Bob Avian (born December 26, 1937) is an American choreographer and a theatre producer and director.Born in New York City, Avian's spent his early career dividing his time between dancing in such Broadway shows as West Side Story, Funny Girl, and Henry, Sweet Henry and working as a production assistant on projects like I Do! I Do! and Twigs. He first met Michael Bennett when they both appeared in Nowhere to Go But Up in 1962, and over the course of the next two decades the two collaborated on Promises, Promises, Coco, Company, Follies, Seesaw, God's Favorite, A Chorus Line, Ballroom, and Dreamgirls, Avian's first credit as a solo producer. Additional Broadway credits include Putting It Together and the 2006 revival of A Chorus Line, which he directed.In London's West End, Avian choreographed Follies, Martin Guerre, The Witches of Eastwick, Miss Saigon, and Sunset Boulevard, repeating the assignment for the Broadway productions of the latter two. He also staged Hey, Mr. Producer!, the Cameron Mackintosh tribute. He is due to choreograph and direct the 2013 West End production of A Chorus Line, the first revival of the musical in London since the original in 1976.
Has twice won Broadway's Tony Award as Best Choreographer, both times in collaboration with Michael Bennett: in 1976 for "A Chorus Line" and in 1979 for "Ballroon." He has also been Tony-nominated four other times: in 1979, as one of the co-producers in the Best Musical nomination of "Ballroom;" in 1982, as one of the co-producers in the Best Musical nomination of "Dreamgirls;" in 1991, as Best Choreographer for "Miss Saigon;" and in 1995, as Best Choreographer for "Sunset Boulevard."
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He was awarded the 1997 Laurence Olivier Theatre Award for Best Theatre Choreographer of 1996 for Martin Guerre performed at the Prince Edward Theatre.
Miscellaneous
Title
Year
Status
Character
A Chorus Line
2016
co-choreographer
Hey, Mr. Producer! The Musical World of Cameron Mackintosh
1998
TV Special documentary stage director
Music Department
Title
Year
Status
Character
Putting It Together
2000
TV Movie musical staging
Thanks
Title
Year
Status
Character
Every Little Step
2008
Documentary special thanks
Self
Title
Year
Status
Character
Every Little Step
2008
Documentary
Himself - Revival Director
The 49th Annual Tony Awards
1995
TV Special
Himself - Nominee: Best Choreography
The 45th Annual Tony Awards
1991
TV Special
Himself - Nominee: Best Choreography
The 33rd Annual Tony Awards
1979
TV Special
Himself - Winner: Best Choreography
Known for movies
Every Little Step (2008) as Thanks
The 45th Annual Tony Awards (1991) as Himself - Nominee: Best Choreography
The 49th Annual Tony Awards (1995) as Himself - Nominee: Best Choreography
The 33rd Annual Tony Awards (1979) as Himself - Winner: Best Choreography
$1.4 Million
