Bob Avian Headshot

Bob Avian

Get Bob Avian Email Alerts

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

Bob Avian BIO

Bob began his career as a dancer and was in more than a dozen Broadway shows including WEST SIDE STORY and FUNNY GIRL. He then became an integral part of every Michael Bennett production for the next 20 years, working as associate choreographer and/or assistant director on productions including COMPANY, FOLLIES, TWIGS, SEESAW and GOD'S FAVORITE. He received a Tony Award as co-choreographer of A CHORUS LINE. He then went on to win his second Tony award for co-choreographing BALLROOM as well as serving as co-producer. Bob was also a producer of the original and national companies of DREAMGIRLS, the highly acclaimed musical which won six Tony awards. He choreographed the London production of FOLLIES and then created the musical staging for MISS SAIGON. He choreographed the London and Broadway productions of Andrew Lloyd Webber's SUNSET BOULEVARD, receiving his sixth Tony nomination. Next came the Boublil & Schönberg musical MARTIN GUERRE for which he won the Olivier Award for choreography. Bob also did Stephen Sondheim's PUTTING IT TOGETHER off-Broadway starring Julie Andrews and on Broadway starring Carol Burnett. Returning once again to London, he choreographed THE WITCHES OF EASTWICK. Bob directed the revival of A CHORUS LINE on Broadway and then in London at the Palladium. Most recently he recreated his choreography for the new Miss Saigon currently playing in London. He is a proud member of the board of the Miami City Ballet.

Bob Avian Photos

Bob Avian STAGE CREDITS

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1969
Grand Duke Alexandrovitch

Bob Avian Productions

 
[Off-Broadway, 2018]
Director
 
[US Tour, 2018] [Replacement]
Musical Staging[Replacement]
 
[Broadway, 2017]
Musical Staging
 
[Los Angeles, 2016]
Production Supervisor
 
[West End, 2014]
Musical Staging
 
[US Tour, 2010]
Co-Choreographer
Director
 
[US Tour, 2008]
Director
Co-Choreographer
 
[Broadway, 2006]
Director
Co-Choreographer
 
[UK Tour, 2004]
Choreographer
 
[West End, 2000]
Choreographer
 
[Broadway, 1999]
Choreographer
 
[Regional (US), 1999]
Choreographer
 
[US Tour, 1998]
Choreographer
 
[Los Angeles, 1998]
Choreographer
 
[US Tour, 1996]
Choreographer
 
[Canada, 1995]
Choreographer
 
[Broadway, 1994]
Choreographer
 
[Regional (US), 1993]
Choreographer
 
[West End, 1993]
Choreographer
 
[Off-Broadway, 1993]
Choreographer
 
[Broadway, 1991]
Choreographer
 
[West End, 1989]
Choreographer
 
[West End, 1987]
Choreographer
 
[Broadway, 1987]
Production Supervisor
 
[US Tour, 1983]
Producer
 
[Broadway, 1981]
Producer
 
[Broadway, 1978]
Producer
Choreographer
 
[West End, 1976]
Choreographer
 
[US Tour, 1976]
Choreographer
 
[Broadway, 1975]
Co-Choreographer
 
[Off-Broadway, 1975]
Co-Choreographer
 
[Broadway, 1974]
Assistant Director
 
[Broadway, 1973]
Associate Choreographer
 
[Broadway, 1971]
Associate Choreographer
 
[Broadway, 1970]
Associate Choreographer
 
[Broadway, 1969]
Associate Choreographer
 
[Broadway, 1968]
Assistant Choreographer

Bob Avian Videos

Bob Avian News

Cast Set for MIKE & MINDY'S WILD WEEKEND JAM Industry Presentations at Open Jar Studios

Meet the Cast of Mike & Mindy's Wild Weekend Jam (Music & Lyrics by Bucky Heard & Timothy D. Lee of The Righteous Brothers with a book by Eileen Nelson & Mark Corallo; directed by Scott Werntz).

National Asian Artists Project To Hold 2023 Gala Benefit in Chinatown in June

 National Asian Artists Project will hold its 2023 Gala Benefit on Friday, June 2nd at The Golden Unicorn. Learn how to purchase tickets!

