Christopher Ashley
Molly Ringwald, Bob Odenkirk, and More Will Lead ARE YOU NOW OR HAVE YOU EVER BEEN Off-Broadway (May 18, 2026)
Roundabout Theatre Company Launches $120 Million Next Stage Campaign for Studio 54 Renovation and Future Programming (May 12, 2026)
Tony Awards History: Which 2026 Revival Nominees Have Won Before? (May 9, 2026)
BIO
Christopher Ashley won the Tony Award for his direction of the stage production of Come From Away on Broadway, and serves as the Artistic Director of the Tony Award-winning La Jolla Playhouse in San Diego, CA. Other film credits include Diana: The Musical on Netflix, the feature films Jeffrey and Lucky Stiff, and the American Playhouse production of Blown Sideways Through Life for PBS. At La Jolla Playhouse, Mr. Ashley directed the world-premiere productions of Come From Away, Diana: The Musical, Escape to Margaritaville, Memphis, The Darrell Hammond Project, Hollywood and Chasing the Song. Other select Playhouse credits include Freaky Friday, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Glengarry Glen Ross. 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, The Rocky Horror Show(Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle Award nominations). Mr. Ashley directed productions of Come From Away in London, Toronto, Australia and on national tour. Other tours include Escape to Margaritaville, Memphis, Xanadu, All Shook Up and Seussical: The Musical. Additional New York stage credits: Blown Sideways Through Life, Jeffrey (Lucille Lortel and Obie Awards), The Most Fabulous Story Ever Told, Valhalla (Lucille Lortel nomination – Outstanding Direction), Regrets Only, Wonder of the World, Communicating Doors, Bunny Bunny, The Night Hank Williams Died, and Fires in the Mirror (Lucille Lortel Award), among others. Mr. Ashley is the recipient of the Princess Grace Award, the Drama League Director Fellowship and an NEA/TCG Director Fellowship.
Photos
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 30: Christopher Ashley poses at a Meet & Greet for the new cast and creative team of the new musical "Diana" on Broadway at The Lotte New York Palace on January 30, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Glikas)
From: Photo Flash: Jeanna de Waal, Roe Hartrampf and More at the DIANA Meet and Greet
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 30: Christopher Ashley poses at a Meet & Greet for the new cast and creative team of the new musical "Diana" on Broadway at The Lotte New York Palace on January 30, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Glikas)
From: Photo Flash: Jeanna de Waal, Roe Hartrampf and More at the DIANA Meet and Greet
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 30: Christopher Ashley and Kelly Devine pose at a Meet & Greet for the new cast and creative team of the new musical "Diana" on Broadway at The Lotte New York Palace on January 30, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Glikas)
From: Photo Flash: Jeanna de Waal, Roe Hartrampf and More at the DIANA Meet and Greet
Productions
Writing
Awards and Nominations
Christopher Ashley, Come From Away
winner
Christopher Ashley, Come From Away
winner
Christopher Ashley, Come From Away
Christopher Ashley, Leap of Faith
Christopher Ashley, Memphis
Christopher Ashley, Memphis
Christopher Ashley, Xanadu
Christopher Ashley, Valhalla
winner
Christopher AshleySweeney Todd
Christopher Ashley, The Rocky Horror Show
Christopher Ashley, The Rocky Horror Show
winner
Christopher Ashley, The Rocky Horror Show
Christopher Ashley , Das Barbecu
Christopher Ashley, Das Barbecii
Christopher Ashley, Jeffrey
winner
Christopher Ashley, Jeffrey
winner
Christopher AshleyFires in the Mirror and Jeffrey
Videos
Video: Opening Night with the Cast of WORKING GIRL at La Jolla Playhouse
by Gillian Blum - 2025-11-22 19:55:26
Video: First Look at JoJo Levesque and More In WORKING GIRL World Premiere at La Jolla Playhouse
by A.A. Cristi - 2025-11-10 19:57:19
