]

In October 2003, [5] Anderson married Lopez, who would go on to become an EGOT-winning [6] [7] songwriter, composer and lyricist, including three Tony Awards [8] [9] for Avenue Q and The Book of Mormon . They have two daughters; [10] Katie and Annie, who both had voice parts in Frozen. [10]

Anderson-Lopez's sister, Kate Anderson, co-wrote the songs for Olaf's Frozen Adventure .

Stage productions

In 2006, Anderson-Lopez and her husband wrote the songs for the Walt Disney World production of Finding Nemo – The Musical . [11]

Anderson-Lopez is the co-creator of the musical In Transit , developed at the O'Neill Musical Theatre Conference. The musical ran Off-Broadway at the 59E59 Theatre, from September 21, 2010, to October 30, 2010. [12] The production received the 2011 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Ensemble, as well as a nomination for the 2011 Lucille Lortel Award, Outstanding Musical (among others) and the 2011 Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding New Off-Broadway Musical. It opened on Broadway at the Circle in the Square Theatre in November 2016, directed and choreographed by Kathleen Marshall. [13] [14] [15]

She co-created the romantic stage musical Up Here, which debuted in 2015, with her husband and Alex Timbers. [16]

Her work for young audiences includes numerous short and full-length musical adaptations for Theatreworks USA (Diary of a Worm, Fancy Nancy , Condensed Classics).

Anderson-Lopez worked with her husband on the Disney Theatrical Productions stage musical adaptation of Frozen , with Jennifer Lee writing the book. [17]

Film and television productions

Anderson-Lopez's first collaborations with her husband involved writing several songs together for children's televisions shows, such as Wonder Pets on Nick Jr and Bear in the Big Blue House on the Disney Channel. [18]

Anderson-Lopez, along with her husband Robert Lopez and Henry Jackman, wrote and produced music for the 2011 Disney film Winnie the Pooh , [19] for which they were nominated for an Annie Award for Best Music in a Feature Production. [20] [21] She also provided the voice of Kanga in the film. [22]

Her work with her husband writing songs for the 2013 Disney film Frozen , [23] including "Let It Go", won her an Academy Award for Best Original Song at the 86th Academy Awards and two Grammy Awards at the 57th Annual Grammy Awards. [24] [25] Anderson-Lopez and her husband also wrote the music for the sequel, Frozen II . [26]

Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez again collaborated in writing songs and lyrics for the 2017 Pixar film Coco, [27] for which she won for an Annie Award for Music in a Feature Production. [28] She also won an Academy Award for Best Original Song for the song "Remember Me" at the 90th Academy Awards.

Kristen Anderson-Lopez sings Elsa’s part in “I Seek the Truth”, an outtake song of the Frozen II soundtrack, along with Patti Murin singing Anna’s part. Murin had originated the role of Anna in the Broadway production of Frozen. [29]

Anderson-Lopez and her husband wrote and produced music for the 2021 series WandaVision , set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The series features multiple title theme songs based on various classic American sitcoms, as well as the song "Agatha All Along". [30] [31]

Awards and nominations

Academy Awards

YearCategoryNominated workResult
2013 Best Original Song "Let It Go" (from Frozen )Won
2017 "Remember Me" (from Coco )Won
2019 "Into the Unknown" (from Frozen II )Nominated

Annie Awards

YearCategoryNominated workResult
2011 Music in an Animated Feature Production Winnie the Pooh Nominated
2013 Frozen Won
2017 Coco Won
2019 Frozen II Nominated

Children's and Family Emmy Awards

YearCategoryNominated workResult
2022 Outstanding Short Form Program We the People Won

Critics' Choice Movie Awards

YearCategoryNominated workResult
2013 Best Original Song "Let It Go" (from Frozen )Won
2017 "Remember Me" (from Coco )Won
2019 "Into the Unknown" (from Frozen II )Nominated

Golden Globe Awards

YearCategoryNominated workResult
2013 Best Original Song "Let It Go" (from Frozen )Nominated
2017 "Remember Me" (from Coco )Nominated
2019 "Into the Unknown" (from Frozen II )Nominated

Grammy Awards

YearCategoryNominated workResult
2015 Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media Frozen Won
Best Song Written for Visual Media "Let It Go" (from Frozen )Won
2019 "Remember Me" (from Coco )Nominated
2021 "Into the Unknown" (from Frozen II )Nominated
2022 "Agatha All Along" (from WandaVision )Nominated

