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John McDaniel

Birth Place: St. Louis, MO, USA

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BIO

John McDaniel is a Tony and Grammy award-winning musician, conductor, and composer with an impressive career in both Broadway and television. Born on September 2, 1961, in Quincy, Illinois, McDaniel grew up in a musical family and started playing the piano at the age of five. He went on to study at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music and later moved to New York City to pursue his career in the entertainment industry.


McDaniel made his Broadway debut in 1990 as the conductor and pianist for the musical "Grease." He went on to work on several other Broadway productions, including "Miss Saigon," "Annie Get Your Gun," and "Taboo." In 2004, he won a Tony Award for Best Orchestrations for the Broadway revival of "Annie Get Your Gun."
In addition to his work on Broadway, McDaniel has also made a name for himself in the television industry. He served as the musical director and composer for "The Rosie O'Donnell Show" from 1996 to 2002, earning three Daytime Emmy Awards for his work on the show. He also worked on several other television programs, including "The Martin Short Show," "The Wayne Brady Show," and "The Oprah Winfrey Show."
McDaniel has also worked as a composer and arranger for several recording artists, including Bette Midler, Patti LuPone, and Audra McDonald. He won a Grammy Award in 1998 for producing the cast recording of "Annie Get Your Gun."
In recent years, McDaniel has continued to work as a conductor and composer for both Broadway and television. He served as the conductor and music supervisor for the 2017 Broadway revival of "Miss Saigon" and the 2019 Broadway production of "The Prom." He also composed the score for the 2018 Off-Broadway production of "Midnight at The Never Get."
McDaniel has also continued to work in television, serving as the musical director for several episodes of "The Tony Awards" and "The Kennedy Center Honors." He has also worked as a composer and arranger for several television specials, including "A Very Gaga Thanksgiving" and "The Muppets' Wizard of Oz."
Throughout his career, McDaniel has been recognized for his contributions to the entertainment industry. In addition to his Tony and Grammy Awards, he has also received several Emmy nominations for his work on television. He was also inducted into the St. Louis Walk of Fame in 2018.
In conclusion, John McDaniel is a highly accomplished musician, conductor, and composer with an impressive career in both Broadway and television. He has worked on several hit Broadway productions, won a Tony Award for Best Orchestrations, and served as the musical director for several television programs, earning three Daytime Emmy Awards. McDaniel continues to work in the entertainment industry, composing and arranging music for both Broadway and television productions.

Photos

Productions

 
[Broadway, 2011]
Music Arranger
Orchestrator
Music Supervisor
 
[Broadway, 2011]
Musical Director
Conductor
 
[New York, 2009] [Replacement]
Musical Director[Replacement]
 
[Milburn, NJ (Regional), 2007]
Musical Supervision
Music Arranger
Orchestrator
Concept
Orchestrations/Arrangements/Musical Supervision
 
[East Haddam, CT (Regional), 2006]
Concept
Music Supervisor/Arrangements
 
[US Tour, 2006]
Producer
 
[Broadway, 2004]
Musical Supervisor
Music Arranger
Producer
Orchestrator
Music Arranger
 
[Broadway, 2003]
Dance/Incidental/Vocal Arrangements
Musical Supervisor
 
[Regional (US), 2003]
Producer
 
[Broadway, 1999]
Supervising Musical Director
Vocal Music Arranger
Vocal/Incidental Arrangements
 
[Broadway, 1995]
Music Arrangements
Music Arranger
 
[Broadway, 1995]
Musical Director
 
[Broadway, 1994]
Musical Director
Vocal Music Arranger
Dance Music Arranger
Conductor
Dance Arrangements
 
[Broadway, 1993]
Musical Director
 
[Los Angeles, 1993]
Musical Director
 
[Los Angeles, 1992]
Musical Director

Awards and Nominations

Drama Desk Awards - 2012 - Outstanding Orchestrations

John McDaniel, Bonnie & Clyde

Videos

News


Norbert Leo Butz, Donna McKechnie, J. Harrison Ghee And More Come To Legacy Theatre In 2025

Branford's Legacy Theatre has announced a star-studden lineup for the 2025 Sunday Broadway Concert Series lineup for the historic theatre's 5th anniversary season.
SWEENEY TODD & More Set for Legacy Theatre 2025 Mainstage Season

Legacy Theatre in Branford has revealed its 2025 Mainstage season, celebrating its 5th anniversary with a diverse lineup including Sweeney Todd and more. Learn more and see how to purchase tickets.
Gulfshore Playhouse Celebrates Grand Unveiling of the Baker Theatre and Education Center

On Thursday, October 17, 2024, Gulfshore Playhouse hosted the highly anticipated unveiling of its state-of-the-art Baker Theatre and Education Center.
Exclusive: Karen Mason Mashes Up Kander and Ebb Classics On KAREN MASON AND ALL THAT JAZZ!

