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Frank Galati

Birth Place: USA

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BIO

Galati was an associate director at the Goodman Theatre from 1986 to 2008.



In 2004, Galati was inducted into the Chicago Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame. He was the recipient of nine Joseph Jefferson Awards for his contributions to Chicago theater.

Galati and co-writer Lawrence Kasdan adapted the novel The Accidental Tourist for a film, The Accidental Tourist which was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Writing (Adapted Screenplay), a BAFTA Award for Best Adapted Screenplay, and a Writers Guild of America Award for Best Adapted Screenplay. The pair won a USC Scripter Award for the screenplay.

Galati was awarded the Tony Award for Best Play for his adaptation of The Grapes of Wrath in 1990. The production originated at Steppenwolf and transferred to Broadway where, in addition to Best Play, Galati won an additional Tony for Best Direction of a Play. The drama also received six more nominations, including recognition in acting categories for Gary Sinise, Terry Kinney, and Lois Smith. Following his success with The Grapes of Wrath, Galati went on to adapt As I Lay Dying in 1995, and Haruki Murakami's After the Quake in 2005. He also wrote original work, such as Everyman (1995). Most of his work debuted at Steppenwolf.

Galati occasionally had turns as an actor, and directed Tony Kushner's Homebody/Kabul at New York Theatre Workshop. For Broadway, he directed the musical Ragtime in 1998 and The Pirate Queen in 2007. He directed two productions of The Visit, at the Goodman Theatre in 2001 and at the Signature Theatre (Arlington, Virginia) in May 2008, with Chita Rivera.

With a book score by Stephen Flaherty, lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, and directing and libretto by Galati, Knoxville premiered at the Asolo Repertory Theatre in Spring 2020, based on the Pulitzer Prize winning book A Death in the Family by James Agee and Pulitzer Prize winning play All the Way Home by Tad Mosel. It stars Jason Danieley as Author.

The Frank Galati Papers are at Northwestern University. He was a professor emeritus in the Department of Performance Studies at Northwestern University, having retired in 2006.

Productions

 
[Regional (US), 2020]
Director
 
[Arlington, VA (Regional), 2008]
Director
 
[Arlington, VA (Regional), 2007]
Director
 
[Broadway, 2007]
Director
 
[Chicago, 2006]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 2004] Cancelled
Director
 
[Chicago (Regional), 2001]
Director
 
[Broadway, 2001] Cancelled
Director
 
[Broadway, 2000] [Replacement]
Director[Replacement]
 
[Broadway, 2000] Cancelled
Director
 
[New York, 1999]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1998]
Director
 
[New York, 1998]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1994]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1990]
Director

Writing

Bookwriter/Lyricist

Awards and Nominations

Helen Hayes Awards - 2009 - Outstanding Director, Resident Musical

Frank GalatiThe Visit


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1998 - Outstanding Director - Musical

Frank Galati, Ragtime

Drama Desk Awards - 1998 - Outstanding Director - Musical

Frank Galati, Ragtime

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 1998 - Best Director - Musical

Frank Galati, Ragtime

Tony Awards - 1998 - Best Direction of a Musical

Frank Galati , Ragtime


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1990 - Outstanding Director - Play

Frank Galati, The Grapes of Wrath

New York Drama Critics Circle Awards - 1990 - Best Play

Frank Galati, The Grapes of Wrath

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 1990 - Best Director

Frank Galati, Grapes of Wrath

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 1990 - Best Director

Frank Galati, The Grapes of Wrath


winner
Tony Awards - 1990 - Best Direction of a Play

Frank Galati, Grapes of Wrath


winner
Tony Awards - 1990 - Best Play

Frank Galati, The Grapes of Wrath

News


Lottery Announced For THE MERRILY CHAPTERS NYC Presentation

The Stage Door Foundation and Pam Pariseau have announced a special lottery for live studio audience tickets to a special industry presentation showing how Stephen Sondheim created MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG through the eyes of original Broadway cast member, David Loud.
Goodman Theatre's 47th Annual A CHRISTMAS CAROL Begins In November

Goodman Theatre has announced the cast for the 47th annual production of A CHRISTMAS CAROL, now in rehearsal and set to open on November 16.
Winter Season Set For National Theatre at Home With Andrew Scott, Ralph Fiennes, and More

National Theatre at Home, the National Theatre's pioneering streaming platform, has announced a collection of iconic productions and heartwarming stories are set to join the platform for the festive season.
Ahrens and Flaherty's KNOXVILLE Will Be Performed at the University of Tennessee

Ahrens and Flaherty's Knoxville will receive a new production at the Clarence Brown Theatre at the University of Tennessee. Learn more about the show here!
Review Roundup: What Did The Critics Think of Carrie Cracknell's Adaptation of THE GRAPES OF WRATH?

