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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

SmashSmash
 
[Broadway, 2025]
Composer
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Non Eq)Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Non Eq)
 
[US Tour, 2021] [Replacement]
Lyricist [Replacement]
Charlie and the Chocolate FactoryCharlie and the Chocolate Factory
 
[US Tour, 2018] [Replacement]
Lyrics[Replacement]
Martin Short: Fame Becomes MeMartin Short: Fame Becomes Me
 
[Broadway, 2006]
Director
Patti LuPone: Matters of the Heart
 
[Broadway, 2000]
Director
Patti LuPone on Broadway
 
[Broadway, 1995]
Director
The White Devil
 
[Off-Broadway, 1980]
Music Consultant

Writing

Hairspray
Lyricist
Livin' Dolls
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

More Video

News


Video: Step Inside the First SMASH Broadway Rehearsal With Krysta Rodriguez, Robyn Hu Photo
Video: Step Inside the First SMASH Broadway Rehearsal With Krysta Rodriguez, Robyn Hurder & More

Watch a video from inside the first rehearsal for Smash on Broadway! Step inside the rehearsal room with Krysta Rodriguez, Robyn Hurder, Brooks Ashmanskas, Marc Shaiman, Caroline Bowman and more.
Photos: Robyn Hurder, Krysta Rodriguez & More in SMASH Rehearsals Photo
Photos: Robyn Hurder, Krysta Rodriguez & More in SMASH Rehearsals

Rehearsals for the stage musical adaptation of SMASH have officially begun! See photos of star Robyn Hurder and more in rehearsals for the production and learn how to purchase tickets.
HAIRSPRAY to be Presented at Sullivan Rep in February Photo
HAIRSPRAY to be Presented at Sullivan Rep in February

Hairspray, the modern classic with Music by Marc Shaiman, Lyrics by Scott Wittman & Marc Shaiman, and book by Mark O'Donell & Thomas Meehan will be presented by Sullivan Rep as the opening show of their second season. Learn more!
Photo: SMASH on Broadway Debuts Artwork Photo
Photo: SMASH on Broadway Debuts Artwork

The Broadway artwork for the stage musical adaptation of SMASH has been revealed! See the artwork here and learn more about the upcoming Broadway production!
SOME LIKE IT HOT Comes To The Fabulous Fox In February Photo
SOME LIKE IT HOT Comes To The Fabulous Fox In February

The SOME LIKE IT HOT North American tour is coming to The Fabulous Fox. The Tony Award-winning musical will run February 26 – March 9. SOME LIKE IT HOT won more theater awards than any show in its season, and was named Best Musical by the Drama Desk, The Drama League, and the Outer Critics Circle.
Video: Watch Krysta Rodriguez In a New SMASH Promo Photo
Video: Watch Krysta Rodriguez In a New SMASH Promo

Watch a first look video of Krysta Rodriguez in Smash on Broadway! Rodriguez was also seen in the Smash television series, appearing in the second and final series as Ana Vargas. She plays Tracy in the Broadway production.
Review: SOME LIKE IT HOT at Oprheum Theater Photo
Review: SOME LIKE IT HOT at Oprheum Theater

What did our critic think of SOME LIKE IT HOT at Oprheum Theater?
SMASH to be Presented at Works & Process at The Guggenheim Photo
SMASH to be Presented at Works & Process at The Guggenheim

Works & Process at the Guggenheim presents SMASH with Marc Shaiman, Scott Wittman, Rick Elice, Bob Martin, Susan Stroman and Joshua Bergasse. Learn more about the event and see how to attend.
Works & Process Will Spotlight SMASH By Marc Shaiman, Scott Wittman, Rick Elice, and Photo
Works & Process Will Spotlight SMASH By Marc Shaiman, Scott Wittman, Rick Elice, and Bob Martin with Susan Stroman and Joshua Bergasse

Works & Process at the Guggenheim will spotlight SMASH with Marc Shaiman, Scott Wittman, Rick Elice, Bob Martin, Susan Stroman and Joshua Bergasse at the Peter B. Lewis Theater.
How Many Broadway Musicals Are Based on TV Shows? Photo
How Many Broadway Musicals Are Based on TV Shows?

With Smash about to make a splash on Broadway this season, the question was asked: how many Broadway musicals have been based on television? While historically, far more Broadway musicals have been based on books or movies, television shows have also provided source materials for several productions on the main stem.
Marc Shaiman & Scott Wittman To Receive GMHC 2025 Howard Ashman Award  Photo
Marc Shaiman & Scott Wittman To Receive GMHC 2025 Howard Ashman Award 

GMHC will honor legendary songwriters Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman with the 2025 Howard Ashman Award. The award will be presented at GMHC's 10th annual Cabaret & Howard Ashman Award, a fundraising event hosted by Joe's Pub at The Public Theater.
Tickets to SOME LIKE IT HOT at The Orpheum Theater On Sale Photo
Tickets to SOME LIKE IT HOT at The Orpheum Theater On Sale

Tickets are now on sale for SOME LIKE IT HOT at Omaha's Orpheum Theater. SOME LIKE IT HOT is the story of two musicians forced to flee the Windy City after witnessing a mob hit. Learn more!
Video: Inside SMASH's Broadway Photoshoot With Robyn Hurder, Caroline Bowman & More Photo
Video: Inside SMASH's Broadway Photoshoot With Robyn Hurder, Caroline Bowman & More

Go inside the promotional photoshoot for the upcoming Broadway production of Smash in a new video featuring Robyn Hurder, Brooks Ashmanskas, Krysta Rodriguez, Caroline Bowman, and more!
Review: SOME LIKE IT HOT Sizzles and Shakes at Dr. Phillips Center Photo
Review: SOME LIKE IT HOT Sizzles and Shakes at Dr. Phillips Center

When SOME LIKE IT HOT began on Broadway, it was celebrated for updating a classic film to modern audiences in ways and themes not readily apparent from the original source material. After having played a successful year-long run on Broadway, the show concluded on December 30, 2023. Nine long months later, it finally mounted a national tour within the greater United States. And now, for a spectacular pre-Christmas week, Central Florida gets to bear witness to the storied spectacle as Broadway visitors did. Much of what’s been seen on Broadway has been lovingly transferred to this touring production, making it a show not to be missed.
Interview: Andrew Lippa of LIPPA @ 60: A BIRTHDAY BENEFIT FOR THEATREWORKS at Theatre Photo
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 Photo
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 Photo
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 Photo
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 Photo
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 Photo
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.
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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 the following awards: 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; 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.

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