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Francesca Zambello

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BIO

Francesca Zambello is an internationally recognized and award-winning opera and theater director. Her recent theatrical credits include The Little Mermaid for Disney on Broadway, Little House on the Prairie for the Guthrie Theater, Rebecca for the Vienna Raimund Theater, West Side Story for the floating stage in Bergenz, Austria, and Showboat at The Royal Albert Hall. She is the Artistic Advisor of the San Francisco Opera where she is helming a new Ring Cycle and Porgy and Bess this season. She has many notable directing credits at the Metropolitan Opera, including An American Tragedy, Cyrano and Les Troyens, as well as at Teatro alla Scala, Royal Albert Hall, Bolshoi, Royal Opera House, Paris Opera, Washington Opera, and Chicago Lyric, among others. Her honors include three Olivier Awards, two Evening Standard Awards, two French Grand Prix des Critiques, Helpmann Award, Palme d'Or in Germany and the Golden Mask in Russia.

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Productions

West Side StoryWest Side Story
 
[Washington, DC (Regional), 2018]
Director
The Trip to BountifulThe Trip to Bountiful
 
[Broadway, 2013]
Associate Producer
AnnAnn
 
[Broadway, 2013]
Producer
The Little MermaidThe Little Mermaid
 
[Broadway, 2008]
Director
Little House on the PrairieLittle House on the Prairie
 
[US Tour, 2008]
Director
Show Boat
 
[West End, 2006]
Director
Lady in the Dark
 
[West End, 1997]
Director

Videos

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News


Library Of Congress Unveils Winter-Spring 2026 Concert Season Photo
Library Of Congress Unveils Winter-Spring 2026 Concert Season
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 7, 2026

Concerts from the Library of Congress will launch an exciting, yearlong America 250 celebration this January, presenting a broad panorama of the nation's music in concerts and conversations, lectures, film screenings, educational programs and more.
Video: Rob Colletti & Hayley Podschun Sing 'Sue Me' from GUYS AND DOLLS Photo
Video: Rob Colletti & Hayley Podschun Sing 'Sue Me' from GUYS AND DOLLS
by Joshua Wright - Jan 5, 2026

Watch Rob Colletti and Hayley Podschun perform Sue Me from Guys and Dolls. Directed By Washington National Opera Artistic Director Francesca Zambello and choreographed by Joshua Bergasse, Guys and Dolls plays STC’s Harman Hall through January 8th, 2026.
Video: 'Luck Be a Lady' from GUYS AND DOLLS at Shakespeare Theatre Company Photo
Video: 'Luck Be a Lady' from GUYS AND DOLLS at Shakespeare Theatre Company
by Joshua Wright - Dec 22, 2025

Take your first look at 'Luck Be a Lady' performed by Jacob Dickey and the company of GUYS AND DOLLS at Sakespeare Theatre Company.
Review: THE LITTLE MERMAID at Wilmington Drama League Photo
Review: THE LITTLE MERMAID at Wilmington Drama League
by Rosanne DellAversano - Dec 18, 2025

Disney’s The Little Mermaid, loosely based on the fairytale of Hans Christian Andersen, tells the simple story of the beautiful young mermaid, Ariel, and her longing to leave her ocean home and live in the world above with humans.
Review: THE LITTLE PRINCE Presented by Washington National Opera At Kennedy Center Photo
Review: THE LITTLE PRINCE Presented by Washington National Opera At Kennedy Center
by Elliot Lanes - Dec 17, 2025

Traditionally when you think of what an opera is, visions of four hour long extravaganzas with beautiful singing but with stilted or no acting at all come to mind. The question then becomes how does this entertainment genre attract the youngest of audience members to its productions? Let’s face it, The Ring Cycle is a bit much for an eight year old to sit through.
Video: Julie Benko Sings 'If I Were a Bell' In GUYS AND DOLLS at Shakespeare Theatre Photo
Video: Julie Benko Sings 'If I Were a Bell' In GUYS AND DOLLS at Shakespeare Theatre Company
by A.A. Cristi - Dec 15, 2025