Video: Watch 'Strike the Match' From THE HEART at La Jolla Playhouse
by Michael Major - 2025-08-27 16:48:50
Video: Heidi Blickenstaff Sings 'Keep Up' From La Jolla Playhouse's THE HEART
by Michael Major - 2025-08-12 16:47:17
Video: Christopher Ashley Talks Collaborating With Cyndi Lauper on WORKING GIRL Musical
by A.A. Cristi - 2025-07-21 22:57:22
Video: Inside 'The Song of the Brown Buffalo' In THE UNTITLED UNAUTHORIZED HUNTER S. THOMPSON MUSICAL
by A.A. Cristi - 2025-06-20 19:37:48
Video: First Look at THE UNTITLED UNAUTHORIZED HUNTER S. THOMPSON MUSICAL at Signature Theatre
by Michael Major - 2025-06-10 14:00:20
Video: George Salazar Sings 'Brown Buffalo' From THE UNTITLED UNAUTHORIZED HUNTER S. THOMPSON MUSICAL
by Michael Major - 2025-05-29 10:00:20
Video: Behind the Dance of 3 SUMMERS OF LINCOLN at La Jolla Playhouse
by Michael Major - 2025-03-17 13:36:41
Video: Behind the Music of 3 SUMMERS OF LINCOLN at La Jolla Playhouse
by Michael Major - 2025-03-12 10:17:22
Video: First Look at 3 SUMMERS OF LINCOLN at La Jolla Playhouse
by Michael Major - 2025-03-03 10:12:05
Video: Inside Rehearsals for 3 SUMMERS OF LINCOLN at La Jolla Playhouse
by Joshua Wright - 2025-01-29 16:55:04
Video: Joshua Boone Records 'Little Brother' from THE OUTSIDERS
by Blair Ingenthron - 2024-07-14 15:18:24
Video: Christopher Ashley & Eric Keen-Louie On La Jolla Playhouse's DERECHO
by Joshua Wright - 2024-07-10 14:58:50
Exclusive: Watch the Opening Number from THE UNTITLED UNAUTHORIZED HUNTER S. THOMPSON MUSICAL at Signature
by Joshua Wright - 2024-06-03 09:30:20
Video: What it's like playing Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash in The Ballad of Johnny and June
by Joshua Wright - 2024-05-29 10:09:01
News
by Stephi Wild - May 18, 2026
Initial casting has been announced for a new production of Eric Bentley’s 1972 play, ARE YOU NOW OR HAVE YOU EVER BEEN, directed by Tony Award-winning director Anna D. Shapiro.
by A.A. Cristi - May 12, 2026
Roundabout Theatre Company has announced the official public launch of the Next Stage Campaign, a $120 million capital campaign designed to support the organization’s future through renovations, financial investment, and expanded programming.
by Sidney Paterra - May 9, 2026
The results of the 2026 Tony races are very much still up in the air, but many of this season's nominated revivals have been Tony-tested before. How did they fare? The past may not always be the best indicator of the future, but accolades of years past provide interesting insight nonetheless. Check out a complete list of who was nominated, in what categories, and most importantly... if they won!
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 6, 2026
Ruben Santiago-Hudson, David Stone, Tracy Letts and David Rockwell will present the Honorary Awards at the 92nd Annual Drama League Awards, taking place at The Ziegfeld Ballroom.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 4, 2026
The Drama League has revealed the twenty-five stage directors receiving the 2026 fellowships, assistantships, residencies, and exchange opportunities collectively known as The Directors Project.
by Bruce Glikas - Apr 24, 2026
The Rocky Horror Show official is officially open on Broadway at Studio 54! You can now see photos of the film's original star Susan Sarandon, stars like Laverne Cox, and more at the opening night of the show here!
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 23, 2026
THE OUTSIDERS, winner of four 2024 Tony Awards including Best Musical, will play The Kentucky Center in Louisville for a limited engagement presented by PNC Broadway in Louisville.
by Nicole Rosky - Apr 16, 2026
Roundabout Theatre Company has just announced the 2026-2027 season on Broadway and Off-Broadway marking Roundabout’s 60th Season. The season includes two world premieres, three revivals, and two musicals, including The Heart and The Full Monty. We have all of the details!
