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Michael Weller

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Michael Weller BIO

Michael Weller is an American playwright, screenwriter, and novelist who has made significant contributions to the world of theatre and film. Born in New York City in 1942, Weller attended Brandeis University and later received his MFA from the University of Manchester.
Weller's career in theatre began in the 1960s, when he became involved with the avant-garde theatre scene in New York City. He wrote and directed several plays during this time, including "Moonchildren" (1971), which was based on his experiences as a student activist in the 1960s. The play was a critical and commercial success and was later adapted into a television movie.
In 1975, Weller made his Broadway debut with "Streamers," a play about a group of soldiers preparing to go to Vietnam. The play was a critical success and earned Weller a Drama Desk Award for Outstanding New Play. He went on to write several more plays that were produced on Broadway, including "Loose Ends" (1979), "Spoils of War" (1988), and "Moonchildren" (1995).
In addition to his work in theatre, Weller has also had a successful career as a screenwriter. He wrote the screenplay for the 1978 film "Hair," which was directed by Milos Forman and based on the hit Broadway musical of the same name. He also wrote the screenplay for the 1980 film "Ragtime," which was directed by Milos Forman and based on the novel by E.L. Doctorow.
Weller's other screenwriting credits include "Lost Angels" (1989), "The Ballad of Little Jo" (1993), and "Fifty Dead Men Walking" (2008). He has also worked extensively in television, writing for shows such as "Law & Order," "Once and Again," and "The Bronx is Burning."
In addition to his work as a playwright and screenwriter, Weller has also published several novels. His first novel, "The Battle of the Two Talmuds," was published in 1971 and was followed by "Ivory Tower" (1976) and "The Fortunate Fool" (1996).
Weller's most recent work includes the play "Beirut Rocks," which premiered at the La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club in New York City in 2019. The play is set in Beirut during the Lebanese Civil War and explores the lives of a group of expatriates living in the city.

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Michael Weller Awards and Nominations

Drama Desk Awards - 2008 - Outstanding Play

Michael Weller, Fifty Words


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1972 - Most Promising Playwright

Michael Weller, Moonchildren

Michael Weller Videos

Michael Weller News


Photos: Chip Zien Honored With Caricature at Sardi's


The stars came out at the iconic Sardi’s restaurant in Times Square on Thursday night to honor the legendary Chip Zien, star of the Barry Manilow & Bruce Sussman musical, “Harmony.” Check out photos here!

Adam Guettel, Austin Pendleton and More Will Be Honored with Dramatists Guild Awards


The Dramatists Guild previously announced that playwright Christopher Durang will receive a Lifetime Achievement award at this year’s ceremony. He will be joined by two additional recipients, George C. Wolfe and Emily Mann.

Wake Up With BroadwayWorld March 20, 2024


Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is March 20, 2024 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.

Maggie Siff, Julie Halston & More to Star in BREAKING THE STORY at Second Stage


Second Stage Theater has revealed the complete cast for the world premiere production of a new play by Alexis Scheer, BREAKING THE STORY. See who is starring and learn how to purchase tickets.

MCC Theater Reveals #MCCMISCASTME Social Media Campaign For MISCAST24 - Submit Now!


Get the latest on MCC Theater's innovative campaign #MCCMISCASTME ahead of the much-anticipated MISCAST24. Stay updated with BroadwayWorld's comprehensive coverage.

Meet the Cast of WATER FOR ELEPHANTS, Beginning Previews on Broadway Tonight!


WATER FOR ELEPHANTS begins previews tonight, Saturday, February 24, 2024, and opens on Thursday, March 21, 2024, at the Imperial Theatre (249 West 45th Street). Meet the cast of Water For Elephants here!

Second Stage to Present the World Premiere of Alexis Scheer's BREAKING THE STORY


Second Stage Theater will present the world premiere production of a new play by Alexis Scheer, BREAKING THE STORY.

Join a Meet & Greet With Gavin Creel and More at WALK ON THROUGH Special Performance


MCC Theater will present a special performance of Walk on Through: Confessions of a Museum Novice on Saturday January 6 at 7:00PM.

Gavin Creel's WALK ON THROUGH: CONFESSIONS OF A MUSEUM NOVICE Adds Performances at MCC Theater


MCC Theater is presenting the World Premiere of Walk on Through: Confessions of a Museum Novice, written and performed by Tony Award® winner Gavin Creel. Performances have been added. Learn how to purchase tickets!

