Hugh Wheeler
Hugh Callingham Wheeler (19 March 1912 – 26 July 1987) was a British-American novelist, screenwriter, librettist, poet and translator. He resided in the United States from 1934 until his death and became a naturalized citizen in 1942.
Date of Birth: March 19, 1912
Date of Death: July 26, 1987 (75)
Latest News on Hugh Wheeler:
BIO
Hugh Callingham Wheeler (19 March 1912 – 26 July 1987) was a British-American novelist, screenwriter, librettist, poet and translator. He resided in the United States from 1934 until his death and became a naturalized citizen in 1942. He had attended London University.
Under the nom de plume Patrick Quentin, Q. Patrick and Jonathan Stagge, Wheeler was the author or co-author of many mystery novels and short stories. In 1963, his 1961 collection, The Ordeal of Mrs. Snow was given a Special Edgar Award by the Mystery Writers of America. He won the Tony Award and the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Book of a Musical in 1973 and 1974 for his books for the musicals A Little Night Music and Candide, and won both again in 1979 for his book for Sweeney Todd.
Wheeler is credited as "research consultant" for the film Cabaret, though numerous sources list him as co-writer of the screenplay.
Productions
Writing
Bookwriter
Awards and Nominations
Hugh Wheeler, Meet Me in St. Louis
winner
Hugh Wheeler, Candide
winner
Hughe Wheeler, Sweeney Todd
winner
Hugh Wheeler, Sweeney Todd
winner
Hugh Wheeler, Sweeney Todd
winner
Hugh Wheeler, Pacific Overtures
winner
Hugh Wheeler, Candide
winner
Hugh Wheeler, Candide
winner
Hugh Wheeler, Candide
winner
Hugh Wheeler, A Little Night Music
winner
Hugh Wheeler, A Little Night Music
Videos
Video: Watch Songs From A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC at Marriott Theatre
by A.A. Cristi - 2026-07-16 21:37:35
Video: Stephen Sondheim's A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC At Marriott Theatre- First Look
by A.A. Cristi - 2026-06-24 20:51:37
Video: SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET Teased in New Clip from Hartford Stage
by Robert Diamond - 2026-06-12 17:06:08
Video: First Look at SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET at Texas State University
by Joshua Wright - 2026-04-09 11:56:58
Video: Will Swenson & Lesli Margherita in SWEENEY TODD at La Mirada Theatre
by Joshua Wright - 2026-02-04 14:13:23
Exclusive: Will Swenson & Lesli Margherita Sing 'My Friends' From SWEENEY TODD
by Joshua Wright - 2026-01-31 17:48:21
Exclusive: Will Swenson & Lesli Margherita In Rehearsals For SWEENEY TODD
by Joshua Wright - 2026-01-22 22:31:43
Video: Lesli Margherita On Playing 'Mrs. Lovett' In SWEENEY TODD At La Mirada Theatre
by A.A. Cristi - 2026-01-13 18:55:53
Video: Will Swenson and Lesli Margherita Talk SWEENEY TODD at La Mirada; Full Cast Set
by Chloe Rabinowitz - 2025-12-16 13:46:18
Video: First Look At Kathleen Turner & More In A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC at Ogunquit Playhouse
by Joshua Wright - 2024-07-31 12:24:10
Video: Joe Locke on His 'Best Friend' Patti LuPone Seeing Him in SWEENEY TODD
by Michael Major - 2024-02-12 14:26:59
Video: Josh Groban Sings His SWEENEY TODD Entrance Line on FALLON
by Michael Major - 2023-10-25 12:07:18
News
by Marissa Faith Curley - Oct 17, 2026
The Actors Studio of New Jersey introduced 20for20, an affordability initiative offering 20 tickets at $20 each for productions at the Historic Dunellen Theatre, beginning with SWEENEY TODD, THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET.
by Joshua Wright - Oct 15, 2026
Actor Scott Bakula will take on the dual role of Voltaire and Dr. Pangloss in Leonard Bernstein's CANDIDE at LA Opera, joining Patti LuPone, Duke Kim, and Meghan Picerno in Francesca Zambello's production at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion.
by Stephi Wild - Oct 15, 2026
Terrific New Theatre opens Stephen Sondheim's Tony-winning musical about an unjustly exiled barber seeking vengeance in 19th-century London. The production marks the theater's 40th anniversary season.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 12, 2026
Spinning Tree Theatre will open its 16th season with Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, featuring a company of young artists alongside professional actors and a live nine-piece orchestra.
by Stephi Wild - Oct 6, 2026
MusicalFare will present Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler's SWEENEY TODD at Shea's 710 Theatre in Buffalo, featuring a cast led by Christopher Andreana and Ryan Butler. The production is directed by Randall Kramer with choreography by Michael Oliver-Walline.
by A.A. Cristi - Sep 28, 2026
The Actors Studio of New Jersey announced its full cast for SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET, featuring Clayton Abbott as Sweeney Todd and Julie Galorenzo as Mrs. Lovett at the Historic Dunellen Theatre.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 28, 2026
Big Noise Theatre will open its 2026-2027 season with Stephen Sondheim's SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET, featuring a full 24-piece orchestra and original orchestrations near Chicago.
