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John Weidman

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BIO

John Weidman is an American librettist and television writer for Sesame Street. He has worked on stage musicals with Stephen Sondheim and Susan Stroman.

Photos

STAGE CREDITS

[Broadway]
Stephen Sondheim Tribute Benefit, 2005
Performer


Productions

 
[Off-Broadway, 2023]
Book Revisions
 
[West End, 2002]
Book Revisions
 
[Off-Broadway, 2002]
Adaptation
 
[Broadway, 2002]
Book Revisions
 
[Off-Broadway, 2000]
Adaptation
 
[Off-Broadway, 1994]
Adaptation
 
[US Tour, 1988]
Book Revisions
 
[Broadway, 1987]
Book Revisions

Writing

Bookwriter
Bookwriter
Bookwriter
Bookwriter
Bookwriter
Bookwriter
Conceiver
Bookwriter

Awards and Nominations

New York Drama Critics Circle Awards - 2000 - Best Musical

John Weidman, Contact

Tony Awards - 2000 - Best Book of a Musical

John Weidman, Contact


winner
- 1996 - Most promising musical theatre librettist

John Weidman

Drama Desk Awards - 1996 - Outstanding Book of a Musical

John Weidman, Big

Tony Awards - 1996 - Best Book of a Musical

John Weidman, Big

Drama Desk Awards - 1990 - Outstanding Book of a Musical

John Weidman, Assassins

Drama Desk Awards - 1976 - Outstanding Book of a Musical

John Weidman, Pacific Overtures


winner
New York Drama Critics Circle Awards - 1976 - Best Musical

John Weidman, Pacific Overtures

Tony Awards - 1976 - Best Book of a Musical

John Weidman, Pacific Overtures

Videos

News


What is the History of New Musicals at the Public Theater?
by Jennifer Ashley Tepper - May 20, 2025

The new musical Goddess can currently be seen in its New York premiere production at the Public Theater on Lafayette Street. Directed by the Public’s associate artistic director and resident director Saheem Ali, who is currently Tony Award-nominated for directing Buena Vista Social Club, Goddess is playing at the Public’s largest space by capacity, the Newman Theatre.
ANYTHING GOES Comes to Shaw Festival
by Stephi Wild - May 2, 2025

Cole Porter's Anything Goes, the long-running musical comedy from Broadway's Golden Age, brings its infectious melodies, bubbly charm and a dazzling display of tap dancing to Niagara-on-the-Lake.
Best Cabaret in May 2025: Betty Buckley, Elizabeth Gillies, Reeve Carney & More
by Rebecca Kaplan - May 1, 2025

See some of the biggest names performing at cabaret venues ii May 2025 - at a range of budget points. Find out how you can get tickets this month to shows from Sandra Bernhardt, Alex Newell, Mario Cantone and more!
Photos: Dramatists Guild Awards Honor David Henry Hwang, Shaina Taub and More
by Nicole Rosky - Apr 30, 2025

Last night, the Dramatists Guild of America honored the recipients of their 2025 Awards with a ceremony at Green Fig at which playwrights, composers, lyricists, and librettists celebrated their fellow theatre writers. Check out photos here!
Cast Set for PACIFIC OVERTURES at Kunoichi Productions
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 16, 2025

Kunoichi Productions has revealed the cast and creative team for John Weidman and Stephen Sondheim’s PACIFIC OVERTURES. See who is starring and learn how to purchase tickets.
Photos: Kel Mitchell Stars In ANYTHING GOES at OFC Creations
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 3, 2025

Two-time Emmy Award nominee Kel Mitchell, who famously starred in All That, Kenan and Kel, and the Good Burger movies, stars in OFC Creations’ Broadway in Brighton production of Anything Goes. See photos here!
Asian American Theatre Artists Collective Launches Community Resource Directory
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 17, 2025

The Asian American Theatre Artists Collective is officially launching its new Community Resource Directory of AAPI professional theatre artists across all disciplines. Learn more!
Meet the Cast of SMASH, Beginning Previews Tonight on Broadway
by Stephi Wild - Mar 11, 2025

The musical Smash, inspired by the hit NBC television series, will begin previews tonight, Tuesday, March 11, 2025, and officially open Thursday, April 10, 2025 at Broadway’s Imperial Theatre. Meet the cast here!
Ben Platt and More To Honor Mandy Patinkin At Signature Theatre Gala
by A.A. Cristi - Mar 5, 2025

