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Doug Besterman

Also Credited As: Douglas Besterman

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BIO

DOUG BESTERMAN is a three-time Tony Award winning musician with a career spanning across theatre, film, television and recording. As a Composer, Producer, Arranger, and Orchestrator, he has been privileged to work with some of the most recognizable names in the industry, including composers Mel Brooks, Alan Menken, and Marc Shaiman; recording artists Barbra Streisand and Barry Manilow; and directors Rob Marshall and Susan Stroman.



A veteran of 25+ Broadway shows, Besterman won the Best Orchestrations Tony Award® for Fosse, The Producers, and Thoroughly Modern Millie, and was nominated for The Music Man (2000), How to Succeed in Business, and Bullets over Broadway. He was also awarded the Drama Desk Award for The Producers and Thoroughly Modern Millie. His most recent Broadway credits include Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, A Bronx Tale, and Anastasia.

Besterman has also written orchestrations for 20+ film and television projects; including recent film work on Mary Poppins Returns, Aladdin (2019), Beauty and the Beast (2017) and Frozen; and American Housewife, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, and Galavant for television.

As a composer, Besterman penned the scores for the podcast musical Little Did I Know (with lyricists Dean Pitchford and Marcy Heisler), currently available for download on Apple Podcasts; The Big One-Oh (with lyricist Dean Pitchford), which recently premiered at The Atlantic For Kids in NYC, and is available for licensing through Music Theater International (MTI); and the vignette “Swelling and Irritation” (with lyricist Sharon Vaughn) from the musical Breathe, also to be licensed by MTI - concept album to be released by Sony. His music has also been recorded by singer Christian Bautista, heard in the films The Punisher, Out of Step and Exit Speed, television shows Summerland and One Life To Live, in concert with the United States Military Academy Concert Band, and in the musical revue Hats.

He is a proud father, husband, and sommelier. When not in New York or Los Angeles working, Doug is an avid traveler. Follow his latest adventures at @DougBesterman.

Productions

 
[Broadway, 2025]
Orchestrator
 
[Broadway, 2025]
Orchestrations
 
[Broadway, 2024]
Orchestrations
 
[US Tour, 2024]
Orchestrator
 
[US Tour, 2022]
Orchestrations
 
[US Tour, 2021] [Replacement]
Orchestrations[Replacement]
 
[Regional (US), 2019]
Orchestrator
 
[US Tour, 2018] [Replacement]
Orchestrations[Replacement]
 
[US Tour, 2018] Cancelled [Replacement]
Orchestrations[Replacement]
 
[US Tour, 2018] [Replacement]
Orchestrations[Replacement]
 
[Milburn, NJ (Regional), 2018]
Orchestrator
 
[West End, 2017] [Replacement]
Orchestrations[Replacement]
 
[Milburn, NJ (Regional), 2017]
Orchestrations
 
[Broadway, 2017]
Orchestrator
 
[Broadway, 2017]
Orchestrator
 
[Broadway, 2016]
Orchestrator
 
[Regional (US), 2016]
Orchestrator
 
[Broadway, 2015] [Replacement]
Orchestrator[Replacement]
 
[Broadway, 2014]
Orchestrator
 
[Broadway, 2014]
Orchestrations
 
[West End, 2013]
Orchestrator
 
[Off-Broadway, 2013]
Choreographer
 
[Broadway, 2013]
Orchestrator
 
[Broadway, 2012]
Orchestrator
 
[Off-Broadway, 2012]
Movement Director
 
[Broadway, 2012]
Orchestrator
 
[US Tour, 2012]
Orchestrations
 
[Off-Broadway, 2012]
Orchestrator
 
[Broadway, 2011]
Orchestrator
 
[Broadway, 2011]
Orchestrator
 
[Broadway, 2011]
Orchestrator
 
[Broadway, 2010]
Orchestrator
 
[West End, 2009]
Orchestrator
 
[Houston, TX (Regional), 2008]
Orchestrator
 
[Broadway, 2007]
Orchestrator
 
[Broadway, 2006]
Orchestrator
 
[West End, 2005]
Orchestrator
 
[Broadway, 2004]
Orchestrator
 
[Broadway, 2002]
Orchestrator
 
[Broadway, 2001]
Orchestrator
 
[Broadway, 2000]
Orchestrator
 
[Broadway, 2000]
Orchestrator
 
[Broadway, 1997]
Orchestrator

Writing


Awards and Nominations

Drama Desk Awards - 2017 - Outstanding Orchestrations

Doug Besterman, Anastasia

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2017 - Outstanding Orchestrations

