Rob Ashford
Rob Ashford won the 2012 Olivier Award for his production of Anna Christie starring Jude Law and Ruth Wilson at London's Donmar Warehouse. The production opened to rave reviews with The Independent's anointing it as "picture perfect" and David Benedict stating that "the production's hallmark is its boldness." Rob most recently directed the Broadway revival of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof starring Scarlett Johansson, and Macbeth with Sir Kenneth Branagh at New York's Park Avenue Armory and The Manchester International Festival. The Telegraph claimed "This is a Macbeth that won't just go down as a highlight of the Manchester International Festival but as one of the Scottish Play's great revivals," and Ben Brantley of the New York Times proclaimed "Mr. Ashford uses his experience as a celebrated director of musicals to stunning, time-bending effect." Rob received his 8th Tony Nomination for his work on the Broadway revival of Evita starring Ricky Martin, and received the Tony Award for his work on the Broadway production of Thoroughly Modern Millie. Other Broadway credits include How to Succeed in Business (Tony Award Nominations for his direction and choreography), Promises, Promises (Tony Award Nomination), Shrek, John Water's Cry Baby (Tony Award nomination, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, and Fred Astaire Awards), Curtains (Tony Award nomination), and Wedding Singer (Tony Award nomination). In London, Rob also directed the highly acclaimed Olivier Award winning revivals of A Streetcar Named Desire starring Rachel Weisz and Parade at The Donmar Warehouse. Rob did the choreography and staging for last year's Academy Awards with Seth MacFarlane and won the 2009 Emmy Award for Best Choreography for his work on Baz Luhrmann's production number (featuring Hugh Jackman and Beyoncé) at the 81st Annual Academy Awards. He has also choreographed the opening number for The Tony Awards starring Neil Patrick Harris for the past 4 years. He choreographed the feature film Beyond The Sea directed by and starring Academy Award winner Kevin Spacey and Walt Disney Production's upcoming film Cinderella directed by Kenneth Branagh. Most recently, Rob directed and choreographed NBC's The Sound of Music Live!, for which he received a DGA Award Nomination, and this January directed The Barber of Seville at Chicago Lyric Opera. Rob is an Associate Director at The Old Vic Theatre. He also serves on the Executive Board of The Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers and is a Trustee of The Joyce Theatre in New York City.
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Gift packs and awards all ready for tonights Schools on Stage presented by City of Casey (VIC). Wishing all participating schools the very best. How special to gather together in person once more to celebrate the joy of making theatre! #cityofcasey #schoolsonstage #theatreeducation #joyoftheatre #studentsrock
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The Red Velvet Cake War by Jones Hope Wooten In this riotously funny Southern-fried comedy, the three Verdeen cousins - Gaynelle, Peaches, and Jimmie Wyvette - could not have picked a worse time to throw their family reunion. Their outrageous antics have set tongues wagging in the small town of Sweetgum (just down the road from Fayro) and the eyes of Texas are upon them, as their self-righteous Aunt LaMerle is quick to point out. Having "accidentally" crashed her minivan through the bedroom wall of her husband's girlfriend's doublewide, Gaynelle is one frazzled nerve away from a spectacular meltdown. Peaches, the saucy number one mortuarial cosmetologist in the tri-county area, is struggling to decide if it's time to have her long-absent trucker husband declared dead. And Jimmie Wyvette, the roughhewn store manager of Whatley's Western Wear, is resorting to extreme measures to outmaneuver a priss-pot neighbor for the affections of Sweetgum's newest widower. But the cousins can't back out of the reunion now. It's on and Gaynelle's hosting it; Peaches and Jimmie Wyvette have decided its success is the perfect way to prove Gaynelle's sanity to a skeptical court-appointed psychologist. Unfortunately, they face an uphill battle as a parade of wildly eccentric Verdeens gathers on the hottest day of July, smack-dab in the middle of Texas tornado season. Things spin hilariously out of control when a neighbor's pet devours everything edible, a one-eyed suitor shows up to declare his love and a shocking high-stakes wager is made on who bakes the best red velvet cake. As this fast-paced uproarious romp barrels toward its surprising climax, you'll wish your own family reunion was this much fun! License today! #joneshopewooten #dramatistplayservice
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