"A Chorus Line" is now in its 11th year on stages all over the world; its story is by now well-known. A Chorus Line soon transferred to the West End, where its success was nothing like as long-lived. A Chorus Line examines one day in the lives of seventeen dancers, all vying for a spot in the “chorus line” of a Broadway musical. Bob Avian, the dancer-turned-choreographer who played an integral role in such pivotal Broadway musicals as A Chorus Line, Dreamgirls, Company, Follies … In a 2020 interview with the Broadway Blog, Avian explained their largely harmonious working relationship. 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In a career that spanned seven decades, Avian appeared in, staged, produced, directed or designed the dances for dozens of Broadway hits — his resume reads like a history of musical theater in the 20th and 21st centuries. He was 83. ABC News Scrambles to Fill Top Producer Slot at ‘Good Morning America’, Felix Silla, Cousin Itt on 'The Addams Family,' Dies at 84, Oscars May Have Trouble Overcoming TV’s Awards Show Ratings Problems, ‘Bachelor’ Star Colton Underwood Reveals He’s Gay in Emotional ‘GMA’ Interview, Inside Annapurna CEO Megan Ellison’s Long-Awaited Return to Work (EXCLUSIVE). His death was not related to the COVID-19 crisis. “We were such good pals that we were never in competition with each other creatively,” he said. “He was open to whatever I suggested, especially if we were alone. FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Bob Avian, a two-time Tony Award-winning choreographer, producer and director who was involved in some of Broadway’s biggest plays, died Thursday in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He was 83. She joined Binder three and a half years ago, shortly after the agency cast the 2006 revival of A Chorus Line on Broadway—and she’s helped find every Cassie, Sheila, Mike, and Paul since. His other credits include choreography for the 1993 off-Broadway production of Stephen Sondheim’s “Putting It Together,” starring Julie Andrews, which later moved to Broadway starring Carol Burnett. Bob Avian, the Tony Award-winning choreographer of “A Chorus Line,” died Thursday of a heart attack. Avian also worked with Bennett as a lead producer on the original and national companies of “Dreamgirls,” one of the most successful musicals of the 1980s, and on “A Chorus Line,” an even bigger smash. “A Chorus Line” actress Donna McKecknie accepting her 1975 Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical AP One dancer talked about her weak singing voice and how it … Arnold Schulman (screenplay), Michael Bennett (concept: musical "A Chorus Line") | 2 more credits » Stars: Michael Douglas , Terrence Mann , Michael Blevins | See full cast & crew » He was 83. ‘A Chorus Line’ choreographer Bob Avian dead at 83 Tony Award-winning choreographer Bob Avian died in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on Thursday. He was 83. Avian is survived by his husband Peter Pileski, sister Laura Nabedian and five nieces and nephews, Polk said. Pacific Theatres Shutters: Who Will Rescue the Cinerama Dome? If we were in a production meeting, I would never say anything because Michael was my boss. Dance tutorial video for 'One' from A Chorus Line.Taught by Emily Garsin from Starling Arts - www.starlingarts.com Original choreography by Michael Bennett Michael Bennett (April 8, 1943 – July 2, 1987) was an American musical theatre director, writer, choreographer, and dancer. He met “A Chorus Line” co-choreographer Michael Bennett when they both performed on the international tour of “West Side Story,” and the two formed a decades-long partnership, collaborating on hits including “Promises, Promises,” “Coco,” “Follies” and “Dreamgirls.”, Avian won his two Tony Awards for his work with Bennett on “A Chorus Line” and “Ballroom.”. Variety and the Flying V logos are trademarks of Variety Media, LLC. ‘A Chorus Line’ choreographer Bob Avian dead at 83 Tony Award-winning choreographer Bob Avian died in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on Thursday. In 1976, Avian earned his first Tony as co-choreographer of “A Chorus Line” and won his second three years later for co-choreographing “Ballroom,” a production he also directed, according to The Hollywood Reporter.. Avian also was a lead producer on the original and national companies of “Dreamgirls,” which won six Tony Awards, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Avian is survived by his husband Peter Pileski, his sister Laura Nabedian, five nieces and nephews and a great nephew and great niece. Bob Avian, the Tony-winning dance legend who co-choreographed “A Chorus Line” and was a lead producer on “Dreamgirls,” is dead at 83. Michael Bennett was widely seen as the great Broadway choreographer of his generation A Chorus Line is high-energy on stage but McKechnie recalls its unglamorous origins. Bennett, who died from AIDS-related lymphoma in 1987 at the age of 44, was one of the driving forces in American theater, but he also had a reputation for being hard-charging and difficult. He met “A Chorus Line” co-choreographer Michael Bennett when they both performed on the international tour of “West Side Story,” and the two formed a … https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/22/theater/bob-avian-dead.html After Bennett’s death in 1987, Avian went on to choreograph the London and Broadway premieres of “Miss Saigon” and the original West End and Broadway productions of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Sunset Boulevard,” for which he received his sixth Tony nomination. He won seven Tony Awards for his choreography and direction of Broadway shows and was nominated for an additional eleven. Bob Avian, the Tony Award-winning choreographer of “A Chorus Line,” died Thursday of a heart attack. A choreographer is casting eight dancers for a new musical he hopes to stage, and during one long and truthful day he auditions dozens of dancers before he makes his final selection. In 2020, he published a memoir “Dancing Man: A Broadway Choreographer’s Journey,” which was co-written with Tom Santopietro. His musical staging for “Martin Guerre” in London landed him a prestigious Oliver Award for best choreography. Bob Avian, 'A Chorus Line' Choreographer, Dies at 83 - Variety Avian began his professional career as a dancer, appearing in “West Side Story,” “Funny Girl” and “Henry, Sweet Henry.”, He then became a close collaborator of Michael Bennett, helping the director and choreographer on many of his biggest hits, including “Company,” “Follies” and “Coco,” on which he worked as an associate choreographer and assistant director. When asked by host Conan O’Brien whether the new theater had put on any productions yet, Banderas said that they officially opened with the Broadway classic A Chorus Line in November. ‘A Chorus Line’ choreographer Bob Avian dead at 83 Tony Award-winning choreographer Bob Avian died in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on Thursday. © Copyright 2021 Variety Media, LLC, a subsidiary of Penske Business Media, LLC. He was 83. Choreographer Baayork Lee and director Bob Avian pose for a photograph in front of the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre, home of their production of the revival of " A Chorus Line, on Sept. 29, 2006. Michael Bennett is credited as Director, Producer, Performer, Choreographer, Writer, Conception, Production Crew and Assistant. ‘A Chorus Line’ choreographer Bob Avian dead at 83 – 95.5 WSB Among Avian’s other professional accomplishments were creating the musical staging for “Miss Saigon” and “Sunset Boulevard,” as well as choreographing “Martin Guerre” in London, which won him an Olivier Award. Sharon Osbourne Tells Bill Maher of ‘The Talk’ Exit: ‘I’m Angry, I’m Hurt’. Broadway's iconic dance spectacle lands on our intimate stage with bold new choreography. In 1976 he received his first Tony Award as co-choreographer of “A Chorus Line” and won his second Tony Award for co-choreographing “Ballroom.”. A Hamptons Oceanfront Estate vs. a 446-Foot Superyacht: What’s the Best Way to Relax? Bob Avian, a choreographer, producer and director who was involved in some of Broadway’s biggest plays, died Thursday in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He was 83. Michael Bennett, the most influential theater director and choreographer of his generation and the creator of ''A Chorus Line,'' the longest-running show in … I always knew that, and he respected me for that.”. Bob Avian, the Tony Award-winning choreographer of “A Chorus Line,” died Thursday of a heart attack. As of this audition, Vallins explains, the Chorus Line national tour has been on the road for a year and a half. He was 83. (Shiho Fukada/Associated Press, File) January 22, 2021 at 9:18 pm EST By Bob D'Angelo, Cox Media Group National Content Desk. After the first round of cuts, Zach, the director and choreographer, asks each dancer to speak about themselves. Avian died Thursday at Holy Cross Hospital in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. after suffering cardiac arrest, spokesman Matt Polk said. In a career that spanned seven decades, Avian appeared in, staged, produced, directed or designed the dances for dozens of Broadway hits — his resume reads like a history of musical theater in the 20th and 21st centuries. Born in New York City, Avian made his Broadway debut in the original stage production of “West Side Story” and later got a job in “Funny Girl,” where he danced each night with Barbra Streisand. Synopsis. Avian died of cardiac arrest, his husband, Peter Pileski, said through a spokesperson. BAAYORK LEE (Restaged Directon and Choreography) has performed in a dozen Broadway shows and created the role of Connie in A Chorus Line. Trevor Lawrence Is Signing With Adidas, Joining Mahomes, Rodgers, Stop Seeing Spots Thanks to These Handy Glasses Cleaners, An 'Angry' and 'Hurt' Sharon Osbourne Tells Bill Maher 'I've Been Called Many Things, But a Racist I Will Not Take'. West End, where its a chorus line choreographer was nothing like as long-lived Line '' is now in its year. 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