Jeff Calhoun (choreographer)
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Jeff Calhoun (born 1960) is an American choreographer, theatre director, and dancer.
As a High school student Pittsburgh, Calhoun was interested in both sports and dramatics, playing football and studying tap dance after classes. He made his Broadway debut in the short-lived stage adaptation of Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1982). The following year he was cast in My One and Only, and its director/choreographer/star Tommy Tune became not only a mentor but a collaborator as well. The two later paired for The Will Rogers Follies (with Calhoun as associate choreographer), Tommy Tune Tonite! (director), and The Best Little Whorehouse Goes Public (co-choreographer).
Calhoun began his association with Deaf West Theatre in 2000 when he joined the company to direct and choreograph the Los Angeles production of Big River, which was staged on Broadway in 2003. He reteamed with the company to mount Shenandoah at Ford's Theatre in Washington, D.C. and Oliver! at the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego in 2006.
Calhoun's additional Broadway credits include revivals of Grease (1994), Annie Get Your Gun (1999), and Bells Are Ringing (2003), Brooklyn The Musical (2004), and Grey Gardens (2006). Off-Broadway he appeared in One More Song/One More Dance (1983) with Ann Reinking, choreographed Bouncers (1987) and Comic Potential (2000), and directed Holy Cross Sucks! (2005). His regional theatre credits include Himself and Nora, a musical based on James Joyce and Nora Barnacle, which he choreographed and co-directed (with Joseph Hardy) for the Old Globe in 2005.
[edit] Awards and nominations
- 2006 Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding Director (Big River, nominee)
- 2004 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Director of a Musical (Big River, nominee)
- 2001 LA Weekly Theater Award for Best Director of a Musical (Big River, winner)
- 2001 Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Director (Big River, winner)
- 2001 Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Choreographer (Big River, winner)
- 2001 BackStage West Garland Award for Best Director (Big River, winner)
- 2000 Theatre LA Ovation Award for Best Director (Big River, winner)
- 2000 Theatre LA Ovation Award for Best Choreographer (Big River, winner)
- 1994 Tony Award for Best Choreography (Grease, nominee)
- 1994 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Choreography (Grease, nominee)
