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Boris Aronson Headshot

Boris Aronson

Date of Death: November 16, 1980

Birth Place: Kiev, RUSSIA

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BIO

Boris Aronson was a Russian-born American scenic designer who made a significant contribution to the world of theatre. He was born in Kiev, Ukraine in 1898 and studied at the Imperial Academy of Arts in St. Petersburg before moving to the United States in 1923.
Aronson began his career in theatre as a set designer for the Yiddish Theatre in New York City. He later became involved in the Broadway theatre scene, where he worked on numerous productions over the course of several decades. Some of his most notable works include the original productions of "Fiddler on the Roof," "Cabaret," "Company," and "A Little Night Music."
Aronson's designs were often characterized by their bold colors, abstract shapes, and innovative use of lighting. He was known for his ability to create visually stunning environments that complemented the themes and moods of the plays they accompanied. His work was often praised for its ability to transport audiences to another time or place, and for its ability to enhance the emotional impact of the productions.
In addition to his work in theatre, Aronson also worked on several films, including "The Wizard of Oz" and "The Diary of Anne Frank." He was nominated for an Academy Award for his work on the latter film.
Aronson was also a talented painter, and his artwork was exhibited in galleries throughout the United States and Europe. His paintings often featured abstract shapes and bright colors, similar to his set designs.
Throughout his career, Aronson received numerous awards and accolades for his contributions to the theatre. He won five Tony Awards for Best Scenic Design, and was inducted into the Theatre Hall of Fame in 1979.
Aronson continued to work in theatre until his death in 1980. His final Broadway credit was for the 1979 production of "The Grand Tour." His legacy continues to inspire set designers and theatre artists today, and his work remains an important part of the history of American theatre.

