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John McDaniel

Birth Place: St. Louis, MO, USA

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John McDaniel 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.

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John McDaniel 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

John McDaniel Awards and Nominations

Drama Desk Awards - 2012 - Outstanding Orchestrations

John McDaniel, Bonnie & Clyde

John McDaniel Videos

John McDaniel News


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.
The First-Ever UK Tour of BONNIE & CLYDE THE MUSICAL Comes To Milton Keynes Theatre This June

Experience the thrilling tale of BONNIE & CLYDE at Milton Keynes Theatre. Don't miss this captivating performance that brings the notorious duo's story to life on stage.
Photos: Alice Ripley & John McDaniel Return To Birdland

Birdland welcomed back Tony winning singer/actress Alice Ripley and Grammy/Emmy winning musical director/pianist John McDaniel, who performed in concert at the historic music room on Monday, April 22. Check out photos from the special night here!
Photos: Highlights from Alice Ripley and John McDaniel's Concert at Birdland

Last night, on Monday April 22nd, 2024, Birdland presented Tony Award-winning singer and actress Alice Ripley and Grammy and Emmy Award-winning musical director and pianist John McDaniel in concert. The two shared their many stories from a lifetime spent in music. See some snapshots from the night taken by photographer Conor Weiss. 
Betty Buckley, Darren Criss and More To Headline Provincetown BROADWAY SERIES

Betty Buckley and Darren Criss will headline Town Hall performances as part of a revived and expanded Broadway music series produced by the Grammy and Emmy Award-winning artist John McDaniel. Find out the full schedule of Broadway stars
Ava Paris Locknar to Present TALL GIRL SINGING at Birdland Theater

BIRDLAND THEATER will present rising actress and vocalist Ava Paris Locknar in “Tall Girl Singing' this month. Learn more about the show and see how to purchase tickets.
See Alice Ripley and John McDaniel, JIM CARUSO'S CAST PARTY & More at Birdland in April

Birdland Jazz Club and Birdland Theater are open this April with a full slate of nightly performances! See who is performing and learn how to purchase tickets.
THE VOICE's Wendy Moten to Return to Birdland Jazz Club in April

BIRDLAND JAZZ CLUB will present return of Nashville vocalist Wendy Moten – best known for her 2021 run on NBC’s “The Voice”. Learn how to purchase tickets.
Alice Ripley and John McDaniel to Perform at Birdland in April

BIRDLAND JAZZ CLUB will present Tony Award-winning singer and actress Alice Ripley and Grammy and Emmy Award-winning musical director and pianist John McDaniel in concert. Learn how to purchase tickets.
The Blue Strawberry Brings Broadway Veterans Melissa Errico, John Lloyd Young, and Alice Ripley to St. Louis

Blue Strawberry Showroom and Lounge welcomes a pair of Tony winning actors and a Tony nominee in the coming months. Melissa Errico, Alice Ripley, and John Lloyd Young will bring their cabaret shows to the club in mid-town St. Louis. Errico, a 2008 Tony nominee, will perform her show of Sondheim classics on April 26th and 27th. Young, the Tony winner for Lead Actor in a Musical for his role as Franki Valli in JERSEY BOYS, performs on May 8th and 9th. The Tony winner for NEXT TO NORMAL, Alice Ripley, will be joined by Grammy and Emmy Winner John McDaniel on May 24th and 25th to share their music and stories from a lifetime on Broadway.  
Barb Jungr Brings Three Nights of Concerts to London's Crazy Coqs With 'Singing Into My 70s'

Join legendary UK vocalist Barb Jungr as she celebrates her 70th birthday with 'SINGING INTO MY 70s', a three-night West End celebration at London's Crazy Coqs. Experience the magic of her Dylan and Cohen interpretations.
Last Chance to Vote for the BWW Connecticut Awards; Voting Ends 12/31

It's the final week left to vote for the 2023 BroadwayWorld Connecticut Awards! Voting ends on 12/31 at midnight. Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!

John McDaniel FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What awards has John McDaniel been nominated for?

John McDaniel has been nominated for Outstanding Orchestrations at the Drama Desk Awards for Bonnie & Clyde.

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