2009 Tony Award Nominees: 'Best Choreography'

Karole Armitage (Hair)
Karole is a Pisces with an Aquarius rising. As a young 12-year-old hippie she cut a hole in a beautiful American Indian rug and wore it. She achieved Nirvana several times: with a Jewish painter from Kansas, with an African painter from the Cameroon and when living in the city that created the Renaissance (with a regular salary - a once-in-a-lifetime experience). She continues the hippie hope of living in a world without war in spite of studying Machiavelli with great attention. She continues to hold the conviction that doing what you believe in - no matter what the consequences or what the culture rewards - is the best way to be. Let the sunshine in.

Andy Blankenbuehler (9 to 5: The Musical)
Andy Blankenbuehler won a 2008 Tony Award for his choreography in the Tony Award-winning Best Musical In the Heights (also Lortel, Callaway, Outer Critics and Drama Desk Awards for Outstanding Choreography). Other theatrical work includes the Broadway revival of The Apple Tree, Desperately Seeking Susan (West End) and the world premieres of A Little Princess (Andrew Lippa) and Waiting for the Moon (Frank Wildhorn). He has staged concert work for Elton John and Bette Midler and appears as a guest choreographer on "So You Think You Can Dance." Broadway performing credits include Fosse, Contact, Man of La Mancha, Saturday Night Fever, Steel Pier, Big and Guys and Dolls. Upcoming projects: The Wiz at City Center and the new musical Bring It On. Love to Elly and son Luca.

Peter Darling (Billy Elliot)
Peter Darling choreographed the film Billy Elliot (MTV Best Dance Sequence and America Choreography nominations). Theatre, West End: Billy Elliot (Best Choreographer Laurence Olivier Award, Critics Circle Award, Whatsonstage.com Award); Lord Of The Rings (Best Chorographer Dora Award, Toronto); Our House directed by Matthew Warchus, (Cambridge Theatre). (Best Choreographer, Olivier nomination, Best Musical Olivier Award 2003) Merrily We Roll Along (The Donmar Warehouse) (Best Choreographer, Olivier nomination, Best Musical Olivier Award 2001) Candide (The Royal National Theatre) (Best Choreographer, Olivier nomination, Outstanding Musical Production 2000 Olivier Award) Oh What a Lovely War! (The Royal National Theatre 1999) Off-West End: Closer To Heaven for The Pet Shop Boys/Really Useful Group (Best Choreographer, Theatregoers' Choice Award 2002). Other Power (Royal National Theatre), A Midsummer Night's Dream (Bristol Old Vic), Sunset Boulevard for the Really Useful Group (UK Tour), The Tempest for the Royal Shakespeare Company Edward II, The Country Wife, As You Like It and Twelfth Night all directed by Michael Grandage. Film For Really Useful Films: The Phantom Of The Opera directed by Joel Schumacher. For Miramax, Plots With A View directed by Nick Hurran, and most recently Trauma.

Randy Skinner (Irving Berlin's White Christmas)
Shows include: 42nd Street (Tony®, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, Astaire nominations), State Fair (Outer Critics Circle nomination), Ain't Broadway Grand (Tony®, Outer Critics Circle nominations), After the Night and the Music (MTC/Biltmore), Do Re Mi, Of Thee I Sing, Face The Music and No, No, Nanette (the last four for City Center Encores! series productions), Lone Star Love (Lucille Lortel Award nomination), Puttin' On The Ritz (Kennedy Center), Stormy Weather (with Leslie Uggams/The Prince Music Theatre), An American in Paris (The Alley Theatre). In Los Angeles: Happy Days; Hello, Dolly! (with Nell Carter); Pal Joey (with Dixie Carter, Elaine Stritch); Strike Up the Band (with Tom Bosley). "The 2001 Tony Award® Telecast" (opening number). He has received the Los Angeles Drama Critics, Los Angeles Dramalogue, Bay Area Critics, Connecticut Critics and Cleveland Times Theatre Awards.