Robin Wagner
Exclusive: How Jerry Mitchell & Co. Made Technicolor Magic In BOOP! THE MUSICAL with 'Where Is Betty?' (Apr 29, 2025)
Kathy Najimy, Valentina, Ann Hould-Ward, and Martha Clarke Join TDF’s Spring Benefit (Mar 31, 2025)
TDF To Celebrate 50 Years of the Costume Collection At April Benefit (Feb 21, 2025)
BIO
Wagner was born in San Francisco, the son of Phyllis Edna Catherine (née Smith-Spurgeon) and Jens Otto Wagner. His mother was from New Zealand and his father was from Denmark. He attended art school and started his career in theatres in that city with designs for Don Pasquale, Amahl and the Night Visitors, Tea and Sympathy, and Waiting for Godot, among others. In 1958, he relocated to New York City, where he worked on numerous off-Broadway productions before making his Broadway debut as an assistant designer for the Hugh Wheeler play Big Fish, Little Fish in 1961. His first solo project was a short-lived 1966 production of The Condemned of Altona by Jean-Paul Sartre.
Wagner's many Broadway credits include Hair, The Great White Hope, Promises, Promises, Gantry, Jesus Christ Superstar, Seesaw, Mack & Mabel, A Chorus Line, Ballroom, On the Twentieth Century, 42nd Street, Dreamgirls, Song and Dance, City of Angels, Victor/Victoria, Angels in America: Millennium Approaches, Angels in America: Perestroika, The Producers, The Boy from Oz, and Young Frankenstein. His work in London's West End includes Crazy For You and Chess.
Wagner's other theatrical work ranges from off-Broadway and regional theatre productions to ballet and opera, including sets for the Metropolitan Opera, the Vienna State Opera, the Hamburg State Opera, the Royal Swedish Opera, the Royal Opera House at Covent Garden, and the New York City Ballet.
Wagner won the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Set Design six times out of eleven nominations and the Tony Award for Best Scenic Design three times out of ten nominations.
Wagner served on the Theatre Advisory Committee for the New York International Festival of the Arts, as a trustee of the New York Shakespeare Festival, and taught in the graduate theatre arts program at Columbia University. In 2001, Wagner was inducted into the Theater Hall of Fame.
Photos
Productions
Awards and Nominations
Robin Wagner , Young Frankenstein
Robin Wagner, The New Mel Brooks Musical Young Frankenstein
Robin Wagner, Young Frankenstein
Robin Wagner, Kiss Me, Kate
winner
Robin Wagner, The Producers
winner
Robin Wagner, The Producers
winner
Robin Wagner, The Producers
winner
Robin Wagner, Kiss Me, Kate
winner
Robin Wagner, Kiss Me Kate
Robin Wagner, Kiss Me, Kate
Robin Wagner, Crazy For You
Robin Wagner, Angels in America: Millennium Approaches
Robin Wagner, Crazy for You
winner
Robin Wagner (Set),, Crazy for You
Robin Wagner, Jelly's Last Jam
winner
Robin Wagner, City of Angels
winner
Robin Wagner, City of Angels
Robin Wagner, Merlin
winner
Robin Wagner, Dreamgirls
winner
Robin Wagner, Dreamgirls
Robin Wagner , Dreamgirls
winner
Robin Wagner, On the 2th Century
winner
Robin Wagner, On the Twentieth Century
winner
Robin Wagner, A Chorus Line
winner
Robin Wagner, Seesaw
Robin Wagner, Jesus Christ Superstar
winner
Robin Wagner, Lenny
Videos
STAGE TUBE: First Look at Lisa Brescia, George Dvorsky and More in Highlights of Ogunquit's VICTOR/VICTORIA
by Christina Mancuso - 2015-07-06 12:19:59
STAGE TUBE: John Bolton and More in Ogunquit's YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN
by Christina Mancuso - 2013-07-22 12:25:16
STAGE TUBE: First Look at John Bolton and More in Highlights of Ogunquit's YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN
by Christina Mancuso - 2013-07-14 20:04:52
STAGE TUBE: Artistic Director Tony Taccone Introduces FALLACI at Berkeley Rep
by Stage Tube - 2013-01-25 16:35:55
TV: Inside Opening Night of LEAP OF FAITH with Raul Esparza & More!
