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Rob Ashford

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For the law professor, seeRobert Ashford.

Rob Ashford
Ashford in 2012
Born(1959-11-19)November 19, 1959(age 64)
Orlando, Florida,US
Alma materWashington and Lee University
Point Park University
Occupations
  • Director
  • choreographer
Years active1987–present

Rob Ashford(born November 19, 1959) is an American stage director and choreographer. He is aTony Award,Olivier Award,Emmy Award,[1]Drama Desk Award,andOuter Critics Circle Awardwinner.

Early life and education[edit]

Born inOrlando, Floridaand raised inBeckley, West Virginia,Ashford attendedWashington and Lee University,Le xing ton, Virginia, in the pre-law program, graduating in 1982. He became interested in theatre with his work in the theatre department, and went on to study dance at Pittsburgh'sPoint Park UniversityConservatory of Performing Arts, graduating in 1983.[2]He performed in thePittsburgh theatre scenewhile in college, appearing with such companies asPittsburgh Civic Light Opera.[3]After graduation, Ashford moved to New York City, where he shared an apartment with friend and fellow choreographerKathleen Marshall.[4]

Career[edit]

Broadway and Off-Broadway[edit]

As a dancer, Ashford made his Broadway debut in the 1987 Lincoln Center revival ofAnything GoesstarringPatti LuPone.[5]Productions ofThe Most Happy Fella(1992),Crazy for You(1992),My Favorite Year(1992) (also Dance Captain),Victor/Victoria(1995) (also Dance Captain) andParade(1998) (also Dance Captain and Assistant Choreographer) followed.[6]

Ashford began working as a choreographer whenRob Marshallsent Ashford to re-stageKiss of the Spider Womanin Buenos Aires.[7]He next served as Associate Choreographer to Kathleen Marshall on the Broadway revival ofRing Round the Moonin 1999[8]the 1999 Broadway revival ofKiss Me, Kate,[6]andSeussicalin 2000.[9]

Ashford won the 2002 Tony Award for Best Choreography for the Broadway musicalThoroughly Modern Millie(2002).[10]Additional Broadway choreography credits include theRoundabout Theatreproduction ofThe Boys from Syracuseat theAmerican Airlines Theatrein 2002,[11]The Wedding Singer(2006) (Tony Nomination),[12]Curtains(2007) (Tony Nomination),[13]Cry-Baby(2008) (Tony Nomination)[14]andEvitastarring Ricky Martin (2012) (Tony Nomination).[15]

He directed and choreographedPromises, PromisesstarringSean HayesandKristin Chenowethin 2010 (Tony Nomination for Best Choreography)[16]andHow to Succeed in Business Without Really TryingstarringDaniel RadcliffeandJohn Laroquettein 2011,[17]receiving Tony Nominations for Best Direction of a Musical and Best Choreography of a Musical.[18]He also directed Scarlett Johansson in the 2012 revival of "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof"on Broadway.[19]

For the New York City CenterEncores!staged concert series, Ashford has choreographed:[20]Tenderloin(2000),Bloomer Girl(2001),[21]A Connecticut Yankee(2001),[22]andPardon My English(2004).[23]

He directed and choreographed a 2010 pre-Broadway production ofLeap of Faithat the Ahmanson Theater in Los Angeles.[24]

In April 2015, Ashford directed and choreographed an acclaimed production ofCarouselfor the Lyric Opera of Chicago, starring Laura Osnes and Steven Pasquale.[25]Ashford served as the choreographer of the musicalFrozen.[26]

Off-Broadway credits includePardon My English(2004),The Thing About Men(2003),Bloomer Girl(2001),A Connecticut Yankee(2001), andTime and Again(2001).[27]

London[edit]

In London, Ashford's directing credits include:Paradeat theDonmar Warehouse(2007)[5](Olivier Nominations for Best Director and Best Theatre Choreographer)[28]andA Streetcar Named Desirein 2009 at the Donmar Warehouse starring Rachel Weisz (Olivier nomination, Best Revival).[29]He directed a revival ofAnna Christie,starringJude LawandRuth Wilsonat the Donmar Warehouse in 2011.[30]This production won the Olivier Award for Best Revival.[31]Ashford co-directed, with Jason Moore, theWest Endproduction ofShrek The Musical,which ran from 2011 to 2013 at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane.[32]For theManchester International Festival,Ashford directedKenneth BranaghandAlex KingstoninMacbethin 2013.[33]The production transferred to thePark Ave Armoryin New York City for a limited run in June 2014.[34]

His choreography credits includeEvita(2007 Olivier Nomination, Best Theatre Choreographer),[35]Guys and Dollsat the Piccadilly Theatre starring Ewan McGregor and Jane Krakowski (2006 Olivier nomination for Best Theatre Choreographer),[36]andThoroughly Modern Millieat the Shaftesbury Theatre (2004 Olivier nomination for Best Theatre Choreographer).[37]He directed and choreographed a musical version of the filmFinding Neverland[38]which premièred in autumn 2012 at Curve, Leicester.

