Jerry Zaks

Birth Place: Stuttgart, GERMANY

Get Jerry Zaks Email Alerts

Be the first to get news, photos, videos & more.

Jerry Zaks BIO

Jerry won four Tony Awards, four Drama Desk Awards, two Outer Critics Circle Awards and an Obie Award. Mr. Zaks directed many Broadway shows including Sister Act, Guys and Dolls, Six Degrees of Separation, Lend Me a Tenor, House of Blue Leaves, Smokey Joe's Cafe, Anything Goes, La Cage aux Folles, Little Shop of Horrors and more. Mr. Zaks received SDC's Mr. Abbott Award for lifetime achievement and an honorary doctorate of fine arts from his alma mater, Dartmouth College. Mr. Zaks is a 2013 inductee to the Theater Hall of Fame.

Jerry Zaks Photos

Jerry Zaks STAGE CREDITS

[Off-Broadway]
Encores! Concert, 1994
Fiorello LaGuardia

[Broadway]
Broadway Transfer, 1980
Performer

[Off-Broadway]
Original Off-Broadway Production, 1980
Performer

[Off-Broadway]
1979
Performer

[Broadway]
1978
Weisskopf

[Off-Broadway]
1978
Al

[Off-Broadway]
1976
Harlequin

[Off-Broadway]
1975
Devoted Hack

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1972
Kenickie [Replacement]

Jerry Zaks Productions

 
[Off-Broadway, unknown]
Production Supervisor
 
[Broadway, 2022]
Director
 
[Broadway, 2022]
Director
 
[Regional (US), 2019]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 2019]
Director
 
[US Tour, 2018] [Replacement]
Director[Replacement]
 
[US Tour, 2018]
Director
 
[Broadway, 2017]
Director
 
[Broadway, 2017]
Director
 
[Broadway, 2016]
Director
 
[Milburn, NJ (Regional), 2016]
Co-Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 2015]
Director
 
[US Tour, 2012]
Director
 
[US Tour, 2011]
Creative Consultant
 
[Broadway, 2011]
Director
 
[Broadway, 2010]
Creative Consultant
 
[Broadway, 2007]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 2007]
Director
 
[Broadway, 2006]
Director
 
[Broadway, 2006]
Director
 
[Broadway, 2004]
Director
 
[Regional (US), 2004]
Director
 
[US Tour, 2004]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 2004]
Director
 
[Broadway, 2003]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 2003]
Director
 
[Broadway, 2001]
Director
 
[Broadway, 2000]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1999]
Production Supervisor
 
[Broadway, 1999]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1999]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 1998]
Director
 
[New York, 1996]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1995]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1993]
Director
 
[Broadway, 0]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1992]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 1990]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1990]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 1990]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 1990]
Director
 
[West End, 1989]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1989]
Director
 
[US Tour, 1988]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 1988]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1987]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1986]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1986]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 1986]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 1985]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 1985]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 1984]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 1984]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 1983]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 1981]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 1979]
Director

Jerry Zaks Movies

[1987]Outrageous Fortune Tobacco Clerk

[1989]Crimes and Misdemeanors Man on Campus

[1992]Husbands and Wives Dinner Party Guests


Jerry Zaks TV Shows

The Edge of Night Louis Van Dine

Jerry Zaks Awards and Nominations

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 1996 - Best Director - Musical

Jerry Zaks, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum

Tony Awards - 1996 - Best Direction of a Musical

Jerry Zaks , A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 1991 - Best Director

Jerry Zaks , Six Degrees of Separation

Tony Awards - 1991 - Best Direction of a Play

Jerry Zaks , Six Degrees of Separation

Tony Awards - 1991 - Best Direction of a Play

Jerry Zaks , Six Degrees of Separation

Drama Desk Awards - 1990 - Outstanding Director - Play

Jerry Zaks , Six Degrees of Separation

Tony Awards - 1986 - Best Direction of a Play

Jerry Zaks , The House of Blue Leaves

Obie Awards - 1985 - Direction

Jerry Zaks, The Foreigner

Obie Awards - 1985 - Direction

Jerry Zaks, The Marriage of Bette and Boo

Jerry Zaks Videos

Jerry Zaks News


Photos: On the Red Carpet at Opening Night of THE NOTEBOOK

The Notebook officially opened at the Schoenfeld Theatre last week. Opening night was held on March 14th, and BroadwayWorld was there! Check out photos of the VIPs arriving at the big night here!

