Jack O’Brien Headshot

Jack O’Brien

Birth Place: Chicago

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Jack O’Brien BIO

First National Tour: Fiddler on the Roof (Sasha / u.s. Fyedka / u.s. Constable), Ghost the Musical (Ensemble / u.s. Sam / u.s. Carl); International Tour: Shrek the Musical (Shrek Alternate). BFA Millikin University

Jack O’Brien Awards and Nominations

Drama Desk Awards - 2023 - Outstanding Direction of a Musical

Jack O’Brien, Shucked

Jack O’Brien Videos

Jack O’Brien News


Tickets Go On Sale For HAIRSPRAY in Dallas This Week


The Dallas engagement of HAIRSPRAY  will go on sale Friday, March 22 at 10 a.m. This new North American tour, helmed by original director Jack O’Brien and original choreographer Jerry Mitchell, will play June 18-30 in Dallas at the Music Hall at Fair Park.

Last Chance to Vote for the BWW Salt Lake City Awards; Voting Ends 12/31


It's the final week left to vote for the 2023 BroadwayWorld Salt Lake City Awards! Voting ends on 12/31 at midnight. Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!

2 Weeks to Vote for the BWW Salt Lake City Awards; WEST SIDE STORY, PUFFS, West Valley Arts & More Lead!


There's just two weeks left to vote and we have the latest standings as of Monday, December 18th for the 2023 BroadwayWorld Salt Lake City Awards! Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!

HAIRSPRAY Comes to the Palace Theater Next Month


HAIRSPRAY, Broadway’s Tony Award®-winning musical comedy phenomenon, helmed by original director Jack O’Brien and original choreographer Jerry Mitchell, will play January 16-18 in Waterbury, CT at the Palace Theater.

BroadwayWorld Salt Lake City Awards December 5th Standings; WEST SIDE STORY Leads Best Musical!


It's December, and the first standings of the month have been announced as of Tuesday, December 5th for the 2023 BroadwayWorld Salt Lake City Awards! Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!

Latest Standings Announced For The 2023 BroadwayWorld Salt Lake City Awards; PUFFS Leads Best Play!


Happy Holidays! The latest wave of standings have been announced as of Monday, November 27th for the 2023 BroadwayWorld Salt Lake City Awards! Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!

I WROTE THAT! Author Talk Series Returns With Jack O'Brien, October 28


Join us for the 'I WROTE THAT!' Author Talk Series featuring Jack O'Brien, Tony Award-winning Director of Hairspray, Henry IV, and more. Tuesday, October 28, 2023, 1:00 PM at the Palace Theater.

Greg Kalafatas and Caroline Eiseman-Led HAIRSPRAY National Tour Reveals 2023-24 Casting and Full Route


HAIRSPRAY, Broadway's Tony Award-winning musical comedy phenomenon, has announced casting and the touring schedule for the 2023-2024 season. This new North American tour, helmed by original director Jack O'Brien and original choreographer Jerry Mitchell, will visit 45 cities including premiere engagements in Calgary, AB; Charlotte, NC; Cleveland, OH; Dallas, TX; Denver, CO; Edmonton, ALB; Houston, TX; Nashville, TN; Ottawa, ONT; Vancouver, BC; and many more.

Patrick Pacheco to Explore How SHUCKED Became a Hit on THEATER: ALL THE MOVING PARTS


In this new two-part episode of “THEATER: All the Moving Parts” host Patrick Pacheco looks at why “Shucked,” is poised to be the sleeper of the season. On the heels of its nine Tony nominations and one win (Alex Newell), Pacheco speaks with three of the nominees: writer Robert Horn, director Jack O’Brien, and actor Kevin Cahoon.

Video: Meet the 2023 Tony-Nominated Directors of a Musical


Best Direction of a Musical Tony nominees include: Michael Arden (Parade), Lear deBessonet (Into the Woods), Casey Nicholaw (Some Like It Hot), Jack O'Brien (Shucked), and Jessica Stone (Kimberly Akimbo).

Video: Watch Brandy Clark Perform From New Album at SHUCKED Curtain Call


Watch Brandy Clark give a special performance in celebration of her new album at the Shucked curtain call on Friday, May 19th!

Interview: A Hair-Raising Addison Garner in HAIRSPRAY, Bootcamp & Little Happies


The new North American tour of Tony Award-winning Hairspray lands in Southern California, first at Segerstrom in Costa Mesa April 18th though April 30th, and then at the Dolby in Hollywood May 5th through May 21st. This cast, headed by Andrew Levitt (aka Nina West) as Edna Turnblad and Niki Metcalf as Tracy Turnblad, is helmed by Hairspray’s original director Jack O’Brien and original choreographer Jerry Mitchell. Playing the Turnblads’ nemesis Velma Von Tussle is the delicious Addison Garner, whom I got a chance to pose some queries to.

Video: Andrew Durand Sings 'Somebody Will' From SHUCKED


An all new song called “Somebody Will' has been released as the second single from the forthcoming Shucked – Original Broadway Cast Recording. Featuring Andrew Durand, leading man, the song is penned by Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally. Check out the video here!

Tickets Are on Sale Today For the Wharton Center's 2023-24 Season


It’s one of the most anticipated times of the year at Wharton Center; the announcement of the new Broadway season. Tickets can be purchased as part of a subscription package starting Monday, April 10, at 10AM. 

Review Roundup: SHUCKED Opens On Broadway! The Critics Weigh In!


Shucked, currently in previews, officially opens tonight at the Nederlander Theatre! Read the reviews!

Review: This SOUND OF MUSIC Sings a Different Tune


It took eight years for three-time Tony awardee Jack O’Brien-directed 'The Sound of Music,' a warhorse title from the Rodgers and Hammerstein’s catalog, to reach the Philippines’ capital—a rare feat because most of the international productions visiting town are either from South Africa or the United Kingdom.

VIDEO: Lauren Kidwell Belts Out 'Climb Ev'ry Mountain'


Lauren Kidwell, who plays Mother Abbess in the US National Tour of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s 'The Sound of Music,' reprises the same role in the Asian tour engagements of the beloved family musical, which plays the Samsung Performing Arts Theatre at Circuit Makati until March 26, 2023.

THE SOUND OF MUSIC Tour to be Presented in Mumbai in May


The global tour of Rodgers & Hammerstein's THE SOUND OF MUSIC, directed by three-time Tony Award winner Jack O'Brien, will be the first Broadway touring musical to perform in India at the brand new 2000 seat musical theatre venue, The Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre at the Jio World Centre in Mumbai.

HAIRSPRAY Comes to the Paramount Theatre in April


HAIRSPRAY, Broadway’s Tony Award®-winning musical comedy phenomenon returns to Seattle! This new North American tour, helmed by original director Jack O’Brien and original choreographer Jerry Mitchell, will play April 4 through 9 at Seattle’s Paramount Theatre.

VIDEO: Jack O'Brien-Directed THE SOUND OF MUSIC Opens in Manila


The North American touring production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s 'The Sound of Music,' directed by Tony winner Jack O’Brien, has reached Manila and plays at the Samsung Performing Arts Theatre at Ayala Malls’ Circuit Makati until March 26, 2023.

Jack O’Brien FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What awards has Jack O’Brien been nominated for?

Jack O’Brien has been nominated for Outstanding Direction of a Musical at the Drama Desk Awards for "Shucked."

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