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Scott Wittman

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BIO

Wittman was raised in Nanuet, New York, graduated from Nanuet Senior High School in 1972 and attended Emerson College in Boston for two years before leaving to pursue a career in musical theatre in New York City. While directing a show for a Greenwich Village club he met songwriter and composer Marc Shaiman, and the two became collaborators and professional partners. While Shaiman wrote for television shows, including Saturday Night Live, Wittman directed concerts for such artists as Bette Midler, Christine Ebersole, Raquel Welch, Dame Edna Everage, and Lypsinka, among others.



In 2002, Shaiman and Wittman wrote the music and lyrics for the musical Hairspray, which won the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Lyrics, the Tony Award for Best Original Score, and a Grammy Award. In addition to Hairspray, Wittman conceived, wrote lyrics for, and directed Martin Short: Fame Becomes Me and conceived and directed Matters of the Heart, a solo concert by Patti LuPone in 2000.

Shaiman and Wittman worked on Catch Me If You Can, a musical adaptation of the 2002 Steven Spielberg film, together with Terrence McNally. The musical opened on Broadway in April 2011. They again worked together on Charlie and the Chocolate Factory the Musical.

In 2011, Hairspray was performed at Nanuet Senior High School, where Wittman attended high school.

In 2013, Wittman and Marc Shaiman co-wrote the score for Bombshell, a musical about Marilyn Monroe within the context of the NBC television show Smash. A soundtrack was released later that same year.

Wittman and Shaiman collaborated in 2018 on Mary Poppins Returns where Wittman wrote the lyrics for nine of the tracks listed. He and Shaiman were nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Song for the song "The Place Where Lost Things Go".

In 2021, Wittman and Shaiman wrote a song entitled "Save the City" for the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) in-universe Broadway production, titled Rogers: The Musical featured in the first episode of Hawkeye, "Never Meet Your Heroes". It was released as a single on November 24, the day the episode became available on Disney+.

In February 2021, it was announced that Wittman and Shaiman were writing songs for a new musical adaptation of Some Like It Hot, due on Broadway in 2022, with a book by Amber Ruffin and Matthew Lopez.

Photos

Productions

 
[Broadway, 2025]
Music
 
[US Tour, 2021] [Replacement]
Lyricist [Replacement]
 
[US Tour, 2018] [Replacement]
Lyrics[Replacement]
 
[Broadway, 2006]
Director
 
[Broadway, 2000]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1995]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 1980]
Music Consultant

Writing

Lyricist
Bookwriter/Composer/Lyricist

Awards and Nominations


winner
BroadwayWorld Awards - 2023 - Best Original Score

Scott WittmanSome Like It Hot


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2023 - Outstanding Lyrics

Scott WittmanSome Like it Hot


winner
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2023 - Outstanding New Score

Scott WittmanSome Like It Hot

Tony Awards - 2023 - Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre

Scott WittmanSome Like It Hot

Drama Desk Awards - 2011 - Outstanding Lyrics

Scott Wittman, Catch Me if You Can

Drama Desk Awards - 2006 - Outstanding Lyrics

Scott Wittman, Martin Short: Fame Becomes Me


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2003 - Outstanding Lyrics

Scott Wittman, Hairspray


winner
New York Drama Critics Circle Awards - 2003 - Best Musical

Scott Wittman, Hairspray


winner
Tony Awards - 2003 - Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre

Scott Wittman, Hairspray

Videos

News


Shoshana Bean & James Monroe Iglehart Join THE BOYS Musical Episode Screening & Q&A
by A.A. Cristi - Jun 10, 2025

The Society of Composers & Lyricists (SCL) will present a special online screening and live Q&A spotlighting the music of Amazon’s hit series The Boys, featuring Emmy-nominated composer Christopher Lennertz, alongside Tony Award winners Shoshana Bean (Hell’s Kitchen, Mr. Saturday Night) and James Monroe Iglehart (Aladdin, Hamilton).
SMASH Announces Final Broadway Performance
by Nicole Rosky - Jun 10, 2025

Broadway musical comedy SMASH will play its final Broadway performance on Sunday, June 22, 2025 after  32 previews and 84 regular performances at the Imperial Theatre.
The Full Lyrics to the 2025 Tony Awards Opening Number 'Sometimes All You Need Is a Song'
by Josh Sharpe - Jun 9, 2025

Last night, the 78th Annual Tony Awards kicked off with a show-stopping number led by host Cynthia Erivo. Take a look at the full lyrics here, and see how many Easter Eggs you can find!
Wake Up With BroadwayWorld June 9, 2025
by - Jun 9, 2025

Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is June 9, 2025 and it's time to catch up on all of the Tony Awards action you may have missed!
2025 Tony Awards Recap: Highlights, Surprises, and Must-See Moments
by Josh Sharpe - Jun 9, 2025

Once again, Broadway's biggest night has come and gone! With the 78th Annual Tony Awards now behind us, we have compiled a list of some of the most memorable moments from the evening, including fun references and Easter eggs you may have missed, standout segments, performances, and more.
Video: Watch the 2025 Tony Awards Opening Number
by Nicole Rosky - Jun 9, 2025

Cynthia Erivo graced the Radio City Music Hal stage earlier tonight for the first time as host of the 78th Annual Tony Awards! Watch as she performs the opening number here!
CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY Comes to Theatre in the Park
by Emmy Rice - Jun 8, 2025