MCC Theater Reveals Final Extension For WALK ON THROUGH: CONFESSIONS OF A MUSEUM NOVICE


MCC Theater will present a final extension for the World Premiere of Walk on Through: Confessions of a Museum Novice due to popular demand.

Grant Gustin Will Make Broadway Debut in WATER FOR ELEPHANTS; Additional Cast Revealed


Grant Gustin will make his Broadway debut in the upcoming new musical Water For Elephants, which is set for come to Broadway in February 2024! Plus, find out who else will appear in the production.

SABBATH'S THEATER Extended Through Mid December


Due to demand, The New Group has added two weeks for Sabbath’s Theater, adapted from the novel by Philip Roth by Ariel Levy and John Turturro.

Meet the Cast of HARMONY, Beginning Previews on Broadway Tonight!


Harmony officially begins previews on Broadway tonight, October 18. Meet the cast of Harmony here!

Scott Bakula, Hannah Cruz, Ben Levi Ross & More to Star in World Premiere of THE CONNECTOR Featuring Music and Lyrics by Jason Robert Brown


Scott Bakula will star Off-Broadway in the world premiere musical The Connector, conceived and directed by Daisy Prince, featuring music and lyrics by Jason Robert Brown, and a book by Jonathan Marc Sherman.

Performances Added for World Premiere of WALK ON THROUGH: CONFESSIONS OF A MUSEUM NOVICE


MCC Theater will present additional performances for the World Premiere of Walk on Through: Confessions of a Museum Novice due to popular demand. Learn how to purchase tickets!

Sasha Allen, Madeline Benson & More to Star in Gavin Creel's WALK ON THROUGH: CONFESSIONS OF A MUSEUM NOVICE


MCC Theater has revealed the cast for the World Premiere of Walk on Through: Confessions of a Museum Novice, written and performed by Tony Award® winner Gavin Creel (Into the Woods). Learn how to purchase tickets!

Photo Exclusive: First Look At 9/10 By Richard Willett Off-Broadway World Premiere


9/10 – a new play by Richard Willett that tells four stories set in the World Trade Center on the night before September 11, 2001 --  will be given its world-premiere Off-Broadway this summer, with preview performances beginning August 24 prior to its official opening on August 28 at the Gene Frankel Theatre (24 Bond St.), marking the return to the New York stage of the new play company NEW DIRECTIONS THEATER following a ten-year absence, it has been announced by Eliza Beckwith, a co-founder of NEW DIRECTIONS, and director of 9/10. See exclusive photos from the production below!

Nancy Redman's A SEANCE WITH MOM to Return to Chain Studio Theatre Beginning Next Month


Eighteen séances in April, May and June did not do the trick, so award-winning actress/playwright/comedian Nancy Redman will join forces with iconic director Austin Pendleton for 18 more sessions of 'A  Séance With Mom' from August 21 to September 3 at Chain Studio Theatre.

A SEANCE WITH MOM Returns Next Month


 Eighteen séances in April, May and June did not do the trick, so award-winning actress/playwright/comedian Nancy Redman will join forces with iconic director Austin Pendleton for 18 more sessions of 'A Séance With Mom' from August 21 to September 3 at Chain Studio Theatre.

World Premiere Of Richard Willett's 9/10 Set Off-Broadway In August


9/10 – a new play by Richard Willett that tells four stories set in the World Trade Center on the night before September 11, 2001 --  will be given its world-premiere Off-Broadway this summer, with preview performances beginning August 24 prior to its official opening on August 28 at the Gene Frankel Theatre.

Michael Weller FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many shows has Michael Weller written?

Michael Weller has written 7 shows including Moonchildren (Playwright), More Than You Deserve (Lyricist), Loose Ends (Playwright), Spoils of War (Playwright), Zhivago (Bookwriter), Fifty Words (Playwright), Doctor Zhivago (Book).

What awards has Michael Weller been nominated for?

Michael Weller has been nominated for Outstanding Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Fifty Words and Most Promising Playwright (Drama Desk Awards) for Moonchildren.

What awards has Michael Weller won?

Michael Weller won the Most Promising Playwright award at the Drama Desk Awards for Moonchildren.

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