SOME LIKE IT HOT And More Announced for ASU Gammage 2024�"2025 Broadway Season

ASU Gammage has announced a spectacular lineup of shows for its 2024–2025 Broadway Across America — Arizona season.

BILLY ELLIOT: THE MUSICAL & More Lead Chicago's Spring 2024 Top Theatre Shows

Chicago is never lacking outstanding theatre, whether epic Broadway shows, engrossing dramas or bold fringe offerings. BroadwayWorld is rounding up our top recommended theatre every month. Selections for Spring 2024 include BILLY ELLIOT: THE MUSICAL and more!

Review: MRS. DOUBTFIRE National Tour Presented by Broadway In Chicago

MRS. DOUBTFIRE is escapist musical theater fun with tremendous character actor Rob McClure (reprising the role from Broadway) carrying on Robin Williams’s immense legacy from the 1993 film in the lead role.

THE WIZ, COMPANY, and More Set For The Smith Center for the Performing Arts' 2024-25 Broadway Season

The Smith Center for the Performing Arts has announced its latest lineup of Broadway productions for 2024/2025 The new season features 10 stage productions direct from Broadway that have collectively been showered with 33 Tony Awards®, 18 Drama Desk Awards and five Laurence Olivier Awards. Learn which shows are included.

WICKED, & JULIET and More Set for 24/25 Zions Bank Broadway at the Eccles Season

The 24/25 Zions Bank Broadway at the Eccles season has been revealed! The season will bring five premiere engagements to Salt Lake City, and the return of crowd-pleasing Add-Ons. Learn how to purchase tickets.

Meet the Cast of THE WHO'S TOMMY, Beginning Previews on Broadway Tonight!

The newly reimagined production of The Who’s TOMMY begins Broadway previews tonight, March 8, 2024 at the Nederlander Theatre, with opening night on March 28, 2024. Meet the cast of The Who's Tommy here!

Bart Shatto Joins FINDING HELENA Industry Presentation

Broadway alum, Bart Shatto, has joined the company of FINDING HELENA for its New York debut. Learn more about the industry presentation.

Full Cast Set For THE WHO'S TOMMY on Broadway

Complete casting has been announced for the newly reimagined Broadway production of The Who’s TOMMY.  Find out who is starring in the show here!

Jerry Zaks, Rory O'Malley, and Miriam-Teak Lee Bring New Musical PLASTERED to London

Four-time Tony Award-winner Jerry Zaks (MRS. DOUBTFIRE, THE MUSIC MAN) is returning to London next month to direct a reading of PLASTERED, a new musical starring Tony Award-nominee Rory O'Malley (THE BOOK OF MORMON, HAMILTON) in his London debut and Olivier Award-winner Miriam-Teak Lee (& JULIET, HAMILTON).

Cast Set For MTFestUK 2024

This year, the festival will shine the spotlight on eight new musicals from 30 January to 11 February workshopped and presented in ‘sharing' sessions in both The Other Palace Studio and The Turbine Theatre. Learn more about the cast here!

Review: MRS. DOUBTFIRE (TOURING COMPANY) at Key Bank Broadway Series (Connor Palace)

Every once in a while a theater-goer sees a production in which it becomes apparent that the lead actor was born to play a role.  Julie Andrews as Eliza in MY FAIR LADY, Zero Mostel in FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM and Marlon Brando in STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE, come to mind.  

