Tony-winning Come From Away director Christopher Ashley has been named the 2024 recipient of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation's "Mr. Abbott" Award.
Ashley will be presented with the award, which honors a Broadway director or choreographer, March 31, 2025, at the City Winery in New York City.
Named in honor of the late, renowned director George Abbott, previous recipients include Michael Bennett, Arvin Brown, Vinnette Carroll, Graciela Daniele, Gordon Davidson, Agnes de Mille, Zelda Fichandler, Cy Feuer, Bob Fosse, Peter Gennaro, Garson Kanin, James Lapine, Kenny Leon, Gillian Lynne, Kathleen and Rob Marshall, Marshall W. Mason, Lynne Meadow, Jerry Mitchell, Mike Nichols, Trevor Nunn, Jack O’Brien, Harold Prince, Lloyd Richards, Donald Saddler, Gene Saks, Andrei Serban, Susan Stroman, Daniel Sullivan, Julie Taymor, Tommy Tune, George C. Wolfe, Jerry Zaks, and Victoria Traube, the first-ever receipt of a Special “Mr. Abbott” Award.
“As a previous 'Mr. Abbott' awardee, I want to celebrate Chris who is so deserving of this recognition,” stated 2015 recipient Lapine. “He is not only one of our most talented directors but has always been kind, generous, and supportive of his peers. Big time congratulations.”
“On behalf of the SDCF Board of Trustees, we are thrilled to honor Christopher Ashley this season for his contributions to the American Theatre,” added SDCF Director Dani Barlow. “The range of his work—which includes such exceptional new musicals and plays as his Tony Award-winning production of Come From Away and numerous premieres —is extraordinary. Each piece he directs brings a spirit of collaboration and joy to his fellow artists—and, of course, to audiences. Chris’ extraordinary craft and artistry, along with serving as artistic director of La Jolla Playhouse, have shaped work on Broadway—and beyond—for many years and will continue to do so for many more years to come.”
Chairing the “Mr. Abbott” Award Committee are producer Sue Frost; The John Gore Organization's Kumiko Yoshii; playwright and director Doug Wright; and SDCF Trustee Justin Emeka. Tony nominee Jenn Colella and Tony winner Brian Stokes Mitchell will serve as Honorary
Co-Chairs for the upcoming celebration.
Proceeds from the Gala will benefit the programs of SDCF.
Ashley serves as the Rich Family Artistic Director of the Tony-winning La Jolla Playhouse in San Diego, California. In addition to Come From Away, other Broadway credits include; Diana: The Musical; Escape to Margaritaville, Xanadu, Leap of Faith (Drama Desk Award nomination); Memphis (Tony, Outer Critics Circle nominations); All Shook Up; and The Rocky Horror Show (Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle Award nominations). He is also the recipient of the Princess Grace Award, the Drama League Director Fellowship, and an NEA/TCG Director Fellowship.
For more information visit SDCFoundation.org.
