Rob Ashford

For the law professor, see Robert Ashford.

Rob Ashford (born November 19, 1959) is an American stage director and choreographer. He is a Tony Award, Olivier Award, Emmy Award,^[1] Drama Desk Award, and Outer Critics Circle Award winner.

Rob Ashford
Ashford in 2012
Born	(1959-11-19) November 19, 1959 (age 63) Orlando, Florida, US
Alma mater	Washington and Lee University Point Park University
Occupations	Director choreographer
Years active	1987–present

Early life and education

Born in Orlando, Florida and raised in Beckley, West Virginia, Ashford attended Washington and Lee University, Lexington, 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's Point Park University Conservatory of Performing Arts, graduating in 1983.^[2] He performed in the Pittsburgh theatre scene while in college, appearing with such companies as Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera.^[3] After graduation, Ashford moved to New York City, where he shared an apartment with friend and fellow choreographer Kathleen Marshall.^[4]

Career

Broadway and Off-Broadway

As a dancer, Ashford made his Broadway debut in the 1987 Lincoln Center revival of Anything Goes starring Patti LuPone.^[5] Productions of The Most Happy Fella (1992), Crazy for You (1992), My Favorite Year (1992) (also Dance Captain), Victor/Victoria (1995) (also Dance Captain) and Parade (1998) (also Dance Captain and Assistant Choreographer) followed.^[6]

Ashford began working as a choreographer when Rob Marshall sent Ashford to re-stage Kiss of the Spider Woman in Buenos Aires.^[7] He next served as Associate Choreographer to Kathleen Marshall on the Broadway revival of Ring Round the Moon in 1999^[8] the 1999 Broadway revival of Kiss Me, Kate,^[6] and Seussical in 2000.^[9]

Ashford won the 2002 Tony Award for Best Choreography for the Broadway musical Thoroughly Modern Millie (2002).^[10] Additional Broadway choreography credits include the Roundabout Theatre production of The Boys from Syracuse at the American Airlines Theatre in 2002,^[11] The Wedding Singer (2006) (Tony Nomination),^[12] Curtains (2007) (Tony Nomination),^[13] Cry-Baby (2008) (Tony Nomination)^[14] and Evita starring Ricky Martin (2012) (Tony Nomination).^[15]

He directed and choreographed Promises, Promises starring Sean Hayes and Kristin Chenoweth in 2010 (Tony Nomination for Best Choreography)^[16] and How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying starring Daniel Radcliffe and John Laroquette in 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 Center Encores! staged concert series, Ashford has choreographed:^[20] Tenderloin (2000), Bloomer Girl (2001),^[21] A Connecticut Yankee (2001),^[22] and Pardon My English (2004).^[23]

He directed and choreographed a 2010 pre-Broadway production of Leap of Faith at the Ahmanson Theater in Los Angeles.^[24]

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

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

London

In London, Ashford's directing credits include: Parade at the Donmar Warehouse (2007)^[5] (Olivier Nominations for Best Director and Best Theatre Choreographer)^[28] and A Streetcar Named Desire in 2009 at the Donmar Warehouse starring Rachel Weisz (Olivier nomination, Best Revival).^[29] He directed a revival of Anna Christie, starring Jude Law and Ruth Wilson at the Donmar Warehouse in 2011.^[30] This production won the Olivier Award for Best Revival.^[31] Ashford co-directed, with Jason Moore, the West End production of Shrek The Musical, which ran from 2011 to 2013 at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane.^[32] For the Manchester International Festival, Ashford directed Kenneth Branagh and Alex Kingston in Macbeth in 2013.^[33] The production transferred to the Park Ave Armory in New York City for a limited run in June 2014.^[34]

His choreography credits include Evita (2007 Olivier Nomination, Best Theatre Choreographer),^[35] Guys and Dolls at the Piccadilly Theatre starring Ewan McGregor and Jane Krakowski (2006 Olivier nomination for Best Theatre Choreographer),^[36] and Thoroughly Modern Millie at the Shaftesbury Theatre (2004 Olivier nomination for Best Theatre Choreographer).^[37] He directed and choreographed a musical version of the film Finding Neverland^[38] which premièred in autumn 2012 at Curve, Leicester.

