Christopher Ashley
Christopher Ashley won the Tony Award for his direction of the stage production of Come From Away on Broadway, and serves as the Artistic Director of the Tony Award-winning La Jolla Playhouse in San Diego, CA. Other film credits include Diana: The Musical on Netflix, the feature films Jeffrey and Lucky Stiff, and the American Playhouse production of Blown Sideways Through Life for PBS.
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BIO
Christopher Ashley won the Tony Award for his direction of the stage production of Come From Away on Broadway, and serves as the Artistic Director of the Tony Award-winning La Jolla Playhouse in San Diego, CA. Other film credits include Diana: The Musical on Netflix, the feature films Jeffrey and Lucky Stiff, and the American Playhouse production of Blown Sideways Through Life for PBS. At La Jolla Playhouse, Mr. Ashley directed the world-premiere productions of Come From Away, Diana: The Musical, Escape to Margaritaville, Memphis, The Darrell Hammond Project, Hollywood and Chasing the Song. Other select Playhouse credits include Freaky Friday, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Glengarry Glen Ross. In addition to Come From Away, other Broadway credits include; Diana: The Musical; Escape to Margaritaville, Xanadu, Leap of Faith (Drama Desk Award nomination); Memphis (Tony, Outer Critics Circle nominations); All Shook Up, The Rocky Horror Show(Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle Award nominations). Mr. Ashley directed productions of Come From Away in London, Toronto, Australia and on national tour. Other tours include Escape to Margaritaville, Memphis, Xanadu, All Shook Up and Seussical: The Musical. Additional New York stage credits: Blown Sideways Through Life, Jeffrey (Lucille Lortel and Obie Awards), The Most Fabulous Story Ever Told, Valhalla (Lucille Lortel nomination – Outstanding Direction), Regrets Only, Wonder of the World, Communicating Doors, Bunny Bunny, The Night Hank Williams Died, and Fires in the Mirror (Lucille Lortel Award), among others. Mr. Ashley is the recipient of the Princess Grace Award, the Drama League Director Fellowship and an NEA/TCG Director Fellowship.
Photos
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 30: Christopher Ashley poses at a Meet & Greet for the new cast and creative team of the new musical "Diana" on Broadway at The Lotte New York Palace on January 30, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Glikas)
From: Photo Flash: Jeanna de Waal, Roe Hartrampf and More at the DIANA Meet and Greet
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 30: Christopher Ashley poses at a Meet & Greet for the new cast and creative team of the new musical "Diana" on Broadway at The Lotte New York Palace on January 30, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Glikas)
From: Photo Flash: Jeanna de Waal, Roe Hartrampf and More at the DIANA Meet and Greet
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 30: Christopher Ashley and Kelly Devine pose at a Meet & Greet for the new cast and creative team of the new musical "Diana" on Broadway at The Lotte New York Palace on January 30, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Glikas)
From: Photo Flash: Jeanna de Waal, Roe Hartrampf and More at the DIANA Meet and Greet
Productions
Writing
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Christopher Ashley
Connection
Awards and Nominations
Christopher Ashley, Come From Away
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Christopher Ashley, Come From Away
winner
Christopher Ashley, Come From Away
Christopher Ashley, Leap of Faith
Christopher Ashley, Memphis
Christopher Ashley, Memphis
Christopher Ashley, Xanadu
Christopher Ashley, Valhalla
winner
Christopher Ashley, Sweeney Todd
Christopher Ashley, The Rocky Horror Show
Christopher Ashley, The Rocky Horror Show
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Christopher Ashley, The Rocky Horror Show
Christopher Ashley, Das Barbecu
Christopher Ashley, Das Barbecii
Christopher Ashley, Jeffrey
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Christopher Ashley, Jeffrey
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Christopher Ashley, Fires in the Mirror and Jeffrey