Royal National Theatrechoreography credits includeA Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum(2004)[39]andOnce in a Lifetimein 2005.[40]

He directed and choreographed the new Gershwin musicalA Damsel In Distressfor Chichester Festival Theatre in 2015.[41]In 2016, he co-directedThe Winter's Talewith Branagh in a production that starred Branagh andJudi Dench,[42]and he also directed Branagh inThe Entertainer,for London's West End.[43]

Film and television[edit]

Film credits include staging the musical numbers for the Bobby Darin biopicBeyond the SeastarringKevin Spacey,[44]Seth MacFarlane'sA Million Ways to Die in the WestandTed 2,[45][46]and the Disney filmCinderelladirected byKenneth Branagh.[47]

For television, Ashford has choreographed tributes toAndrew Lloyd Webber,Barbra Streisand,Jerry Hermann,Meryl Streep,Barbara Cook,Shirley MacLaine,andTom HanksforThe Kennedy Center Honors.He was the choreographer for the Kennedy Center Honors in 2007 and 2009, and also a co-producer for 2011, 2012 and 2014.[48]He collaborated with filmmakerBaz Luhrmannon a production number featuringHugh JackmanandBeyoncé Knowlesfor The 81st AnnualAcademy Awards,[49]and won the 2009 Emmy Award for Outstanding Choreography.[50]He also served as choreographer for the85th Academy Awards(2013),86th Academy Awards(2014), and the87th Academy Awards(2015).[51][52]In December 2013, Ashford was stage director and choreographer ofNBC's live television presentation,The Sound of Music Live!,and received aDGA AwardNomination,[53]and an Emmy Award nomination.[1]Ashford then did the same forNBC'sPeter Pan Live!in 2014, for which he received anotherDGA AwardNomination.[54]

Other[edit]

Asford choreographed the opening number of the 2013 Tonys, "Make it Bigger".[55] Ashford choreographed a new production ofCandideat theTheatre du Chatelet(with subsequent productions at La Scala, Milan and The English National Opera). He directedThe Barber of Sevillefor the Lyric Opera of Chicago, which began performances on February 1, 2014.[56]He directed and choreographedCarmenat the Houston Grand Opera in April and May 2014.[57]

Ashford is on the executive committee of The Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers,[58]Board of Trustees of TheJoyce Theater,[59]Artists' Committee for the Kennedy Center Honors, and has been an associate director atThe Old Vicsince 2012.[60]

In 2011, theNew York Observerlisted Ashford as number 42 on "The New Power Gays: NYC’s Top 50" list;[61]Ashford was selected forOutmagazine's "Out 100" in 2013.[62]

Upcoming projects[edit]

In February 2019, it was announced that Ashford would direct a film adaptation ofAndrew Lloyd Webber's stage musicalSunset Boulevard,starringGlenn Close.[63]However in 2024, it was confirmed that Ashford had left the project due to delays in production caused by theCOVID-19 pandemic.[64]Ashford will direct the musical version of "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil" in the summer of 2024.[65]

Credits (select)[edit]

Broadway[edit]

