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Gower Champion Headshot

Gower Champion

Date of Death: August 25, 1980 (61)

Birth Place: Geneva, IL, USA

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STAGE CREDITS

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1955
Performer

[Broadway]
1942
Teddy Roosevelt Brandywine

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1942
Campbell

[Broadway]
1939
Le Fils Americain

Cadet

"Reading, Writing and a Little Bit of Rhythm" Dancer

"South American Way" Dancer

"We Live of Love" / "We Haven't Got A Pot to Cook In" Dancer

Productions

 
[US Tour, 2015]
Original 42nd Street Director and Choreographer
 
[West End, 1984]
Director/Choreographer
 
[US Tour, 1984]
Director/Choreographer
 
[US Tour, 1983]
Director/Choreographer
 
[Broadway, 1980]
Director/Choreographer
Choreographer
Director
 
[Broadway, 1978]
Production Supervisor
 
[Broadway, 1976]
Choreographer
Director
Director/Choreographer
 
[Broadway, 1974]
Choreographer
Director
Director/Choreographer
 
[Broadway, 1973]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1972]
Choreographer
Director
Director/Choreographer
 
[Broadway, 1971]
Director
Producer
 
[Broadway, 1969]
Director
 
[West End, 1968]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1968]
Director/Choreographer
Choreographer
 
[US Tour, 1967]
Director/Choreographer
 
[Broadway, 1966]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1966]
Director
 
[US Tour, 1966]
Director/Choreographer
 
[West End, 1965]
Director/Choreographer
 
[US Tour, 1965]
Director/Choreographer
 
[West End, 1964]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1964]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1964]
Director
Director/Choreographer
Choreographer
 
[Broadway, 1963]
Director
 
[West End, 1962]
Director/Choreographer
 
[US Tour, 1961]
Director/Choreographer
 
[West End, 1961]
Director/Choreographer
 
[Broadway, 1961]
Director
Director/Choreographer
Choreographer
 
[Broadway, 1960]
Director
Choreographer
 
[Broadway, 1955]
Director
Choreographer
 
[Broadway, 1951]
Choreographer
Choreographer
 
[Broadway, 1948]
Choreographer
Choreographer
 
[Broadway, 1948]
Choreographer

Movies

Mr. Music
[ 1950 ] Gower Champion
Show Boat
[ 1951 ] Frank Schultz
Everything I Have Is Yours
[ 1952 ] Chuck Hubbard
Lovely to Look At
[ 1952 ] Jerry Ralby
Give a Girl a Break
[ 1953 ] Ted Sturgis
Jupiter's Darling
[ 1955 ] Varius
Three for the Show
[ 1955 ] Vernon Lowndes
Bye Bye Birdie
[ 1963 ] directed & choreographed by
42nd Street: The Musical
[ 2019 ] choreographer

Awards and Nominations


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1981 - Outstanding Choreography

Gower Champion, 42nd Street


winner
Tony Awards - 1981 - Best Choreography

Gower Champion, 42nd Street

Tony Awards - 1981 - Best Direction of a Musical

Gower Champion, 42nd Street

Tony Awards - 1975 - Best Choreography

Gower Champion , Mack and Mabel

Tony Awards - 1975 - Best Direction of a Musical

Gower Champion, Mack and Mabel

Tony Awards - 1973 - Best Choreography

Gower Champion , sugar

Tony Awards - 1973 - Best Direction of a Musical

Gower Champion , Sugar


winner
Tony Awards - 1968 - Best Choreography

Gower Champion, The Happy Time


winner
Tony Awards - 1968 - Best Direction of a Musical

Gower Champion, The Happy Time

Tony Awards - 1967 - Best Direction of a Musical

Gower Champion, I Do! I Do!


winner
Tony Awards - 1964 - Best Choreography

Gower Champion , Hello, Dolly!


winner
Tony Awards - 1964 - Best Direction of a Musical

Gower Champion, Hello, Dolly!

