Jerry Zaks Headshot

Jerry Zaks

Birth Place: Stuttgart, GERMANY

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Jerry Zaks BIO

Jerry won four Tony Awards, four Drama Desk Awards, two Outer Critics Circle Awards and an Obie Award. Mr. Zaks directed many Broadway shows including Sister Act, Guys and Dolls, Six Degrees of Separation, Lend Me a Tenor, House of Blue Leaves, Smokey Joe's Cafe, Anything Goes, La Cage aux Folles, Little Shop of Horrors and more. Mr. Zaks received SDC's Mr. Abbott Award for lifetime achievement and an honorary doctorate of fine arts from his alma mater, Dartmouth College. Mr. Zaks is a 2013 inductee to the Theater Hall of Fame.

Jerry Zaks Photos

Jerry Zaks STAGE CREDITS

[Off-Broadway]
Encores! Concert, 1994
Fiorello LaGuardia

[Broadway]
Broadway Transfer, 1980
Performer

[Off-Broadway]
Original Off-Broadway Production, 1980
Performer

[Off-Broadway]
1979
Performer

[Broadway]
1978
Weisskopf

[Off-Broadway]
1978
Al

[Off-Broadway]
1976
Harlequin

[Off-Broadway]
1975
Devoted Hack

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1972
Kenickie [Replacement]

Jerry Zaks Productions

 
[Off-Broadway, unknown]
Production Supervisor
 
[Broadway, 2022]
Director
 
[Broadway, 2022]
Director
 
[Regional (US), 2019]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 2019]
Director
 
[US Tour, 2018] [Replacement]
Director[Replacement]
 
[US Tour, 2018]
Director
 
[Broadway, 2017]
Director
 
[Broadway, 2017]
Director
 
[Broadway, 2016]
Director
 
[Milburn, NJ (Regional), 2016]
Co-Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 2015]
Director
 
[US Tour, 2012]
Director
 
[US Tour, 2011]
Creative Consultant
 
[Broadway, 2011]
Director
 
[Broadway, 2010]
Creative Consultant
 
[Broadway, 2007]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 2007]
Director
 
[Broadway, 2006]
Director
 
[Broadway, 2006]
Director
 
[Broadway, 2004]
Director
 
[Regional (US), 2004]
Director
 
[US Tour, 2004]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 2004]
Director
 
[Broadway, 2003]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 2003]
Director
 
[Broadway, 2001]
Director
 
[Broadway, 2000]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1999]
Production Supervisor
 
[Broadway, 1999]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1999]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 1998]
Director
 
[New York, 1996]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1995]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1993]
Director
 
[Broadway, 0]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1992]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 1990]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1990]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 1990]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 1990]
Director
 
[West End, 1989]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1989]
Director
 
[US Tour, 1988]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 1988]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1987]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1986]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1986]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 1986]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 1985]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 1985]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 1984]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 1984]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 1983]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 1981]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 1979]
Director

Jerry Zaks Movies

Outrageous Fortune
[ 1987 ] Tobacco Clerk
Crimes and Misdemeanors
[ 1989 ] Man on Campus
Husbands and Wives
[ 1992 ] Dinner Party Guests

Jerry Zaks TV Shows

The Edge of Night
Louis Van Dine

Jerry Zaks Awards and Nominations

Drama League Awards - 2022 - Outstanding Direction of a Musical

Jerry Zaks, The Music Man

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2022 - Outstanding Director of a Musical

Jerry Zaks, Mrs. Doubtfire

Drama Desk Awards - 2017 - Outstanding Director of a Musical

Jerry Zaks, Hello, Dolly!

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2017 - Outstanding Director of a Musical

Jerry Zaks, Hello, Dolly!

Tony Awards - 2017 - Best Direction of a Musical

Jerry Zaks, Hello, Dolly!

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2011 - Outstanding Director of a Musical

Jerry Zaks, Sister Act

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2006 - Outstanding Director of a Play

Jerry Zaks , The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 1999 - Outstanding Director of a Musical

Jerry Zaks , The Civil War


winner
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 1996 - Best Director - Musical

Jerry Zaks, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum

Tony Awards - 1996 - Best Direction of a Musical

Jerry Zaks , A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum

Tony Awards - 1995 - Best Direction of a Musical

Jerry Zaks, Smokey Joe's Cafe

Helen Hayes Awards - 1994 - Outstanding Director, Non-Resident Play or Musical

Jerry ZaksGuys and Dolls

Helen Hayes Awards - 1994 - Outstanding Director, Non-Resident Play or Musical

Jerry ZaksSix Degrees of Separation

Drama Desk Awards - 1992 - Outstanding Director - Musical

Jerry Zaks, Guys and Dolls


winner
Tony Awards - 1992 - Best Direction of a Musical

Jerry Zaks, Guys and Dolls

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 1991 - Best Director

Jerry Zaks , Six Degrees of Separation


winner
Tony Awards - 1991 - Best Direction of a Play

Jerry Zaks , Six Degrees of Separation

Tony Awards - 1991 - Best Direction of a Play

Jerry Zaks , Six Degrees of Separation

Drama Desk Awards - 1990 - Outstanding Director - Musical

Jerry Zaks , Assassins

Drama Desk Awards - 1990 - Outstanding Director - Play

Jerry Zaks , Six Degrees of Separation


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1989 - Outstanding Director - Play