Carrie Cracknell (Julie, The Deep Blue Sea) directs Frank Galati’s award-winning adaptation of John Steinbeck’s masterpiece, The Grapes of Wrath, now open at the National Theatre.
Photos: Cherry Jones, Harry Treadaway & More in THE GRAPES OF WRATH at the National Theatre

Now onstage at The National Theatre is a new production of Frank Galati’s Tony Award-winning adaptation of The Grapes of Wrath, based on the novel by John Steinbeck, directed by Carrie Cracknell. Check out photos of the cast in action!
Review: THE GRAPES OF WRATH, National Theatre

The piece is heavy in topic and method, but Carrie Cracknell’s quiet direction smooths out the nearly three hours of running time. It’s by any means not an easy-breezy show to experience, but it sinks into your soul in a way that only an epic does. The problem is that it’s so, so slow. 
Janet Ulrich Brooks Leads Cast of Drury Lane Theatre's THE AUDIENCE

Drury Lane Theatre has announced casting for its production of The Audience. Written by Peter Morgan, writer of the Emmy Award-winning “The Crown,” Drury Lane’s production is directed by Jessica Fisch and runs August 28 – October 20, 2024.
Blake McIver Ewing, Marcia Mitzman Gaven & More to Lead THE BOY FROM OZ at OFC Creations Theatre Cente

Blake McIver Ewing and Tony Award Nominee Marcia Mitzman Gaven will headline THE BOY FROM OZ at OFC Creations Theatre Center in Rochester, NY. Learn more about the show and see how to purchase tickets.
BWW Q&A: Kenny Ingram on FUNNY GIRL at Maine State Music Theatre

Maine State Music Theatre is the first - and only - regional theatre to be granted the rights to produce Funny Girl since the Broadway National Tour launched. We chat with Kenny Ingram about the upcoming production.
Video: Watch Cherry Jones and Harry Treadaway in THE GRAPES OF WRATH Trailer

The National Theatre will soon present a new production of Frank Galati’s Tony Award-winning adaptation of The Grapes of Wrath. In this video, watch a trailer for the new production.
A TUPPERWARE OF ASHES, THE OTHER PLACE, and More Set For the National Theatre's Autumn Season

The National Theatre has announced two new productions for its South Bank stages this autumn: the world premiere of Tanika Gupta’s A Tupperware of Ashes in the Dorfman theatre, and a new play by Alexander Zeldin inspired by Antigone called The Other Place in the Lyttelton theatre.
Patti LuPone & More to Join Atlantic Theater Company 2024 Gala

Atlantic Theater Company will present their 2024 Gala on Monday, April 29, 2024 at The Plaza. See who is taking part and learn how to purchase tickets.
DIAL M FOR MURDER Comes to Asolo Rep Next Month

Asolo Repertory Theatre will present a rendition of the classic thriller, DIAL M FOR MURDER, an intense cat-and-mouse game directed by Céline Rosenthal. 
Cast Set for Highland Park Players' RAGTIME In Concert

Experience the magic of the turn of the 20th century with the Highland Park Players' staged-concert rendition of the Tony Award-winning musical 'Ragtime.' See who is starring and learn how to purchase tickets.
Meet the Cast of WATER FOR ELEPHANTS, Beginning Previews on Broadway Tonight!

WATER FOR ELEPHANTS begins previews tonight, Saturday, February 24, 2024, and opens on Thursday, March 21, 2024, at the Imperial Theatre (249 West 45th Street). Meet the cast of Water For Elephants here!
Cherry Jones Will Lead THE GRAPES OF WRATH at The National Theatre; Summer 2024 Line-Up Announced

The National Theatre has announced new productions for all three South Bank stages this summer: Alan Bleasdale’s Boys from the Blackstuff and Mnemonic in the Olivier theatre and The Grapes of Wrath in the Lyttelton theatre, alongside the previously announced The Hot Wing King in the Dorfman theatre. 
VIDEO: Watch Jessica Thebus Relive Top 3 Moments of A CHRISTMAS CAROL at Goodman Theatre

Watch Director Jessica Thebus relive her top 3 moments from her productions of A CHRISTMAS CAROL in the video below!
Meet a Marketer: John Zinn, Marketing Consultant - Steppenwolf

John Zinn is a free-lance arts marketing consultant and producer. He was Director of Marketing and Communications at Steppenwolf Theatre Company in Chicago for 7 years and has worked with the company in some capacity for a total of 15 years.
Review: THE GRAPES OF WRATH at The Arts Asylum

A new production of the 1990 award winning stage adaption of “Grapes” by Frank Galati plays now through November 19 at the new Arts Asylum in the lower level theater of their new facility at 824 E Meyer Boulevard in the Brookside neighborhood of Kansas City.  The play won the 1990 Tony Award for Best New Play.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many shows has Frank Galati written?

Frank Galati has written 2 shows including Boss (Bookwriter/Lyricist), Loving Repeating (Bookwriter).

What awards has Frank Galati been nominated for?

Outstanding Director, Resident Musical (Helen Hayes Awards) for The Visit , Outstanding Director - Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for Ragtime, Outstanding Director - Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for Ragtime, Best Director - Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Ragtime, Best Direction of a Musical (Tony Awards) for Ragtime, Outstanding Director - Play (Drama Desk Awards) for The Grapes of Wrath, Best Play (New York Drama Critics Circle Awards) for The Grapes of Wrath, Best Director (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Grapes of Wrath , Best Director (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for The Grapes of Wrath, Best Direction of a Play (Tony Awards) for Grapes of Wrath and Best Play (Tony Awards) for The Grapes of Wrath.

What awards has Frank Galati won?

Frank Galati has won several prestigious awards, including Outstanding Director - Musical at the Drama Desk Awards for Ragtime, Outstanding Director - Play at the Drama Desk Awards for The Grapes of Wrath, Best Direction of a Play at the Tony Awards for The Grapes of Wrath, and Best Play at the Tony Awards for The Grapes of Wrath.

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