Hugh Callingham Wheeler (19 March 1912 – 26 July 1987) was a British-American novelist, screenwriter, librettist, poet and translator. Born in London, he moved to the United States as a young man, and became a naturalized citizen in 1942. He had attended London University.Hampton, Wilborn."Hugh Wheeler, Award Winning Playwright", New York Times, 28 July 1987.
Under the noms 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, and even ultimately responsible for the shooting script (WGA regulations would have had to have been challenged to give him a writing credit on screen.)
A resident of Monterey, Massachusetts, Wheeler died from respiratory failure and heart failure at Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, on 26 July 1987, aged 75.
Stage musical credits Candide (1973) Irene (new libretto) (1973) A Little Night Music (1973) Truckload (musical) (1975) Pacific Overtures ("additional material") (1976) Sweeney Todd (1979) (based on a version of the play by Christopher Bond) The Little Prince and the Aviator (1982) Meet Me in St. Louis (1989)
Plays Big Fish, Little Fish (1961) Look, We've Come Through (1961) We Have Always Lived in the Castle (1966)
Screenplays Something for Everyone (1970) Travels with My Aunt (1972) A Little Night Music (1978) Nijinsky (1980)
Novels The Crippled Muse (1951)
Awards and achievements Year Award Category Work Result Ref 1973 Tony Award Best Book of a Musical A Little Night Music Drama Desk Award Outstanding Book of a Musical New York Drama Critics' Circle Award Best Musical 1974 Tony Award Best Book of a Musical Candide Drama Desk Award Outstanding Book of a Musical New York Drama Critics' Circle Award Best Musical 1976 New York Drama Critics' Circle Award Best Musical Pacific Overtures 1979 Tony Award Best Book of a Musical Sweeney Todd Drama Desk Award Outstanding Book of a Musical New York Drama Critics' Circle Award Best Musical 1990 Tony Award Best Book of a Musical Meet Me in St. Louis
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