Chad Beguelin (born September 24, 1969) is an American playwright and lyricist. He wrote the lyrics and co-wrote the book for The Prom. He also wrote the book for Disney's Aladdin, as well as additional lyrics for the score. He was nominated for Best Original Book and Best Original Score for Aladdin. He is also known for his collaborations with composer Matthew Sklar, having written the lyrics and co-written the book for the Broadway musical The Wedding Singer and the lyrics for the Broadway musical Elf the Musical. Beguelin was nominated for two Tony Awards for his work on The Wedding Singer, as well as a Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Lyrics.
Biography Beguelin, a native of Centralia, Illinois, received an MFA from the graduate writing program at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts.
Beguelin wrote the book and lyrics for The Rhythm Club which was produced at the Signature Theatre, Arlington, Virginia in 2000Jones, Kenneth; Ehren, Christine. "Who's Got Rhythm? Musical 'Rhythm Club' Still Strummin'" playbill.com, August 2, 2002 and was nominated for a Helen Hayes Award. He wrote the book and lyrics for Wicked City, which was produced at the American Stage Company and the Mason Street Warehouse, Saugatuck, Michigan, in 2004."Saugatuck’s Mason Street Warehouse Presents World Premiere of 'Wicked City'" masonstreetwarehouse.org, August 4, 2004 He wrote the books for Disney's Aladdin and On the Record.
As a screenwriter, Beguelin sold a script to Grammnet Productions and also worked as a staff writer for Disney's live action film department in California.
Beguelin wrote the book and lyrics for Elf the Musical, based on the 2003 film Elf. The musical premiered at the Center Theatre Group in Los Angeles in 2010 before opening on Broadway at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre in November 2010. Originally directed and choreographed by Matt Williams, the show has since returned to Broadway for the holiday season in 2012, and 2024, the latter which starred Grey Henson as Buddy the Elf.
Casey Nicholaw directed and choreographed the stage musical Aladdin which ran at the 5th Avenue Theatre, Seattle, Washington, July 7–31, 2011. The musical uses songs from the 1992 film Aladdin, with a new book by Beguelin and new lyrics by Beguelin and Alan Menken. The musical opened on Broadway on March 20, 2014, at the New Amsterdam Theatre.Hetrick, Adam. "Disney's 'Aladdin' Will Arrive on Broadway in February 2014" , Playbill.com, August 29, 2013" Aladdin Broadway" Playbill Vault, accessed October 15, 2015
Beguelin made his Off-Broadway playwrighting debut with Harbor, directed by Mark Lamos, presented by Primary Stages, from August 6, 2013, to September 8, 2013.Propst, Andy. "Chad Beguelin's Harbor to Dock in New York" theatremania.com, January 10, 2013Harbor lortel.org, accessed December 15, 2015 Harbor had its world premiere at the Westport Country Playhouse, Westport, Connecticut, from August 2012 to September 15, 2012, directed by Mark Lamos.Hennessy, Christina. "World premiere comedy sails into Westport Country Playhouse" ctpost.com, August 21, 2012
Beguelin and Bob Martin wrote the book for a new musical based on the film Gotta Dance, titled Half Time, with music by Matthew Sklar and lyrics by Nell Benjamin, with additional music by Marvin Hamlisch. Directed and choreographed by Jerry Mitchell, the musical premiered at the Bank of America Theatre in Chicago on December 13, 2015, running through January 17, 2016. It had originally been expected to open on Broadway in the Fall of 2016, and then for the Spring of 2017.Gans, Andrew. "Broadway-Bound 'Gotta Dance' Gets a New Title and Music Collaborator" Playbill, July 13, 2016 The musical instead opened at the Paper Mill Playhouse, Millburn, New Jersey on May 31, 2018. The cast stars André De Shields, Georgia Engel, Donna McKechnie, and Lillias White.Hetrick, Adam. "New Musical 'Half Time', Starring André De Shields, Georgia Engel, Donna McKechnie, and Lillias White, Begins Paper Mill Run" Playbill, May 31, 2018
He wrote the book with Bob Martin and lyrics for a new musical The Prom, with music by Matthew Sklar based on an original concept by Jack Viertel. The musical premiered at the Alliance Theatre, Atlanta, Georgia on August 18, 2016, in previews, directed by Casey Nicholaw.Gans, Andrew. " 'The Prom', from Drowsy Chaperone and Wedding Singer Creators, Begins Previews Tonight" Playbill, August 18, 2016 The musical opened on Broadway at the Longacre Theatre on November 15, 2018, with previews starting on October 23, 2018.McPhee, Ryan. "Full Cast Set for Broadway’s 'The Prom'" Playbill, May 3, 2018McPhee, Ryan. " 'The Prom' Sets New Broadway Start Date" Playbill, June 13, 2018McPhee, Ryan. "Musical Comedy 'The Prom' Switches Theatres Ahead of Broadway Premiere" Playbill, July 12, 2018
Stage credits YearTitleRoleVenueRef.2000The Rhythm ClubBook, LyricsRegional, Signature Theatre2004Wicked CityRegional, Mason Street WarehouseOn The RecordBookU.S. National Tour2006The Wedding SingerBook, LyricsBroadway, Al Hirschfeld Theatre2010All About MeAdditional numbersBroadway, Henry Miller's TheatreElfLyricsRegional, Center Theatre GroupBroadway, Al Hirschfeld Theatre2011AladdinBook, additional lyricsRegional, 5th Avenue Theatre2012ElfLyricsBroadway, Al Hirschfeld TheatreHarborPlaywrightRegional, Westport Country Playhouse2013Off-Broadway, Primary Stages2014AladdinBook, additional lyricsBroadway, New Amsterdam Theatre2015Half TimeBookRegional, Bank of America Theatre2016The PromBook, LyricsRegional, Alliance Theatre2018Broadway, Longacre TheatreHalf TimeBookRegional, Paper Mill Playhouse2024ElfLyricsBroadway, Marquis Theatre
Awards and honors AwardYearCategoryWorkResultRef.Tony Awards2006Best Original ScoreThe Wedding SingerBest Book of a Musical2014Best Original ScoreAladdinBest Book of a Musical2019Best Original ScoreThe PromBest Book of a MusicalDrama Desk Awards2006Outstanding LyricsThe Wedding Singer2014AladdinOutstanding Book of a Musical2019The PromOutstanding Lyrics
Personal life Beguelin currently lives in Manhattan and Bridgehampton with his husband Tom and their dog Tucker.Beguelin, Chad. Official website for Chad Beguelin. Retrieved March 2009.
References
External links
The Wedding Singer's Homepage
Interview and Rehearsal Video from Broadway.com