Karen Mason debuts a track from her upcoming Kander & Ebb album, featuring rare songs. Discover the latest addition to her celebrated discography, exclusively on BroadwayWorld.
Billy Porter to Join Jason Robert Brown in Concert at Carnegie Hall

Emmy, Tony, and Grammy Award-winning performer Billy Porter will join three-time Tony Award-winning composer Jason Robert Brown for his Carnegie Hall solo concert debut. Learn how to purchase tickets.
Karen Mason Celebrates Kander & Ebb With New Album KAREN MASON AND ALL THAT JAZZ!

Karen Mason has announced a new album, KAREN MASON AND ALL THAT JAZZ, celebrating the works of Kander & Ebb.
Laura Hodos To Premiere Her Newest Cabaret At The Winter Park Playhouse In October

Laura Hodos returns to the cabaret stage at The Winter Park Playhouse on October 16 and 17, 2024 to premiere her latest solo cabaret - Bewitched! Love and Other Enchantments - in the theatre's popular Spotlight Cabaret Series. Playhouse Music Director Christopher Leavy will accompany on piano. 
Myron's at The Smith Center To Present Betsy Wolfe, Alice Ripley And More

The Smith Center has announced a series of intimate performances at Myron's featuring Broadway stars.
M. Can Yasar's TURKISH RHAPSODY Comes to Don't Tell Mama

Following his critically acclaimed cabaret debut, M. Can Yasar is coming back with his show “Turkish Rhapsody” to Don't Tell Mama for a one-night-only encore performance on October 1 at 7 pm.
Theater For The New City to Present ADULTING FOR IDIOTS Starring Nikki MacCallum This Month

After winning 'Best Musical' at the 2023 United Solo Festival after a sold out limited engagement at Theatre Row, Nikki MacCallum is coming to the rescue again with Adulting for Idiots, a mix of standup and original comedy songs that will teach you everything you'd wish you'd known before reaching adulthood
Theater for the New City Unveils 2024 Dream Up Festival Lineup

Theater for the New City will present its twelfth  Dream Up Festival in August. See the full lineup and learn how to purchase tickets.
Interview: WHAT MORE DO YOU NEED? Mary Callanan returns to Provincetown with new cabaret show

Mary Callanan has long been a fixture on Boston area stages and in piano bars and cabaret rooms in Provincetown. A dozen years ago, however, Broadway beckoned and the Brighton, Massachusetts, native relocated to New York. Now back home and busier than ever in local productions, Callanan will be at the Post Office Café and Cabaret in Provincetown on July 23, accompanied by composer, conductor, pianist, and three-time Emmy Award winner John McDaniel.
Interview: Sam Gravitte Talks SONGS THAT RAISED ME at Post Office Cafe and Cabaret and BEAUTIFUL at Cape Playhouse

Singer, actor, and writer Sam Gravitte will not only be making his performance debut in Provincetown when he appears in John McDaniel’s Broadway Series, at the Post Office Café and Cabaret on July 6, it will be his first visit to the town.
Video: Kate Baldwin Previews SING PRETTY, DON'T FALL DOWN at Tennessee Performing Arts Center

Watch Kate Baldwin discuss her show Sing Pretty, Don't Fall Down, coming to Tennessee Performing Arts Center July 13, 2024, in the video here!
Boston Summer 2024 Arts Offerings Include Musicals, Plays, Concerts and More!

Helping keep that moniker as accurate today as ever are a vibrant theater district presenting pre-Broadway productions and national tours, award-winning regional theaters, and a host of other theater companies focused on everything from Shakespeare to contemporary plays and musicals. Boston audiences have much to look forward to this summer.
Betty Buckley to Headline PROVINCETOWN BROADWAY SERIES

Tony Award-winning, stage and screen actress Betty Buckly will headline year’s Provincetown’s Broadway Series. Learn more about the series and see how to purchase tickets.
Interview: John McDaniel and Betty Buckley Talk Playing Provincetown in JOHN MCDANIEL'S BROADWAY SERIES

Tony Award-winning Broadway legend Betty Buckley will headline the opening night of this year’s John McDaniel’s Broadway Series, at Provincetown Town Hall on June 23, and McDaniel, the Emmy- and Grammy Award-winning music director, composer, arranger, and producer wouldn’t have it any other way.
Photos: Broadway Stars Gather at the CIVILIAN to Toast Tony Nominee Eden Espinosa

Weeks after she played her final performance in Lempicka, for which she earned her first Tony nomination, Eden Espinosa crossed 8th Avenue for a very special celebration of her career, hosted by the CIVILIAN. Check out photos here.
Free Performance and Q&A With Alice Ripley and John McDaniel Announced At at the Boston Public Library

Tony Award winner Alice Ripley and Grammy Award winner John McDaniel will perform a free event at the Boston Public Library this Friday.
Review: Alice Ripley with John McDaniel at Blue Strawberry Showroom and Lounge

McDaniel’s vision for their collaboration, his music direction, and accompaniment brought an award-winning musical theatre actor back to the stage after a lengthy hiatus. Their show played directly into the strengths of Ripley’s vocal stylings with her massive voice. Ripley belted for two hours while these two artists graciously gave more of themselves than most artists do with a 90-minute cabaret set.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What awards has John McDaniel been nominated for?

and Outstanding Orchestrations (Drama Desk Awards) for Bonnie & Clyde.

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