by Jessica Lewis - 2012-04-28 11:00:49
TV: Rise Up! Check Out Hot Video Highlights from LEAP OF FAITH on Broadway with Raul Esparza & More!
by Robert Diamond - 2012-04-23 09:08:45
STAGE TUBE: LEAP OF FAITH's Jessica Phillips Talks with ABC 10
by Harmony Wheeler - 2012-04-12 20:55:55
AUDIO Special: Listen to the Title Track from LEAP OF FAITH Here!
by Jessica Lewis - 2012-04-09 09:40:16
TV Exclusive: Fans React to First LEAP OF FAITH Preview on Broadway
by Jessica Lewis - 2012-04-05 14:03:47
News
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 29, 2025
Tony Award-winning director-choreographer Jerry Mitchell breaks down the creation of “Where Is Betty?”—the viral showstopper from Boop! The Musical—and reveals how post-tryout rewrites, vintage inspiration, and theatrical illusion brought Betty Boop’s world to life onstage. Read our interview!
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 31, 2025
TDF will celebrate 50 years of its exceptional Costume Collection with a glamorous party, Costumes & Cocktails. Learn more about the event and see who is being honored.
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 21, 2025
TDF will celebrate 50 years of its exceptional Costume Collection with a glamorous party, Costumes & Cocktails, on Monday, April 7 at Tao Downtown (92 Ninth Avenue).
by Sidney Paterra - Feb 22, 2024
Just over three weeks ago, on January 30, BroadwayWorld sadly reported the passing of three-time Tony Award winner Hinton Battle. Now, Broadway stars are speaking up on social media about the lack of announcement from the Broadway League about theatre lights dimming in his honor.
by Nicole Rosky - Feb 15, 2024
TDF, the not-for-profit service organization for the performing arts, has just announced that celebrated costume designer ANN HOULD-WARD and legendary scenic designer RICHARD HUDSON are among the 2024 TDF/Irene Sharaff Award recipients.
by Team BWW - Jun 11, 2023
The 76th Annual Tony Awards have officially begun! As winners take the stage this evening, stay tuned to BroadwayWorld as we bring you full text of all of the acceptance speeches; from the emotional to the humorous, and everything in between.
by Stephi Wild - Jun 9, 2023
The Broadway community honors the memory of Robin Wagner, the triple Tony Award-winning scenic designer who worked on more than 60 Broadway shows in a career that spanned over five decades.
by Alex Freeman - Jun 5, 2023
While the writers continue to strike, and the actors have until this evening to vote on a strike authorization, at least one of the major Hollywood unions appears poised to avoid a strike - the Directors Guild, who shared many of the same concerns as the WGA membership, have secured an agreement with the producers pending a vote of its membership.
by - May 30, 2023
Top stories: Grey House opens tonight, go on the red carpet with the creatives at the 89th Annual Drama League Awards, and more!
by Alan Henry - May 30, 2023
BroadwayWorld is saddened to report the passing of Robin Wagner, who designed scenery for landmark, critically acclaimed Broadway shows for over 50 years.
by Nicole Rosky - May 2, 2023
While many stellar productions are poised to earn multiple nominations this season, it will take quite a few to stand up to the current record holders. Below, check out which Broadway shows hold the records for the most-Tony nominated productions of all time.
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 16, 2023
Purchase College, State University of New York’s Broadway Technical Theatre History Project, will present the Ninth Broadway technical “Backstage Legends and Masters Award” to theater legend, William M. (Bill) Mensching on Monday, April 24, 2023 at 7 p.m. at The Performing Arts Center on campus, located at 735 Anderson Hill Road in Purchase, NY.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 18, 2022
The Barnes & Noble - Union Square announced a discussion and signing for Tony and Emmy Award-winning set designer Derek McLane and entertainment and fashion writer Eila Mell’s new book, Designing Broadway: How Derek McLane and Other Acclaimed Set Designers Create the Visual World of Theatre.
by Michael Quintos - Sep 21, 2022
Overall--especially in this tighter, revised version lifted from London’s West End production that’s much zippier than the original--there is no denying that YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN is a witty, super funny, and genuinely enjoyable musical comedy that earns plenty of laughs and smiles along the way.
