Geoffrey Holder (Choreographer) | Playbill

Geoffrey Holder

Choreographer

Mr. Holder replaced the original director, Gilbert Moses, when the show was doing an out-of-town tryout in Detroit. The cast changed during its journey to Broadway. By the time it opened in New York, it included then-unknowns Stephanie Mills (as Dorothy), Hinton Battle (as the Scarecrow), Dee Dee Bridgewater (as Glinda) and Andre De Shields (as The Wiz). Reviews were mixed, but an ad campaign that heavily featured the catchy number "Ease on Down the Road"—as well as an injection of emergency funds by 20th Century Fox, an investor—helped the show's fortunes rebound. Soon it was selling out. It eventually won seven Tony Awards, including prizes for Best Musical, Best Score and Best Direction of a Musical for Mr. Holder. It went on to play 1,672 performances.

Read Full Obituary
  • Born: Aug 01, 1930 in Port of Spain, Trinidad
  • Death: Oct 05, 2014 in New York, NY

Roles (13)

The Boys Choir of Harlem Playbill - Opening Night, Jan 1993 The Boys Choir of Harlem and Friends
Opened January 19, 1993
  • Staging
The Wiz Playbill - Opening Night, May 1984 The Wiz
Opened May 24, 1984
  • Director
  • Costume Design
Timbuktu! Playbill - April 1978 Timbuktu!
Opened March 01, 1978
  • Director
  • Choreographer
  • Costume Design
  • Playbill Cover Illustration
The Wiz Playbill - December 1974 The Wiz
Opened January 05, 1975
  • Director
  • Costume Design
The Wiz Playbill - December 1974
Josephine Baker and Her Company Playbill - Feb 1964 Josephine Baker
Opened February 04, 1964
  • Performer
Josephine Baker and Her Company Playbill - Feb 1964
Pb Listing Placeholder BROADWAY V4 Waiting for Godot
Opened January 21, 1957
  • as Lucky (Original)
House of Flowers Playbill - March 1955 House of Flowers
Opened December 30, 1954
  • as The Champion (Original)
  • Banda Dance Choreography
House of Flowers Playbill - March 1955

Awards

Drama Desk Award
1978 Outstanding Costume Design Nominee
1978 Outstanding Choreography Nominee
1975 Outstanding Director of a Musical Nominee
1975 Outstanding Costume Design Winner
Tony Award
1978 Costume Design (Play or Musical) Nominee
1975 Best Direction of a Musical Winner
1975 Costume Design (Play or Musical) Winner
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