Royal National Theatre choreography credits include A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (2004)^[39] and Once in a Lifetime in 2005.^[40]

He directed and choreographed the new Gershwin musical A Damsel In Distress for Chichester Festival Theatre in 2015.^[41] In 2016, he co-directed The Winter's Tale with Branagh in a production that starred Branagh and Judi Dench,^[42] and he also directed Branagh in The Entertainer, for London's West End.^[43]

Film and television

Film credits include staging the musical numbers for the Bobby Darin biopic Beyond the Sea starring Kevin Spacey,^[44] Seth MacFarlane's A Million Ways to Die in the West and Ted 2,^[45][46] and the Disney film Cinderella directed by Kenneth Branagh.^[47]

For television, Ashford has choreographed tributes to Andrew Lloyd Webber, Barbra Streisand, Jerry Hermann, Meryl Streep, Barbara Cook, Shirley MacLaine, and Tom Hanks for The 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 filmmaker Baz Luhrmann on a production number featuring Hugh Jackman and Beyoncé Knowles for The 81st Annual Academy Awards,^[49] and won the 2009 Emmy Award for Outstanding Choreography.^[50] He also served as choreographer for the 85th Academy Awards (2013), 86th Academy Awards (2014), and the 87th Academy Awards (2015).^[51][52] In December 2013, Ashford was stage director and choreographer of NBC's live television presentation, The Sound of Music Live!, and received a DGA Award Nomination,^[53] and an Emmy Award nomination.^[1] Ashford then did the same for NBC's Peter Pan Live! in 2014, for which he received another DGA Award Nomination.^[54]

Other

Asford choreographed the opening number of the 2013 Tonys, "Make it Bigger".^[55] Ashford choreographed a new production of Candide at the Theatre du Chatelet (with subsequent productions at La Scala, Milan and The English National Opera). He directed The Barber of Seville for the Lyric Opera of Chicago, which began performances on February 1, 2014.^[56] He directed and choreographed Carmen at 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 The Joyce Theater,^[59] Artists' Committee for the Kennedy Center Honors, and has been an associate director at The Old Vic since 2012.^[60]

In 2011, the New York Observer listed Ashford as number 42 on "The New Power Gays: NYC’s Top 50" list;^[61] Ashford was selected for Out magazine's "Out 100" in 2013.^[62]

Upcoming projects

In February 2019, it was announced that Ashford would direct a film adaptation of Andrew Lloyd Webber's stage musical Sunset Boulevard, starring Glenn Close.^[63]

Credits (select)

Broadway

• Thoroughly Modern Millie (2002) (Tony Award)
• The Boys from Syracuse (2002)
• The Wedding Singer (2006) (Tony Award nomination, Drama Desk Award nomination)
• Curtains (2007) (Tony Award nomination)
• Cry-Baby (2008) (Tony Award nomination, Drama Desk Award winner (Outstanding Choreography),^[64] Fred and Adele Astaire Award, and Outer Critics Circle Award)
• Promises, Promises (2010) (Tony Award nomination for Choreography, Outer Critics Circle Award Nomination for Outstanding Choreographer)^[65]
• How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (Tony Award nomination, Drama Desk Award nominations (Outstanding Director of a Musical and Outstanding Choreography),^[66] Outer Critics Circle Award nomination, Astaire Award nomination) (2011)
• Evita (2012) (Tony Award nomination, Drama Desk Award nomination, Outer Critics Circle Award nomination, Astaire Award nomination)^[67]
• Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (2013)^[68]
• Frozen (2018)

London

• Thoroughly Modern Millie (2003) (Olivier Award nomination)
• Guys and Dolls (2005) (Olivier Award nomination)
• Evita (2006) (Olivier Award nomination)
• Parade (2008) (Olivier Award nominations for Direction and Choreography)
• A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (Royal National Theatre)
• Once in a Lifetime (2005) (Royal National Theatre)
• Candide (2008) – new production at the English National Opera^[69] (With subsequent productions at La Scala, Milan and La Chatelet Theatre, Paris)
• A Streetcar Named Desire (2009, Donmar Warehouse)^[70] (Olivier Award nomination)
• Anna Christie (2011) (Olivier Award Best Revival)

