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Harold Wheeler

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BIO

Wheeler is a composer, arranger, orchestrator, musical director, musical supervisor, and musician. Perhaps best known for his 17 seasons as musical director of the ABC show Dancing with the Stars, he has enjoyed many years of success over several mediums.


His Broadway credits include Side Show, Hugh Jackman - Back on Broadway, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (Tony Award nomination), Never Gonna Dance, Hairspray (Tony Award nomination, Drama Desk Award), The Full Monty (Tony Award nomination), Swing! (Tony Award nomination), Little Me (Tony Award nomination), The Life (Tony Award nomination), Dreamgirls, The Wiz, The Tap Dance Kid, and Lena Horne: The Lady and Her Music.
He has served as conductor of the Academy Awards four times (most recently during the 90TH Academy Awards); he is only the second African-American conductor in the Academy’s history.
He also was one of two conductors during the closing ceremonies of the 1996 Summer Olympics. In 2008, Harold received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the NAACP Theatre Awards. He is married to television and Broadway performer Hattie Winston.

Photos

Productions

 
[US Tour, 2024]
Orchestrator
 
[US Tour, 2021]
Orchestrations
 
[Broadway, 2021]
Orchestrator
 
[Regional (US), 2017]
Orchestrator
 
[West End, 2016]
Orchestrator
 
[Broadway, 2014]
Orchestrations
 
[West End, 2007]
Orchestrator
 
[Broadway, 2005]
Orchestrator
Orchestrator
 
[Broadway, 2005]
Orchestrator
Orchestrator
 
[Regional (US), 2004]
Orchestrator
 
[Toronto, 2004]
Orchestrator
 
[US Tour, 2004]
Orchestrator
 
[Broadway, 2003]
Orchestrator
Orchestrator
 
[Off-Broadway, 2003]
Orchestrator
 
[US Tour, 2003]
Orchestrator
 
[Broadway, 2002]
Orchestrator
 
[West End, 2002]
Orchestrator
 
[Broadway, 2001]
Orchestrator
 
[US Tour, 2001]
Orchestrator
 
[Broadway, 2000]
Orchestrator
 
[San Diego, CA (Regional), 2000]
Orchestrator
 
[Broadway, 1999]
Orchestrator
Orchestrator
 
[Broadway, 1998]
Orchestrator
Orchestrator
 
[Broadway, 1997]
Orchestrator
 
[Broadway, 1997]
Orchestrator
Orchestrator
 
[West End, 1995]
Orchestrator
 
[Off-Broadway, 1988]
Orchestrator
Orchestrator
 
[Broadway, 1988]
Musical Supervisor
Orchestrator
Orchestrator
 
[Broadway, 1987]
Musical Supervisor
Orchestrator
Orchestrator
 
[Off-Broadway, 1986]
Orchestrator
Orchestrator
 
[US Tour, 1985]
Orchestrator
 
[Broadway, 1985]
Orchestrator
Orchestrator
 
[Broadway, 1984]
Orchestrator
Orchestrator
 
[Broadway, 1984]
Orchestrator
Orchestrator
 
[Broadway, 1983]
Vocal Music Arranger
Musical Supervisor
Vocal Music Arranger
Music Arranger
 
[US Tour, 1983]
Orchestrator
 
[Broadway, 1982]
Orchestrator
Orchestrator
 
[Broadway, 1981]
Musical Supervisor
Orchestrator
Orchestrator
 
[Broadway, 1981]
Musical Director
 
[US Tour, 1978]
Orchestrator
 
[Broadway, 1975]
Orchestrator
Orchestrator
 
[Off-Broadway, 1973]
Orchestrator
 
[Broadway, 1972]
Musical Supervisor
 
[Broadway, 1971]
Musical Supervisor
 
[Broadway, 1971]
Musician
Musical Director
 
[Broadway, 1969]
Dance Music Arranger
 
[Broadway, 1968]
Musical Director
Dance Music Arranger

Writing


Awards and Nominations

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2019 - Outstanding Orchestrations

Harold Wheeler, Ain't Too Proud: The Life and Times of the Temptations

Tony Awards - 2019 - Best Orchestrations

Harold Wheeler, Ain't Too Proud: The Life and Times of the Temptations


winner
Tony Awards - 2019 - Special Tony Awards for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre

Harold Wheeler

Tony Awards - 2005 - Best Orchestrations

Harold Wheeler, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2003 - Outstanding Orchestrations

Harold Wheeler, Hairspray


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2003 - Outstanding Orhcestrations

Harold Wheeler, Never Gonna Dance

Tony Awards - 2003 - Best Orchestrations

Harold Wheeler, Hairspray

Tony Awards - 2001 - Best Orchestrations

Harold Wheeler, The Full Monty

Tony Awards - 2000 - Best Orchestrations

Harold Wheeler, Swing!


