Scott Wittman

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Scott Wittman BIO

Wittman was raised in Nanuet, New York, graduated from Nanuet Senior High School in 1972 and attended Emerson College in Boston for two years before leaving to pursue a career in musical theatre in New York City. While directing a show for a Greenwich Village club he met songwriter and composer Marc Shaiman, and the two became collaborators and professional partners. While Shaiman wrote for television shows, including Saturday Night Live, Wittman directed concerts for such artists as Bette Midler, Christine Ebersole, Raquel Welch, Dame Edna Everage, and Lypsinka, among others.

In 2002, Shaiman and Wittman wrote the music and lyrics for the musical Hairspray, which won the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Lyrics, the Tony Award for Best Original Score, and a Grammy Award. In addition to Hairspray, Wittman conceived, wrote lyrics for, and directed Martin Short: Fame Becomes Me and conceived and directed Matters of the Heart, a solo concert by Patti LuPone in 2000.

Shaiman and Wittman worked on Catch Me If You Can, a musical adaptation of the 2002 Steven Spielberg film, together with Terrence McNally. The musical opened on Broadway in April 2011. They again worked together on Charlie and the Chocolate Factory the Musical.

In 2011, Hairspray was performed at Nanuet Senior High School, where Wittman attended high school.

In 2013, Wittman and Marc Shaiman co-wrote the score for Bombshell, a musical about Marilyn Monroe within the context of the NBC television show Smash. A soundtrack was released later that same year.

Wittman and Shaiman collaborated in 2018 on Mary Poppins Returns where Wittman wrote the lyrics for nine of the tracks listed. He and Shaiman were nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Song for the song "The Place Where Lost Things Go".

In 2021, Wittman and Shaiman wrote a song entitled "Save the City" for the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) in-universe Broadway production, titled Rogers: The Musical featured in the first episode of Hawkeye, "Never Meet Your Heroes". It was released as a single on November 24, the day the episode became available on Disney+.

In February 2021, it was announced that Wittman and Shaiman were writing songs for a new musical adaptation of Some Like It Hot, due on Broadway in 2022, with a book by Amber Ruffin and Matthew Lopez.

Scott Wittman Photos

Scott Wittman Productions

 
[US Tour, 2021] [Replacement]
Lyricist [Replacement]
 
[US Tour, 2018] [Replacement]
Lyrics[Replacement]
 
[Broadway, 2006]
Director
 
[Broadway, 2000]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1995]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 1980]
Music Consultant

Writing

Lyricist
Bookwriter/Composer/Lyricist

Scott Wittman Awards and Nominations


winner
BroadwayWorld Awards - 2023 - Best Original Score

Scott WittmanSome Like It Hot


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2023 - Outstanding Lyrics

Scott WittmanSome Like it Hot


winner
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2023 - Outstanding New Score

Scott WittmanSome Like It Hot

Tony Awards - 2023 - Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre

Scott WittmanSome Like It Hot

Drama Desk Awards - 2011 - Outstanding Lyrics

Scott Wittman, Catch Me if You Can

Drama Desk Awards - 2006 - Outstanding Lyrics

Scott Wittman, Martin Short: Fame Becomes Me


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2003 - Outstanding Lyrics

Scott Wittman, Hairspray


winner
New York Drama Critics Circle Awards - 2003 - Best Musical

Scott Wittman, Hairspray


winner
Tony Awards - 2003 - Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre

Scott Wittman, Hairspray

Scott Wittman Videos

Scott Wittman News


Jennifer Hudson Joins Producing Team of Broadway-Bound SMASH

Emmy,  Grammy, Oscar, and Tony Award winner Jennifer Hudson will join the producing team of the upcoming stage musical  adaptation of SMASH, which is headed to Broadway in Spring 2025.

Catherine Filloux's HOW TO EAT AN ORANGE To Premiere At La MaMa

La MaMa ETC. will present the World Premiere of How to Eat an Orange, written by Catherine Filloux, directed by Elena Araoz.

Tickets Go On Sale For HAIRSPRAY in Dallas This Week

The Dallas engagement of HAIRSPRAY  will go on sale Friday, March 22 at 10 a.m. This new North American tour, helmed by original director Jack O’Brien and original choreographer Jerry Mitchell, will play June 18-30 in Dallas at the Music Hall at Fair Park.

PATTI LUPONE: A LIFE IN NOTES is Coming to LA Opera in April

LA Opera will present Broadway legend Patti LuPone in her first solo show with the company, performing her personal musical memoir entitled A Life in Notes. Learn how to purchase tickets.

FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, NOISES OFF & More Set for Palo Alto Players 2024-25 Season

Palo Alto Players has revealed its 94th season titled SCRUMDIDDLYUMPTIONS THEATRE! See full programing and learn how to purchase tickets.

Concord Theatricals Acquires Licensing Rights for SOME LIKE IT HOT

Concord Theatricals has secured exclusive worldwide stage licensing rights to Marc Shaiman, Scott Wittman, Matthew López and Amber Ruffin’s Some Like It Hot. Learn more about the show here!