Jerry Zaks, Lend Me a Tenor

Olivier Awards - 1989 - Outstanding Director, Non-Resident Production

Jerry ZaksWenceslas Square


winner
Tony Awards - 1989 - Best Direction of a Play

Jerry Zaks, Lend Me a Tenor


winner
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 1988 - Best Director

Jerry Zaks, Wenceslas Square


winner
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 1988 - Best Director

Jerry Zaks, Anything Goes

Tony Awards - 1988 - Best Direction of a Musical

Jerry Zaks , Anything Goes


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1987 - Outstanding Director - Musical

Jerry Zaks, Anything Goes


winner
Tony Awards - 1986 - Best Direction of a Play

Jerry Zaks , The House of Blue Leaves


winner
Obie Awards - 1985 - Direction

Jerry Zaks, The Foreigner


winner
Obie Awards - 1985 - Direction

Jerry Zaks, The Marriage of Bette and Boo

Drama Desk Awards - 1980 - Outstanding Actor in a Musical

Jerry Zaks, Tintypes

Jerry Zaks Videos

Jerry Zaks News


New Cast Members to Join MRS. DOUBTFIRE in the West End


Rehearsals have begun for new cast members who will be joining Mrs. Doubtfire on stage, as the hit family musical enters its second year in the West End. Learn who is joining the cast and see how to purchase tickets!

Review: MRS. DOUBTFIRE IS A COMEDIC GEM, WITH A REFLECTIVE LENS at STRAZ CENTER


Mrs. Doubtfire, a new musical based on the 1993 hit family film of the same name, is actually based on the 1987 novel Alias Madame Doubtfire by Anne Fine. The stage musical in all its purposes features music and lyrics by Karey and Wayne Kirkpatrick, with a book by Karey Kirkpatrick and John O’Farrell. The National Tour is currently onstage in the Carol Morsani Hall, at Tampa’s Straz Center for the Performing Arts.

The Green Room 42 Presents The Return Of Josie De Guzman This May


Join two-time Tony Award nominee JOSIE DE GUZMAN as she returns to THE GREEN ROOM 42. Known for her roles in GUYS AND DOLLS and WEST SIDE STORY, don't miss her performances on 5/4-5.

Previews: MRS. DOUBTFIRE Dazzles at Straz Center


Directed by Jerry Zaks with music supervision, arrangements, and orchestration by Ethan Popp, we watched in awe as Daniel, an out-of-work man-child actor, magically transforms into the lovable Mrs. Doubtfire, a spry geriatric Scottish woman with some help from two friends. He does this to be hired by his ex-wife as a nanny after losing custody of his children in the divorce. And we have to give a round of applause for his real-life leading lady, Lakis, who dazzles as the believable, underappreciated, exasperated ex-wife.

A BEAUTIFUL NOISE, & JULIET and More Set for Segerstrom Center for the Arts 24/25 Season


Segerstrom Center for the Arts has unveiled its Broadway lineup for the 2024-25 season. See full programming and learn how to purchase tickets.

Krysta Rodriguez & More to Perform at Signature Theatre Gala Honoring Nathan Lane


On April 29, 2024, Signature Theatre will honor icon of stage and screen Nathan Lane with the company’s thirteenth Stephen Sondheim Award. Learn more!

Review: MRS. DOUBTFIRE National Tour at Durham Performing Arts Center


Based on Chris Columbus’ 1993 Academy Award-winning film of the same name adapted from Anne Fine’s 1987 novel titled Alias Madame Doubtfire. This musical follows Daniel Hillard, an out-of-work actor who loses custody of his kids in a divorce. So he masquerades as Scottish nanny Euphegenia Doubtfire to stay in their lives. This was the second in an unofficial trilogy of Broadway musicals adapted from classic movies about men disguising themselves as women. In 2019, we got Tootsie. In 2022, we got Some Like It Hot.

Photos: On the Red Carpet at Opening Night of THE NOTEBOOK


The Notebook officially opened at the Schoenfeld Theatre last week. Opening night was held on March 14th, and BroadwayWorld was there! Check out photos of the VIPs arriving at the big night here!

SOME LIKE IT HOT And More Announced for ASU Gammage 2024�"2025 Broadway Season


ASU Gammage has announced a spectacular lineup of shows for its 2024–2025 Broadway Across America — Arizona season.

