Jerry Zaks

Jerry Zaks (born September 7, 1946) is an American stage and television director, and actor. He won the Tony Award for Best Direction of a Play and Drama Desk Award for directing The House of Blue Leaves (1986), Lend Me a Tenor (1989), and Six Degrees of Separation (1991) and the Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musical and Drama Desk Award for Guys and Dolls (1992).

Jerry Zaks
Born (1946-09-07) September 7, 1946
Stuttgart, Germany
Occupation(s)Theatre, film director
SpouseJill Rose (2 children)

Early life

Zaks was born in Stuttgart, Germany, the son of Holocaust survivors Lily (Gliksman) and Sy Zaks, a butcher.[1] His family immigrated to the United States in 1948, finally settling in Paterson, New Jersey, where he graduated from Eastside High School in 1963.[2][3] He graduated from Dartmouth College and received a Master of Fine Arts from Smith College.[4]

Career

Stage

He made his Broadway acting debut in the original production of Grease as "Kenickie" and appeared in Tintypes in 1980. He made his directing debut in 1981 with the off-Broadway production of Christopher Durang's Beyond Therapy, which co-starred Sigourney Weaver.[5] He has directed many Broadway productions, both musicals and dramas.

He has also directed many Off-Broadway productions, several at Playwrights Horizons and the Public Theater. He directed the City Center Encores! productions of Girl Crazy (November 2009),[6] Stairway to Paradise (May 2007),[7] and Bye Bye Birdie (May 2004).[8]

He was the director of the new musical The 101 Dalmatians Musical, which toured the United States from October 2009 through April 2010.[9] Zaks was named "creative consultant" for the new musical The Addams Family, which opened on Broadway in April 2010.[10]

He directed the Broadway production of Sister Act, which opened in Spring 2011.[11]

Lincoln Center

Zaks served as Resident Director at Lincoln Center from 1986 to 1990 and is a founding member of the Ensemble Studio Theatre.[12]

Television and film

As an actor, Zaks' screen credits include Outrageous Fortune, Crimes and Misdemeanors, and Husbands and Wives. On television he has appeared in M*A*S*H and The Edge of Night and directed episodes of Everybody Loves Raymond, Frasier, Hope and Faith, and Two and a Half Men, among others. He also directed the feature films Marvin's Room and Who Do You Love?[13] Marvin's Room won the Golden St. George at the 20th Moscow International Film Festival.[14]

Honors

Zaks received the George Abbott Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theater in 1994 and an honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts from Dartmouth College in 1999. He was inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame in 2013.[15]

Personal life

Zaks married Jill Rose, an actress, on January 14, 1979; they have two children, Emma and Hannah Zaks.[1]

Credits

Film
Year Title Role Notes Ref.
1987Outrageous FortuneTobacco Clerk[16]
1989Crimes and MisdemeanorsMan on Campus[16]
1992Husbands and WivesDinner Party Guest[17]
1996Marvin's RoomDirectorDirectorial debut[18]
2008Who Do You Love?Director[16]

Television
Year Title Role Notes Ref.
1973The New Temperatures Rising ShowEpisode: "The Misguided Appendectomy"[16]
1973M*A*S*HCpl. Phil WalkerEpisode: "L.I.P. (Local Indigenous Personnel)"[16]
1980AtticaLenny BeckerTV movie
1981The Gentleman BanditCarl SchneeTV movie
1983–1984The Edge of NightLouis Van Dine24 episodes
1996O'Henry's ChristmasDirectorSegment: "The Last Leaf"[16]
2000The BeatEpisode: "Can I Get a Witness?"
2000The Man Who Came to DinnerDirectorTelevision movie[16]
2001KristinDirector2 episodes[16]
2001–2004Everybody Loves RaymondDirector21 episodes[16]
2002Bram and AliceDirector7 episodes[16]
2002–2003FrasierDirector4 episodes[16]
2004All About the AndersonsDirector2 episodes[16]
2004Married to the KellysDirectorEpisode: "Double Dating"[16]
2004Hope and FaithDirector2 episodes[16]
2006–2007Two and a Half MenDirector3 episodes[16]