Jerry Mitchell Will Receive The 2023 Isabelle Stevenson Tony Award

The Tony Awards Administration Committee has announced that Jerry Mitchell will receive the 2023 Isabelle Stevenson Tony Award in recognition of his outstanding dedication and contributions to Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS (BC/EFA) and for more than three decades of volunteer service through the arts. 

Weston Friendly Society To Present A CHORUS LINE

'A Chorus Line' with music by Marvin Hamlisch, lyrics by Edward Kleban, and book by James Kirkwood Jr. and Nicholas Dante will be performed at The Weston Friendly Society of the Performing Arts this May. Coming off of a successful run of their production of 'The Sound of Music' back in December, WFS will close out their 137th Season with this 9 time Tony Award Winning classic.

Cameron Mackintosh's New MISS SAIGON Will Premiere at Sydney Opera House in 2023

Opera Australia has confirmed Cameron Mackintosh's critically acclaimed new production of Boublil and Schönberg's Miss Saigon will premiere at the Sydney Opera House in August 2023.

Review: A CHORUS LINE at Drury Lane Theatre Oakbrook Terrace, IL

What did our critic think of A CHORUS LINE at Drury Lane Theatre Oakbrook Terrace, IL? A Chorus Line, Michael Bennett's iconic love letter to performers on the line anywhere, opened last night at Drury Lane Theatre in Oakbrook Terrace. How do I write about this show which holds a special place in my heart? During the late '70s and '80s, I saw ACL 13 times at the Auditorium, Shubert and Blackstone theaters. I was lucky to see Bebe Neuwirth, Robert Lupone and Tony Teague in lead roles. Director Jane Lanier has preserved Michael's vision from 1975 including original choreography by Michael Bennett and Bob Avian and book by James Kirkwood and Nicholas Dante. Jane, I (and countless others) cannot thank you enough. There were a few updates which were subtle and worked perfectly. The costumes designed by Sarah Cubbage and Heather C. Jackson were done with nuance from Theoni V. Aldredge's original Broadway design. Andrew Boyce's recreation of the mirrors was breathtaking. Lighting has been a special part of ACL and Julie Mack's design was awe inspiring. Christopher Sargent conducting the orchestra brought to life once again Marvin Hamlisch's toe tapping, humming and singing along score and Edward Kleban's lyrics.

Broadway Vet Lawrence Merritt Has Passed Away

Broadway vet Lawrence Merritt passed away on January 22, 2023. He succumbed to COVID/pneumonia at the Riverside Rehabilitation and Healing Center in NYC. Read more about Merritt's life and career.

Video: Dolls Recreate The Iconic 'Turkey Lurkey Time' From PROMISES, PROMISES

Animation artist Warren Wright has returned with his latest dollcentric tribute to Broadway! This time he's recreating the iconic number 'Turkey Lurkey Time' from the musical Promises, Promises as performed on the 1969 Tony Awards!

Who Has Worn the Most Hats on Broadway? Part 2

Today's question is: Who has worn the most hats on Broadway- director, producer, writer, actor, etc.? Here are a few folks that could hold a record for the 'number of hats' they've worn on Broadway shows. Part one includes those who have worn four or five hats on Broadway shows and part two will include those who have held even more positions than that!

Review: A CHORUS LINE at STAGES St. Louis In The Ross Family Theater At The Kirkwood Performing Arts Center

The actors in this production do a magnificent job conveying their characters stories with acting choices that are credible and believable. STAGES St. Louis’ production succeeds because the audience connects with each of the dancers portrayed including those who may not initially seem warm or likeable. By the end of the production, the audience is rooting for all the auditioning dancers to win the job and feels the joy and disappointment for each because their stories have induced a personal connection.

Review: A CHORUS LINE at The Hawthorne Players At The Florissant Civic Center Theatre

This production of A CHORUS LINE, directed by Mark Lull, is a nod to the original staging and his vision effectively tells the emotional stories of dancers auditioning for a role in the chorus of a show. Kimberly Klick attempts to recreate Michael Bennett and Bob Avian’s choreography from the 1975 production on a small civic center stage. Her choreography is reminiscent enough to satisfy even the biggest of A CHORUS LINE fan. Lull, Klick and the cast do an admirable job with the material and this production is surprisingly delightful for a community theater production.

One Singular Sensation: A CHORUS LINE Opens At Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival

Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival opens the iconic Tony Award- and Pulitzer Prize-winning musical A Chorus Line. The show previews June 22 & 23, opens June 24 and will run through July 10 at the Labuda Center for the Performing Arts on the campus of DeSales University.