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory will be coming to Theatre in the Park (TIP) June 14-22! With music and lyrics by Broadway heavyweights Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman, this musical adaptation is a treat for audiences of all ages.
Marc Shaiman, Scott Wittman, Benj Pasek and Justin Paul Wrote the Tony Awards Opening Number
by Stephi Wild - Jun 6, 2025

Details have emerged about this year's Tony Awards opening number! The number was written by Marc Shaiman, Scott Wittman, Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, and orchestrated by Joseph Joubert. 
DEATH BECOMES HER Cast Recording is Now Available on CD
by Stephi Wild - Jun 6, 2025

The physical CD edition of the Original Broadway Cast Recording of Death Becomes Her is available now! The 24-track album was released on digital platforms for streaming earlier this spring
Hot Tickets of the Week: SMASH, RAGTIME, and More
by Team BWW - Jun 2, 2025

Let BroadwayWorld and Ticketmaster be your guide to which plays and musicals are the most buzz-worthy this week, starting June 2, 2025. Check out five Broadway shows we recommend that you should snag tickets to right now!
DEATH BECOMES HER vs. MINCEMEAT Battle For Best Ensemble In The BWW Awards; Last Chance To Vote!
by BWW Awards - Jun 2, 2025

This is the final chance to vote for BroadwayWorld's 22nd Annual Theater Fans' Choice Awards. The Theater Fans' Choice Awards honor and celebrate the best of New York Theater. There's just one week left to vote!
Videos You Missed This Week: CHESS, SMASH, and More
by Sidney Paterra - May 30, 2025

The 2024-25 Broadway season is officially complete and awards season has begun. Catch up on all the latest from the week ending May 30, 2025 with videos from Chess, Smash, and more!
Wake Up With BroadwayWorld May 29, 2025
by - May 29, 2025

Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is May 29, 2025 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.
Video: Bella Coppola Performs 'Let Me Be Your Star' in SMASH on Broadway
by Michael Major - May 28, 2025

Fade up on a star... Watch a video of Bella Coppola singing 'Let Me Be Your Star' in SMASH The Musical, now on Broadway! The Six alum stars as Chloe Zervoulian in the new musical.
Video: Marc Shaiman & Scott Wittman Unpack the Evolution of 'Let Me Be Your Star'
by Joey Mervis - May 28, 2025

Tony-winning Broadway icons and creators of Smash- Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman join us in the latest episode of Notes on a Score. Watch as they unpack the show's most iconic song, which appears in the Broadway show twice- 'Let Me Be Your Star.' Watch in this video!
1 Week Left for the BWW Awards; MAYBE HAPPY ENDING Leading Over MINCEMEAT & DEATH BECOMES HER
by BWW Awards - May 27, 2025

The latest standings have been released for BroadwayWorld's 22nd Annual Theater Fans' Choice Awards. The Theater Fans' Choice Awards honor and celebrate the best of New York Theater. There's just one week left to vote!
Photos: SMASH Celebrates Release of Original Broadway Cast Recording
by Stephi Wild - May 23, 2025

On Wednesday, May 21, Concord Theatricals Recordings threw an album release party at the West Bank Café to celebrate the digital release of the Original Broadway Cast Recording of SMASH. Check out photos here!
Video: Watch Robyn Hurder and Cast Perform 'Let's Be Bad' From SMASH
by Josh Sharpe - May 22, 2025

During a recent episode of The Jennifer Hudson Show, the Oscar-winning host shared an exclusive clip of Robyn Hurder and the cast of Smash performing 'Let's Be Bad,' from the Broadway musical. Check it out now!
Photos: OH, MARY!'s Cole Escola Receives Sardi's Portrait
by Bruce Glikas - May 22, 2025

See photos of Oh, Mary! creator and star Cole Escola receiving their Sardi's portrait! Learn more about Broadway's Oh, Mary! and about Cole Escola here!
CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY Multi-Year International Tour to Launch This Fall
by A.A. Cristi - May 21, 2025

Broadway International Group and Broadway Asia are launching a multi-year international tour of Roald Dahl's CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY in October 2025.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many shows has Scott Wittman written?

Scott Wittman has written 7 shows including Hairspray (Lyricist), Livin' Dolls (Bookwriter/Composer/Lyricist), Patti LuPone: Matters of the Heart (Conceiver), Catch Me If You Can (Lyricist), Martin Short: Fame Becomes Me (Conceiver), Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Composer), Some Like It Hot (Lyricist).

What awards has Scott Wittman been nominated for?

Best Original Score (BroadwayWorld Awards) for Some Like It Hot, Outstanding Lyrics (Drama Desk Awards) for Some Like it Hot, Outstanding New Score (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Some Like It Hot, Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre (Tony Awards) for Some Like It Hot, Outstanding Lyrics (Drama Desk Awards) for Catch Me if You Can, Outstanding Lyrics (Drama Desk Awards) for Martin Short: Fame Becomes Me, Outstanding Lyrics (Drama Desk Awards) for Hairspray, Best Musical (New York Drama Critics Circle Awards) for Hairspray and Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre (Tony Awards) for Hairspray.

What awards has Scott Wittman won?

Scott Wittman has won several prestigious awards, including Best Original Score at the BroadwayWorld Awards for Some Like It Hot. He also received Outstanding Lyrics at the Drama Desk Awards for Some Like It Hot, as well as Outstanding New Score at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for the same show. Additionally, Wittman earned Outstanding Lyrics at the Drama Desk Awards for Hairspray. He was part of the team honored with Best Musical at the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards for Hairspray and won Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre at the Tony Awards for Hairspray.

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