London[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ab"Rob Ashford".Emmys.RetrievedNovember 29,2021.
  2. ^"Tony Award-Winning Choreographer to Deliver Point Park University's 50th Commencement Address".pointpark.edu.March 31, 2010.RetrievedJuly 1,2022.
  3. ^Conner, Lynne (2007). Pittsburgh In Stages: Two Hundred Years of Theater. University of Pittsburgh Press. pp. 204.ISBN978-0-8229-4330-3.Retrieved June 6, 2011
  4. ^Jones, Kenneth (July 23, 2002)."Playbill On-Line's Brief Encounter with Rob Ashford".Playbill.RetrievedJuly 1,2022.
  5. ^abWolf, Matt (August 28, 2007)."Rob Ashford's journey: From dance steps to leader of the band".The New York Times.
  6. ^ab"Rob Ashford (Choreographer)".Playbill.RetrievedJuly 1,2022.
  7. ^Cramer, Lyn.Interview, Rob Ashford"Creating Musical Theatre: Conversations with Broadway Directors and Choreographers", (books.google ), 2013,ISBN1408184591,pp. 4 and 7
  8. ^"Ring Round the Moon (Broadway, Belasco Theatre, 1999)".Playbill.RetrievedJuly 1,2022.
  9. ^"Rob Ashford".Internet Broadway Database.RetrievedJuly 1,2022.
  10. ^Simonson, Robert(June 2, 2002)."2002 TONY AWARD: Choreography, ROB ASHFORD,Thoroughly Modern Millie".Playbill.RetrievedJuly 1,2022.
  11. ^Simonson, Robert (August 18, 2002)."Dromio, Dromio: Roundabout Opens RevisedBoys from SyracuseAug. 18 ".Playbill.RetrievedJuly 1,2022.
  12. ^Gans, Andrew (October 25, 2006)."TheWeddingIs Off: New MusicalWedding Singerto Close in December ".Playbill.RetrievedJuly 1,2022.
  13. ^Hernandez, Ernio (November 2, 2006)."CurtainsUp: Kander and Ebb Musical to Play Broadway with Pierce and Monk ".Playbill.RetrievedJuly 1,2022.
  14. ^Murray, Matthew (April 24, 2008)."Broadway Review:Cry-Baby".Talkin' Broadway.
  15. ^Gans, Andrew (January 26, 2013)."'Goodnight and Thank You': Broadway Revival ofEvitaEnds Run Jan. 26 ".Playbill.RetrievedJuly 1,2022.
  16. ^Brantley, Ben (April 26, 2010)."Back in the '60s: Let's Tryst Again".The New York Times.
  17. ^Hetrick, Adam (May 20, 2012)."'Been A Long Day':How to Succeed in Business Without Really TryingCloses On Broadway May 20 ".Playbill.RetrievedJuly 1,2022.
  18. ^Hetrick, Adam (May 3, 2011)."Just the List: 2011 Tony Award Nominees".Playbill.RetrievedJuly 1,2022.
  19. ^"Cat on a Hot Tin Roof – Broadway Play – 2013 Revival".Internet Broadway Database.RetrievedJuly 1,2022.
  20. ^"Encores!Previous Seasons ".nycitycenter.org.Archived fromthe originalon June 29, 2012.
  21. ^Finkle, David (March 23, 2001)."Bloomer Girl".TheaterMania.
  22. ^Portantiere, Michael (February 12, 2001)."A Connecticut Yankee".TheaterMania.
  23. ^Brantley, Ben (March 27, 2004)."THEATER REVIEW; It's Springtime for Dresden In a Bubbly Era of Inhibition".The New York Times.RetrievedJuly 1,2022.
  24. ^Verini, Bob (October 5, 2010)."Leap of Faith".Variety.
  25. ^Gans, Andrew (April 10, 2015)."Laura Osnes and Steven Pasquale Take a Ride on aCarouselin Chicago, Starting Tonight ".Playbill.RetrievedJuly 1,2022.
  26. ^Cox, Gordon (April 17, 2017)."'Frozen' Musical Sets Casting, New Choreographer on Way to Broadway ".Variety.
  27. ^"Rob Ashford".BroadwayWorld.
  28. ^"Olivier Winners 2008"Archived2013-04-02 at theWayback Machineolivierawards, accessed February 3, 2014
  29. ^"Olivier Winners 2010"Archived2015-02-10 at theWayback Machineolivierawards, accessed February 4, 2014
  30. ^Shenton, Mark (August 9, 2011)."Jude Law Stars in Rob Ashford'sAnna Christieat Donmar Warehouse, Opening Aug. 9 ".Playbill.RetrievedJuly 1,2022.
  31. ^"Olivier Winners 2012"Archived2014-11-02 at theWayback Machineolivierawards, accessed February 3, 2014
  32. ^"Shrek The Musical to close at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane in London".WestEndTheatre.September 3, 2012.RetrievedJuly 1,2022.
  33. ^"Macbeth".mif.co.uk.Manchester International Festival.RetrievedJuly 1,2022.
  34. ^Purcell, Carey (June 14, 2014)."Immersive production ofMacbeth,With Kenneth Branagh, closes at Park Avenue Armory June 22 ".Playbill.RetrievedJuly 1,2022.
  35. ^"Olivier Winners 2007"Archived2014-10-04 at theWayback Machineolivierawards, accessed February 3, 2014
  36. ^"Olivier Winners 2006"Archived2014-12-29 at theWayback Machineolivierawards, accessed February 3, 2014
