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Rob MarshallAmerican film and theater director, choreographer
Country:
 USA |
Content:
- Biography of Rob Marshall
- Early Life and Career
- Breakthrough in Theater
- Success in Film and Television
- Success in Film
Biography of Rob Marshall
Rob Marshall (born October 17, 1960) is an American film and theater director, and choreographer. He is a six-time Tony Award nominee, an Oscar and Golden Globe nominee, and an Emmy Award winner.
Early Life and Career
Marshall was born in Madison, Wisconsin. As a young boy, he made amateur films at home with his sisters, even creating a parody of the popular television series "The Brady Bunch". However, he soon discovered his true passion for dance and began performing in various productions. He eventually became a featured performer and later a choreographer. After graduating from Carnegie Mellon University, Marshall became a director. During his time in college, he also worked on successful productions such as "Cats" and "Zorba".
Breakthrough in Theater
Marshall's first significant Broadway project was as the additional choreographer for the 1993 production of "The Kiss of the Spider Woman" with music and lyrics by Kander and Ebb. He had the opportunity to work with legends such as director Hal Prince, choreographer Vincent Patterson, and star Chita Rivera. Marshall was later invited by Prince to work on the 1995 production of "Company", which led to his involvement in "Petrified Prince" at the Public Theater. He then worked on the Tony Award-winning Broadway revival of "She Loves Me" in 1993 and later received an Olivier Award nomination for the London production. Marshall also choreographed the national tour and London production of "Damn Yankees", earning his second Olivier Award nomination.
Success in Film and Television
Marshall's success in theater caught the attention of Hollywood. In the mid-1990s, he was invited to choreograph dance numbers for several television projects, including "Mrs. Santa Claus". In 1998, Marshall returned to Broadway as a director for the popular revival of "Cabaret" with Alan Cumming and Natasha Richardson. The show won numerous awards, including Tony, Drama Desk, and Outer Critics Circle Awards. That same year, Marshall directed the Broadway productions of Neil Simon's "Little Me" and "Promises, Promises" at the City Center Encores! program.
In 1999, Marshall made his mark on the small screen by directing the Disney and ABC collaboration "Annie" starring Kathy Bates, Victor Garber, Alan Cumming, and Kristin Chenoweth. The film became a huge success, earning Marshall an Emmy Award for Best Directing and Choreography, as well as a nomination for the Directors Guild of America Award.
Success in Film
Following his television success, Marshall was approached by Miramax to work on the film adaptation of the musical "Rent". However, he was later given the opportunity to direct the film adaptation of "Chicago", a project that had previously failed to come to fruition. Marshall succeeded where others had not, and "Chicago" was released in 2002 to critical acclaim and commercial success.
After "Chicago", Marshall went on to direct a series of successful films, including "Memoirs of a Geisha" in 2005 and the film adaptation of the musical "Nine" in 2009. Currently, Marshall is working on the upcoming installment of the "Pirates of the Caribbean" franchise, set to be released in 2011. Despite his success in film, Marshall continues to be involved in theater, using his choreography talents in recent productions.