Videos
Video: Opening Night with the Cast of WORKING GIRL at La Jolla Playhouse
by Gillian Blum - 2025-11-22 19:55:26
Video: First Look at JoJo Levesque and More In WORKING GIRL World Premiere at La Jolla Playhouse
by A.A. Cristi - 2025-11-10 19:57:19
Video: Watch 'Strike the Match' From THE HEART at La Jolla Playhouse
by Michael Major - 2025-08-27 16:48:50
Video: Heidi Blickenstaff Sings 'Keep Up' From La Jolla Playhouse's THE HEART
by Michael Major - 2025-08-12 16:47:17
Video: Christopher Ashley Talks Collaborating With Cyndi Lauper on WORKING GIRL Musical
by A.A. Cristi - 2025-07-21 22:57:22
Video: Inside 'The Song of the Brown Buffalo' In THE UNTITLED UNAUTHORIZED HUNTER S. THOMPSON MUSICAL
by A.A. Cristi - 2025-06-20 19:37:48
Video: Watch 'Kaboom' From THE UNTITLED UNAUTHORIZED HUNTER S. THOMPSON MUSICAL
by Michael Major - 2025-06-17 10:00:20
Video: First Look at THE UNTITLED UNAUTHORIZED HUNTER S. THOMPSON MUSICAL at Signature Theatre
by Michael Major - 2025-06-10 14:00:20
Video: George Salazar Sings 'Brown Buffalo' From THE UNTITLED UNAUTHORIZED HUNTER S. THOMPSON MUSICAL
by Michael Major - 2025-05-29 10:00:20
Video: Behind the Dance of 3 SUMMERS OF LINCOLN at La Jolla Playhouse
by Michael Major - 2025-03-17 13:36:41
Video: Behind the Music of 3 SUMMERS OF LINCOLN at La Jolla Playhouse
by Michael Major - 2025-03-12 10:17:22
Video: First Look at 3 SUMMERS OF LINCOLN at La Jolla Playhouse
by Michael Major - 2025-03-03 10:12:05
Video: Inside Rehearsals for 3 SUMMERS OF LINCOLN at La Jolla Playhouse
by Joshua Wright - 2025-01-29 16:55:04
Video: Joshua Boone Records 'Little Brother' from THE OUTSIDERS
by Blair Ingenthron - 2024-07-14 15:18:24
Video: Christopher Ashley & Eric Keen-Louie On La Jolla Playhouse's DERECHO
by Joshua Wright - 2024-07-10 14:58:50
Exclusive: Watch the Opening Number from THE UNTITLED UNAUTHORIZED HUNTER S. THOMPSON MUSICAL at Signature
by Joshua Wright - 2024-06-03 09:30:20
Video: What it's like playing Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash in The Ballad of Johnny and June
by Joshua Wright - 2024-05-29 10:09:01
News
by A.A. Cristi - Sep 18, 2026
The Tony Award-winning Best Musical THE OUTSIDERS will play Popejoy Hall for seven performances. Single tickets range from $52 to $179.
by Sidney Paterra - Sep 16, 2026
BroadwayWorld has your official fall 2026 Off-Broadway preview, a complete guide to everything opening Off-Broadway! See West End transfers, stars in play revivals, multiple world premieres and more.
by - Sep 14, 2026
Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is September 14, 2026 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed over the weekend.
by Bruce Glikas - Sep 11, 2026
Roundabout Theatre Company will soon present the New York premiere production of The Heart with book and additional lyrics by Kait Kerrigan, music and lyrics by Anne Eisendrath and Ian Eisendrath, music supervision and arrangements by Ian Eisendrath, choreography by Mandy Moore and direction by Tony Award-winner Christopher Ashley based on Maylis de Kerangal's novel Réparer les vivants. The cast just met the press and you can check out photos here!
by Paula Makar - Sep 5, 2026
Come From Away is the musical we need right now. As political tensions mount, we need to remember the kindness shown by our neighbor Canada during a most critical time for our United States. Director Rick Bumgardner tells us the “spine” of this show is the word “Goodwill.” We would do well to remember the lessons of 9/11, as well as the Golden Rule - Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
by Sabrina Wallace - Aug 27, 2026
ZACH Theatre’s Come From Away is a joyous, almost flawless production powered by a superb ensemble, clever staging, and infectious music. This true story of strangers helping strangers finds humor and hope in tragedy and leaves you with a warm reminder of what people can be.
by A.A. Cristi - Aug 20, 2026
Avon Players will open its 80th season with Come From Away, directed by Ryan Moore and running September 11-26, 2026 in Rochester Hills, Michigan.
by A.A. Cristi - Aug 20, 2026
Roundabout Theatre Company announced the complete cast and design team for THE HEART, featuring Joaquina Kalukango and Heidi Blickenstaff, at the Laura Pels Theatre.