Doug Besterman, Anastasia

Tony Awards - 2014 - Best Orchestrations

Doug Besterman, Bullets Over Broadway: The Musical

Tony Awards - 2011 - Best Orchestrations

Doug Besterman, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying

Drama Desk Awards - 2007 - Outstanding Orchestrations

Doug Besterman, Young Frankenstein


winner
Tony Awards - 2002 - Best Orchestrations

Doug Besterman, Thoroughly Modern Millie


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2001 - Outstanding Orchestrations

Doug Besterman, The Producers


winner
Tony Awards - 2001 - Best Orchestrations

Doug Besterman, The Producers


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2000 - Outstanding Orchestrations

Doug Besterman, The Music Man

Tony Awards - 2000 - Best Orchestrations

Doug Besterman, The Music Man

Videos

News


Corbin Bleu and Stephanie Styles Will Lead Industry Reading of Broadway-Bound GET HAPPY

Corbin Bleu and Stephanie Styles will headline a private industry reading of the Broadway-bound musical comedy, Get Happy. Learn more about the production here!
Photos: Stars Arrive at DEATH BECOMES HER on Opening Night

Stars came out for the opening of DEATH BECOMES HER at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre on Broadway. Check out photos of Kelly Rowland, Tina Knowles, Tina Fey, Brooke Shields, and more as they arrive on the opening night red carpet here!
Photos: Cast & Creative Team of DEATH BECOMES HER Walk the Opening Night Purple Carpet

Check out photos of the cast and creative team of Death Becomes Her, including Megan Hilty, Jennifer Simard, Christopher Sieber, Michelle Williams, and more, as they walk the opening night purple carpet here!
Photos: DEATH BECOMES HER Opening Night Curtain Call

DEATH BECOMES HER is officially open at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre in a production starring Tony Award nominees Megan Hilty, Jennifer Simard, and more. Check out photos from the opening night curtain call here. 
Review Roundup: DEATH BECOMES HER Opens On Broadway Starring Megan Hilty and Jennifer Simard

DEATH BECOMES HER comes to life on Broadway tonight as it celebrates its opening at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre in a production starring Tony Award nominees Megan Hilty, Jennifer Simard, Christopher Sieber, and Grammy Award winner Michelle Williams. Did the critics fall under the spell of Broadway's most glamourous new musical? Find out below!
DEATH BECOMES HER Extends Run Ahead of Tonight's Opening Night

Ahead of tonight's opening night for Death Becomes Her at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre, the production has announced a new block of tickets on sale. Learn more about how to get tickets here!
Video: Megan Hilty, Jennifer Simard & More in DEATH BECOMES HER

Get a first look at footage of Megan Hilty, Jennifer Simard and more in Death Becomes Her on Broadway. Learn more about the production and see how to purchase tickets.
Photos: ELF THE MUSICAL 2024 National Tour First Look

You can now get a first look at photos of the 2024 National Tour of ELF THE MUSICAL. The National Tour officially launched on November 2nd and will continue to spread holiday cheer. See the photos here!
Jasmine Amy Rogers Will Lead BOOP! THE MUSICAL on Broadway; Full Cast Set

BOOP! The Musical has found its cast! The Broadway production will be led by Jasmine Amy Rogers in the title role, who led the cast in its world premiere production in Chicago last year. 
Photos: Megan Hilty, Jennifer Simard & More in DEATH BECOMES HER