Justin Elizabeth Sayre's MY BEATNIK YOUTH: A SOLO RIFF Announces Guest Poets, Livestream And More

Catch the livestream of MY BEATNIK YOUTH: A SOLO RIFF, a solo play by Justin Elizabeth Sayre. Guest poets and Penny Arcade join the lineup from March 14-24.

Initial Cast and Additional Dates Set For HAIRSPRAY UK Tour

Initial casting and further tour dates have been announced for the 2024/25 UK and Ireland tour of Hairspray. Learn more about who is starring in the musical here, and where you can catch the show!

Patti LuPone Brings A LIFE IN NOTES to the Bushnell in May

The Bushnell announced that three-time Tony Award winner Patti LuPone will bring her new concert Patti LuPone: A Life in Notes to The Bushnell for one performance on Sunday, May 19 at 3 PM.

Patti LuPone to Launch A LIFE IN NOTES Multi-City Tour This Spring

This spring three-time Tony Award winner Patti LuPone will perform her new concert Patti LuPone: A Life in Notes on a multi-city tour.

HAIRSPRAY North American Tour is Coming to the Orpheum Theatre This Spring

HAIRSPRAY, Broadway’s Tony Award-winning musical comedy phenomenon, will be performing a limited engagement at BroadwaySF’s Orpheum Theatre. See performance dates and learn how to purchase tickets.

HIGH PRIEST A New Play By Paul Iacono Debuts At La MaMa In Free Reading This March

Experience the premiere reading of PAUL IACONO's 'HIGH PRIEST,' a captivating drama about Andy Warhol's Factory, directed by Rachel Klein.

HARRY POTTER, WICKED & More Set for Broadway In Hollywood 2024-25 Season

BROADWAY IN HOLLYWOOD has revealed their new 2024-25 Season - consisting of Six Los Angeles Premieres and the return of two blockbuster favorites. See full programming and learn how to purchase tickets!

Photos: Go Behind-the-Scenes of the Broadway-Bound SMASH Workshop

SMASH is soon heading to Broadway, but first, it had a workshop, which was presented in NYC. Check out behind-the-scenes photos from the cast & creatives!

Marga Gomez's SWIMMING WITH LESBIANS To Play La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club This Spring

GLAAD award winning solo performer Marga Gomez will return to The Club at La MaMa with the world premiere of Swimming With Lesbians, her 14th one person show, which will run from March 29th through April 7th, 2024. Written and performed by Marga Gomez and directed by David Schweizer the piece is a buoyant and bawdy romp, set aboard a fictional lesbian luxury ocean liner.

Tickets Go On Sale This Week For HAIRSPRAY at the Hobby Center

Tickets to HAIRSPRAY at the Hobby Center will go on sale to the general public Friday, February 23, 2024 at 10am. Performances run June 4-9, 2024.

MEAN GIRLS, THE LION KING & More Set for Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts 24/25 Broadway in Orlando Season

 Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts has unveiled the lineup for the 24/25 AdventHealth Broadway in Orlando season. Learn about the shows being presented and see how to purchase tickets.

HAIRSPRAY Comes To ABT This Week

Alberta Bair Theater will welcome HAIRSPRAY on Saturday, February 17, for two performances – 2 P.M. and 7:30 P.M. Learn more about the production here!

Eisemann Center to Present PATTI LUPONE: A LIFE IN NOTES in March

Eisemann Center Presents will continue the 2023-2024 Season with Patti LuPone: A Life in Notes next month. Learn more about the concert featuring the legendary 3-time Tony Award winner here!

Scott Wittman FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many shows has Scott Wittman written?

Scott Wittman has written 7 shows including Hairspray (Lyricist), Livin' Dolls (Bookwriter/Composer/Lyricist), Patti LuPone: Matters of the Heart (Conceiver), Catch Me If You Can (Lyricist), Martin Short: Fame Becomes Me (Conceiver), Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Composer), Some Like It Hot (Lyricist).

What awards has Scott Wittman been nominated for?

Scott Wittman has been nominated for several awards throughout his career, including Best Original Score (BroadwayWorld Awards) for Some Like It Hot, Outstanding Lyrics (Drama Desk Awards) for Some Like it Hot, Outstanding New Score (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Some Like It Hot, Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre (Tony Awards) for Some Like It Hot, Outstanding Lyrics (Drama Desk Awards) for Catch Me if You Can, Outstanding Lyrics (Drama Desk Awards) for Martin Short: Fame Becomes Me, Outstanding Lyrics (Drama Desk Awards) for Hairspray, Best Musical (New York Drama Critics Circle Awards) for Hairspray, and Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre (Tony Awards) for Hairspray.

What awards has Scott Wittman won?

Scott Wittman has won several awards, including Best Original Score at the BroadwayWorld Awards for Some Like It Hot, Outstanding Lyrics at the Drama Desk Awards for Some Like it Hot, Outstanding New Score at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for Some Like It Hot, Outstanding Lyrics at the Drama Desk Awards for Hairspray, Best Musical at the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards for Hairspray, and Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre at the Tony Awards for Hairspray.

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