Hugh Wheeler Headshot

Hugh Wheeler

Date of Death: July 26, 1987 (75)

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Hugh Wheeler BIO

Hugh Wheeler was a prolific writer of plays, musicals, and novels, best known for his work in the theater. Born in London in 1912, Wheeler began his career as a journalist and worked for several newspapers and magazines before turning to writing for the stage.
Wheeler's first major success came in 1965 with the musical A Little Night Music, which he wrote in collaboration with composer Stephen Sondheim. The show, based on the Ingmar Bergman film Smiles of a Summer Night, was a critical and commercial hit and won several Tony Awards, including Best Musical. Wheeler and Sondheim's collaboration continued with the musicals Pacific Overtures, which premiered on Broadway in 1976, and Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, which premiered in 1979. Both shows were critical successes and won numerous awards.
In addition to his work with Sondheim, Wheeler wrote several plays and musicals on his own. His play Big Fish, Little Fish, which premiered in 1961, was a critical success and won the Tony Award for Best Play. Wheeler's other plays include Look: We've Come Through (1961), We Have Always Lived in the Castle (1966), and Veronica's Room (1973).
Wheeler also wrote the book for the musicals Candide (1973) and Meet Me in St. Louis (1989). Candide, based on the novella by Voltaire, was a critical success but was not a commercial hit. Meet Me in St. Louis, based on the 1944 film of the same name, was a commercial success and received several Tony nominations.
In addition to his work in the theater, Wheeler wrote several novels, including The Wrong People (1967) and Good-bye, Sweet Prince (1982). He also wrote for television, including episodes of the popular series Alfred Hitchcock Presents and The Bell Telephone Hour.
Wheeler's last work for the stage was the book for the musical A Little Night Music, which was revived on Broadway in 2009. The production, which starred Catherine Zeta-Jones and Angela Lansbury, was a critical and commercial success and won several Tony Awards, including Best Revival of a Musical.
Hugh Wheeler died in 1987 at the age of 75, but his legacy lives on through his numerous contributions to the world of theater and literature. His collaborations with Stephen Sondheim are considered some of the greatest works in the history of the musical theater, and his plays and novels continue to be read and performed today.

Hugh Wheeler Productions

 
[Off-Broadway, 2005]
Adaptation
 
[Off-Broadway, 2004]
Adaptation
 
[West End, 1999]
Adaptation
 
[Broadway, 1997]
Adaptation
Bookwriter
 
[Broadway, 1989]
Book Revisions
 
[Off-Broadway, 1982]
Adaptation
 
[West End, 1976]
Book Revisions
 
[Broadway, 1974]
Adaptation
 
[Broadway, 1973]
Book Revisions

Writing

Bookwriter
Additional Material
Bookwriter
Bookwriter
Bookwriter
Bookwriter

Hugh Wheeler Awards and Nominations

Tony Awards - 1990 - Best Book of a Musical

Hugh Wheeler, Meet Me in St. Louis


winner
Olivier Awards - 1988 - Musical of the Year

Hugh Wheeler, Candide


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1979 - Outstanding Book

Hughe Wheeler, Sweeney Todd


winner
New York Drama Critics Circle Awards - 1979 - Best Musical

Hugh Wheeler, Sweeney Todd


winner
Tony Awards - 1979 - Best Book of a Musical

Hugh Wheeler, Sweeney Todd


winner
New York Drama Critics Circle Awards - 1976 - Best Musical

Hugh Wheeler, Pacific Overtures


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1974 - Outstanding Book of a Musical

Hugh Wheeler, Candide


winner
New York Drama Critics Circle Awards - 1974 - Best Musical

Hugh Wheeler, Candide


winner
Tony Awards - 1974 - Best Book of a Musical

Hugh Wheeler, Candide


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1973 - Outstanding Book

Hugh Wheeler, A Little Night Music


winner
New York Drama Critics Circle Awards - 1973 - Best Musical

Hugh Wheeler, A Little Night Music

Hugh Wheeler Videos

Hugh Wheeler News


A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC And More Announced for Mainstage Irving-las Colinas 2024-2025 Season


Discover the exciting new 24-25 season lineup from MainStage Irving-Las Colinas. Get a sneak peek into the captivating performances and theatrical experiences that await you this season.

BWW Q&A: Rob Fisher on SWEENEY TODD at Virginia Arts Festival


Virginia Arts Festival has cast one of Broadway’s leading lights in the role of a new, key position at the Festival: The Goode Family Artistic Advisor for Musical Theater and American Songbook.

Cynthia Erivo, Ruthie Ann Miles, and More Will Lead A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC Concert at Lincoln Center


Stephen Sondheim’s A Little Night Music In Concert, featuring brand new orchestrations by legendary orchestrator and lifelong Sondheim collaborator Jonathan Tunick, will play David Geffen Hall at New York City’s Lincoln Center this summer with a starry cast and we've got the scoop.

Spotlight: A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC at New Mexico Arts Lab


Stephen Sondheim’s “A Little Night Music.”

Review: A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC by ATG-A Stellar Production Now at Hamilton Stage


American Theater Group (ATG) New Jersey’s renowned professional theater company, is now presenting a stellar production of 'A Little Night Music' with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and a book by Hugh Wheeler. Hunter Foster, who directed ATG’s highly acclaimed production of Parade last season, directs.

Donna Lynne Champlin & More to Star in SWEENEY TODD at Virginia Arts Festival


Virginia Arts Festival will present Stephen Sondheim's Tony Award-winning musical Sweeney Todd in an orchestral performance. See who is starring and learn how to purchase tickets.