References

1. "Rob Ashford". Emmys.com. Retrieved November 29, 2021.
2. "Tony Award-Winning Choreographer to Deliver Point Park University's 50th Commencement Address". pointpark.edu. March 31, 2010. Retrieved July 1, 2022.
3. Conner, Lynne (2007). Pittsburgh In Stages: Two Hundred Years of Theater. University of Pittsburgh Press. pp. 204. ISBN 978-0-8229-4330-3. Retrieved June 6, 2011
4. Jones, Kenneth (July 23, 2002). "Playbill On-Line's Brief Encounter with Rob Ashford". Playbill. Retrieved July 1, 2022.
5. Wolf, Matt (August 28, 2007). "Rob Ashford's journey: From dance steps to leader of the band". The New York Times.
6. "Rob Ashford (Choreographer)". Playbill. Retrieved July 1, 2022.
7. Cramer, Lyn.Interview, Rob Ashford "Creating Musical Theatre: Conversations with Broadway Directors and Choreographers", (books.google.com), 2013, ISBN 1408184591, pp. 4 and 7
8. "Ring Round the Moon (Broadway, Belasco Theatre, 1999)". Playbill. Retrieved July 1, 2022.
9. "Rob Ashford". Internet Broadway Database. Retrieved July 1, 2022.
10. Simonson, Robert (June 2, 2002). "2002 TONY AWARD: Choreography, ROB ASHFORD, Thoroughly Modern Millie". Playbill. Retrieved July 1, 2022.
11. Simonson, Robert (August 18, 2002). "Dromio, Dromio: Roundabout Opens Revised Boys from Syracuse Aug. 18". Playbill. Retrieved July 1, 2022.
12. Gans, Andrew (October 25, 2006). "The Wedding Is Off: New Musical Wedding Singer to Close in December". Playbill. Retrieved July 1, 2022.
13. Hernandez, Ernio (November 2, 2006). "Curtains Up: Kander and Ebb Musical to Play Broadway with Pierce and Monk". Playbill. Retrieved July 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 of Evita Ends Run Jan. 26". Playbill. Retrieved July 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 Trying Closes On Broadway May 20". Playbill. Retrieved July 1, 2022.
18. Hetrick, Adam (May 3, 2011). "Just the List: 2011 Tony Award Nominees". Playbill. Retrieved July 1, 2022.
19. "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof – Broadway Play – 2013 Revival". Internet Broadway Database. Retrieved July 1, 2022.
20. . nycitycenter.org. Archived from the original on 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. Retrieved July 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 a Carousel in Chicago, Starting Tonight". Playbill. Retrieved July 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" 2013-04-02 at the Wayback Machine olivierawards.com, accessed February 3, 2014
29. "Olivier Winners 2010" 2015-02-10 at the Wayback Machine olivierawards.com, accessed February 4, 2014
30. Shenton, Mark (August 9, 2011). "Jude Law Stars in Rob Ashford's Anna Christie at Donmar Warehouse, Opening Aug. 9". Playbill. Retrieved July 1, 2022.
31. "Olivier Winners 2012" 2014-11-02 at the Wayback Machine olivierawards.com, accessed February 3, 2014
32. "Shrek The Musical to close at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane in London". WestEndTheatre.com. September 3, 2012. Retrieved July 1, 2022.
33. "Macbeth". mif.co.uk. Manchester International Festival. Retrieved July 1, 2022.
34. Purcell, Carey (June 14, 2014). "Immersive production of Macbeth, With Kenneth Branagh, closes at Park Avenue Armory June 22". Playbill. Retrieved July 1, 2022.
35. "Olivier Winners 2007" 2014-10-04 at the Wayback Machine olivierawards.com, accessed February 3, 2014
36. "Olivier Winners 2006" 2014-12-29 at the Wayback Machine olivierawards.com, accessed February 3, 2014
37. "Olivier Winners 2004" 2012-01-17 at the Wayback Machine olivierawards.com, accessed February 3, 2014
38. Jones, Kenneth (June 8, 2009). "Borle, O'Hara, Kudisch, Peil, Moran, Davi Appeared in Finding Neverland Reading". Playbill. Retrieved July 1, 2022.
