George C. Wolfe

Birth Place: Frankfort, KY, USA

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George C. Wolfe BIO

Theatre directing credits include The Iceman Cometh, Shuffle Along, or the Making of the Musical Sensation of 1921 and All That Followed (NY Drama Critics' Circle Award and Drama Desk Award for Best Musical); Lucky Guy; The Normal Heart (Drama Desk); Jelly's Last Jam (Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Award); Angels in America: Millennium Approaches (Tony Award and Drama Desk) and Perestroika (Drama Desk); Bring in 'da Noise, Bring in 'da Funk (Tony and Drama League Award); Topdog/Underdog (Obie Award); Twilight: Los Angeles, 1992 (Drama Desk); Elaine Stritch at Liberty (Tony for Special Theatrical Event); The Tempest; Caroline, or Change (Olivier Award Best Musical); and A Free Man of Color.
From 1993-2005 Wolfe was the Producer of The Public Theater/New York Shakespeare Festival. He is the writer of the award-winning The Colored Museum, Shuffle Along..., he directed/adapted Spunk (Obie), and Harlem Song.
Wolfe directed and co-wrote the HBO film "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks," as well as "Lackawanna Blues," for which he earned The Directors Guild Award and a National Board of Review Award.
He is the Chief Creative Officer of the Center for Civil and Human Rights, and from 2009-2017 served on The President's Committee for the Arts and the Humanities.
Additional awards include the Actors' Equity Paul Robeson Award, Society of Directors and Choreographers' Mr. Abbott and Callaway Awards, The Dramatists Guild's Hull-Warriner Award, The NAACP Lifetime Achievement Award, The Brendan Gill Prize, and The Monte Cristo Award.
Wolfe was named a Library Lion by the New York Public Library and a living landmark by the New York Landmarks Conservancy.

George C. Wolfe Photos

George C. Wolfe Productions

 
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George C. Wolfe Awards and Nominations

Tony Awards - 2019 - Best Direction of a Play

George C. Wolfe, Gary: A Sequel to Titus Andronicus

Tony Awards - 2018 - Best Direction of a Play

George C. Wolfe, The Iceman Cometh

Tony Awards - 2016 - Best Book of a Musical

George C. Wolfe, Shuffle Along, Or the Making of the Musical Sensation of 1921 and All That Followed

Tony Awards - 2016 - Best Direction of a Musical

George C. Wolfe, Shuffle Along, Or the Making of the Musical Sensation of 1921 and All That Followed

Tony Awards - 2013 - Best Direction of a Play

George C. Wolfe, Lucky Guy


winner
BroadwayWorld Awards - 2011 - Best Direction of a Play

George C. Wolfe, The Normal Heart


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2011 - Outstanding Director of a Play

George C. Wolfe, The Normal Heart

Tony Awards - 2011 - Best Direction of a Play

George C. Wolfe, The Normal Heart


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2004 - Outstanding Director - Musical

George C. Wolfe, Caroline, or Change


winner
Drama League Awards - 2004 - Founders Award for Excellence in Directing

George C. Wolfe


winner
Obie Awards - 2004 - Special Citations for his stewardship of the Public Theater

George C. Wolfe

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2004 - Outstanding Director of a Musical

George C. Wolfe, Caroline

Tony Awards - 2004 - Best Direction of a Musical

George C. Wolfe, Caroline, or Change


winner
Obie Awards - 2002 - Direction

George C. Wolfe, Topdog / Underdog

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2002 - Outstanding Director of a Play

George C. Wolfe, Topdog / Underdog

Tony Awards - 2000 - Best Book of a Musical

George C. Wolfe, The Wild Party

Tony Awards - 2000 - Best Musical

George C. Wolfe, The Wild Party


winner
Drama League Awards - 1996 - Distinguished Achivement in Musical Theatre

George C. Wolfe


winner
Tony Awards - 1996 - Best Direction of a Musical

George C. Wolfe, Bring in 'da Noise/Bring in 'da Funk

Tony Awards - 1996 - Best Musical

George C. Wolfe, Bring in 'da Noise/Bring in 'da Funk

Tony Awards - 1996 - Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre

George C. Wolfe, Bring in 'da Noise/Bring in 'da Funk


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Outer Critics Circle Awards - 1994 - Best Director - Play

George C. Wolfe, Twilight: Los Angeles, 1992


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Outer Critics Circle Awards - 1994 - Best Director - Play

George C. Wolfe, Angels in America

Tony Awards - 1994 - Best Direction of a Play

George C. Wolfe , Angels in America: Perestroika

Drama Desk Awards - 1993 - Outstanding Director - Pla

George C. Wolfe, Angels in America


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Tony Awards - 1993 - Best Direction of a Play