BILLY ELLIOT: THE MUSICAL & More Lead Chicago's Spring 2024 Top Theatre Shows


Chicago is never lacking outstanding theatre, whether epic Broadway shows, engrossing dramas or bold fringe offerings. BroadwayWorld is rounding up our top recommended theatre every month. Selections for Spring 2024 include BILLY ELLIOT: THE MUSICAL and more!

Review: MRS. DOUBTFIRE National Tour Presented by Broadway In Chicago


MRS. DOUBTFIRE is escapist musical theater fun with tremendous character actor Rob McClure (reprising the role from Broadway) carrying on Robin Williams’s immense legacy from the 1993 film in the lead role.

THE WIZ, COMPANY, and More Set For The Smith Center for the Performing Arts' 2024-25 Broadway Season


The Smith Center for the Performing Arts has announced its latest lineup of Broadway productions for 2024/2025 The new season features 10 stage productions direct from Broadway that have collectively been showered with 33 Tony Awards®, 18 Drama Desk Awards and five Laurence Olivier Awards. Learn which shows are included.

WICKED, & JULIET and More Set for 24/25 Zions Bank Broadway at the Eccles Season


The 24/25 Zions Bank Broadway at the Eccles season has been revealed! The season will bring five premiere engagements to Salt Lake City, and the return of crowd-pleasing Add-Ons. Learn how to purchase tickets.

Meet the Cast of THE WHO'S TOMMY, Beginning Previews on Broadway Tonight!


The newly reimagined production of The Who’s TOMMY begins Broadway previews tonight, March 8, 2024 at the Nederlander Theatre, with opening night on March 28, 2024. Meet the cast of The Who's Tommy here!

Full Cast Set For THE WHO'S TOMMY on Broadway


Complete casting has been announced for the newly reimagined Broadway production of The Who’s TOMMY.  Find out who is starring in the show here!

Jerry Zaks, Rory O'Malley, and Miriam-Teak Lee Bring New Musical PLASTERED to London


Four-time Tony Award-winner Jerry Zaks (MRS. DOUBTFIRE, THE MUSIC MAN) is returning to London next month to direct a reading of PLASTERED, a new musical starring Tony Award-nominee Rory O'Malley (THE BOOK OF MORMON, HAMILTON) in his London debut and Olivier Award-winner Miriam-Teak Lee (& JULIET, HAMILTON).

Cast Set For MTFestUK 2024


This year, the festival will shine the spotlight on eight new musicals from 30 January to 11 February workshopped and presented in ‘sharing' sessions in both The Other Palace Studio and The Turbine Theatre. Learn more about the cast here!

Review: MRS. DOUBTFIRE (TOURING COMPANY) at Key Bank Broadway Series (Connor Palace)


Every once in a while a theater-goer sees a production in which it becomes apparent that the lead actor was born to play a role.  Julie Andrews as Eliza in MY FAIR LADY, Zero Mostel in FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM and Marlon Brando in STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE, come to mind.  

Alison Luff, Adam Jacobs, John Ambrosino, Bobby Conte, and Christina Sajous Join THE WHO'S TOMMY on Broadway


Reprising their roles from the Goodman Theatre in Chicago are Alison Luff as Mrs. Walker, Adam Jacobs as Captain Walker, John Ambrosino as Uncle Ernie, Bobby Conte as Cousin Kevin, and Christina Sajous as The Acid Queen. They join previously announced Ali Louis Bourzgui as Tommy Walker, also reprising his Jeff Award-winning role from the Goodman. 

Jerry Zaks FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Jerry Zaks been in?

Jerry Zaks has appeared on Broadway in 3 shows.

How many West End shows has Jerry Zaks been in?

Jerry Zaks has not appeared in the West End.

What awards has Jerry Zaks been nominated for?

Jerry Zaks has been nominated for several awards throughout his career. Some of the notable nominations include Outstanding Direction of a Musical at the Drama League Awards for "The Music Man," Outstanding Director of a Musical at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for "Mrs. Doubtfire," and Best Direction of a Musical at the Tony Awards for "Hello, Dolly!" He has also received nominations for Outstanding Director of a Play at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for "The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial" and Best Director at the Olivier Awards for "Wenceslas Square." Zaks has had a successful career with nominations across various prestigious award ceremonies for his outstanding work in both plays and musicals.

What awards has Jerry Zaks won?

Jerry Zaks has won several awards for his work in Broadway, including Best Director - Musical at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum," Best Direction of a Musical at the Tony Awards for "Guys and Dolls," Best Direction of a Play at the Tony Awards for "Six Degrees of Separation," Outstanding Director - Play at the Drama Desk Awards for "Lend Me a Tenor," Best Director at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for "Anything Goes" and "Wenceslas Square," Outstanding Director - Musical at the Drama Desk Awards for "Anything Goes," Best Direction of a Play at the Tony Awards for "Lend Me a Tenor," and Best Director at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for "The House of Blue Leaves." He also received Direction awards at the Obie Awards for "The Foreigner" and "The Marriage of Bette and Boo."

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