39. Inverne, James (July 9, 2004). "National Theatre's A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum Opens July 9". Playbill. Retrieved July 1, 2022.
40. "Once in a Lifetime (2005)". catalogue.nationaltheatre.org.uk. Retrieved February 4, 2014.
41. Shenton, Mark (June 10, 2015). "New Gershwin Musical A Damsel in Distress Opens Tonight With Summer Strallen, Richard Fleeshman". Playbill. Retrieved July 1, 2022.
42. . BranaghTheatre.com. Archived from the original on October 15, 2015.
43. . BranaghTheatre.com. Archived from the original on April 22, 2015.
44. . The New York Times. Archived from the original on June 29, 2015. Retrieved February 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. . The New York Times. Archived from the original on March 9, 2014. Retrieved February 4, 2014.
49. Gans, Andrew (February 2, 2009). "Ashford to Help Luhrmann Stage Oscar Number for Host Jackman". Playbill. Retrieved July 1, 2022.
50. Hetrick, Adam (September 20, 2009). . Playbill. Archived from the original on July 19, 2012.
51. Champion, Lindsay (November 8, 2012). "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof Director Rob Ashford to Choreograph 2013 Oscar Ceremony". Broadway.com.
52. "Oscar® Production Team Announced". Oscars.org. January 15, 2014. Retrieved July 1, 2022.
53. . The New York Times. Archived from the original on March 6, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
54. "Rob Ashford - Awards". IMDb.
55. "Tonys Opening Number Makes 2013 Year-End Lists". TonyAwards.com. December 26, 2013. Retrieved July 1, 2022.
56. Purcell, Carey (February 1, 2014). "Rob Ashford-Helmed The Barber of Seville, Starring Nathan Gunn, Begins Feb. 1 at Lyric Opera of Chicago". Playbill. Retrieved July 1, 2022.
57. . OperaMusicBroadcast.com. December 31, 2013. Archived from the original on February 21, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
58. "Executive Board". sdcweb.org. Retrieved February 4, 2014.
59. "Board of Trustees". joyce.org. Retrieved July 1, 2022.
60. Shenton, Mark (June 12, 2012). "Sheridan Smith to Star in Hedda Gabler at London's Old Vic; Rob Ashford Joins Theatre as Associate Director". Playbill. Retrieved July 1, 2022.
61. "Scott Rudin, Larry Kramer, Rob Ashford & More Named to New York Observer's Top 50 'Power Gays'". Broadway.com. June 22, 2011. Retrieved May 11, 2018.
62. "The Out 100: Rob Ashford". Out.com. November 13, 2013. Retrieved May 11, 2018.
63. Criscitiello, Alexa (February 28, 2019). "Confirmed! Glenn Close To Star In Rob Ashford-Directed SUNSET BOULEVARD Musical Film!". BroadwayWorld. Retrieved March 1, 2019.
64. Gans, Andrew (July 22, 2008). "Drama Desk Winners Receive Trophies July 22". Playbill. Retrieved July 1, 2022.
65. "Promises, Promises (Broadway, Broadway Theatre, 2010)". Playbill. Retrieved July 1, 2022.
66. Jones, Kenneth (May 24, 2011). "Drama Desk Awards Go to Book of Mormon, Normal Heart, War Horse, Sutton Foster, Norbert Leo Butz". Playbill. Retrieved July 1, 2022.
67. Hetrick, Adam (June 4, 2012). "Fred & Adele Astaire Awards, Honoring Liza Minnelli, Presented June 4". Playbill. Retrieved July 1, 2022.
68. Brantley, Ben (January 17, 2013). "A Storm From the South, Brewing in a Bedroom". The New York Times.
69. Benedict, David (June 26, 2008). "Candide". Variety. Retrieved July 1, 2022.
70. Jones, Kenneth; Shenton, Mark (July 28, 2009). "Ashford-Directed Streetcar With Rachel Weisz Opens at Donmar". Playbill. Retrieved July 1, 2022.

External links

 

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Rob Ashford.

• Rob Ashford at the Internet Broadway Database
• Rob Ashford at IMDb
• Rob Ashford at the Internet Off-Broadway Database
• Biography American Theatre Wing
• Biography, filmreference.com
• Listing London Theatre Database