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Scott Wittman

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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

 
[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


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!
CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY Comes to Young People's Theatre

This holiday season, Young People’s Theatre (YPT) will present a musical adaptation of Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
Review: SOME LIKE IT HOT National Tour Present by Broadway In Chicago

SOME LIKE IT HOT brings old-fashioned musical comedy, hijinks, and a ton of superbly executed tap dancing to the stage. 
SOME LIKE IT HOT Comes to the Arsht Center

The Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County and Broadway Across America will launch the 2024-2025 Broadway in Miami series with the South Florida premiere of SOME LIKE IT HOT for a limited engagement from December 3-8, 2024 in the Arsht’s Ziff Ballet Opera House.
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!
Czechoslovak-American Marionette Theatre Presents FOWL PLAY: CONFERENCE OF THE BIRDS At La MaMa

Czechoslovak-American Marionette Theatre will present FOWL PLAY: CONFERENCE OF THE BIRDS at La MaMa from November 21 to December 8, exploring themes of unity and transformation through puppetry.
Photos: CAA's Joe Machota Receives Portrait at Sardi's

Head of CAA’s theater department Joe Machota recently received his portrait at Sardi's and BroadwayWorld was there to celebrate. Check out photos here!
Tickets On Sale This Week For SOME LIKE IT HOT at PPAC

Providence Performing Arts Center (PPAC) announced that single tickets for the upcoming engagement of SOME LIKE IT HOT in Providence will go on sale Friday, October 18, 2024 at 10A for performances running from Tuesday, April 22 through Sunday, April 27, 2025. 
Review: HAIRSPRAY Revivals in São Paulo with a Beautiful Message of Acceptance

A girl achieves her dream of performing on a TV dance show in 1960s Baltimore — and works to integrate the show — in this musical version of the John Waters film. Outside of traditional beauty standards, she faces many prejudices, become an instant celebrity, and fight against racial segregation promoting inclusion of everyone in the city.
Leslie Uggams to be Honored by Encompass New Opera Theatre

Encompass New Opera Theatre will honor Tony Award winner Leslie Uggams with a musical tribute on October 27, 2024. Learn more about Uggams and about the event.

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 (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 - Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre (Tony Awards) for Hairspray.

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