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Chad Beguelin

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Chad Beguelin
BornSeptember 24, 1969 (1969-09-24) (age 55)
EducationTisch School of the Arts (MFA)
Occupation(s)Playwright and lyricist

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

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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 2000[1] 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.[2] 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.[citation needed] 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.[3][4]

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.[5][6] Harbor had its world premiere at the Westport Country Playhouse, Westport, Connecticut, from August 2012 to September 15, 2012, directed by Mark Lamos.[7]

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,[8] and then for the Spring of 2017.[9] 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.[10]

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.[11] The musical opened on Broadway at the Longacre Theatre on November 15, 2018, with previews starting on October 23, 2018.[12][13][14]

Stage credits

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Year Title Role Venue Ref.
2000 The Rhythm Club Book, Lyrics Regional, Signature Theatre [15]
2004 Wicked City Regional, Mason Street Warehouse
On The Record Book U.S. National Tour
2006 The Wedding Singer Book, Lyrics Broadway, Al Hirschfeld Theatre
2010 All About Me Additional numbers Broadway, Henry Miller's Theatre
Elf Lyrics Regional, Center Theatre Group
Broadway, Al Hirschfeld Theatre
2011 Aladdin Book, additional lyrics Regional, 5th Avenue Theatre
2012 Elf Lyrics Broadway, Al Hirschfeld Theatre
Harbor Playwright Regional, Westport Country Playhouse
2013 Off-Broadway, Primary Stages
2014 Aladdin Book, additional lyrics Broadway, New Amsterdam Theatre
2015 Half Time Book Regional, Bank of America Theatre
2016 The Prom Book, Lyrics Regional, Alliance Theatre
2018 Broadway, Longacre Theatre
Half Time Book Regional, Paper Mill Playhouse
2024 Elf Lyrics Broadway, Marquis Theatre

Awards and honors

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Award Year Category Work Result Ref.
Tony Awards 2006 Best Original Score The Wedding Singer Nominated [16]
Best Book of a Musical Nominated
2014 Best Original Score Aladdin Nominated
Best Book of a Musical Nominated
2019 Best Original Score The Prom Nominated
Best Book of a Musical Nominated
Drama Desk Awards 2006 Outstanding Lyrics The Wedding Singer Nominated
2014 Aladdin Nominated
Outstanding Book of a Musical Nominated
2019 The Prom Nominated
Outstanding Lyrics Nominated

Personal life

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Beguelin currently lives in Manhattan and Bridgehampton with his husband Tom and their dog Tucker.[17]

References

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  1. ^ Jones, Kenneth; Ehren, Christine. "Who's Got Rhythm? Musical 'Rhythm Club' Still Strummin'" Archived October 19, 2012, at the Wayback Machine playbill.com, August 2, 2002
  2. ^ "Saugatuck’s Mason Street Warehouse Presents World Premiere of 'Wicked City'" masonstreetwarehouse.org, August 4, 2004
  3. ^ Hetrick, Adam. "Disney's 'Aladdin' Will Arrive on Broadway in February 2014" Archived 2013-09-01 at the Wayback Machine, Playbill.com, August 29, 2013
  4. ^ " Aladdin Broadway" Playbill Vault, accessed October 15, 2015
  5. ^ Propst, Andy. "Chad Beguelin's Harbor to Dock in New York" theatremania.com, January 10, 2013
  6. ^ Harbor Archived 2015-12-22 at the Wayback Machine lortel.org, accessed December 15, 2015
  7. ^ Hennessy, Christina. "World premiere comedy sails into Westport Country Playhouse" ctpost.com, August 21, 2012
  8. ^ Gans, Andrew (December 14, 2015). "Gotta Dance, Helmed by Jerry Mitchell, Extends Chicago Run; Broadway Debut Set for Fall". Playbill.
  9. ^ Gans, Andrew. "Broadway-Bound 'Gotta Dance' Gets a New Title and Music Collaborator" Playbill, July 13, 2016
  10. ^ 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
  11. ^ Gans, Andrew. " 'The Prom', from Drowsy Chaperone and Wedding Singer Creators, Begins Previews Tonight" Playbill, August 18, 2016
  12. ^ McPhee, Ryan. "Full Cast Set for Broadway’s 'The Prom'" Playbill, May 3, 2018
  13. ^ McPhee, Ryan. " 'The Prom' Sets New Broadway Start Date" Playbill, June 13, 2018
  14. ^ McPhee, Ryan. "Musical Comedy 'The Prom' Switches Theatres Ahead of Broadway Premiere" Playbill, July 12, 2018
  15. ^ "Chad Beguelin – Awards". IBDB. Retrieved August 3, 2025.
  16. ^ "Chad Beguelin – Awards". IBDB. Retrieved August 3, 2025.
  17. ^ Beguelin, Chad. Official website for Chad Beguelin. Retrieved March 2009.
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