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Joe Layton

 
Director: Joe Layton
Home > Library > Entertainment & Arts > Actors
  • Born: May 03, 1931 in New York City, New York
  • Died: May 05, 1994
  • Occupation: Director
  • Active: '60s-'90s
  • Major Genres: Musical, Music
  • Career Highlights: Richard Pryor: Live on the Sunset Strip, Annie, Thoroughly Modern Millie
  • First Major Screen Credit: Thoroughly Modern Millie (1967)

Biography

Choreographer, producer, director, and writer Joe Layton found success on Broadway, television, and in feature films. Renowned for setting up spectacular live concerts, Layton was especially adept at stage work and over his career won Tonys for choreographing No Strings (1962) and George M! (1969). In 1965, Layton won an Emmy for staging the television special My Name Is Barbra, the show that introduced the world to the sophisticated side of Barbra Streisand. He would later create three more specials for Streisand. Born Joseph Lichtman in New York City, Layton launched his career in 1959 when he directed and choreographed the first run of Once Upon a Mattress, the show that made Carol Burnett a star. The same year, he put on The Sound of Music, which starred Mary Martin, and the Anthony Perkins play Greenwillow. In 1960, he worked with Martin again, this time on television, on her much-loved Thanksgiving Day Special. Layton broke into films as the dance director for Thoroughly Modern Millie (1967) and executive produced the screen version of Annie (1982). Layton worked with Bette Midler on several major projects, including her live Clams on the Half Shell Revue and the choreography for her ill-received tribute to the USO, For the Boys (1991). ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
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Wikipedia: Joe Layton
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Home > Library > Miscellaneous > Wikipedia
Joe Layton
Born Joseph Lichtman
May 3, 1931(1931-05-03)
Brooklyn, New York, USA
Died May 5, 1994 (aged 63)
Key West, Florida, USA
Occupation Choreographer, dancer

Joe Layton (May 3, 1931 – May 5, 1994) was an American director and choreographer known primarily for his work on Broadway.

Contents

Biography

Born Joseph Lichtman in Brooklyn, New York, Layton began his career as a dancer in Wonderful Town (1953), and he appeared uncredited in the ensemble of the original live TV production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella (1957) starring Julie Andrews.[1] However from the start, his primary interest was in musical staging. In addition to his many legitimate theatre credits, he conceived and directed Broadway concerts for Bette Midler (1975), Diana Ross (1976), and Harry Connick, Jr. (1990).

In 1965, Layton won an Emmy Award for his work on My Name Is Barbra, the television special that introduced the public to the more sophisticated side of Barbra Streisand. It was his first of four collaborations with the star; the others were Color Me Barbra (1966), The Belle of 14th Street (1967) and Barbra Streisand ... And Other Musical Instruments (1973).

He also directed and/or produced specials for Paul Lynde, Hal Linden, Richard Pryor, and Olivia Newton-John.

Layton broke into films as the dance director for Thoroughly Modern Millie in 1967. He executive produced the film version of Annie (1982) and reunited with Midler to choreograph For the Boys (1991).

Layton directed the 1972 West End and 1973 Los Angeles productions of Scarlett, the musical stage adaptation of Gone with the Wind, and the 1985 world premiere of the Jule Styne musical Pieces of Eight in Edmonton.

Joe Layton also choreographed a ballet for the Sadlers Wells Royal Ballet, London titled "Grand Tour" which received critical acclaim as well as a warm reception from the audiences around the UK.

Selected credits

TV

Film

Awards and nominations

Awards
Nominations
  • 1960 Tony Award for Best Choreography – Greenwillow[5]
  • 1962 Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musical – No Strings[6]
  • 1966 Emmy Award - Musical Program - Color Me Barbra (TV)[7]
  • 1973 Emmy Award - Special - Comedy-Variety, Variety or Music - Barbra Streisand ... And Other Musical Instruments (TV)[8]
  • 1980 Tony Award for Best Choreography – Barnum
  • 1980 Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musical – Barnum
  • 1980 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Choreography – Barnum
  • 1980 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Director of a Musical – Barnum

References

  1. ^ Shulman, Arthur; Youman, Roger (1966). "Chapter V — They Called Them Spectaculars". How Sweet It Was — Television: A Pictorial Commentary. New York: Bonanza Books, a division of Crown Publishers, Inc., by arrangement with Shorecrest, Inc.. 
  2. ^ Kaplan, Mike, ed (1985). Variety Presents the Complete Book of Major U.S. Show Business Awards. New York: Garland Publishing, Inc.. p. 282. ISBN 0-8240-8919-7. 
  3. ^ Kaplan, p. 119
  4. ^ Kaplan, p. 288
  5. ^ Kaplan, p. 280
  6. ^ Kaplan, p. 281
  7. ^ Kaplan, p. 120
  8. ^ Kaplan, p. 161

External links


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Tony Award for Best Choreography

Agnes de Mille / Michael Kidd (1947) · Jerome Robbins (1948) · Gower Champion (1949) · Helen Tamiris (1950) · Michael Kidd (1951) · Robert Alton (1952) · Donald Saddler (1953) · Michael Kidd (1954) · Bob Fosse (1955) · Bob Fosse (1956) · Michael Kidd (1957) · Jerome Robbins (1958) · Bob Fosse (1959) · Michael Kidd (1960) · Gower Champion (1961) · Joe Layton (1962) · Bob Fosse (1963) · Gower Champion (1964) · Jerome Robbins (1965) · Bob Fosse (1966) · Ron Field (1967) · Gower Champion (1968) · Joe Layton (1969) · Ron Field (1970) · Donald Saddler (1971) · Michael Bennett (1972) · Bob Fosse (1973) · Michael Bennett (1974) · George Faison (1975)

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