Get a first look at Megan Hilty, Jennifer Simard and more in Death Becomes Her on Broadway. Learn more about the production and see how to purchase tickets.
Alex Brightman, Sara Chase, and More Will Lead SCHMIGADOON! at the Kennedy Center

The cast has been announced for the world premeire production of Schmigadoon! at the Kennedy Center. Learn more about who is starring in this new musical and find out how to get tickets here!
ELF Star Kayla Davion Takes Over Our Instagram Story

Elf the Musical star Kayla Davion will be taking over our Instagram! Davion, who plays Jovie in the beloved holiday musical, will take our followers behind-the-scenes of the production's performance on Good Morning America.
ELF THE MUSICAL Will Offer a Digital Lottery

Elf The Musical will offer a digital ticket lottery starting this week ahead of the show's first preview. Find out how to get discount tickets to Elf The Musical here!
BOOP! The Musical Reveals BOOP! Dupe Costume Contest Winners

BOOP! The Betty Boop Musical has revealed the winners of the BOOP! Dupe Costume Contest on Instagram. See who the winners are and learn more about the new Broadway show!
Robyn Hurder, Brooks Ashmanskas, Krysta Rodriguez, John Behlmann & More Will Star in SMASH on Broadway

SMASH is set to open at Broadway's Imperial Theatre this spring, bringing the acclaimed TV series to the stage. We have all of the new details on what to expect including who's who in the cast, and the show's official dates for Broadway in the Spring of 2025!
DEATH BECOMES HER Will Offer Digital Lottery and Rush Tickets

DEATH BECOMES HER, which begins performances this Wednesday, October 23, 2024, has announced its Digital Lottery and Rush Policy. Learn how to get discount tickets here!
DEATH BECOMES HER Digital Lottery And Rush

DEATH BECOMES HER now playing on Broadway has revealed its Digital Lottery and Rush Policy for the new musical comedy. Find out how to get ticket discounts for this new musical!
ELF The Musical Tour Sets Full Cast

The full cast has been announced for the 2024 National Tour of ELF THE MUSICAL. The National Tour will officially launch on November 2nd, heading to 9 cities this holiday season, including Detroit, New Orleans, Milwaukee and Charlotte. Get the full schedule including the tour route and ticket information.
Kayla Davion, Michael Hayden, and More Join ELF THE MUSICAL

A cast of Broadway and TV stars have been announced to join the limited holiday engagement of Elf The Musical, coming to Broadway this November at The Marquis Theatre. Find out who's who in the cast of this special holiday show.
Sean Astin to Make Broadway Debut as Santa in ELF This Holiday Season

Academy Award nominee and Screen Actors Guild Award-winning actor Sean Astin will make his Broadway debut this holiday season as Santa, in Elf The Musical. Learn more about the production and see how to purchase tickets!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many shows has Doug Besterman written?

Doug Besterman has written 1 shows including The Big One-Oh! (Music).

What awards has Doug Besterman been nominated for?

Outstanding Orchestrations (Drama Desk Awards) for Anastasia, Outstanding Orchestrations (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Anastasia, Best Orchestrations (Tony Awards) for Bullets Over Broadway: The Musical, Best Orchestrations (Tony Awards) for How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Outstanding Orchestrations (Drama Desk Awards) for Young Frankenstein, Best Orchestrations (Tony Awards) for Thoroughly Modern Millie, Outstanding Orchestrations (Drama Desk Awards) for The Producers, Best Orchestrations (Tony Awards) for The Producers, Outstanding Orchestrations (Drama Desk Awards) for The Music Man and Best Orchestrations (Tony Awards) for The Music Man.

What awards has Doug Besterman won?

Doug Besterman has won the following awards: Best Orchestrations at the Tony Awards for Thoroughly Modern Millie; Outstanding Orchestrations at the Drama Desk Awards for The Producers; Best Orchestrations at the Tony Awards for The Producers; and Outstanding Orchestrations at the Drama Desk Awards for The Music Man.

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