by Blair Ingenthron - Sep 17, 2022
La Mirada Theatre For The Performing Arts & Mccoy Rigby Entertainment will present the first show of their 2022-2023 season, the Southern California premiere of the newly-revised, London version of Mel Brooks’ YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN. See photos from the production here!
by Team BWW - Aug 20, 2022
La Mirada Theatre For The Performing Arts & Mccoy Rigby Entertainment just announced full casting for the monstrously hilarious first show of their 2022-2023 season, the Southern California premiere of the newly-revised, London version of Mel Brooks' YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jul 25, 2022
La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts & McCoy Rigby Entertainment will present Sally Struthers starring as “Frau Blücher” in the Southern California premiere of Mel Brooks’ YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN. Mel Brooks’ YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN will preview on Friday, September 16 at 8 pm & Saturday, September 17 at 2 pm (with a press opening on Saturday, September 17 at 8 pm.
by A.A. Cristi - Jun 22, 2022
Following its successful 2018 Tokyo engagement, Big League Productions, Inc. will once again showcase its 'singular sensation' for Japanese audiences, this time at the prestigious Orchard Hall.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 8, 2022
City Springs Theatre Company will return in March with A Chorus Line as part of its 2021-22 PNC Bank Season. Directed and choreographed by original cast member and Tony Award recipient Baayork Lee, this sensational musical plays March 11 - 27, 2022 in the Byers Theatre at the Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center (1 Galambos Way, Sandy Springs).
by Patrick Honoré - Dec 5, 2021
The best French-language musical of the century so far.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Outstanding Set Design (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Young Frankenstein, Best Scenic Design of a Musical (Tony Awards) for The New Mel Brooks Musical Young Frankenstein, Outstanding Set Design of a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for Young Frankenstein, Best Set Designer (Olivier Awards) for Kiss Me, Kate, Outstanding Set Design of a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for The Producers, Outstanding Scenic Design (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for The Producers , Best Scenic Design (Tony Awards) for The Producers, Outstanding Set Design - Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for Kiss Me, Kate, Outstanding Scenic Design (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Kiss Me Kate, Best Scenic Design (Tony Awards) for Kiss Me, Kate, Best Set Designer (Olivier Awards) for Crazy For You, Best Scenic Design (Tony Awards) for Angels in America: Millennium Approaches, Outstanding Set Design (Drama Desk Awards) for Crazy for You, Best Set, Costume and Lighting Design (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Crazy for You, Best Revival (Tony Awards) for Jelly's Last Jam, Best Set Design (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for City of Angels, Outstanding Set Design (Drama Desk Awards) for City of Angels, Outstanding Projection Design (Drama Desk Awards) for Merlin, Outstanding Set Design (Drama Desk Awards) for Dreamgirls, Lighting Design (The Hewes Awards) for Dreamgirls, Best Scenic Design (Tony Awards) for Dreamgirls, Outstanding Set Design (Drama Desk Awards) for On the 20th Century, Best Scenic Design (Tony Awards) for On the Twentieth Century, Scenic Design (The Hewes Awards) for A Chorus Line, Scenic Design (The Hewes Awards) for Seesaw, Best Scenic Design (Tony Awards) for Jesus Christ Superstar and Outstanding Set Design (Drama Desk Awards) for Lenny.
Robin Wagner has received numerous awards for her exceptional set and scenic design work. Her accolades include Outstanding Set Design of a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for The Producers, Outstanding Scenic Design (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for The Producers, and Best Scenic Design (Tony Awards) for The Producers. She also won Outstanding Set Design - Musical (Drama Desk Awards) and Outstanding Scenic Design (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Kiss Me, Kate. Additionally, she earned Best Set, Costume and Lighting Design (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Crazy for You, Best Set Design (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for City of Angels, and Outstanding Set Design (Drama Desk Awards) for City of Angels. Wagner was recognized with Outstanding Set Design (Drama Desk Awards) for Dreamgirls and Lighting Design (The Hewes Awards) for Dreamgirls. For On the 20th Century, she received Outstanding Set Design (Drama Desk Awards) and Best Scenic Design (Tony Awards). Her Scenic Design work was honored with The Hewes Awards for both A Chorus Line and Seesaw. Lastly, she earned Outstanding Set Design (Drama Desk Awards) for Lenny.
Videos