George C. Wolfe , Angels in America: Millennium Approaches


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1992 - Outstanding Book of a Musical

George C. Wolfe, Jelly's Last Jam

Drama Desk Awards - 1992 - Outstanding Director - Musical

George C. Wolfe, Jelly's Last Jam

Tony Awards - 1992 - Best Book of a Musical

George C. Wolfe, Jelly's Last Jam

Tony Awards - 1992 - Best Direction of a Musical

George C. Wolfe , Jelly's Last Jam


winner
Obie Awards - 1990 - Direction

George C. Wolfe, Spunk

George C. Wolfe Videos

George C. Wolfe News


Meet the Cast of LEMPICKA, Beginning Previews Tonight on Broadway

Performances begin tonight, March 19, at the Longacre Theatre for Lempicka, the new musical celebrating the true story of renowned artist Tamara de Lempicka.  Meet the cast of Lempicka here!

Video: Watch Amber Iman Sing 'Stay' from LEMPICKA

Lempicka, the new musical celebrating the true story of renowned artist Tamara de Lempicka, is getting ready to begin performances on Broadway this spring at the Longacre Theatre on Tuesday, March 19, 2024. Watch as cast member Amber Iman, who plays 'Rafaela', performs 'Perfection' in the video below.

Work by Rachel Bloom, Sara Porkalob & More Set for 2024 Williamstown Theatre Festival Summer Season

The 2024 Williamstown Theatre Festival summer season has revealed its lineup. See the shows being presented and learn how to purchase tickets.

Ang Lee, Corey Stoll and Madison Love to be Honored at NYU Tisch School of the Arts' 2024 Gala

New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts will honor world-renowned film director Ang Lee, critically acclaimed film, television and Broadway actor Corey Stoll, and multi-platinum singer and songwriter Madison Love. Learn more about the honorees and about the gala!

Broadway Buying Guide: February 26, 2024- See the New SWEENEY TODD Cast and More

Looking for the best deals on Broadway shows? Welcome to our new weekly guide to the most popular shows listed on BroadwayWorld. Check out which shows are selling this week, February 26, 2024.

Review Roundup: JELLY'S LAST JAM Opens at New York City Center

Read the reviews for Jelly's Last Jam at New York City Center, starring Billy Porter and more.

Photos: The Cast of JELLY'S LAST JAM at City Center Encores! Meets the Press

Jelly’s Last Jam runs February 21 through March 3 at New York City Center. The company recently met the press and BroadwayWorld was on hand to chat with them about the upcoming show. Check out photos from the press event here!

2024 Mike Ockrent Fellowship Recipient To Serve As Fellow On SUFFS On Broadway

The Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation (SDCF) announces the recipient of the 2024 Mike Ockrent Fellowship.

Photos: Encores! JELLY'S LAST JAM Cast Poses for Portrait

Rehearsals are now underway for Encores! next show- Jelly’s Last Jam, led by director Robert O’Hara. Check out a new photo as the cast paused from rehearsals here!

Broadway Buying Guide: February 12, 2024- Get Tickets to MOULIN ROUGE!, SWEENEY TODD, and More

Looking for the best deals on Broadway shows? Welcome to our new weekly guide to the most popular shows listed on BroadwayWorld. Check out which shows are selling this week, February 12, 2024.

Williamstown Theatre Festival Announces New Members To Leadership Team & New Artistic Leadership Model

WILLIAMSTOWN THEATRE FESTIVAL announces new members to leadership team and new artistic leadership model. Get the latest news on the changes happening at the festival.

PUBLIC OBSCENITIES Extends for One Week at Theatre For A New Audience

Theatre for a New Audience is extending the run of Shayok Misha Chowdhury's 'Public Obscenities' at Polonsky Shakespeare Center

Okieriete Onaodowan & Alaman Diadhiou Complete the Cast of Encores! JELLY'S LAST JAM

Okieriete Onaodowan (Hamilton) will join the cast of Encores! Jelly’s Last Jam as Buddy Bolden and Alaman Diadhiou will make his New York stage debut as Young Jelly. See the full cast and learn how to purchase tickets!

Sara Bareilles, Chelsea Clinton & More to Join Vineyard Theatre 2024 Gala Honoring Jesse Tyler Ferguson

Vineyard Theatre has revealed the artists that will participate in the Vineyard's 2024 Gala honoring Tony Award-winning actor Jesse Tyler Ferguson. See who is taking part and learn how to purchase tickets!