Theatre
Year Title Role Venue Ref.
1972GreaseKenickie (Replacement)Eden Theatre, Broadway[19]
1978Once in a LifetimeWeisskopfCircle in the Square Theatre, Broadway[20]
1980TintypesPerformerJohn Golden Theatre, Broadway[21]
1986The House of Blue LeavesDirectorVivian Beaumont Theatre, Broadway[22]
1986The Front PageDirectorVivian Beaumont Theatre, Broadway[23]
1987Anything GoesDirectorVivian Beaumont Theatre, Broadway[24]
1989Lend Me a TenorDirectorRoyale Theatre, Broadway[25]
1990Six Degrees of SeparationDirectorVivian Beaumont Theatre, Broadway[26]
1992Guys and DollsDirectorMartin Beck Theatre, Broadway[27]
1993Face ValueDirectorCort Theatre, Broadway[28]
1993Laughter on the 23rd FloorDirectorRichard Rodgers Theatre, Broadway[29]
1995Smokey Joe's CafeDirectorVirginia Theatre, Broadway[30]
1996A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the ForumDirectorSt. James Theatre, Broadway[31]
1999The Civil WarDirectorSt. James Theatre, Broadway[32]
1999Epic ProportionsDirectorHelen Hayes Theatre, Broadway[33]
1999Swing!Production SupervisorSt. James Theatre, Broadway[34]
2000The Man Who Came to DinnerDirectorAmerican Airlines Theatre, Broadway[35]
200145 Seconds from BroadwayDirectorRichard Rodgers Theatre, Broadway[36]
2003Little Shop of HorrorsDirectorVirginia Theatre, Broadway[37]
2004La Cage aux FollesDirectorMarquis Theatre, Broadway[38]
2006The Caine Mutiny Court-MartialDirectorGerald Schoenfeld Theatre, Broadway[39]
2006Losing LouieDirectorBiltmore Theatre, Broadway[40]
2007A Bronx TaleDirectorWalter Kerr Theatre, Broadway[41]
2011Sister ActDirectorBroadway Theatre, Broadway[42]
2016A Bronx TaleDirectorLongacre Theatre, Broadway[43]
2017Hello, Dolly!DirectorSam S. Shubert Theatre, Broadway[44]
2017Meteor ShowerDirectorBooth Theatre, Broadway[45]
2020Mrs. DoubtfireDirectorStephen Sondheim Theatre, Broadway[46]
2021The Music ManDirectorWinter Garden Theatre, Broadway[47]

Awards and nominations
Year Association Category Project Result Ref.
1986 Tony Awards Best Direction of a Play The House of Blue Leaves Won [48]
1988 Best Direction of a Musical Anything Goes Nominated [49]
1989 Best Direction of a Play Lend Me a Tenor Won [50]
1991 Six Degrees of Separation Won [51]
1992 Best Direction of a Musical Guys and Dolls Won [52]
1995 Smokey Joe's Cafe Nominated [53]
1996 A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum Nominated [54]
2017 Hello, Dolly! Nominated [55]
1980Drama Desk AwardOutstanding Actor in a MusicalTintypesNominated
1986Outstanding Director of a PlayThe Marriage of Bette & Boo / The House of Blue LeavesWon
1988Outstanding Director of a MusicalAnything GoesNominated
1989Outstanding Director of a PlayLend Me a TenorWon
1991Six Degrees of SeparationWon
1991Outstanding Director of a MusicalAssassinsNominated
1992Guys and DollsWon
2006Outstanding Director of a PlayThe Caine Mutiny Court-MartialNominated
2022Drama League AwardBest Direction of a MusicalThe Music ManNominated
1985Obie AwardThe Marriage of Bette and Boo / The ForeignerWon
1988Outer Critics Circle AwardsBest DirectionWenceslas SquareWon
2022Best Direction of a MusicalMrs. DoubtfireNominated