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 10, 2026
Roundabout Theatre Company will present Dear Friend: A Tribute Concert for Scott Ellis, a special benefit concert, featuring Broadway stars including Annaleigh Ashford, Laura Benanti, Ramin Karimloo and more.
by Stephi Wild - Mar 30, 2026
The first non-English language replica production of The Outsiders is set to premiere at The GS Arts Center in Seoul, South Korea in August 2027, produced by Seensee Company.
by Stephi Wild - Mar 26, 2026
The Outsiders has released a new block of single tickets for performances through January 31, 2027 at Broadway’s Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre. Learn more about how to get tickets here!
by Jennifer Broski - Mar 10, 2026
Roundabout Theatre Company hosted its 2026 Gala at the Ziegfeld Ballroom, honoring Emmy Award-winner Jean Smart. BroadwayWorld was there for the big night and you can check out photos below!
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 23, 2026
The 2026 Helen Hayes Award nominations have been announced, recognizing outstanding achievement in Washington-area professional theatre. Arena Stage, Signature Theatre, Shakespeare Theatre Company, Round House Theatre, and dozens of regional companies are represented across performance, direction, design, and production categories. The awards highlight the breadth of theatre work presented throughout the D.C. metropolitan area.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 20, 2026
Last week, Broadway Across America convened approximately 250 of the commercial theater industry’s most influential leaders for the Biennial Broadway Across America Theatrical Conference. See photos.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 7, 2026
La Jolla Playhouse has revealed the cast and creative team for its world-premiere production of The Recipe, by Tony Award nominee Claudia Shear. The production will star Norbert Leo Butz and more.
by A.A. Cristi - Dec 12, 2025
Go behind the scenes of Working Girl, the new musical adaptation of the iconic 1988 film. The show features an original score by the legendary and Tony Award-winning, Cyndi Lauper. Watch new behind the scenes video of the legend herself discussing the new project.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Dec 4, 2025
Concord Theatricals has secured exclusive worldwide secondary stage licensing rights to Adam Rapp, Jamestown Revival and Justin Levine’s musical The Outsiders.
by Gillian Blum - Nov 22, 2025
The cast of the new show WORKING GIRL, based on the 1988 movie, talks about the world premiere musical at La Jolla Playhouse on its opening night in a new video.
by Evan Henerson - Nov 22, 2025
WORKING GIRL ultimately soars and plummets based on the root-ability quotient of its title character. Singer and author Joanna “JoJo” Levesque can’t really be classified as a discovery. She’s as good as her material, which is solid, tuneful and plenty enjoyable.
by ErinMarie Reiter - Nov 20, 2025
Based on the beloved 1988 film but modernized around the edges, “Working Girl” at the La Jolla Playhouse has big expectations and even bigger hair, but never quite hits the mark.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Christopher Ashley has written 1 shows including Buzzsaw Berkeley (Conceiver).
Outstanding Director of a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for Come From Away, Outstanding Director of a Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Come From Away, Best Direction of a Musical (Tony Awards) for Come From Away, Outstanding Director of a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for Leap of Faith , Outstanding Director of a Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Memphis, Best Direction of a Musical (Tony Awards) for Memphis, Outstanding Director of a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for Xanadu, Outstanding Director (The Lortels) for Valhalla, Outstanding Director, Resident Musical (Helen Hayes Awards) for Sweeney Todd, Outstanding Director of a Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for The Rocky Horror Show, Best Direction of a Musical (Tony Awards) for The Rocky Horror Show, Outstanding Director - Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for The Rocky Horror Show, Outstanding Director - Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for Das Barbecu, Outstanding Director - Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for Das Barbecii, Outstanding Director - Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Jeffrey, Direction (Obie Awards) for Jeffrey and Outstanding Director (The Lortels) for Fires in the Mirror and Jeffrey.
Christopher Ashley has won several prestigious awards, including: - Outstanding Director of a Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Come From Away - Best Direction of a Musical (Tony Awards) for Come From Away - Outstanding Director, Resident Musical (Helen Hayes Awards) for Sweeney Todd - Outstanding Director - Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for The Rocky Horror Show - Direction (Obie Awards) for Jeffrey - Outstanding Director (The Lortels) for Fires in the Mirror and Jeffrey
Videos