Video: The Encores! Orchestra Rehearses JELLY'S LAST JAM

It's Jelly's first Jam! The 15-piece Encores! Orchestra, led by Guest Music Director Jason Michael Webb are jammin’ in “Jelly’s Jam,” a musical theater orchestration of Jelly Roll Morton’s iconic original jazz music, and Webb provides insight into how the music connects past and present in this video.

Ramin Karimloo, Chuck Cooper, Judy Kuhn & More Join Encores! TITANIC

NEW YORK CITY CENTER announced additional casting for Encores! Titanic, the final production of the 30th Encores! series. Check out who has joined the star-studded line-up!

A SIGN OF THE TIMES, BROOKLYN LAUNDRY & More Lead Top Off-Broadway Shows February

What's happening off-Broadway? BroadwayWorld is helping you pick what to see next by rounding up our top recommended theatre each month. Coming up off-Broadway this February are world premieres, new musicals and more.

THE COLOR PURPLE Tops NAACP Image Award Nominations - Full List of Nominees!

The NAACP Image Award Nominations have been announced, with The Color Purple leading with a total of 16 nominations, with nods for Fantasia Barrino, Danielle Brooks, Taraji P. Henson, Colman Domingo, Corey Hawkins, Halle Bailey, Phylicia Pearl Mpasi, and more. Check out the full list of nominations now!

Invictus Theatre Company Presents Suzan- Lori Parks' TOPDOG/UNDERDOG

Full cast and crew have been announced for Invictus Theatre's upcoming production of Suzan Lori-Parks's TOPDOG/UNDERDOG, its first at the Windy City Playhouse, the company's new home.

LEMPICKA On Broadway Adds Beth Leavel, Amber Iman And More To Principal Cast

At a special event at Sotheby's, the new principal cast of Lempicka, the sweeping new musical portrait celebrating the gripping true story of renowned artist Tamara de Lempicka, was announced.

George C. Wolfe FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many shows has George C. Wolfe written?

George C. Wolfe has written 10 shows including Paradise! (Bookwriter/Lyricist), Paradise! (Bookwriter), Queenie Pie (Libretto), The Colored Museum (Playwright), Urban Blight (Bookwriter), Spunk:Three Tales by Zora Neale Hurston (Adaptation), Jelly's Last Jam (Bookwriter), Bring in 'Da Noise, Bring in 'Da Funk (Source Material), The Wild Party (Bookwriter), Shuffle Along Or The Making of the Musical Sensation of 1921 and All That Followed (Book Writer).

What awards has George C. Wolfe been nominated for?

George C. Wolfe has been nominated for several prestigious awards throughout his career, including Best Direction of a Play at the Tony Awards for "Gary: A Sequel to Titus Andronicus," "The Iceman Cometh," "Lucky Guy," and "The Normal Heart." He was also nominated for Best Direction of a Musical at the Tony Awards for "Shuffle Along, Or the Making of the Musical Sensation of 1921 and All That Followed" and "Caroline, or Change." Additionally, he received nominations for Best Book of a Musical at the Tony Awards for "Shuffle Along, Or the Making of the Musical Sensation of 1921 and All That Followed," "The Wild Party," and "Jelly's Last Jam." Other nominations include Outstanding Director of a Play at the Drama Desk Awards for "The Normal Heart," Outstanding Director of a Musical at the Drama Desk Awards for "Caroline, or Change" and "Jelly's Last Jam," and Best Musical at the Tony Awards for "Bring in 'da Noise/Bring in 'da Funk" and "The Wild Party." George C. Wolfe also won awards such as the Founders Award for Excellence in Directing at the Drama League Awards and Special Citations for his stewardship of the Public Theater at the Obie Awards.

What awards has George C. Wolfe won?

George C. Wolfe has won several awards throughout his career, including Best Direction of a Play at the BroadwayWorld Awards for The Normal Heart. He also received the Outstanding Director of a Play award at the Drama Desk Awards for The Normal Heart and the Outstanding Director - Musical award for Caroline, or Change. Additionally, he has been honored with the Founders Award for Excellence in Directing at the Drama League Awards and Special Citations for his stewardship of the Public Theater at the Obie Awards. Wolfe's accolades also include Direction for Topdog / Underdog at the Obie Awards, Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theatre at the Drama League Awards, Best Direction of a Musical at the Tony Awards for Bring in 'da Noise/Bring in 'da Funk, Best Director - Play at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for Angels in America and Twilight: Los Angeles, 1992, and Best Direction of a Play at the Tony Awards for Angels in America: Millennium Approaches. He has also won Outstanding Book of a Musical at the Drama Desk Awards for Jelly's Last Jam and Direction at the Obie Awards for Spunk.

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