by Rachel Stone - Sep 26, 2026
Vagabond Players will present Stephen Sondheim's SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET in Baltimore, with co-directors TJ Lukacsina and Stephen Foreman bringing an intimate approach to the musical masterpiece.
by A.A. Cristi - Sep 14, 2026
Rosetint Community Theatre will present Stephen Sondheim's SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET at ACES Educational Center for the Arts in Downtown New Haven. The production sold out its initial run and added an extra performance.
by Stephi Wild - Aug 18, 2026
The State Opera in Prague will present a new production of Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler’s 'Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street,' beginning in September.
by James Lindhorst - Aug 8, 2026
Meet Me in St. Louis is exactly what you hope, want, and expect from a stage adaptation of the classic movie musical. What makes this Muny staging special are the wonderful portrayals, the beautiful set, video, and costume designs, and the many nostalgic nods to St. Louis.
by A.A. Cristi - Jul 29, 2026
Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma will conclude its Summer Season with SWEENEY TODD: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street at the Civic Center Music Hall in Oklahoma City.
by Nicole Rosky - Jul 26, 2026
The Muny has announced the full cast for its upcoming production of Meet Me In St. Louis, including Emma Crow in the principal role of Lucille Ballard. The all-time Muny favorite, set in St. Louis, runs Aug. 6-13. We have all of the details here!
by Stephi Wild - Jul 21, 2026
The Muny's production of MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS will include an original song by Academy Award, Grammy, and Golden Globe winner Mark Sonnenblick, performed by Tony winner Beth Leavel as housekeeper Katie Connelly.
by A.A. Cristi - Jul 20, 2026
Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma is presenting Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street through August 2. The production stars husband-and-wife performers Scott Guthrie and Lindsie VanWinkle-Guthrie and features a cast of 52, including members of Canterbury Voices.
by Stephi Wild - Jul 20, 2026
Northern Stage announced casting for its first-ever In Concert series production, SWEENEY TODD, led by Broadway veteran Bradley Dean alongside Producing Artistic Director Carol Dunne as Mrs. Lovett.
by A.A. Cristi - Jul 16, 2026
New performance videos have been released from Marriott Theatre's production of A Little Night Music, now playing in Lincolnshire, Illinois through August 9. Watch Andrew Samonsky, Alexandra Silber, and the cast perform some of Stephen Sondheim's most beloved songs.
by Nicole Rosky - Jul 10, 2026
Perelman Performing Arts Center's world premiere production of Giulia: The Poison Queen of Palermo just opened! The production, which will now conclude performances on Sunday August 2, features book, music and lyrics by Jennifer Nettles, direction by Mary Zimmerman, and choreography by Austin Mccormick. Giulia: The Poison Queen of Palermo is produced by special arrangement with Adam Zotovich. Let's see what the critics have to say...
by Elliot Lanes - Jul 10, 2026
Today’s subject Ethan Heard is currently living his theatre life as the Associate Artistic Director of Signature Theatre. You can currently see his directing brilliance in the ARK with What Became of Us which plays through July 26th. The show is unique as it is a two character play with two different casts performing on alternating days. Read on for Ethan’s experience of rehearsing a show with that kind of cast set up.
by A.A. Cristi - Jul 9, 2026
San Francisco Playhouse announced tickets are on sale for all seven productions in its upcoming season, including RENT, PETER PAN GOES WRONG, and the world premiere of R.O.I. by resident playwright Aaron Loeb.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Hugh Wheeler has written 11 shows including Truckload (Bookwriter), Silverlake (Bookwriter), The Little Prince and the Aviator (Bookwriter), Irene (Bookwriter), Meet Me in St. Louis (Bookwriter), Big Fish, Little Fish (Playwright), Look, We've Come Through (Playwright), We Have Always Lived in the Castle (Playwright), A Little Night Music (Bookwriter), Pacific Overtures (Additional Material), Meet Me in St. Louis (Bookwriter).
Hugh Wheeler has been nominated for several awards throughout his career. He was nominated for Best Book of a Musical at the Tony Awards for "Meet Me in St. Louis" and "Sweeney Todd." He also received nominations for Musical of the Year at the Olivier Awards for "Candide," Outstanding Book at the Drama Desk Awards for "Sweeney Todd," and Outstanding Book of a Musical at the Drama Desk Awards for "Candide" and "A Little Night Music." Additionally, Wheeler's work on "Sweeney Todd" and "Candide" earned nominations for Best Musical at the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards.
Hugh Wheeler has won several awards throughout his career. Some of his notable wins include the Musical of the Year at the Olivier Awards for "Candide," Outstanding Book at the Drama Desk Awards for "Sweeney Todd," Best Musical at the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards for both "Sweeney Todd" and "Pacific Overtures," Best Book of a Musical at the Tony Awards for "Sweeney Todd" and "Candide," Outstanding Book of a Musical at the Drama Desk Awards for "Candide" and "A Little Night Music," and Best Musical at the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards for "Candide" and "A Little Night Music."
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