Joel Zwick Headshot

Joel Zwick

Birth Place: Brooklyn, NY, USA

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Joel Zwick BIO

Joel Zwick is an American director and producer with a career spanning over four decades. He was born on January 11, 1942, in Brooklyn, New York. Zwick attended Brooklyn College where he studied theater and film.
Zwick began his career in theater, directing several Off-Broadway productions in the 1960s. He made his Broadway debut in 1974 with the play "George M!" which starred Joel Grey. Zwick went on to direct several other Broadway productions, including "The Robber Bridegroom" in 1976 and "Dance with Me" in 1979.
In addition to his work in theater, Zwick has also directed and produced several television shows and films. He directed episodes of popular TV shows such as "Full House," "Growing Pains," and "Perfect Strangers." Zwick also directed the hit film "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" in 2002, which became one of the highest-grossing independent films of all time. He also directed the film's sequel, "My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2," which was released in 2016.
Zwick's success in both theater and film has earned him several accolades throughout his career. He received a Tony Award nomination for Best Direction of a Musical for "Dance with Me" in 1979. In 2003, he won the Independent Spirit Award for Best First Feature for "My Big Fat Greek Wedding." Zwick also received an Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series for his work on "Full House" in 1990.
Zwick's most recent work includes directing episodes of the TV shows "Girlfriends' Guide to Divorce" and "Young Sheldon." He also directed the film "Fat Albert" in 2004 and the TV movie "The Pregnancy Pact" in 2010.
In addition to his work as a director and producer, Zwick is also a writer. He co-wrote the play "Lenny's Back" with Lenny Bruce's daughter, Kitty Bruce, which premiered Off-Broadway in 2015.

Joel Zwick STAGE CREDITS

[Broadway]
1975
Bulldog Allen

[Off-Broadway]
1971
Venerable Zwish

[Off-Broadway]
1967
Aide/ Spectator/ Crony's Crony

Joel Zwick Productions

 
[Los Angeles, 2010]
Director
 
[San Diego, CA (Regional), 2008]
Director
 
[Chicago (Regional), 2005]
Director
 
[West End, 2004]
Director
 
[Broadway, 2002]
Director
 
[Broadway, 2001]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 1977]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 1977]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1975]
Choreographer
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 1971]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 1968]
Movement Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 1967]
Stage Manager

Joel Zwick Movies

Elvis Has Left the Building
[ 2004 ] Squhed Elvis

Joel Zwick Awards and Nominations

Drama Desk Awards - 1975 - Outstanding Director - Musical

Joel Zwick, Dance With Me

Tony Awards - 1975 - Best Choreography

Joel Zwick , Dance With Me

Joel Zwick Videos

Joel Zwick News


YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN, BEAUTIFUL, and More Set For Geva Theatre's 2024-25 Season


Geva Theatre has announced its 24/25 Season, kicking off this September. Learn more about the full lineup here!

VIDEO: First Look At Hershey Felder in GEORGE GERSHWIN ALONE At TheatreWorks Silicon Valley


Get a first look at Hershey Felder as he illuminates the life and music of George Gershwin, the legendary tunesmith whose work shaped a distinctly American style of music with such iconic works such as “A Rhapsody in Blue,” “I Got Rhythm,” “’S Wonderful,” and many more.

Review: SUKKOT at Skylight Theatre


Nestled uneasily in a space between comedy and misery, SUKKOT makes shoddy use of a good cast to serve up a banquet of familial angst and misery.

Interview: Natalie Lander's Excitedly Back on the L.A. Boards with SUKKOT


The 6th Act world premieres Matthew Leavitt’s SUKKOT opening January 13, 2024; at the Skylight Theatre. Joel Zwick directs the cast of Natalie Lander, Liza Seneca, Andy Robinson and Jonathan Slavin. A regular familiar face on the Los Angeles stages, Natalie carved out some time to answer a few of my queries.

GEORGE GERSHWIN ALONE Comes to South Coast Repertory This Month


South Coast Repertory presents pianist/actor/playwright/producer Hershey Felder for a limited engagement of Hershey Felder as George Gershwin Alone, Jan. 18-28 on the Julianne Argyros Stage.

Tickets On Sale Today For HERSHEY FELDER AS GEORGE GERSHWIN ALONE at TheatreWorks Silicon Valley


Tickets for TheatreWorks Silicon Valley’s highly-anticipated, limited engagement of the hit solo show Hershey Felder as George Gershwin Alone will go on sale to the public 1pm PST, Friday, December 15, 2023.

World Premiere of SUKKOT Comes to the 6th Act in January


The 6th Act has announced that Natalie Lander, Liza Seneca, Andy Robinson and Jonathan Slavin will star in the world premiere of SUKKOT, written by Matthew Leavitt (The Boomerang Effect) and directed by Joel Zwick (My Big Fat Greek Wedding).  