References
  1. Filmreference.com
  2. Beckerman, Jim. "Tony-award winning director Jerry Zaks goes home to Paterson", The Record, March 27, 2016. Accessed October 18, 2021. "As if he was – at heart — just another student at Paterson's Eastside High School, which he graduated from 53 years ago.... Though Zaks, a New York resident since the late 1960s, hadn't been back to Eastside since 1963, when he graduated, Eastside came back to him – through his work."
  3. Shapiro, Danielle. "Celebrating 80 years of Eastside High", The Record, December 1, 2006. Accessed October 18, 2021, via Newspapers.com. "Jerry Joseph Zaks Class of 1963, Broadway theater director, who directed more than 30 productions on the Great White Way including, The Front Page, Anything Goes and Smokey Joe's Cafe."
  4. Rothstein, Mervyn. "Stage Struck" Archived 2007-02-03 at the Wayback Machine Cigaraficionado.com, March/April 1998
  5. Gussow, Mel (January 6, 1981). "Stage:'Beyond Therapy by Durang at Phoenix". The New York Times. p. C11. Retrieved August 4, 2017.
  6. Hernandez, Ernio and Hetrick, Adam."They've Got Rhythm: Gasteyer, Knight, Kudisch Lead Gershwin's Girl Crazy for Encores! Nov. 19-22" Archived 2011-06-04 at the Wayback Machine playbill.com, Nov 19, 2009
  7. Gans, Andrew."Casting Complete for Encores! Stairway to Paradise" Archived 2011-06-04 at the Wayback Machine playbill.com, April 19, 2007
  8. Brantley, Ben."Review The New York Times, May 8, 2004
  9. Hetrick, Adam and Jones, Kenneth. "101 Dalmatians: The Musical Tour to Launch in Minneapolis; Will Play NYC" Archived 2011-06-04 at the Wayback Machine Playbill.com, July 9, 2009
  10. Jones, Kenneth."Zaks Is New Patriarch of Addams Family; Previews Will Now Begin March 8" Archived 2011-06-04 at the Wayback Machine Playbill.com, December 29, 2009
  11. SISTER ACT Confirms Broadway for Spring 2011; Zaks to Direct. Broadwayworld.com
  12. Biography Archived 2011-06-04 at the Wayback Machine Playbill.com, accessed January 30, 2010
  13. Holden, Stephen (April 8, 2010). "Fictional History: What It Was Like to Start Rock 'n' Roll, Sort Of". The New York Times.
  14. "20th Moscow International Film Festival (1997)". MIFF. Archived from the original on 2013-03-22. Retrieved 2013-03-22.
  15. "Cherry Jones, Ellen Burstyn, Cameron Mackintosh and More Inducted Into Broadway's Theater Hall of Fame". Theatermania.com. 27 January 2014. Retrieved March 23, 2014.
  16. "Jerry Zaks - IMDB". IMDB. Retrieved April 25, 2024.
  17. "STAGE : The Laugh Doctor Is In : A sensitivity to the mechanics of comedy has earned director Jerry Zaks four Tonys and cheers from his peers". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved April 25, 2024.
  18. "Marvin's Room". Variety. Retrieved April 25, 2024.
  19. "Grease (Broadway, 1972)". April 25, 2024.
  20. "Once in a Lifetime (Broadway, 1978)". Playbill. Retrieved April 25, 2024.
  21. "Tintypes (Broadway, 1980)". April 25, 2024.
  22. "The House of Blue Leaves (Broadway, 1986)". Playbill. Retrieved April 25, 2024.
  23. "The Front Page (Broadway, 1986)". Playbill. Retrieved April 25, 2024.
  24. "Anything Goes (Broadway, 1987)". Playbill. Retrieved April 25, 2024.
  25. "Lend Me a Tenor (Broadway, 1989)". Playbill. Retrieved April 25, 2024.
  26. "Six Degrees of Separation (Broadway, 1990)". Playbill. Retrieved April 25, 2024.
  27. "Guys and Dolls (Broadway, 1992)". Playbill. Retrieved April 25, 2024.
  28. "Hwang play falls on 'Face'". Variety. Retrieved April 25, 2024.
  29. "Laughter on the 23rd Floor (Broadway, 1993)". Playbill. Retrieved April 25, 2024.
  30. "Smokey Joe's Cafe (Broadway, 1995)". Playbill. Retrieved April 25, 2024.
  31. "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (Broadway, 1996)". Playbill. Retrieved April 25, 2024.
  32. "Civil War (Broadway, 1999)". Playbill. Retrieved April 25, 2024.
  33. "Epic Proportions (Broadway, 1999)". Playbill. Retrieved April 25, 2024.
  34. "Swing! (Broadway, 1999)". Playbill. Retrieved April 25, 2024.
  35. "The Man Who Came to Dinner (Broadway, 2000)". Playbill. Retrieved April 25, 2024.
  36. "45 Seconds from Broadway (Broadway, 2001)". Playbill. Retrieved April 25, 2024.
  37. "Little Shop of Horrors (Broadway, 2003)". April 25, 2024.
  38. "La Cage aux Folles (Broadway, 2004)". Playbill. Retrieved April 25, 2024.
  39. "The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial (Broadway, 2006)". Playbill. Retrieved April 25, 2024.
  40. "Losing Louie (Broadway, 2006)". April 25, 2024.
  41. "A Bronx Tale (Broadway, 2007)". April 25, 2024.
  42. "Sister Act (Broadway, 2011)". Playbill. Retrieved April 25, 2024.
  43. "A Bronx Tale (Broadway, 2016)". Playbill. Retrieved April 25, 2024.
  44. "Hello, Dolly! (Broadway, 2017)". Playbill. Retrieved April 25, 2024.
  45. "Meteor Shower (Broadway, 2017)". Playbill. Retrieved April 25, 2024.
  46. "Mrs. Doubtfire (Broadway, 2020)". Playbill. Retrieved April 25, 2024.
  47. "The Music Man (Broadway, 2021)". Playbill. Retrieved April 25, 2024.
  48. "1986 Tony Awards Nominees". American Theatre Wing. Retrieved April 25, 2024.
  49. "1988 Tony Awards Nominees". American Theatre Wing. Retrieved April 25, 2024.
  50. "1989 Tony Awards Nominees". American Theatre Wing. Retrieved April 25, 2024.
  51. "1991 Tony Awards Nominees". American Theatre Wing. Retrieved April 25, 2024.
  52. "1992 Tony Awards Nominees". American Theatre Wing. Retrieved April 25, 2024.
  53. "1995 Tony Awards Nominees". American Theatre Wing. Retrieved April 25, 2024.
  54. "1996 Tony Awards Nominees". American Theatre Wing. Retrieved April 25, 2024.
  55. "2017 Tony Awards Nominees". American Theatre Wing. Retrieved April 25, 2024.
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