Julie Benko is currently appearing as Sarah Brown in GUYS AND DOLLS at Shakespeare Theatre Company’s Harman Hall in Washington, D.C., where the production has been extended and will now run through January 8. A newly released video captures Benko performing “If I Were a Bell” opposite Jacob Dickey as Sky Masterson.
Emma Flynn Will Take Over The Role Of Sarah Brown In Shakespeare Theatre Company’s Photo
Emma Flynn Will Take Over The Role Of Sarah Brown In Shakespeare Theatre Company’s GUYS AND DOLLS
by A.A. Cristi - Dec 10, 2025

Shakespeare Theatre Company has announced that Emma Flynn will assume the role of Sarah Brown in GUYS AND DOLLS. Flynn joins the cast following Julie Benko’s final performance on December 28.
Interview: Theatre Life with Rachel Portman Photo
Interview: Theatre Life with Rachel Portman
by Elliot Lanes - Dec 10, 2025

Today’s subject Academy and Emmy Award winning composer Rachel Portman has a career that includes scoring for over100 films, television and a stage musical of Little House on the Prairie. This week her foray into opera can be seen and heard in the Terrace Theater At Kennedy Center as Washington National Opera (WNO) presents The Little Prince as their annual family opera offering. The show runs for only five performances between December 12th and 14th. WNO first performed it 2014. It premiered at Houston Grand Opera in 2003.
Review: GUYS AND DOLLS at Shakespeare Theatre Company Photo
Review: GUYS AND DOLLS at Shakespeare Theatre Company
by Peter Rouleau - Dec 7, 2025

A charming and engaging musical romp.
GUYS AND DOLLS Extended at Shakespeare Theatre Company Photo
GUYS AND DOLLS Extended at Shakespeare Theatre Company
by A.A. Cristi - Dec 5, 2025

Shakespeare Theatre Company has annonced an extension of its holiday presentation of Guys and Dolls. Guys and Dolls has been extended to January 8. 
Photos: Hayley Podschun, Julie Benko and More Star in GUYS AND DOLLS at Shakespeare T Photo
Photos: Hayley Podschun, Julie Benko and More Star in GUYS AND DOLLS at Shakespeare Theatre Company
by A.A. Cristi - Dec 3, 2025

Sakespeare Theatre Company has released photos of its holiday presentation of Guys and Dolls. Directed by Washington National Opera Artistic Director Francesca Zambello.
Best of NYC Christmas Concerts and Cabaret Shows - 2025 Photo
Best of NYC Christmas Concerts and Cabaret Shows - 2025
by Rebecca Kaplan - Dec 3, 2025

Celebrate the winter holidays with cheer and plenty of good music with these 15 shows. There's something for everyone in this list – family-friendly shows you can take your kids to, queer celebrations, and more.
GUYS & DOLLS & More Lead Washington, DC's Top Holiday Theatre Shows Photo
GUYS & DOLLS & More Lead Washington, DC's Top Holiday Theatre Shows
by Team BWW - Dec 2, 2025

Washington, DC is never lacking outstanding theatre, whether epic Broadway shows, engrossing dramas or bold fringe offerings. See what the experts recommend! Check out our editorial team's top picks for the best shows to see in Washington, DC for the Holiday Season 2025.
Cabaret Roundup: December 1-7- Anthony Nunziata, BETTY & More Photo
Cabaret Roundup: December 1-7- Anthony Nunziata, BETTY & More
by Rebecca Kaplan - Dec 1, 2025

NYC has so many incredible events, but here are a few top picks to consider this week including winter holiday shows with some of Broadway's biggest stars, standup comedy, and more.
Best Cabaret in December 2025: Christine Ebersole, Norm Lewis, Sam Morill & More Photo
Best Cabaret in December 2025: Christine Ebersole, Norm Lewis, Sam Morill & More
by Rebecca Kaplan - Dec 1, 2025

See some of the biggest stars of the stage, screen, jazz, cabaret & Broadway performing at cabaret venues this month at a range of budget points. Tickets to these shows are limited and likely to sell out
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