Meredith Willson
Meredith Willson is an actor, bookwriter, lyricist whose BroadwayWorld credits include The Unsinkable Molly Brown. Awards include New York Drama Critics Circle Awards for The Music Man (1958).
Date of Birth: May 18, 1902
Date of Death: June 15, 1984 (82)
Birth Place: Mason City, IA, USA
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Awards and Nominations
winner
New York Drama Critics Circle Awards - 1958 - Best Musical
Meredith Willson, The Music Man
winner
Tony Awards - 1958 - Best Musical
Meredith Willson, The Music Man
Videos
News
THE MUSIC MAN to Open at RiverCenter for the Performing Arts
by Rachel Stone - Oct 8, 2026
Meredith Willson's six-time Tony Award-winning musical will play at RiverCenter for the Performing Arts in Columbus, Georgia as part of the venue's 25th Anniversary Season.
by Rachel Stone - Oct 8, 2026
Meredith Willson's six-time Tony Award-winning musical will play at RiverCenter for the Performing Arts in Columbus, Georgia as part of the venue's 25th Anniversary Season.
Daniel May and Viveca Chow to Star in NAAP's THE MUSIC MAN Concert Version at Ailey Citigroup Theater
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 7, 2026
National Asian Artists Project - NAAP in partnership with PS 124 Yung Wing Elementary School in Chinatown, will present two performances of the concert version of Meredith Willson's “The Music Man”.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 7, 2026
National Asian Artists Project - NAAP in partnership with PS 124 Yung Wing Elementary School in Chinatown, will present two performances of the concert version of Meredith Willson's “The Music Man”.
Spotlight: THE MUSIC MAN at Center Theatre Group
by BWW Special Offer - Oct 7, 2026
The Music Man, one of the most beloved musicals in the American theatre repertoire, is marching to Los Angeles! Meredith Willson's six-time Tony Award-winning musical comedy runs October 27 – November 8, 2026 at the Ahmanson Theatre, home to Center Theatre Group.
by BWW Special Offer - Oct 7, 2026
The Music Man, one of the most beloved musicals in the American theatre repertoire, is marching to Los Angeles! Meredith Willson's six-time Tony Award-winning musical comedy runs October 27 – November 8, 2026 at the Ahmanson Theatre, home to Center Theatre Group.
THE MUSIC MAN National Tour to Open in Morristown This October
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 5, 2026
Big League Productions' national tour of Meredith Willson's five-time Tony Award-winning musical will play MPAC in Morristown on October 16 and 17. Elliott Andrews and Elizabeth D'Aiuto star as Harold Hill and Marian Paroo, with direction by Matt Lenz and choreography by Joshua Bergasse.
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 5, 2026
Big League Productions' national tour of Meredith Willson's five-time Tony Award-winning musical will play MPAC in Morristown on October 16 and 17. Elliott Andrews and Elizabeth D'Aiuto star as Harold Hill and Marian Paroo, with direction by Matt Lenz and choreography by Joshua Bergasse.
MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET Will Come to The Way Off Broadway Dinner Theater
by Nicole Rosky - Sep 25, 2026
The Way Off Broadway Dinner Theater presents its holiday Mainstage classic: Miracle on 34th Street: The Musical! A holiday classic from the writer of the musical theatre classic, The Music Man!, and based on the movie of the same name, Miracle on 34th Street features a book and score by none other than Meredith Willson.
by Nicole Rosky - Sep 25, 2026
The Way Off Broadway Dinner Theater presents its holiday Mainstage classic: Miracle on 34th Street: The Musical! A holiday classic from the writer of the musical theatre classic, The Music Man!, and based on the movie of the same name, Miracle on 34th Street features a book and score by none other than Meredith Willson.
Tiler Peck Appointed Choreographic Associate at New York City Ballet
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 25, 2026
New York City Ballet named dancer and choreographer Tiler Peck to the role of Choreographic Associate, expanding her creative responsibilities with the company.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 25, 2026
New York City Ballet named dancer and choreographer Tiler Peck to the role of Choreographic Associate, expanding her creative responsibilities with the company.