On April 14, 2025, Virginia's Tony Award-winning Signature Theatre will honor star of stage and screen Mandy Patinkin with the company's fourteenth Stephen Sondheim Award. The Stephen Sondheim Award will be presented at a black-tie Gala Benefit at The Anthem and will benefit Signature Theatre's artistic, education, and community programs.
Listen: Classic Stage Company’s I CAN GET IT FOR YOU WHOLESALE Cast Recording Out Now
by Stephi Wild - Feb 28, 2025

The new cast recording of Classic Stage Company’s Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Award-winning revival of I Can Get It For You Wholesale is available now! Learn how to stream or download the album here!
James Bundy to Step Down From Positions at David Geffen School of Drama and Yale Repertory Theatre
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 27, 2025

James Bundy, who has served Yale since 2002 as the fifth Elizabeth Parker Ware Dean of David Geffen School of Drama and fourth Artistic Director of Yale Repertory Theatre, will step down from these positions on June 30, 2026.
Review: Stephen Sondheim's ROAD SHOW at freeFall
by Peter Nason - Feb 22, 2025

Sondheim deserves the best, and that's what freeFall has certainly delivered!
2025 Richard Rodgers Awards Recipients Revealed
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 21, 2025

The American Academy of Arts and Letters has revealed the three recipients of its 2025 Richard Rodgers Awards for Musical Theater. Learn more about the recipients here!
Signature Theatre to Honor Mandy Patinkin with 2025 Stephen Sondheim Award
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 14, 2025

Virginia’s Tony Award-winning Signature Theatre will honor star of stage and screen Mandy Patinkin with the company’s fourteenth Stephen Sondheim Award. Learn more!
Photos: Benjamin Velez & Madeline Myers Honored with 2025 Kleban Prize
by Jennifer Broski - Feb 4, 2025

ASCAP and BMI honored the winners of the 35th Annual Kleban Prize for the most promising musical theater lyricist and librettist- Benjamin Velez and Madeline Myers. Check out photos from inside the ceremony.
Photos: ROAD SHOW In Rehearsal At freeFALL
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 3, 2025

See photos from inside rehearsal for Stephen Sondheim and John Weidman’s much-traveled musical Road Show, directed by freeFall Artistic Director Eric Davis. The show is the fifth Sondheim musical produced by the company.
Cast Set For FreeFall's Production of Sondheim and Weidman's ROAD SHOW
by Stephi Wild - Jan 23, 2025

Stephen Sondheim and John Weidman’s much-traveled musical Road Show is directed by freeFall Artistic Director Eric Davis and is the fifth Sondheim musical produced by the company.
THE CAMP Comes to JACCC Aratani Theatre in Los Angeles
by Stephi Wild - Jan 22, 2025

A new American opera titled The Camp makes its world premiere, presented in partnership with the Japanese American Cultural & Community Center. Learn more here!
Benjamin Velez and Madeline Myers Are Recipients of the 2025 Kleban Prize For Musical Theatre
by Stephi Wild - Jan 14, 2025

The 2025 Kleban Prize for the most promising musical theatre lyricist has been awarded to Benjamin Velez. The 2025 Kleban Prize for the most promising musical theatre librettist has been awarded to Madeline Myers.
Applications Open for Rhinebeck Writers Retreat's 15th Summer of Weeklong Residencies
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 6, 2025

Applications are now open to all musical theatre writers for Rhinebeck Writers Retreat’s summer residencies. Learn more about the residencies and see how to apply.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has John Weidman been in?

John Weidman has appeared on Broadway in 1 shows.

How many West End shows has John Weidman been in?

John Weidman has not appeared in the West End.

What awards has John Weidman been nominated for?

Best Musical (New York Drama Critics Circle Awards) for Contact, Best Book of a Musical (Tony Awards) for Contact, Most promising musical theatre librettist () for , Outstanding Book of a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for Big, Best Book of a Musical (Tony Awards) for Big, Outstanding Book of a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for Assassins, Outstanding Book of a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for Pacific Overtures, Best Musical (New York Drama Critics Circle Awards) for Pacific Overtures and Best Book of a Musical (Tony Awards) for Pacific Overtures.

What awards has John Weidman won?

John Weidman won the Most Promising Musical Theatre Librettist award and received the Best Musical award from the New York Drama Critics Circle for Pacific Overtures.

How many shows has John Weidman written?

John Weidman has written 9 shows including Anything Goes (Bookwriter), Pacific Overtures (Bookwriter), Assassins (Bookwriter), Big (Bookwriter), Contact (Conceiver), Patti LuPone: Matters of the Heart (Bookwriter), Bounce (Bookwriter), Road Show (Bookwriter), Happiness (Bookwriter).

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