Eric Rosen (playwright)

Eric Brent Rosen (born September 23, 1970) is an American theater director and playwright.

Eric Rosen
Rosen in 2017
Born (1970-09-23) September 23, 1970 (age 53)
Occupation(s)Director and Playwright
SpouseClaybourne Elder (m. 2012)

Education edit

Rosen attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and completed a doctorate of performance studies at Northwestern University.

Career edit

Eric Rosen co-founded and served as Artistic Director of Chicago’s About Face Theatre from 1995-2008.[1] At About Face, Rosen produced the original production of the Pulitzer and Tony Award winning play I Am My Own Wife[2] and Tennessee Williams' One Arm[3] directed by Moisés Kaufman. He went on to serve as Artistic Director of Kansas City Repertory Theatre, bringing national attention to the institution.[4]

He directed the original production of A Christmas Story: The Musical,[5] with music by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, which opened on Broadway in 2012 and was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Musical.[6] He co-wrote and directed Venice[7] at the Public Theatre in New York which Time magazine named the best musical of 2010.[8] He also directed and co-conceived Clay at Lincoln Center.[9]

He is also known for his reimagining of classic musicals including Sunday in the Park with George which played at the Nelson-Atkins Museum,[10] a punk rock production of Pippin,[11] and Hair: Retrospection in collaboration with and starring members of the original Broadway companies of Hair[12]

As a playwright, his work includes the play Dream Boy[13] which won a Chicago Jeff Award for Best New Play and Best Direction, and the critically acclaimed hip hop musical Venice.[14]

In 2000, he co-founded About Face Youth Theatre, one of the nation’s foremost arts and advocacy programs for at-risk LGBTQ youth, and the 18 year old program continues to serve thousands of young people in Chicago.

Rosen serves on the Board of Directors of Theatre Communications Group.[15]

Directing credits edit

Steppenwolf, Goodman, Hartford Stage, Baltimore Center Stage, St. Louis Rep, Cincinnati Playhouse, Chicago Shakespeare, Melbourne Theatre Company (AUS), the O'Neill, and Sundance.

Personal life edit

Eric Rosen and actor Claybourne Elder were married on July 28, 2012 in New York State.[16] In 2017 they had a son through surrogacy, who they named Claybourne.[17]

References edit

  1. ^ Wayne, Kevin. "About Face Artistic Director Eric Rosen is Leaving for Kansas City". chicagopride.com. Chicago Pride. Retrieved 19 June 2018.
  2. ^ "Eric Rosen". Internet Broadway Database. IBDB. Retrieved 19 June 2018.
  3. ^ Simonson, Robert. "Steppenwolf, About Face and Tectonic Team on Williams' One Arm". Playbill. Retrieved 19 June 2018.
  4. ^ Trussell, Robert. "KC Rep's Eric Rosen looks to future". Kansascity.com. Kansas City Star. Retrieved 19 June 2018.
  5. ^ Hetrick, Adam. "A Christmas Story: The Musical! Finds Its Ralphie; Casting Set for 5th Avenue Debut". Playbill. Retrieved 19 June 2018.
  6. ^ Snetiker, Marc. "A Christmas Story, The Musical Cast to Reunite for Tony Awards Performance". Broadway.com. Retrieved 19 June 2018.
  7. ^ "Eric Rosen Broadway and Theatre Credits". BroadwayWorld.com. Broadway World. Retrieved 19 June 2018.
  8. ^ Zoglin, Richard (14 May 2010). "Venice, by Way of Kansas City: The Year's Best Musical". Time. Time. Retrieved 19 June 2018.
  9. ^ "Eric Rosen". Lct.org. Lincoln Center. Retrieved 19 June 2018.
  10. ^ Trussell, Robert. "Kansas City Repertory Theatre's 'Sunday in the Park With George' is a triumph of design". KansasCity.com. Kansas City Star. Retrieved 19 June 2018.
  11. ^ Walker, Steve (20 September 2012). "Kansas City Rep Brings 'Pippin' Into The 21st Century". KCUR.com. Kansas City Public Radio. Retrieved 19 June 2018.
  12. ^ Trussell, Robert. "'Hair' at KC Rep soars to unexpected heights". KansasCity.com. Kansas City Star. Retrieved 19 June 2018.
  13. ^ Ring, Trudy (3 March 2016). "Dream Boy Helps Usher In a New Era for Queer Theater". Advocate.com. Advocate. Retrieved 19 June 2018.
  14. ^ H, Clair. "The Public Theater's Venice offers a fresh perspective on a universal truth". Stagedoordish.com. Stage Door Dish. Retrieved 19 June 2018.
  15. ^ "TCG Announces New Appointments to Board of Directors". tcg.org. Theatre Communications Group. Retrieved 19 June 2018.
  16. ^ Wontorek, Paul. "Exclusive! Claybourne Elder on Puppy Love, His Broadway Wedding & Making Music in Pippin with New Hubby Eric Rosen" broadway.com, August 20, 2012
  17. ^ "Broadway's Claybourne Elder & Eric Rosen Welcome First Child". Broadway.com. Retrieved 2018-06-19.