Interview: Elizabeth D’aiuto of THE MUSIC MAN at THEATRE UNDER THE STARS
by Brett Cullum - Sep 15, 2026
She’s wonderful to play. I really find some things about her that are so relatable, and that’s what I try to really do for this new generation of people coming to see the show.
by Brett Cullum - Sep 15, 2026
She’s wonderful to play. I really find some things about her that are so relatable, and that’s what I try to really do for this new generation of people coming to see the show.
SIX and THE BODYGUARD Join ATG San Francisco 26/27 Season Lineup
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 10, 2026
The National Tour productions of SIX and THE BODYGUARD have been added to ATG San Francisco's lineup of special theatrical engagements for the 2026/27 season.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 10, 2026
The National Tour productions of SIX and THE BODYGUARD have been added to ATG San Francisco's lineup of special theatrical engagements for the 2026/27 season.
Wake Up With BroadwayWorld September 9, 2026- SMALL MOUTH SOUNDS to Come to Broadway with Julia Roberts and More
by - Sep 9, 2026
Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is September 9, 2026 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.
by - Sep 9, 2026
Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is September 9, 2026 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.
THE MUSIC MAN Extends 2026 National Tour
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 8, 2026
Big League Productions' national tour of Meredith Willson’s The Music Man will resume performances at TUTS in Houston in September with additional tour dates through the end of the year.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 8, 2026
Big League Productions' national tour of Meredith Willson’s The Music Man will resume performances at TUTS in Houston in September with additional tour dates through the end of the year.
Patti LuPone, Lang Lang, OH, MARY!, THE MUSIC MAN & More Set for The Music Center's Fall Programming
by A.A. Cristi - Sep 1, 2026
The Music Center has revealed its fall 2026 programming across its Downtown Los Angeles campus, featuring Oh, Mary!, The Music Man, Patti LuPone in Candide, Lang Lang, Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo, a Jerome Robbins Ballet Festival and more.
by A.A. Cristi - Sep 1, 2026
The Music Center has revealed its fall 2026 programming across its Downtown Los Angeles campus, featuring Oh, Mary!, The Music Man, Patti LuPone in Candide, Lang Lang, Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo, a Jerome Robbins Ballet Festival and more.
Juilliard Jazz to Celebrate 25th Anniversary With Apollo Collaboration
by A.A. Cristi - Sep 1, 2026
Juilliard Jazz will mark its 25th anniversary season with performances at Dizzy's Club, Birdland Theater, and David Geffen Hall, plus a new partnership with the Apollo honoring Miles Davis.
by A.A. Cristi - Sep 1, 2026
Juilliard Jazz will mark its 25th anniversary season with performances at Dizzy's Club, Birdland Theater, and David Geffen Hall, plus a new partnership with the Apollo honoring Miles Davis.
THE MUSIC MAN to Play Ahmanson Theatre This Fall
by A.A. Cristi - Aug 18, 2026
Center Theatre Group will present Big League Productions' national tour of THE MUSIC MAN at the Ahmanson Theatre from October 27 to November 8, 2026, marking the show's first major Los Angeles engagement since 1980.
by A.A. Cristi - Aug 18, 2026
Center Theatre Group will present Big League Productions' national tour of THE MUSIC MAN at the Ahmanson Theatre from October 27 to November 8, 2026, marking the show's first major Los Angeles engagement since 1980.
Tony-Winners Audra McDonald, Bernadette Peters & More Set for MPAC 2026-27 Season
by A.A. Cristi - Aug 18, 2026
Mayo Performing Arts Center in Morristown will kick off its new season with a concert by Jessica Vosk, followed by touring productions of WAITRESS, THE MUSIC MAN, MYSTIC PIZZA and concerts by Bernadette Peters.
by A.A. Cristi - Aug 18, 2026
Mayo Performing Arts Center in Morristown will kick off its new season with a concert by Jessica Vosk, followed by touring productions of WAITRESS, THE MUSIC MAN, MYSTIC PIZZA and concerts by Bernadette Peters.