Review: MONSIEUR CHOPIN at 59E59 Theaters-A Brilliant Portrait of the Polish Composer


If you plan to see just one show this holiday season, make it 'Hershey Felder as Monsieur Chopin' being performed at 59E59 Theaters through December 24th.  

Hershey Felder Brings GEORGE GERSHWIN ALONE to the Town Hall


Actor/pianist Hershey Felder will present George Gershwin Alone in New York City for the first time in over 20 years as a special one night only performance, with 100% of net proceeds, and Felder donating 100% of his portion, to benefit the Entertainment Community Fund.

HERSHEY FELDER AS GEORGE GERSHWIN ALONE is Coming to TheatreWorks in February


Hershey Felder brings the tour de force musical masterpiece 'Hershey Felder as George Gershwin Alone' to TheatreWorks in Feb. 2024.

Interview: Jonathan Slavin's High on Introducing Us to FREUD ON COCAINE


The world premiere of Howard Skora’s Freud on Cocaine opens September 8, 2023, at the Whitefire Theatre. Howard also directs this comedy based on Freud’s Cocaine Papers with the cast of Jonathan Slavin, Barry Brisco, Kim Hopkins, Aaron LaPlante, Sara Maraffino, Sigute Miller and Amy Smallman-Winston. Jonathan graciously carved out some time from his rehearsals as the titular character Freud to answer a few of my analyzing queries.

59E59 Theaters Unveils Exciting Lineup for Fall 2023


Discover the highly anticipated shows and events coming to 59E59 Theaters this fall. From captivating dramas to hilarious comedies, there's something for everyone in the lineup. Don't miss out on this exciting season of performances.

Single Tickets Available For GEORGE GERSHWIN ALONE at ZACH Theatre


ZACH Theatre presents pianist, actor, and playwright Hershey Felder for the Austin premiere of Hershey Felder as George Gershwin Alone playing September 14 – October 1, 2023 at The Topfer at ZACH.

South Coast Repertory 60th Season Including QUIXOTE NUEVO, A RAISIN IN THE SUN, And More


South Coast Repertory announced its 60th season, with a lineup that ranges from an American classic to contemporary works, with two world premieres—including one musical—and a special offering featuring pianist and actor Hershey Felder.

THE BAND'S VISIT, THE HOT WING KING & More Set for Writers Theatre 2023-24 Season


Writers Theatre has announced its 2023-24 programming. See how to purchase tickets!

Interview: Hershey Felder On His Final Farewell Performances of GEORGE GERSHWIN ALONE At The Wallis


In his inimitable artistic style, actor and concert pianist Hershey Felder continues to bring the lives and music of famous composers, including Debussy, Beethoven, Berlin, Bernstein, Gershwin, Chopin, Liszt, Tchaikovsky, and Rachmaninoff, to stages around the world. When I heard he was bringing his final performances of George Gershwin Alone to The Wallis in Beverly Hills this April, I decided to speak with him about the decision to retire his popular production and what his vision for the future holds.

Hershey Felder in CHOPIN IN PARIS is Coming to Laguna Playhouse in January


LAGUNA PLAYHOUSE has announced that pianist and actor Hershey Felder will present his musical masterpiece as he portrays Monsieur Chopin in CHOPIN IN PARIS.

HERSHEY FELDER AS GEORGE GERSHWIN ALONE is Coming to Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts in March


Virtuoso pianist/actor/playwright/ producer Hershey Felder will return to the Bay Area for a strictly limited engagement of his acclaimed work, Hershey Felder as George Gershwin Alone, part of a limited farewell tour of a character performed live more than 3000 times throughout the world.

HERSHEY FELDER AS GEORGE GERSHWIN ALONE to Have Dallas Premiere at the Music Hall at Fair Park


Hershey Felder As George Gershwin Alone will make its Dallas Premiere on Sunday, January 26, 2023 at the Music Hall at Fair Park.

Interview: Hershey Felder of HERSHEY FELDER: CHOPIN IN PARIS at TheatreWorks Silicon Valley Makes a Much-Anticipated Return to the Bay Area


BroadwayWorld catches up with virtuoso pianist & actor Hershey Felder about his new show 'Hershey Felder: Chopin in Paris' running live at TheatreWorks Silicon Valley August 19 to September 11 in Mountain View, CA. This marks Felder's long-awaited return to the Bay Area, where he has developed a quite a devoted following over the years.

Joel Zwick FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Joel Zwick been in?

Joel Zwick has appeared on Broadway in 1 shows.

How many West End shows has Joel Zwick been in?

Joel Zwick has not appeared in the West End.

What awards has Joel Zwick been nominated for?

Joel Zwick has been nominated for Outstanding Director - Musical at the Drama Desk Awards for "Dance With Me" and for Best Choreography at the Tony Awards for the same production.

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