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1999 - Outstanding Orchestrations

Harold Wheeler, Swing!

Tony Awards - 1999 - Best Orchestrations

Harold Wheeler, Little Me

Drama Desk Awards - 1997 - Outstanding Orchestration

Harold Wheeler, The Life

Tony Awards - 1997 - Best Orchestrations

Harold Wheeler, The Life

Videos

News


AIN'T TOO PROUD Tickets On Sale Now At Popejoy Hall

Tickets for AIN'T TOO PROUD at Popejoy Hall are now available. Discover the story of The Temptations through this acclaimed musical, featuring their iconic hits and dynamic performances.
AIN’T TOO PROUD " THE LIFE AND TIMES OF THE TEMPTATIONS Comes to San Francisco in February

BroadwaySF has announced that AIN’T TOO PROUD – THE LIFE AND TIMES OF THE TEMPTATIONS will perform a limited engagement at San Francisco's Golden Gate Theatre from Tuesday, February 25 through Sunday, March 2, 2025.
AIN'T TOO PROUD To Make Bass Hall Debut In February

AIN'T TOO PROUD, the Broadway musical about The Temptations, is set to debut at Bass Hall from February 11-16, 2025.
AIN'T TOO PROUD Comes to State Theatre New Jersey

State Theatre New Jersey will present the Broadway musical Ain’t Too Proud – The Life and Times of The Temptations for five performances on Friday, October 25 at 8pm; Saturday; October 26 at 2pm and 8pm; and Sunday, October 27 at 2pm. Tickets range from $40-$105.
AIN'T TOO PROUD is Now Playing at the CIBC Theatre in Chicago

Broadway In Chicago is presenting the return of the Broadway smash hit musical AIN’T TOO PROUD – THE LIFE AND TIMES OF THE TEMPTATIONS, currently playing a one week engagement. Learn more and see how to purchase tickets.
Full Cast Set For AIN'T TOO PROUD Second National Tour

The complete cast has been announced for the Second National Tour of AIN’T TOO PROUD – THE LIFE AND TIMES OF THE TEMPTATIONS. Learn more about the cast here!
DREAMGIRLS Starts Performances at McCarter This Week - Full Cast Announced!

McCarter Theatre Center has announced the cast for the revival of the Tony and Grammy award-winning DREAMGIRLS. Learn more here!
Trey Ellis, Rona Siddiqui, Anthony Fedorov & More to Join Goodspeed's 12th Annual JMF Writers Grove

Goodspeed Musicals has revealed the participants for the 12th annual Johnny Mercer Foundation Writers Grove at Goodspeed Musicals.
Philly Premiere of AIN'T TOO PROUD " THE LIFE AND TIMES OF THE TEMPTATIONS Comes to Kimmel Cultural Campus

The Kimmel Cultural Campus and The Shubert Organization will present the first national tour of Ain't Too Proud - The Life and Times of the Temptations for the first time in Philadelphia. The Broadway smash hit musical will play at the Campus' Academy of Music January 3 - 21 as part of the 2023-24 Broadway series.
CHARTOR Entertainment, African Grove Institute for the Arts, and Los Angeles Inner City Cultural Center to Present World Premiere Readings

CHARTOR Entertainment, African Grove Institute for the Arts, and Los Angeles Inner City Cultural Center will present world premiere readings from The Longwood Writers Workshop at LAICCC's Fall Celebration.
Review: THE WIZ at National Theatre

In 1975 a revolutionary approach to L. Frank Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz opened on Broadway at the Majestic Theatre. The Wiz was a musical that no one thought would get past its opening night. The show proved everyone wrong. It won eight Tony Awards including Best Musical and ran for 1,672 performances. The all-African American version of Dorothy’s trip down the yellow brick road is now embarking on a thirteen-city pre- Broadway tour and is playing at the National Theatre here in DC through October 29th. I am sorry to say that this version is a rocky journey over a cool “Ease on Down the Road”.
Review: AIN'T TOO PROUD Revisits The Temptations' Hits at Segerstrom Center

