Marc Shaiman Named Music Director for 2010 Oscars

Irrepressible ASCAP composer/songwriter Marc Shaiman has been named the Music Director for the 82nd Annual Academy Awards. No surprise there -- in addition to five Oscar nominations for his work on The American President, The First Wives Club, Patch Adams, Sleepless in Seattle and South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut, Shaiman has worked on three prior Oscar ceremonies, each of which garnered Emmy nominations. He won the Emmy in 1992 for co-writing Billy Crystal's "Oscar Medley."

Said producer Adam Shankman, who partnered with Shaiman on the award-winning Hairspray movie musical and will again work with him on the 2010 Oscars: "Marc was my inspiration and musical partner on Hairspray and he has been responsible for some of the most memorable moments in Oscar history, like Will Ferrell and Jack Black's comedy numbers. He's a genius! And he'd be the first to tell you!"

82nd Annual Academy Awards will take place on March 7th of 2010.