Rob Ashford
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Rob Ashford (born November 19, 1959) is a Tony Award-winning American choreographer.
Born in Orlando, Florida and raised in Beckley, West Virginia, Ashford studied law at Washington and Lee University. His interest in dance was spurred by his participation in Theatre West Virginia, an outdoor musical-drama group that recreated events from the Civil War during the summer months, and he transferred to Pittsburgh's Point Park University, where he studied ballet, jazz, and modern and character dance.
After graduation, Ashford moved to New York City where he shared an apartment with three people, Kathleen Marshall among them. He made his Broadway debut in the 1987 Lincoln Center revival of Anything Goes with Patti LuPone. Crazy for You, My Favorite Year, The Most Happy Fella, Victor/Victoria and Parade followed in quick succession.
Ashford's first opportunity to choreograph was courtesy of Kathleen Marshall's brother Rob, who was unable to fulfill a commitment to stage Kiss of the Spider Woman in Buenos Aires and sent him in his stead. After returning to New York, he and pal Kathleen teamed to co-choreograph the 1999 revival of Kiss Me, Kate, which lead to his being signed for Thoroughly Modern Millie, for which he won the Tony and garnered a Drama Desk Award nomination for Outstanding Choreography. He also was nominated for both awards for The Wedding Singer and the Tony for Curtains, Kander and Ebb's last musical. Additional credits include Pardon My English for Encores! at New York City Center and The Boys from Syracuse.
In London, Ashord has choreographed A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum for the Royal National Theatre and Guys and Dolls with Ewan McGregor and Jane Krakowski. He also staged the musical numbers for the Bobby Darin biopic Beyond the Sea starring Kevin Spacey.
Ashford's current and future projects include a musical stage adaptation of the Johnny Depp film Cry-Baby, a US national tour of Dr. Doolittle and the London production of Jason Robert Brown's Parade at the Donmar Warehouse, which he will also direct.