Tony Awards - 1962 - Best Direction of a Musical

Gower Champion, Carnival


winner
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 1961 - Creative Contribution of the Season

Gower Champion


winner
Tony Awards - 1961 - Best Choreography

Gower Champion, Bye Bye Birdie


winner
Tony Awards - 1961 - Best Direction of a Musical

Gower Champion, Bye Bye Birdie


winner
Tony Awards - 1949 - Best Choreography

Gower Champion, Lend an Ear

Videos

News


Bernadette Peters to Perform Concerts at Two River Theater

Two River Theater will present two concerts starring Broadway icon Bernadette Peters. Learn more and see how to purchase tickets.
HELLO, DOLLY! ON THE RIVER to be Performed Outdoors With Full Orchestra at Sutton Place Park

Sutton Place Parks Conservancy, in conjunction with JWM: A Theatrical Company, will present HELLO, DOLLY! ON THE RIVER. Learn how to attend.
Interview: Joe Giamalva starring in LIFE IS SHORT AND SO AM I at Jagco Entertainment.

Living in Palm Springs sitting down with Broadway gypsy Joe Giamalva who has played in many arenas from stage to screen as a sought-after actor/dancer/producer. He also entertained several generations of television viewers on Saturday morning children’s classics H.R. PufnStuf, Land Of The Lost, and Disney Channel favorites. Joe is working on a brand new one-man show about his life and career.
Bernadette Peters And Ted Snowdon to be Honored at York Theatre Company Gala

The York Theatre Company will honor Bernadette Peters and Ted Snowdon at their Gala Evening. Learn more and see how to purchase tickets.
Review: Hello, Jodi! It's a Match Made in Heaven with Encore! Performing Arts in HELLO, DOLLY!

Encore! Performing Arts’ production of HELLO, DOLLY! leans heavily into the relentless optimism and good time that’s made the musical a classic. They’ve crafted together a show which takes advantage of every aspect of its production, from the costumes to the orchestrations to the simple power of a Look from the lead.
Joel Grey, Lesli Margherita, And More Join A George M. Cohan Celebration at La Mirada Theatre

Join JOEL GREY, DAVIS GAINES, LESLI MARGHERITA, and JOHN RUBINSTEIN for a GEORGE M. COHAN WEEKEND CELEBRATION at LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS on June 29 and 30.
Musical Theatre West Announces JERSEY BOYS And More for 73rd Season, THE SEASON OF LEGENDS

Musical Theatre West reveals its 73rd season, 'The Season of Legends,' featuring iconic shows and celebrated productions.
Bernadette Peters Will Perform in Concert at Barrington Stage Company This Summer

Bernadette Peters will perform in concert at Barrington Stage Company, as part of its 30th Anniversary Celebration this summer. The performance is set for Tuesday, August 27 at 8:00 p.m. on the Boyd-Quinson Stage.
THE BALLET GOES TO BROADWAY Dance Revue Comes to JPAC in May

Jefferson Performing Arts Society will present a dance revue featuring Broadway musical dance favorites conceived, directed, and choreographed by Jefferson Ballet co-director Kenneth Beck with Kimberly Matulich-Beck.
Bernadette Peters to Be Honored with Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2024 Chita Rivera Awards

Multi-Award winning actress Bernadette Peters will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2024 Chita Rivera Awards. It was also announced that Tony, Oscar, and Golden Globe Award Winner Joel Grey will present Bernadette with her Award. The 2024 Chita Rivera Awards will take place on Monday, May 20 at 7:30pm at The Skirball Center for the Performing Arts (566 LaGuardia Place).
Broadway Star Bernadette Peters Takes the Stage At Westport Country Playhouse In May

Join Broadway legend Bernadette Peters for an unforgettable night at the Westport Country Playhouse on May 19. Don't miss this special performance by one of Broadway's finest talents.
Larry Marshall to Direct Sundog Theatre's SCENES FROM THE STATEN ISLAND FERRY

Broadway star Larry Marshall will direct Sundog Theatre's annual presentation, Scenes from the Staten Island Ferry 2024. Learn more!
Listen: Bernadette Peters Would Rather Play Sweeney Todd Than Mrs. Lovett

Listen to Bernadette Peters as she shares which Sondheim role she would like to play and more in a new interview in which she talks about Sweeney Todd, her past work and more!
How Often Are Musicals Revived with Their Original Director?