  37. ^"Olivier Winners 2004"Archived2012-01-17 at theWayback Machineolivierawards, accessed February 3, 2014
  38. ^Jones, Kenneth (June 8, 2009)."Borle, O'Hara, Kudisch, Peil, Moran, Davi Appeared inFinding NeverlandReading ".Playbill.RetrievedJuly 1,2022.
  39. ^Inverne, James (July 9, 2004)."National Theatre'sA Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the ForumOpens July 9 ".Playbill.RetrievedJuly 1,2022.
  40. ^"Once in a Lifetime (2005)".catalogue.nationaltheatre.org.uk.RetrievedFebruary 4,2014.
  41. ^Shenton, Mark (June 10, 2015)."New Gershwin MusicalA Damsel in DistressOpens Tonight With Summer Strallen, Richard Fleeshman ".Playbill.RetrievedJuly 1,2022.
  42. ^"The Winter's Tale".BranaghTheatre.Archived fromthe originalon October 15, 2015.
  43. ^"The Entertainer".BranaghTheatre.Archived fromthe originalon April 22, 2015.
  44. ^"Beyond-the-Sea Credits".The New York Times.Archived fromthe originalon June 29, 2015.RetrievedFebruary 3,2014.
  45. ^Murphy, Mekado (June 25, 2015)."'Ted 2' (With Movie Trailer): Seth MacFarlane Narrates a Scene ".The New York Times.
  46. ^"Rob Ashford".IMDb.
  47. ^"Oscar Production Team Announced".Deadline.January 15, 2014.
  48. ^"Rob Ashford - Filmography".The New York Times.Archived fromthe originalon March 9, 2014.RetrievedFebruary 4,2014.
  49. ^Gans, Andrew (February 2, 2009)."Ashford to Help Luhrmann Stage Oscar Number for Host Jackman".Playbill.RetrievedJuly 1,2022.
  50. ^Hetrick, Adam (September 20, 2009)."Theatre Veterans Collect Top Prizes at 2009 Emmy Awards".Playbill.Archived fromthe originalon July 19, 2012.
  51. ^Champion, Lindsay (November 8, 2012)."Cat on a Hot Tin RoofDirector Rob Ashford to Choreograph 2013 Oscar Ceremony ".Broadway.
  52. ^"Oscar® Production Team Announced".Oscars.org.January 15, 2014.RetrievedJuly 1,2022.
  53. ^"The Sound of Music Live!".The New York Times.Archived fromthe originalon March 6, 2014.RetrievedFebruary 3,2014.
  54. ^"Rob Ashford - Awards".IMDb.
  55. ^"Tonys Opening Number Makes 2013 Year-End Lists".TonyAwards.December 26, 2013.RetrievedJuly 1,2022.
  56. ^Purcell, Carey (February 1, 2014)."Rob Ashford-HelmedThe Barber of Seville,Starring Nathan Gunn, Begins Feb. 1 at Lyric Opera of Chicago ".Playbill.RetrievedJuly 1,2022.
  57. ^"Houston Grand Opera launches 2014 with exceptional line-up".OperaMusicBroadcast.December 31, 2013. Archived fromthe originalon February 21, 2014.RetrievedFebruary 3,2014.
  58. ^"Executive Board".sdcweb.org.RetrievedFebruary 4,2014.
  59. ^"Board of Trustees".joyce.org.RetrievedJuly 1,2022.
  60. ^Shenton, Mark (June 12, 2012)."Sheridan Smith to Star inHedda Gablerat London's Old Vic; Rob Ashford Joins Theatre as Associate Director ".Playbill.RetrievedJuly 1,2022.
  61. ^"Scott Rudin, Larry Kramer, Rob Ashford & More Named toNew York Observer's Top 50 'Power Gays'".Broadway.June 22, 2011.RetrievedMay 11,2018.
  62. ^"The Out 100: Rob Ashford".Out.November 13, 2013.RetrievedMay 11,2018.
  63. ^Criscitiello, Alexa (February 28, 2019)."Confirmed! Glenn Close To Star In Rob Ashford-Directed SUNSET BOULEVARD Musical Film!".BroadwayWorld.RetrievedMarch 1,2019.
  64. ^"Glenn Close Says 'Sunset Boulevard' Remake is 'Moving Forward'".May 2, 2024.
  65. ^"2023/2024 Season".
  66. ^Gans, Andrew (July 22, 2008)."Drama Desk Winners Receive Trophies July 22".Playbill.RetrievedJuly 1,2022.
  67. ^"Promises, Promises (Broadway, Broadway Theatre, 2010)".Playbill.RetrievedJuly 1,2022.
  68. ^Jones, Kenneth (May 24, 2011)."Drama Desk Awards Go toBook of Mormon,Normal Heart,War Horse,Sutton Foster, Norbert Leo Butz ".Playbill.RetrievedJuly 1,2022.
  69. ^Hetrick, Adam (June 4, 2012)."Fred & Adele Astaire Awards, Honoring Liza Minnelli, Presented June 4".Playbill.RetrievedJuly 1,2022.
  70. ^Brantley, Ben (January 17, 2013)."A Storm From the South, Brewing in a Bedroom".The New York Times.
  71. ^Benedict, David (June 26, 2008)."Candide".Variety.RetrievedJuly 1,2022.
  72. ^Jones, Kenneth; Shenton, Mark (July 28, 2009)."Ashford-DirectedStreetcarWith Rachel Weisz Opens at Donmar ".Playbill.RetrievedJuly 1,2022.

External links[edit]

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