Primetime Emmy Awards

YearCategoryNominated workResult
2015 Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics "Kiss an Old Man" (from The Comedians )Nominated
"Moving Pictures" (from The Oscars )Nominated
2021 "Agatha All Along" (from WandaVision )Won
Outstanding Original Main Title Theme Music WandaVision Nominated

Tony Awards

YearCategoryNominated workResult
2018 Best Original Score Frozen Nominated

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Idina Menzel</span> American actress (born 1971)

Idina Kim Menzel is an American actress and singer. Particularly recognized for her work in musicals on Broadway, she has been nicknamed the "Queen of Broadway" for her commanding stage presence, powerful mezzo-soprano, and reputation as one of the most influential stage actors of her generation. Having achieved mainstream success across stage, screen, and music, her accolades include an American Music Award, a Billboard Music Award, and a Tony Award, as well as nominations for a Daytime Emmy Award, three Drama League Awards, and four Drama Desk Awards. In 2019, Menzel received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and was named a Disney Legend in 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Robert Lopez</span> American songwriter of musicals (born 1975)

Robert Lopez is an American songwriter for musicals and playwright, best known for co-creating The Book of Mormon and Avenue Q, and for co-writing the songs featured in the Disney computer-animated films Frozen, its sequel Frozen II, and Coco, with his wife Kristen Anderson-Lopez. He is one of only eighteen people who have won an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar and a Tony Award, nicknamed by Philip Michael Thomas in 1984 as the "EGOT". He additionally holds the distinctions of being the youngest person to win an EGOT, and winning the awards across the shortest period of time: he won all four in the span of ten years and completed the set at the age of 39. He is also the only person to have won all four awards more than once, having won two Oscars, three Tonys, three Grammys, and four Emmys. With a second set of competitive wins beginning with his June 27th, 2010 Emmy and concluding with his March 4th, 2018 Academy Award, he has broken his own 'fastest to complete' record, establishing a new fastest EGOT interval at 7 year, 8 months.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Disney Theatrical Productions</span> Subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company

Disney Theatrical Productions Limited (DTP), also known as Disney on Broadway, is the stageplay and musical production company of the Disney Theatrical Group, a subsidiary of Disney Entertainment, a major division and business unit of The Walt Disney Company.

<i>Finding Nemo: The Big Blue... and Beyond!</i> Live puppet and musical stage show at Disneys Animal Kingdom theme park

Finding Nemo: The Big Blue... and Beyond! is a live puppet and musical stage show based on Disney/Pixar's 2003 film Finding Nemo, located at the Theater in the Wild in DinoLand U.S.A at Disney's Animal Kingdom in Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. The original 40-minute show titled Finding Nemo – The Musical started holding previews on November 5, 2006, officially opening on January 24, 2007. The music is composed by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, who also composed the music for Frozen, using direct lines from the film.

<i>Frozen</i> (2013 film) 2013 computer animated film produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios

Frozen is a 2013 American animated musical fantasy film produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios and released by Walt Disney Pictures. Inspired by Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale "The Snow Queen", the film depicts a princess who sets off on a journey alongside an iceman, his reindeer, and a snowman to find her estranged sister, whose icy powers have inadvertently trapped their kingdom in eternal winter.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Let It Go</span> Song from Disneys 2013 film Frozen

"Let It Go" is a song from Disney's 2013 computer-animated feature film Frozen, whose music and lyrics were composed by husband-and-wife songwriting team Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez. The song was performed in its original show-tune version in the film by American actress and singer Idina Menzel in her vocal role as Queen Elsa. It was later released as a single, being promoted to adult contemporary radio by Walt Disney Records in January 2014. Anderson-Lopez and Lopez also composed a simplified pop version which was performed by actress and singer Demi Lovato over the start of the film's closing credits. Disney's music division planned to release Lovato's version of the song before Menzel's, as they did not consider Menzel's version a traditional pop song. A music video was released separately for Lovato's version.

<i>Frozen</i> (musical) Musical adaptation of the 2013 Disney film Frozen

Frozen is a musical with music and lyrics by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, and book by Jennifer Lee, based on the 2013 film of the same name. The story centers on the relationship between two sisters who are princesses, Elsa and Anna. Elsa has magical powers to freeze objects and people, which she does not know how to control. After inheriting the throne, Elsa flees, inadvertently causes the kingdom to become frozen in an eternal winter, and nearly kills her sister. She must sacrifice and show true love to save the day.

"Do You Want to Build a Snowman?" is a song from the 2013 Disney 3D computer-animated musical feature film Frozen, with music and lyrics composed by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez. The song is also present in the musical adapation. As of 25 November 2016, the total sales of the digital track stands at 1,600,000 downloads according to Nielsen SoundScan, placing it second on the list of all-time best-selling Christmas/holiday digital singles in SoundScan history.

