Robert Longbottom

Robert Longbottom (born March 1957) is a New York City-based director, choreographer and director, primarily for theatre and opera.

Early life

Longbottom was born and raised in Portland, Maine. He made his professional theatrical debut at age 8, appearing in the title role in Oliver! at the Brunswick Music Theater, now known as the Maine State Theater. He also played the roles of Winthrop in The Music Man, Patrick in Mame, and Tom of Warwick in Camelot[1]. On Broadway, he appeared in the revival of Little Johnny Jones and the original companies of 42nd Street Candy Co. and Me and My Girl. He understudied the role of Will Parker in the 1980 Agnes De Mille helmed revival of Oklahoma! and played the role of Bobby in the European Company of A Chorus Line[1].

Career

Longbottom made his Broadway debut as the director and choreographer of the original Broadway production of the Tony Award-nominated musical, Side Show. Also on Broadway, Longbottom directed and choreographed the reconceived revival of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Flower Drum Song, with a new book by playwright David Henry Hwang following its premiere at The Mark Taper Forum, earning him a Tony Award nomination for his choreography, as well as Fred Astaire and Outer Critics Circle Award nominations, among others.

Other Broadway credits include The Scarlet Pimpernel at the Minskoff Theatre and Bye Bye Birdie for the Roundabout Theatre Company, starring John Stamos. He conceived, directed and choreographed the musical, Pageant, off-Broadway at the Blue Angel, which was nominated for four Outer Critics Circle Awards and a Drama Desk Award for Unique Theatrical Experience.

Other credits include: Disney’s On The Record, Carnival! for the Kennedy Center[2], The Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular 1994-1999, Show Boat at Carnegie Hall, Triangle at the Eugene O’Neill Center, South Pacific at the Muny Opera, starring Howard Keel and Camelot at the Glimmerglass Festival, starring David Pittsinger and Nathan Gunn. Plays include Mister Roberts for the Kennedy Center and Hay Fever for the Old Globe. Longbottom staged a one night only revival of Anything Goes for Lincoln Center Theatre, starring Patti LuPone, Howard McGillin and Boyd Gaines. He directed and choreographed Broadway Cares / Equity Fights Aids, as well as the three editions of The Easter Bonnet Competition. He participated in the National Alliance for Musical Theatre Festival of New Musicals in 2008, directing Beatsville.

Later projects include a production of La fille du régiment for the Washington National Opera, as well as Dreamgirls, which premiered at the Apollo Theater, prior to an international tour that included Seoul, Tokyo and Johannesburg.

Since 2005, Longbottom has devoted his time to mentoring high school students for Wendy Wasserstein’s "Open Door's" programme. In addition, he conducts master audition classes in colleges and universities.

References

  1. 1 2 "Biography". Robert Longbottom. Retrieved 2018-09-28.
  2. ↑ "Casting Complete for Kennedy Center Carnival | Playbill". Playbill. Retrieved 2018-09-28.
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