Alison Luff, Adam Jacobs, John Ambrosino, Bobby Conte, and Christina Sajous Join THE WHO'S TOMMY on Broadway

Reprising their roles from the Goodman Theatre in Chicago are Alison Luff as Mrs. Walker, Adam Jacobs as Captain Walker, John Ambrosino as Uncle Ernie, Bobby Conte as Cousin Kevin, and Christina Sajous as The Acid Queen. They join previously announced Ali Louis Bourzgui as Tommy Walker, also reprising his Jeff Award-winning role from the Goodman. 

ROMY AND MICHELLE, REDCLIFFE, and More Set For MTFestUK at The Other Palace

The Other Palace & Turbine Theatre have announced that MTFestUK 2024 will be showcasing eight new musicals over a two week period, 30 January – 11 February, across both The Other Palace Studio and The Turbine Theatre. Learn more about the lineup here!

Interview: Alex Ringler of MRS. DOUBTFIRE at Orpheum Theatre Minneapolis

We chat with cast member Alex Ringler of the Mrs. Doubtfire the first national tour currently playing at the Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis. 

St. Louis Rep's It's A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play Leads BroadwayWorld's Holiday Guide: Must-See Central US Shows

As the festive season sweeps across the country bringing holiday cheer, BroadwayWorld is thrilled to present our selection of must-see shows for December. Check out our central US picks!

Patti LuPone to Bring A LIFE IN NOTES to New York, California & More in 2024

Patti LuPone is set to perform her latest concert A Life in Notes at venues across the country! Learn how to purchase tickets!

MRS. DOUBTFIRE is Coming To Playhouse Square In January

Mrs. Doubtfire is coming to Playhouse Square in January! Get ready for a hilarious and heartwarming musical adaptation of the beloved film. Don't miss out on this unforgettable show.

Matt Bogart, Lauren Zakrin & More to Star in THE LAST DAYS OF CLEOPATRA Industry Presentation

The new musical comedy The Last Days of Cleopatra , penned by acclaimed composer and playwright Charlie Barnett, is set to have an exclusive invite-only industry presentation.

Seth Sikes, Lillias White, and More to Play 54 Below Next Week

Next week, 54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club and 2022 Tony Awards Honoree for Excellence in the Theatre, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond. 54 Below celebrates Broadway musicals and writers of the past and present, promoting an ongoing engagement with their work. 

Jerry Zaks FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Jerry Zaks has appeared on Broadway in 3 shows.

Jerry Zaks has not appeared in the West End.

Jerry Zaks has been nominated for several awards throughout his career, including Outstanding Direction of a Musical at the Drama League Awards for "The Music Man," Outstanding Director of a Musical at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for "Mrs. Doubtfire," and Best Direction of a Musical at the Tony Awards for "Hello, Dolly!" He has also received nominations for Best Director at the Tony Awards for productions like "Smokey Joe's Cafe," "Guys and Dolls," and "Anything Goes." Additionally, Zaks has been recognized with nominations for Outstanding Director at various awards ceremonies for shows such as "Sister Act," "The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial," and "Assassins." His talent has earned him nominations across a wide range of categories, showcasing his versatility and skill in the world of Broadway.

Jerry Zaks has won several awards for his work in Broadway. These include Best Director - Musical from the Outer Critics Circle Awards for "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum," Best Direction of a Musical at the Tony Awards for "Guys and Dolls," Best Direction of a Play at the Tony Awards for "Six Degrees of Separation," Outstanding Director - Play at the Drama Desk Awards for "Lend Me a Tenor," Best Direction of a Play at the Tony Awards for "Lend Me a Tenor," Best Director at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for "Anything Goes" and "Wenceslas Square," Outstanding Director - Musical at the Drama Desk Awards for "Anything Goes," Best Direction of a Play at the Tony Awards for "The House of Blue Leaves," Direction at the Obie Awards for "The Foreigner," and Direction at the Obie Awards for "The Marriage of Bette and Boo."

Get Jerry Zaks Email Alerts

Be the first to get news, photos, videos & more.

Videos