Review: THE MUSIC MAN at Theatre Memphis
by Kevin Shaw - Aug 18, 2026
The American Broadway musical has seen quite the evolution since the 1927 introduction of SHOWBOAT, widely considered the blueprint for using song and dance to advance a story’s plot. Over the years, audiences and technology have grown so sophisticated that 2025’s Tony Award winner for Best Musical about two robots falling in love (MAYBE HAPPY ENDING) no longer seems far‑fetched.
by Kevin Shaw - Aug 18, 2026
The American Broadway musical has seen quite the evolution since the 1927 introduction of SHOWBOAT, widely considered the blueprint for using song and dance to advance a story’s plot. Over the years, audiences and technology have grown so sophisticated that 2025’s Tony Award winner for Best Musical about two robots falling in love (MAYBE HAPPY ENDING) no longer seems far‑fetched.
Review: Hugh Jackman Dazzles in Debut with Boston Pops at Tanglewood
by R. Scott Reedy - Aug 14, 2026
Making his debut with the Boston Pops at Tanglewood on August 11, Hugh Jackman dazzled his sold-out audience – under the Koussevitzky Music Shed and stretching as far as the eye could see on the lawn that surrounds it – from the moment he took the stage.
by R. Scott Reedy - Aug 14, 2026
Making his debut with the Boston Pops at Tanglewood on August 11, Hugh Jackman dazzled his sold-out audience – under the Koussevitzky Music Shed and stretching as far as the eye could see on the lawn that surrounds it – from the moment he took the stage.
LEGALLY BLONDE, WATER FOR ELEPHANTS and More Set for ATG San Francisco 2026/27 Season
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Aug 3, 2026
ATG San Francisco has revealed its lineup of special theatrical engagements coming to San Francisco throughout the 2026/27 season, including Legally Blonde, Water for Elephants and more.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Aug 3, 2026
ATG San Francisco has revealed its lineup of special theatrical engagements coming to San Francisco throughout the 2026/27 season, including Legally Blonde, Water for Elephants and more.
THE MUSIC MAN to Open Theatre Memphis 106th Season
by A.A. Cristi - Jul 30, 2026
Theatre Memphis will kick off its 106th season with Meredith Willson's The Music Man in the Lohrey Theatre. Directed and choreographed by Jordan Nichols and Travis Bradley.
by A.A. Cristi - Jul 30, 2026
Theatre Memphis will kick off its 106th season with Meredith Willson's The Music Man in the Lohrey Theatre. Directed and choreographed by Jordan Nichols and Travis Bradley.
Ana San Martín y Daniel Anglès llegan a L'Auditori con Tarde de musicales
by Fasika Velasco Gomez - Jul 24, 2026
Ana San Martín y Daniel Anglès pondrán voz a este recorrido por algunos de los grandes títulos de Broadway y el West End junto a la Banda Municipal de Barcelona, bajo la dirección de Sergi Cuenca.
by Fasika Velasco Gomez - Jul 24, 2026
Ana San Martín y Daniel Anglès pondrán voz a este recorrido por algunos de los grandes títulos de Broadway y el West End junto a la Banda Municipal de Barcelona, bajo la dirección de Sergi Cuenca.
Music Man Foundation Names GRAMMY-Nominated Violinist Curtis Stewart to Board
by A.A. Cristi - Jul 23, 2026
The Music Man Foundation named seven-time GRAMMY-nominated violinist Curtis Stewart and former Music Center Foundation CEO Steven T. Benson to its Board of Directors, expanding leadership of the Meredith Willson legacy organization.
by A.A. Cristi - Jul 23, 2026
The Music Man Foundation named seven-time GRAMMY-nominated violinist Curtis Stewart and former Music Center Foundation CEO Steven T. Benson to its Board of Directors, expanding leadership of the Meredith Willson legacy organization.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How many shows has Meredith Willson written?
Meredith Willson has written 4 shows including The Unsinkable Molly Brown (Composer), Here's Love (Bookwriter/Composer/Lyricist), The Music Man (Source Material), Meredith Willson's 1491 (Bookwriter).
What awards has Meredith Willson been nominated for?
Meredith Willson has been nominated for several awards throughout his career. One of his notable nominations includes a nomination for Best Musical at the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards for "The Music Man". Additionally, "The Music Man" also received a nomination for Best Musical at the Tony Awards. These nominations highlight the recognition and acclaim that Willson's work has received in the Broadway industry.
What awards has Meredith Willson won?
Meredith Willson has won several awards for his work. He received the Best Musical award from the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards and the Tony Awards for his musical, The Music Man.
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