News on your favorite shows, specials & more!
Scott Wittman Headshot

Scott Wittman

Get Scott Wittman Email Alerts

Be the first to get news, photos, videos & more.

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.

Photos

Productions

 
[Broadway, 2025]
Composer
 
[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

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

Videos

News


Interview: Andrew Lippa of LIPPA @ 60: A BIRTHDAY BENEFIT FOR THEATREWORKS at TheatreWorks Silicon Valley

BroadwayWorld chats with composer Andrew Lippa about 'Lippa @ 60' his one-night-only gala concert to benefit TheatreWorks Silicon Valley on December 16th
Patti LuPone to Launch New Concert Tour Winter 2025

Three-time Tony winner Patti LuPone will return to the concert stage in early 2025 with a series of concerts which she’ll perform throughout the United States as well as in London and New York. Learn how to purchase tickets.
Cast Set for HAIRSPRAY at White Plains Performing Arts Center

The White Plains Performing Arts Center has revealed the cast for its Mainstage production of HAIRSPRAY. See who is starring and learn how to purchase tickets.
Review: SOME LIKE IT HOT at Belk Theater

While Marc Shaiman's score often sounds effortful in striving to make SOME LIKE IT HOT what it was in the first place—a musical with cherry-picked hits for Marilyn Monroe to sing—the book by Matthew Lopez and Amber Ruffin helps the story and its main characters diversify and evolve. Director Casey Nicholaw's high-heel tap choreography further assures high energy all evening long.
MTI Will Make ALL TOGETHER NOW! Free for Theatres Affected by Natural Disasters

MTI's All Together Now!: A Benefit Event for Disaster Relief is a show designed to be used as a fundraiser for affected theatres, and will be available in early 2025. 
Watch These 10 Family-Friendly Musicals After Seeing WICKED

Looking for the next musical to watch after Wicked? Whether you are a musical theatre savant or completely new to the genre, BroadwayWorld has assembled a guide of ten musicals that you and your family are encouraged to check out if you enjoyed Wicked.
Tickets are Now on Sale for SOME LIKE IT HOT in San Diego

Single tickets for the upcoming engagement of SOME LIKE IT HOT in San Diego are now on sale. The show will run at the San Diego Civic Theatre beginning in January.
La MaMa Presents Richard Foreman's SUPPOSE BEAUTIFUL MADELINE HARVEY

La MaMa will present the world premiere of Suppose Beautiful Madeline Harvey, legendary experimental theater icon Richard Foreman's first new play in 10 years.
SOME LIKE IT HOT is Coming to BroadwaySF's Orpheum Theatre

SOME LIKE IT HOT, the hit Tony and Grammy Award-winning Broadway musical, is coming to BroadwaySF’s Orpheum Theatre for a limited engagement. Learn how to purchase tickets.
Society Of Composers & Lyricists To Present Awards To Giorgio Moroder, Benj Pasek & Justin Paul, and More

The Society of Composers & Lyricists announced Giorgio Moroder will receive the 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award. Benj Pasek, Justin Paul, and Jeff Beal to receive SCL Ambassador Awards.
SOME LIKE IT HOT Memphis Premiere On Sale This Friday At The Orpheum

Tickets for the Memphis premiere of SOME LIKE IT HOT at the Orpheum Theatre go on sale Friday, November 22. The show will run from April 8 to 13 as part of the 2024-2025 Broadway Season.
Photos: On the Red Carpet at MAMA I'M A BIG GIRL NOW! Opening Night

Mama, I'm A Big Girl Now reunites the original Tracy, Penny, and Amber of Broadway's Hairspray. BroadwayWorld was at opening night and you can check out photos from the red carpet here!
ROBERT WILL SHOW YOU THE DOOR (Tales Of Being Fired) To Have NYC Premiere At La MaMa

Susan Jeremy's solo show, ROBERT WILL SHOW YOU THE DOOR (Tales of Being Fired), makes its NYC premiere at La MaMa from November 21 to December 1. Directed by Maris Heller, the show humorously explores Jeremy's experiences of being fired.
La MaMa COFFEEHOUSE CHRONICLES #177 Spotlights Adrienne Kennedy

Explore the life and work of playwright Adrienne Kennedy at COFFEEHOUSE CHRONICLES #177 on November 16, 2024, featuring discussions and performances at La MaMa.
Legacy Theatre Presents CHARLIE & THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY

The fresh new reimagining of the Roald Dahl classic Charlie & the Chocolate Factory plays at Legacy November 8th-December 15th. Charlie & the Chocolate Factory transports audiences to a world of 'pure imagination'. Young Charlie Bucket and four other golden ticket winners embark on a life-changing journey through Wonka's factory.
Deerfield Family Theater to Present CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY

Discover the cast and production team for Deerfield Family Theater's CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY, directed by Matt Canon, with performances at the newly renovated Caruso Auditorium in November. Learn how to purchase tickets.
Video: SOME LIKE IT HOT National Tour First Look

Get a first look at all new video of Some Like It Hot on tour. Set in Chicago when Prohibition has everyone thirsty for a little excitement, SOME LIKE IT HOT is story of two musicians forced to flee the Windy City after witnessing a mob hit. With gangsters hot on their heels, they catch a cross-country train for the life-chasing, life-changing trip of a lifetime.
Tickets For SOME LIKE IT HOT's Baltimore Debut on Sale Now

Single tickets for the upcoming engagement of SOME LIKE IT HOT at The France-Merrick Performing Arts Center are on sale now.  
ONLY MURDERS IN THE BUILDING Season 4 Soundtrack Available Now

Hollywood Records is releasing the Only Murders in the Building Season 4 Original Score Soundtrack. Composed by EMMY Award-winner Siddhartha Khosla, the soundtrack features 26 captivating tracks that bring the suspense, humor and heart of the hit series to life. Listen to it now!
Video: Marc Shaiman Celebrates Birthday With Bette Midler, Martin Short, and Billy Crystal

Marc Shaiman recently celebrated his birthday on October 22. A video was posted on TikTok from the composer's birthday celebrations, featuring Shaiman on piano accompanied by stars Bette Midler, Martin Short, and Billy Crystal. Check out the video here!

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?

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 prestigious awards, including Best Original Score at the BroadwayWorld Awards for Some Like It Hot. He received Outstanding Lyrics at the Drama Desk Awards for Some Like It Hot and also won Outstanding New Score at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for the same production. Additionally, he earned Outstanding Lyrics at the Drama Desk Awards for Hairspray. His accolades also include 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.

Get Scott Wittman Email Alerts

Be the first to get news, photos, videos & more.

Videos