The Mac-Haydn Theatre to Present A CHORUS LINE

The Mac-Haydn Theatre will present A CHORUS LINE from June 23 through July 3, 2022, kicking off their 53rd season in Chatham.

Who Was Joe Papp? Watch Career Highlights of the Theatre Legend

Joe Papp, founder of The Public Theater, Free Shakespeare in the Park and producer of groundbreaking plays like Hair, A Chorus Line and for colored girls, created a 'theater of inclusion' based on the belief that great art is for everyone.

BWW Interview: Arnetia Walker on THE WIZ, DREAMGIRLS, & YES, VIRGINIA

From November 18th-21st, Judson Theatre Company will be presenting a new holiday comedy by Stan Zimmerman & Christian McLaughlin titled YES, VIRGINIA at Owens Auditorium inside the Bradshaw Performing Arts Center. Actress Arnetia Walker stars in the production opposite Mindy Sterling. She has appeared on Broadway in THE SIGN IN SIDNEY BRUSTEIN'S WINDOW, TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA, RAISIN, THE WIZ, and DREAMGIRLS. Her TV credits include: QUANTUM LEAP, NURSES, THE FRESH PRINCE OF BEL-AIR, MAD ABOUT YOU, NYPD BLUE, MALCOLM & EDDIE, JUST SHOOT ME!, THE STEVE HARVEY SHOW, TOUCHED BY AN ANGLE, CITY OF ANGELS, JUDGING AMY, EVERYBODY LOVES RAYMOND, and DYNASTY. Her film credits include: THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS, THE WIZARD OF SPEED AND TIME, SCENES FROM THE CLASS STRUGGLE IN BEVERLY HILLS, LOVE CRIMES, FOR LOVE OF THE GAME, and COLLEGE ROAD TRIP. I had the great pleasure of interviewing her about all of this and more.

ALL EYES ON BAAYORK LEE: Richard Jay-Alexander Talks to the Award-Winning Legend About This Sunday's WICKED In Concert on PBS and Her Extraordinary Career

This Sunday finds the diminutive talent wearing yet another new hat, as Director for Sunday night’s airing of WICKED In Concert, celebrating the score of the iconic, long-running musical,

Moonlight State Productions Announces 2021 Summer Season

The curtain will finally rise on Moonlight Stage Productions' long-delayed 40th anniversary season this summer when it returns to live and in-person entertainment in June with four Broadway musicals.

The Wick Theatre Returns to Live Performances with A CHORUS LINE

The Wick Theatre in Boca Raton is no longer dark! The acclaimed venue recently opened for the Tony award-winning musical A Chorus Line, which will run through May 30, 2021. 

VIDEO: On This Day, March 23- MISS SAIGON Returns to Broadway

On this day in 2017, Cameron Macintosh's acclaimed revival of the musical Miss Saigon landed on Broadway starring Tony-nominee Eva Noblezada. 

Wake Up With BWW 3/17: SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARK Returns, and More!

Today's top stories: Shakespeare in the Park returns this summer, The Office! A Musical Parody resumes off-Broadway next month, Lin-Manuel Miranda announces new book on In the Heights, and more!

Bob Avian FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Bob Avian has appeared on Broadway in 1 shows.

Bob Avian has not appeared in the West End

Bob Avian has been nominated for several awards throughout his career as a theatre choreographer. These include Best Theatre Choreographer at the Olivier Awards for Martin Guerre, Best Choreography at the Tony Awards for Sunset Boulevard, Miss Saigon, and Ballroom, Outstanding Choreography at the Drama Desk Awards for Ballroom, and Best Musical at the Tony Awards for Dreamgirls and Ballroom. Additionally, Avian won the Tony Award for Best Choreography for A Chorus Line.

Bob Avian, a renowned theatre choreographer, has won several prestigious awards throughout his career. He received the Best Theatre Choreographer award at the Olivier Awards for his work on "Martin Guerre". Avian was also recognized for his outstanding choreography in "Ballroom" at the Drama Desk Awards. He won the Best Choreography award at the Tony Awards for his work on the iconic musical "A Chorus Line".

Get Bob Avian Email Alerts

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

Videos


TICKET CENTRAL

Recommended For You