Rob Ashford Named Choreographer of 85th ACADEMY AWARDS

Emmy® and Tony® Award-winning choreographer Rob Ashford has been tapped to provide musical staging and choreography for the 85th Academy Awards telecast, show producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron announced today.

"Rob successfully directed and choreographed both of our recent Broadway revivals Promises, Promises and How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying. Not only is he uniquely gifted, but we've developed a working shorthand," said Zadan and Meron. "We are excited to collaborate with him on the Oscars®, where we will be utilizing all his talents."

Ashford’s work has been seen on "The Kennedy Center Honors" and "The Tony® Awards," and in 2009, he won an Emmy for his work on the 81st Academy Awards show. He has been nominated for eight Tony Awards and won for Best Choreography in 2002 for Thoroughly Modern Millie. Ashford’s other Broadway choreography credits include The Wedding Singer, Curtains, Cry-Baby and Evita. Currently, Ashford is directing a revival of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof starring Scarlett Johansson.

The 85th Academy Awards nominations will be announced live on Thursday, January 10, 2013, at 5:30 a.m. PT in the Academy's Samuel Goldwyn Theater.

Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2012 will be presented on Sunday, February 24, 2013, at the Dolby Theatre™ at Hollywood & Highland Center®, and televised live on the ABC Television Network. The Oscar® presentation also will be televised live in more than 225 countries worldwide.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride / Retna Ltd.