"For the First Time in Forever" is a song from Disney's 2013 animated feature film Frozen, with music and lyrics composed by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez. It is reprised later in the musical. Both versions are sung by American actresses Kristen Bell and Idina Menzel who provide the speaking and the singing voices of Princess Anna and Queen Elsa, respectively.

"Love Is an Open Door" is a song written by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez for Walt Disney Animation Studios's 53rd animated feature film Frozen (2013). Performed by Kristen Bell and Santino Fontana as Anna and Prince Hans respectively, "Love Is an Open Door" is a romantic duet which takes place during the first act of the film, when Anna meets Hans during the reception of her sister Elsa's coronation. The song was intended by Lopez and Anderson-Lopez to "feel like the perfect first date", inspired by the date depicted in the film The Karate Kid (1984).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Betsy Wolfe</span> American actress and singer (born 1982)

Betsy Wolfe is an American actress, singer, and entrepreneur.

<i>In Transit</i> (musical)

In Transit is a one-act musical with book, music and lyrics by Kristen Anderson-Lopez, James-Allen Ford, Russ Kaplan and Sara Wordsworth. The musical, performed entirely a cappella, ran Off-Broadway in 2010, and on Broadway in 2016.

David Metzger is an American composer, conductor, arranger, and orchestrator who has worked on many Disney Animation films, including Wish, the 2023 short film Once Upon a Studio, Frozen, Frozen 2, Moana, Planes, Wreck-It Ralph, Tarzan, and Brother Bear. In addition to his work for Disney, he has done orchestrations for over 50 major films, composed the musical scores for Tarzan 2, Brother Bear 2, and Tarzan and Jane, and has numerous video game, theme park, television, and commercial credits, as well as co-arranging and orchestrating "When You Wish Upon a Star" for the 2006 Walt Disney Pictures logo with Mark Mancina, and co-composing the 2013 DisneyToon Studios logo with Mancina.

<i>Olafs Frozen Adventure</i> 2017 animated short film

Olaf's Frozen Adventure is a 2017 American animated featurette produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios and directed by Kevin Deters and Stevie Wermers. The screenplay was written by Jac Schaeffer, with Josh Gad, Kristen Bell, Idina Menzel, and Jonathan Groff reprising their roles from Frozen (2013).

"Remember Me" is a song from the 2017 animated Pixar film Coco, written by Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez. The song is performed variously within the film by Benjamin Bratt, Gael García Bernal, Anthony Gonzalez, and Ana Ofelia Murguía. Miguel and Natalia Lafourcade perform a pop version of the song that is featured in the film's end credits. Carlos Rivera recorded a cover version of the song, titled "Recuérdame" for the film's Spanish-language soundtrack album. It won Best Original Song at the 90th Academy Awards in 2018. The song was performed live by Gael García Bernal and Federico Ramos on guitar.

"Monster" is a song from the 2018 Broadway musical Frozen, an adaptation of the 2013 Disney’s computer-animated musical film of the same name. Sung by Elsa, the song takes place during the second act. The song was written by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez. the scene takes place after Elsa stikes Anna with her powers and starts questioning her own mortality, then Hans and his men come to capture Elsa in her ice palace.

<i>Winnie the Pooh</i> (2011 soundtrack) 2011 soundtrack album by Various artists

Winnie the Pooh is the soundtrack album to the 2011 film of the same name, based on the eponymous novel created by A. A. Milne and E. H. Shepard, and directed by Stephen J. Anderson and Don Hall, the latter in his feature directorial debut. Henry Jackman composed the film score with additional music by Christopher Willis. The original songs were written by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez. The soundtrack was released by Walt Disney Records on July 12, 2011.

McKenzie Kurtz is an American actress, singer, and dancer. In her Broadway debut, she played the role of Anna in Frozen.