SWEENEY TODD Revival Sets Broadway Closing Date


The pie shop is closing up! The Broadway revival of Sweeney Todd, currently starring Aaron Tveit and Sutton Foster, is set to close its doors after the pair's previously set departure date of May 5.

American Theater Group To Present A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC Post-Performance Talk Back


Join the American Theater Group for a special Talk Back event on March 14, featuring the cast and crew of A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC.

SWEENEY TODD Revival Cast Recording 3-LP Set Available Now


The 2023 Broadway Cast Recording of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street is available now as a 3-LP set pressed on Revenge Red vinyl.

Previews: SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET Invites All You Bleeders to Palm Canyon Theatre


Attend the tale of Sweeney Todd, an unjustly exiled barber, formerly known as Benjamin Barker, who returns to nineteenth century London, seeking revenge against the judge who framed him many years ago. Renaming himself Sweeney Todd, the now-mad man vows revenge against all who wronged him, applying his razor to unlucky customers and shuttling the bodies down to Mrs. Lovett’s pie shop to supply the pies with cheap, fresh meat. Though many unfortunate souls fall to his blade, Todd will not find satisfaction until he slits the judge’s throat and obtains his final revenge.

Photos: First Look at Aaron Tveit and Sutton Foster in SWEENEY TODD


Earlier this month, Aaron Tveit and Sutton Foster officially joined the cast of the Tony-nominated revival of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. Check out first photos of the duo in action here!

Interview: Joe Locke Opens Up About His New Broadway Gig in SWEENEY TODD


In this interview, Joe Locke, who plays Tobias Ragg in Sweeney Todd on Broadway, checks in with BroadwayWorld to chat about making his Broadway debut, taking on a beloved Sondheim role, and so much more.

Rialto Chatter: Will SWEENEY TODD Close Following Departure of Aaron Tveit & Sutton Foster?


Will Sweeney Todd on Broadway close following the departure of its current stars Aaron Tveit and Sutton Foster? Learn more about the show production here and a new report that talks about its closer. .

The University of Arizona School of Theatre, Film & Television To Present SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET


TFTV celebrates Marroney Theatre reopening with SWEENEY TODD. Find out more about this exciting production and the reopening of the Marroney Theatre.

Photos: First Look At Stephen Sondheim's SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET At A Noise Within


“Sweeney Todd,” the dark, brooding, yet sharply comic story of love, revenge and meat pies by Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler, opens this weekend at Pasadena’s A Noise Within. Check out photos of the production.

Video: Joe Locke on His 'Best Friend' Patti LuPone Seeing Him in SWEENEY TODD


Joe Locke living the ultimate theatre kid dream: having one of his 'best friends,' Patti LuPone, come see him in Sweeney Todd on Broadway. Locke is starring alongside Sutton Foster and Aaron Tveit in Sweeny Todd on Broadway, which he describes as another dream-come-true. Watch the video from the TODAY Show interview now!

Former Mrs. Lovett Patti LuPone Visits Sutton Foster at SWEENEY TODD


Former Mrs. Lovett Patti LuPone visited Sweeney Todd's current Mrs. Lovett Sutton Foster in her first weekend of performances in the Broadway production. Check out a photo here!

Review: CANDIDE at Palais Theatre


What did our critic think of CANDIDE at Palais Theatre?

Burning Coal Theatre Company to Present A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC in April


A Little Night Music by Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler will be performed at Burning Coal Theatre Company in Raleigh, NC from April 4 - April 21, 2024. Learn more about the production here!

Photos: Aaron Tveit & Sutton Foster Take Their First Bows in SWEENEY TODD


Aaron Tveit and Sutton Foster played their first performance in the Tony-nominated revival of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street on February 9, 2024, and BroadwayWorld was there to capture their first bows! Check out the photos here!

Hugh Wheeler FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many shows has Hugh Wheeler written?

Hugh Wheeler has written 11 shows including Truckload (Bookwriter), Silverlake (Bookwriter), The Little Prince and the Aviator (Bookwriter), Irene (Bookwriter), Meet Me in St. Louis (Bookwriter), Big Fish, Little Fish (Playwright), Look, We've Come Through (Playwright), We Have Always Lived in the Castle (Playwright), A Little Night Music (Bookwriter), Pacific Overtures (Additional Material), Meet Me in St. Louis (Bookwriter).

What awards has Hugh Wheeler been nominated for?

Hugh Wheeler has been nominated for several awards throughout his career. He was nominated for Best Book of a Musical at the Tony Awards for "Meet Me in St. Louis" and "Sweeney Todd." He also received nominations for Musical of the Year at the Olivier Awards for "Candide," Outstanding Book at the Drama Desk Awards for "Sweeney Todd," and Outstanding Book of a Musical at the Drama Desk Awards for "Candide" and "A Little Night Music." Additionally, Wheeler's work on "Sweeney Todd" and "Candide" earned nominations for Best Musical at the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards.

What awards has Hugh Wheeler won?

Hugh Wheeler has won several awards throughout his career. Some of his notable wins include the Musical of the Year at the Olivier Awards for "Candide," Outstanding Book at the Drama Desk Awards for "Sweeney Todd," Best Musical at the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards for both "Sweeney Todd" and "Pacific Overtures," Best Book of a Musical at the Tony Awards for "Sweeney Todd" and "Candide," Outstanding Book of a Musical at the Drama Desk Awards for "Candide" and "A Little Night Music," and Best Musical at the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards for "Candide" and "A Little Night Music."

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