Richard Winkler

Richard Winkler, born on May 20, 1948, is a distinguished American theatre producer with a prolific career, having produced numerous productions both on and off Broadway. Often taking on roles as a co-producer or investor, Winkler notably served as the enhancing producer for 42nd Street at the Goodspeed Opera House. Currently, he is in the process of developing an exciting new musical titled 3 Summers of Lincoln, which just completed a successful run at the La Jolla Playhouse, and expects to open on Broadway in the Autumn of 2026. Over the course of his career, Winkler has garnered an impressive eleven Tony Awards and nine Olivier Awards. For more information, his professional work can be explored at www.redhangerproductions.com.

Early life

Richard was raised in Detroit, Michigan, where his early exposure to the performing arts was fostered by his mother, with whom he frequently attended theater productions. It was after seeing My Fair Lady that his passion for theater truly ignited, prompting him to actively participate in various theatrical endeavors. His commitment to the craft deepened during his time at the Interlochen Center for the Arts, where he honed his skills and developed a deeper appreciation for the art form. Afterward, Richard pursued his studies at the University of Michigan, ultimately building a career as a lighting designer that spanned over 35 years.

Career Richard Winkler enjoyed an illustrious career as a lighting designer spanning 35 years, during which he collaborated extensively with the renowned Tharon Musser. His impressive portfolio encompasses a diverse range of theatrical genres, including plays, musicals, opera, concerts, and dance, with credits on Broadway, Off-Broadway, the West End, as well as in Australia, and through national and international tours. Notably, he has also contributed his expertise to Theatre Under The Stars (Houston). Today, Winkler applies his extensive experience in the industry as a producer for Broadway, West End, and other international productions, having helped produced over 80 Broadway and West End productions.

Winkler's lighting designer credits include:The Play's The Thing, Scapino (play), The Wiz, Same Time, Next Year (play), A Chorus Line, Evita (musical), It's a Wonderful Life

Winkler's Broadway producing credits include: Oedipus 2026, Every Brilliant Thing 2026, Giant (play) 2026, Dog Day Afternoon (play) 2026, Glengarry Glen Ross 2025, Othello 2025, Good Night, and Good Luck (play) 2025,Real Women Have Curves (musical) 2025, Buena Vista Social Club (musical) 2025, Dead Outlaw 2025, The Roommate 2024, Once Upon A Mattress 2024, Sunset Boulevard 2024, Stereophonic 2024, Merrily We Roll Along 2024, Patriots 2024, The Who's Tommy 2024, Life of Pi 2023, Leopoldstadt 2022, Thoughts of a Colored Man 2021, The Lehman Trilogy 2021, Diana 2021, The Inheritance 2019, Betrayal 2019, Ain't Too Proud 2019, Be More Chill 2018, The Ferryman 2018, Three Tall Women 2018 , The Glass Menagerie 2017, The Cher Show (musical) 2017, 1984 2017, Sweat 2017, Come From Away 2017, Sunday in the Park With George 2017, Long Day's Journey into Night 2016, An Act of God 2016, China Doll 2015, King Charles III 2015, Something Rotten! 2015, Hand to God 2015, Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill 2014, Disgraced 2014, You Can't Take it With You 2014,A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder 2013, A Night with Janis Joplin 2013, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike 2013, Cinderella 2013, Nice Work If You Can Get It 2012, Catch Me If You Can 2011, Colin Quinn: Long Story Short 2010, La Bête 2010, La Cage Aux Folles 2010, Lend Me A Tenor 2010, All About Me 2010, A Little Night Music 2009, Memphis 2009, The Norman Conquests 2009

Winkler's West End producing credits include: Jesus Christ Superstar 2026, Romeo & Juliet 2026, The Spy Who Came in From the Cold 2026, Fiddler on the Roof 2025, 1536 (play) 2026, Teeth 'n' Smiles 2026, Miss Saigon UK Tour 2026, Giant (play) 2025, The Seagull 2025, Born with Teeth 2025, Inter Alia (play) 2025, Evita (musical) 2025, Stereophonic (play) 2025, Mrs. Warren's Profession 2025, Barcelona 2024, Sunset Boulevard 2025, All My Sons 2025, Woman in Mind 2025, The Years 2025, The Importance of Being Earnest 2025, The Producers 2025, Moon for the Misbegotten 2025, Manhunt 2025, Elektra 2025, Creakers 2024, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (musical) 2024, Punch (play) 2024, Titanique 2024, The Years (play) 2024, Starlight Express 2024, Dr. Strangelove (play) 2024, 42 Balloons 2024, The Fifth Step 2024, Till the Stars Come Down 2024, Starter for Ten (musical) 2024, The Lehman Trilogy 2024, Elektra 2024, Stranger Things: The First Shadow 2024, Barcelona 2024, Oedipus 2024, Juno and the Paycock 2024, Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York) 2024, Hello Dolly! 2024, Leopoldstadt 2020, Patriots 2023, Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York) 2023, Standing at the Sky's Edge 2024, The Artist 2024, Macbeth 2024, Long Day's Journey Into Night 2024, Kathy and Stella Solve a Murder! 2024, The Hills of California 2024, An Enemy of the People 2024, A Mirror 2024, Dear England 2023, The Doctor 2019, Betrayal 2019, Everybody's Talking About Jamie 2017, Hamlet 2017, The Lehman Trilogy, The Ferryman 2017, Mother Goose 2022, Urinetown 2014, Come From Away 2023, Starlight Express 2024, War Horse 2024, The Inheritance 2018, Home, I'm Darling 2019, Memphis 2014

Awards and nominations Winkler was nominated in 2019 for Broadway Global's Producer of the Year Award.

Tony Awards:

Sunset Boulevard Merrily We Roll Along Stereophonic Leopoldstadt The Lehman Trilogy The Inheritance The Ferryman Memphis Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike La Cage aux Folles The Norman Conquests

Laurence Olivier Awards:

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (musical) Titanique Oedipus Dear England Leopoldstadt The Inheritance Come from Away Home, I'm Darling Long Day's Journey into Night