by A.A. Cristi - Aug 19, 2026
The Tony Award-winning Best Musical will play a one-week engagement at the San Diego Civic Theatre, following its world premiere at La Jolla Playhouse before transferring to Broadway.
by Jennifer Ashley Tepper - Aug 30, 2026
Much has been written and expressed about how few new Broadway musicals—six—hit the boards last season. The Broadway landscape is experiencing several challenges at the moment, largely tied to the American economy as a whole. In addition, the number of new musicals per season always fluctuates. In particular, the post-pandemic seasons stuffed with productions that were waiting in the docket were bound to cause a few course-correcting smaller slates in subsequent years.
by A.A. Cristi - Aug 14, 2026
The Tony Award-winning musical THE OUTSIDERS is set to play Salt Lake City as part of its touring run, Broadway Across America has announced.
by Stephi Wild - Jul 29, 2026
A private invitation-only reading will be held for Krav Maga in the Temple Basement Starting this Sunday, Bagels to Follow, a new play by Rebecca Salzhauer, directed by Drama Desk nominee Rosie Glen-Lambert.
by Stephi Wild - Jul 29, 2026
The Roundabout Theatre Company's production of Noël Coward's Fallen Angels will come to cinemas across the US, the UK, Canada, Australia and selected international territories for a limited engagement beginning in October.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jul 21, 2026
Roundabout Theatre Company has revealed dates for productions during the upcoming 2026-2027 season both on and off Broadway, including The Imaginary Invalid, The Full Monty, and more.
by Stephi Wild - Jun 12, 2026
The Orchard Project has announced the artists and companies selected for its 2026 Summer Performance Lab in Saratoga Springs, NY. Learn more about the project here.
by Stephi Wild - Jun 5, 2026
Performances have begun for the limited 15-week engagement of Eric Bentley’s 1972 docudrama, ARE YOU NOW OR HAVE YOU EVER BEEN, directed by Tony Award-winning director Anna D. Shapiro at New York City Center Stage I. Check out photos here!
by Stephi Wild - May 18, 2026
Initial casting has been announced for a new production of Eric Bentley’s 1972 play, ARE YOU NOW OR HAVE YOU EVER BEEN, directed by Tony Award-winning director Anna D. Shapiro.
by A.A. Cristi - May 12, 2026
Roundabout Theatre Company has announced the official public launch of the Next Stage Campaign, a $120 million capital campaign designed to support the organization’s future through renovations, financial investment, and expanded programming.
by Sidney Paterra - May 9, 2026
The results of the 2026 Tony races are very much still up in the air, but many of this season's nominated revivals have been Tony-tested before. How did they fare? The past may not always be the best indicator of the future, but accolades of years past provide interesting insight nonetheless. Check out a complete list of who was nominated, in what categories, and most importantly... if they won!
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 6, 2026
Ruben Santiago-Hudson, David Stone, Tracy Letts and David Rockwell will present the Honorary Awards at the 92nd Annual Drama League Awards, taking place at The Ziegfeld Ballroom.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Christopher Ashley has written 1 shows including Buzzsaw Berkeley (Conceiver).
Outstanding Director of a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for Come From Away, Outstanding Director of a Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Come From Away, Best Direction of a Musical (Tony Awards) for Come From Away, Outstanding Director of a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for Leap of Faith , Outstanding Director of a Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Memphis, Best Direction of a Musical (Tony Awards) for Memphis, Outstanding Director of a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for Xanadu, Outstanding Director (The Lortels) for Valhalla, Outstanding Director, Resident Musical (Helen Hayes Awards) for Sweeney Todd, Outstanding Director of a Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for The Rocky Horror Show, Best Direction of a Musical (Tony Awards) for The Rocky Horror Show, Outstanding Director - Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for The Rocky Horror Show, Outstanding Director - Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for Das Barbecu, Outstanding Director - Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for Das Barbecii, Outstanding Director - Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Jeffrey, Direction (Obie Awards) for Jeffrey and Outstanding Director (The Lortels) for Fires in the Mirror and Jeffrey.
Christopher Ashley has won several prestigious awards, including: - Outstanding Director of a Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Come From Away - Best Direction of a Musical (Tony Awards) for Come From Away - Outstanding Director, Resident Musical (Helen Hayes Awards) for Sweeney Todd - Outstanding Director - Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for The Rocky Horror Show - Direction (Obie Awards) for Jeffrey - Outstanding Director (The Lortels) for Fires in the Mirror and Jeffrey
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