A surprisingly enjoyable jukebox musical featuring phenomenally-performed song-and-dance spectaculars (but with an awkwardly delivered story structure), this touring version of the 2019 Broadway musical about the founding of Motown's R&B supergroup The Temptations is a fun evening at the theater, especially for those looking for a nostalgic trip.
AIN'T TOO PROUD First National Tour Begins Performances At Segerstrom Center For The Arts October 17

AIN'T TOO PROUD – THE LIFE AND TIMES OF THE TEMPTATIONS First National Tour comes to Segerstrom Hall for two weeks, from October 17-29, 2023.
Review: HAIRSPRAY at Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre

What did our critic think of HAIRSPRAY at Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre?
AIN'T TOO PROUD " THE LIFE AND TIMES OF THE TEMPTATIONS Returns to Toronto This December

AIN’T TOO PROUD – THE LIFE AND TIMES OF THE TEMPTATIONS will return to Toronto this December! Learn more about the musical and find out how to get tickets here.
AIN'T TOO PROUD Comes to San Jose in October

Broadway San Jose has announced that the First National Tour of AIN’T TOO PROUD – THE LIFE AND TIMES OF THE TEMPTATIONS, the new Broadway smash hit musical, will play San Jose’s Center for the Performing Arts. Learn more about the musical and how to get tickets here!
Full Cast Set For AIN'T TOO PROUD at Segerstrom Center for the Arts

Segerstrom Center for the Performing Arts has announced full casting for the First National Tour of Ain't Too Proud - The Life and Times of the Temptations, coming to Segerstrom Hall for two weeks, from October 17-29, 2023. Learn more about who is starring in the show here!
AIN'T TOO PROUD Returns To Detroit At The Fisher Theatre in December

Broadway In Detroit has announced the return of AIN'T TOO PROUD – THE LIFE AND TIMES OF THE TEMPTATIONS, the Broadway smash hit musical will play Detroit's Fisher Theatre December 19 – 23, 2023. Learn more about the musical and how to get tickets here!
AIN'T TOO PROUD at The Prince Edward Theatre Will Close 17 September

The Tony Award winning Broadway musical AIN'T TOO PROUD – THE LIFE AND TIMES OF THE TEMPTATIONS enters its final weeks in the West End at the Prince Edward Theatre, with its final performance on Sunday 17 September 2023, having delighted audiences in the capital since its opening on 31 March 2023. 
Review: A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC at Central Florida Vocal Arts

There is something extremely refreshing when a theatre company gives its patrons the opportunity to experience a rare gem. Now, there’s nothing wrong with producing a show that is popular with the masses, but out of the thousands of musicals out there waiting to be performed, giving a rarely produced and underappreciated property the chance to breathe on the stage is, to me, the ultimate gift to theatre fans. That is why I was thrilled to have the chance to experience A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC – the season opener for Orlando’s Central Florida Vocal Arts (CFVA) at the Dr. Phillips Center. And I am here to tell you, CFVA’s production is absolutely magnificent – and one that you simply do not want to miss.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many shows has Harold Wheeler written?

Harold Wheeler has written 1 shows including Intimate Apparel (Music).

What awards has Harold Wheeler been nominated for?

Outstanding Orchestrations (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Ain't Too Proud: The Life and Times of the Temptations, Best Orchestrations (Tony Awards) for Ain't Too Proud: The Life and Times of the Temptations, Special Tony Awards for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre (Tony Awards), Best Orchestrations (Tony Awards) for Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Outstanding Orchestrations (Drama Desk Awards) for Hairspray, Outstanding Orhcestrations (Drama Desk Awards) for Never Gonna Dance, Best Orchestrations (Tony Awards) for Hairspray, Best Orchestrations (Tony Awards) for The Full Monty, Best Orchestrations (Tony Awards) for Swing!, Outstanding Orchestrations (Drama Desk Awards) for Swing!, Best Orchestrations (Tony Awards) for Little Me, Outstanding Orchestration (Drama Desk Awards) for The Life and Best Orchestrations (Tony Awards) for The Life.

What awards has Harold Wheeler won?

Harold Wheeler has won several prestigious awards, including the Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre. He received the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Orchestrations for the following productions: Hairspray, Never Gonna Dance, and Swing!.

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