Hugh Wheeler

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)