This time, the reader question was: How often is a musical revived on Broadway directed by its original director?
Industry Pro Newsletter: Roundabout Unveils the Todd Haimes, The Struggle of Toronto's Theatre Sector

Regionally, a few new leaders in high profile positions across the country - including Nicole A. Watson at Playwrights Center, Megwyn Sanders-Andrews at at Milwaukee Chamber Theatre, and Geneé Coreno at WAM. In the UK, a new union agreement for Equity and the ITC, and in Toronto, a tale of haves and have nots in the recovery.
What Did Chita Rivera Think Was the Best Musical Number She Performed?

It’s been almost a week, but I’m still having trouble processing the loss of Chita Rivera. I expected to see her onstage again. What always struck me about Rivera, the ultimate gypsy (a term she clung to after others eschewed it in the name of political correctness), is, even in later years, she still seemed like a dancer first, a star second.
Richard Skipper to Celebrate HELLO, DOLLY! With Lee Roy Reams at The Laurie Beechman Theater

Join Richard Skipper and Lee Roy Reams as they celebrate the 60th anniversary of the beloved musical Hello Dolly!
Musical Theatre Melodies Celebrates The 60th Anniversary of HELLO, DOLLY!

The next Musical Theatre Melodies broadcast, hosted by Rob Morrison on 96.5 FM on Tuesday, January 16 will mark the 60th anniversary of the Jerry Herman musical Hello, Dolly!
Bernadette Peters Joins 2nd Sailing of The Broadway Cruise

Theatre legend and multi-Tony Award Winner Bernadette Peters (Old Friends, Annie Get Your Gun, “The Good Fight”) has joined the previously announced stars of the theatre and creative luminaries for an unforgettable vacation where tropical weather and calm seas await on the 2nd annual Broadway Cruise.
Photos: The Wick Theatre & Museum Club Celebrate The Opening of the 2023/2024 Season

Who knew 42nd Street in Manhattan ran all the way down to Boca/Delray and ends at The Wick Theatre and Museum Club?! In an event yesterday afternoon that rivaled any Broadway Opening Night Party, Marilynn & Kimberly Wick celebrated the opening of The Wick’s 2023/2024 season with a spectacular immersive exhibition of “Dancing Feet” The Experience, 42nd Street. Check out photos here!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Gower Champion been in?

Gower Champion has appeared on Broadway in 4 shows.

How many West End shows has Gower Champion been in?

Gower Champion has not appeared in the West End

What awards has Gower Champion been nominated for?

Gower Champion has been nominated for several awards throughout his career. Some of his nominations include Outstanding Choreography (Drama Desk Awards) for "42nd Street," Best Choreography (Tony Awards) for "42nd Street," Best Direction of a Musical (Tony Awards) for "42nd Street," Best Choreography (Tony Awards) for "Mack and Mabel," Best Direction of a Musical (Tony Awards) for "Mack and Mabel," Best Choreography (Tony Awards) for "Sugar," Best Direction of a Musical (Tony Awards) for "Sugar," Best Choreography (Tony Awards) for "The Happy Time," Best Direction of a Musical (Tony Awards) for "The Happy Time," Best Direction of a Musical (Tony Awards) for "I Do! I Do!," Best Choreography (Tony Awards) for "Hello, Dolly!," Best Direction of a Musical (Tony Awards) for "Hello, Dolly!," Best Direction of a Musical (Tony Awards) for "Carnival," Creative Contribution of the Season (Outer Critics Circle Awards), Best Choreography (Tony Awards) for "Bye Bye Birdie," Best Direction of a Musical (Tony Awards) for "Bye Bye Birdie," and Best Choreography (Tony Awards) for "Lend an Ear."

What awards has Gower Champion won?

Gower Champion has won several awards throughout his career. He received the Outstanding Choreography award at the Drama Desk Awards for his work on "42nd Street." He also won the Best Choreography award at the Tony Awards for "42nd Street," "The Happy Time," and "Hello, Dolly!" Additionally, he won the Best Direction of a Musical award at the Tony Awards for "Sugar," "The Happy Time," and "Hello, Dolly!" He was also honored with the Creative Contribution of the Season award at the Outer Critics Circle Awards. Furthermore, Champion won the Best Choreography award at the Tony Awards for "Bye Bye Birdie" and "Lend an Ear," and the Best Direction of a Musical award at the Tony Awards for "Bye Bye Birdie."

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