References

  1. 1 2 3 De Brito, Deia (August 19, 2011). "Successful Disney writer 'knew what she wanted'". Charlotte Observer. Archived from the original on October 6, 2014. Retrieved September 22, 2014.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Toppman, Lawrence (February 28, 2014). "Former Charlottean is front-runner for Oscar for 'Let It Go". The Charlotte Observer. Archived from the original on March 1, 2014. Retrieved March 24, 2014.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Anderson, John (February 11, 2014). "Oscar nominees have roots in Waxhaw". Charlotte Observer. Archived from the original on May 19, 2014. Retrieved May 18, 2014.
  4. ↑ Kennedy, Mark (May 10, 2014). "Musical theater workshop becomes incubator for Broadway shows". Washington Post. Retrieved May 18, 2014.
  5. ↑ "WEDDINGS/CELEBRATIONS; Kristen Anderson, Robert Lopez". The New York Times. October 12, 2003.
  6. ↑ "The Style Blog". The Washington Post.
  7. ↑ "Oscars 2014: 'Frozen' Ballad Wins Best Song, Giving Robert Lopez the EGOT". Billboard. March 2, 2014. Retrieved June 22, 2014.
  8. ↑ "2004 Tony Award Winners". BroadwayWorld.com. Archived from the original on November 6, 2014. Retrieved February 13, 2012.
  9. ↑ "Who's Nominated? - All Categories". tonyawards.com. May 3, 2011. Archived from the original on May 11, 2008. Retrieved May 3, 2011.
  10. 1 2 Alexander, Bryan (November 25, 2013). "'Frozen': Family affair for married songwriters". USA Today. Retrieved December 4, 2013.
  11. ↑ "Finding Nemo – The Musical: Entertainment at Disney's Animal Kingdom® Park". Walt Disney World . Retrieved February 13, 2012.
  12. ↑ In Transit lortel.org, accessed June 27, 2016
  13. ↑ Gans, Andrew. "A Cappella Musical 'In Transit' Will Play Broadway's Circle in the Square" Playbill, June 27, 2016
  14. ↑ Viagas, Robert. "Telly Leung, Justin Guarini Among Cast of A Cappella Broadway Musical 'In Transit'" Playbill, August 30, 2016
  15. ↑ Gans, Andrew. " 'In Transit', New A Cappella Musical, Begins Broadway Previews" Playbill, November 10, 2016
  16. ↑ Hetrick, Adam (October 27, 2011). "Robert Lopez, Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Alex Timbers Developing Romantic Musical Up Here". Playbill . Retrieved December 9, 2016.
  17. ↑ Gordon Cox (February 9, 2016). "'Frozen' Musical Sets Broadway Dates for 2018 After 2017 Tryout - Variety". Variety. Retrieved February 9, 2016.
  18. ↑ "Sodajerker presents… Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez". Songwriting Magazine. Songwriting Ltd. January 12, 2016. Retrieved December 11, 2017.
  19. ↑ "Full cast and crew for Winnie the Pooh (2011)". IMDb . Retrieved February 13, 2012.
  20. ↑ King, Susan (February 4, 2012). "'Rango' wins the Annie Award for animated feature". Los Angeles Times . Retrieved February 13, 2012.
  21. ↑ Giardina, Carolyn (February 4, 2012). "'Rango' Wins Annie Award for Best Animated Feature". The Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved February 13, 2012.
  22. ↑ "Winnie the Pooh (2011)". IMDb . Retrieved February 13, 2012.
  23. ↑ Disney's 'Frozen': Kristen Bell and Idina Menzel to voice animated tale Retrieved December 1, 2013
  24. ↑ Lily Rothman (March 2, 2014). "EGOT! Frozen's Robert Lopez on Scoring His Oscar". Time. Archived from the original on March 6, 2014. Retrieved March 2, 2014.
  25. ↑ ""Let It Go" From Frozen Wins Best Song Written For Visual Media". Recording Academy . Retrieved February 9, 2016.
  26. ↑ Carbone, Gina (October 24, 2017). "Kristen Bell: 'Frozen 2' Is 'VERY Good' With New Characters You'll Love". Moviefone. Retrieved December 11, 2017.
  27. ↑ "Disney's COCO Soundtrack to Feature Original Song by Bobby & Kristen-Anderson Lopez". BroadwayWorld. Wisdom Digital Media. October 4, 2017. Retrieved December 11, 2017.
  28. ↑ Hipes, Patrick (December 4, 2017). "Annie Awards: Disney/Pixar's 'Coco' Tops Nominations". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved December 4, 2017.
  29. ↑ Romano, Aja (November 19, 2019). "The Frozen 2 soundtrack: a guide to the best songs". Vox. Retrieved March 9, 2020.
  30. ↑ Taylor, Drew (January 4, 2021). "Each Episode of 'WandaVision' Will Have a Different Theme Song Written by 'Frozen' Songwriters". Collider . Archived from the original on January 4, 2021. Retrieved January 4, 2021.
  31. ↑ Bahr, Sarah (February 27, 2021). "Meet the Songwriters Behind the 'Wandavision' Hit 'Agatha All Along'". The New York Times . Archived from the original on February 27, 2021. Retrieved February 27, 2021.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.