Tim Rice

Sir Timothy Miles Bindon Rice (born 1944) is a British lyricist, composer, and author who is one of the most successful and celebrated figures in musical theatre history. Rice's career took off in the late 1960s when he began collaborating with composer Andrew Lloyd Webber, creating some of the most iconic musicals of the 20th century. Their first major success was 'Jesus Christ Superstar' (1970), which revolutionized rock opera and generated significant cultural controversy due to its irreverent treatment of religious themes. This was followed by 'Evita' (1978), which told the life story of Eva Perón and won the Academy Award for Best Original Song. Rice's lyrics are characterized by their sophistication, wit, storytelling prowess, and emotional depth. Beyond his work with Webber, Rice has collaborated with other composers on projects including 'Chess' with Benny and Björn from ABBA. He has also written for film, composing lyrics for Disney animated features and other cinematic works. Rice was knighted in 1994 for his contributions to music and theatre. His impact on musical theatre cannot be overstated—he elevated the lyricist's role to one of paramount importance in theatrical production. Rice remains active in theatre and continues to influence new generations of musical theatre creators.