Productions

 
[West End, 1994]
Scenic Designer
 
[Broadway, 1990]
Scenic Designer
 
[Broadway, 1989]
Scenic Designer
 
[Broadway, 1987]
Scenic Designer
 
[Broadway, 1981]
Scenic Designer
 
[Broadway, 1976]
Scenic Designer
 
[US Tour, 1976]
Scenic Designer
 
[Broadway, 1976]
Scenic Designer
 
[West End, 1975]
Scenic Designer
 
[Broadway, 1974]
Scenic Designer
 
[US Tour, 1974]
Scenic Designer
 
[Broadway, 1973]
Scenic Designer
 
[Broadway, 1972]
Scenic Designer
 
[Broadway, 1972]
Scenic Designer
Projection Designer
 
[US Tour, 1972]
Scenic Designer
 
[West End, 1972]
Settings/Projections
 
[US Tour, 1971]
Settings/Projections
 
[Broadway, 1971]
Scenic Designer
 
[Broadway, 1970]
Scenic Designer
Projection Designer
 
[Broadway, 1968]
Scenic Designer
 
[West End, 1968]
Scenic Designer
 
[Broadway, 1968]
Costume Designer
Scenic Designer
 
[West End, 1967]
Scenic Designer
 
[US Tour, 1967]
Scenic Designer
 
[Broadway, 1966]
Scenic Designer
 
[Broadway, 1964]
Scenic Designer
 
[Broadway, 1964]
Scenic Designer
 
[Broadway, 1963]
Scenic Designer
 
[Broadway, 1962]
Production Designer
 
[US Tour, 1962]
Scenic Designer
 
[Broadway, 1961]
Scenic Designer
 
[West End, 1961]
Scenic Designer
 
[Broadway, 1960]
Scenic Designer
 
[Broadway, 1960]
Scenic Designer
 
[Broadway, 1959]
Scenic Designer
 
[Broadway, 1959]
Scenic Designer
 
[Broadway, 1958]
Production Designer
 
[Broadway, 1958]
Scenic Designer
 
[Broadway, 1958]
Scenic Designer
 
[Broadway, 1957]
Scenic Designer
 
[Broadway, 1957]
Scenic Designer
 
[Broadway, 1957]
Scenic Designer
 
[Broadway, 1957]
Scenic Designer
 
[Broadway, 1956]
Scenic Designer
 
[Broadway, 1955]
Scenic Designer
Production Designer
 
[Broadway, 1955]
Scenic Designer
 
[Broadway, 1955]
Scenic Designer
 
[Broadway, 1954]
Production Designer
 
[Broadway, 1953]
Lighting Designer
Scenic Designer
 
[Broadway, 1953]
Scenic Designer
 
[Broadway, 1953]
Scenic Designer
 
[Broadway, 1952]
Production Designer
 
[Broadway, 1951]
Lighting Designer
Scenic Designer
 
[Broadway, 1951]
Lighting Designer
Scenic Designer
 
[Broadway, 1951]
Scenic Designer
 
[Broadway, 1950]
Lighting Designer
Scenic Designer
 
[Broadway, 1950]
Lighting Designer
Scenic Designer
 
[Broadway, 1950]
Lighting Designer
Scenic Designer
 
[Broadway, 1949]
Scenic Designer
 
[Broadway, 1948]
Scenic Designer
Scenic Designer
 
[Broadway, 1948]
Lighting Designer
Scenic Designer
 
[Broadway, 1948]
Scenic Designer
 
[Broadway, 1946]
Scenic Designer
 
[Broadway, 1946]
Scenic Designer
 
[Broadway, 1946]
Scenic Designer
 
[Broadway, 1945]
Scenic Designer
 
[Broadway, 1945]
Lighting Designer
Scenic Designer
 
[Broadway, 1944]
Scenic Designer
 
[Broadway, 1943]
Scenic Designer
 
[Broadway, 1943]
Scenic Designer
 
[Broadway, 1943]
Scenic Designer
 
[Broadway, 1942]
Scenic Designer
 
[Broadway, 1942]
Scenic Designer
 
[Broadway, 1942]
Scenic Designer
 
[Broadway, 1941]
Scenic Designer
 
[Broadway, 1941]
Scenic Designer
 
[Broadway, 1940]
Settings/Costumes
Costume Designer
Scenic Designer
 
[Broadway, 1940]
Scenic Designer
 
[Broadway, 1940]
Scenic Designer
 
[Broadway, 1939]
Scenic Designer
 
[Broadway, 1939]
Scenic Designer
 
[Broadway, 1939]
Scenic Designer
 
[Broadway, 1938]
Scenic Designer
 
[Broadway, 1937]
Costume Designer
Scenic Designer
 
[Broadway, 1935]
Scenic Designer
 
[Broadway, 1935]
Scenic Designer
 
[Broadway, 1935]
Scenic Designer
 
[Broadway, 1935]
Scenic Designer
 
[Broadway, 1935]
Scenic Designer
 
[Broadway, 1935]
Scenic Designer
 
[Broadway, 1935]
Scenic Designer
 
[Broadway, 1934]
Scenic Designer

Awards and Nominations


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1976 - Outstanding Set Design

Boris Aronson, Pacific Overtures


winner
The Hewes Awards - 1976 - Scenic Design

Boris Aronson, Pacific Overtures


winner
Tony Awards - 1976 - Best Scenic Design

Boris Aronson, Pacific Overtures

Tony Awards - 1973 - Best Scenic Design

Boris Aronson, A Little Night Music


winner
Tony Awards - 1972 - Best Scenic Design

Boris Aronson, Follies


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1971 - Outstanding Set Design

Boris Aronson, Follies


winner
The Hewes Awards - 1971 - Scenic Design

Boris Aronson, Follies


winner
Tony Awards - 1971 - Best Scenic Design

Boris Aronson, Company


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1970 - Outstanding Set Design

Boris Aronson, Company


winner
The Hewes Awards - 1970 - Scenic Design

Boris Aronson, Company


winner
Tony Awards - 1969 - Best Scenic Design

Boris Aronson, Zorba

Tony Awards - 1968 - Best Scenic Design

Boris Aronson, The Price


winner
The Hewes Awards - 1967 - Scenic Design

Boris Aronson, Cabaret


winner
Tony Awards - 1967 - Best Scenic Design

Boris Aronson , Cabaret


winner
The Hewes Awards - 1965 - Scenic Design

Boris Aronson, Fiddler On The Roof

Tony Awards - 1965 - Best Scenic Design

Boris Aronson , Incident at Vichy

Tony Awards - 1965 - Best Scenic Design

Boris Aronson , Fiddler on the Roof

Tony Awards - 1959 - Best Scenic Design

Boris Aronson, J.B.

Tony Awards - 1958 - Best Scenic Design

Boris Aronson, Orpheus Descending

Tony Awards - 1958 - Best Scenic Design

Boris Aronson, The Rope Dancers

Tony Awards - 1958 - Best Scenic Design

Boris Aronson, A Hole in the Head

Tony Awards - 1957 - Best Scenic Design

Boris Aronson, Small War on Murray Hill

Tony Awards - 1957 - Best Scenic Design

Boris Aronson, A Hole In The Head

Tony Awards - 1956 - Best Scenic Design

Boris Aronson, The Diary of Anne Frank

Tony Awards - 1956 - Best Scenic Design

Boris Aronson, A View from the Bridge

Tony Awards - 1956 - Best Scenic Design

Boris Aronson, Once Upon a Tailor

Tony Awards - 1956 - Best Scenic Design

Boris Aronson, Bus Stop


winner
Tony Awards - 1951 - Best Scenic Design

Boris Aronson, The Rose Tattoo


winner
Tony Awards - 1951 - Best Scenic Design

Boris Aronson, The Country Girl


winner
Tony Awards - 1951 - Best Scenic Design

Boris Aronson, Season in the Sun

Videos

News


Unpack the Tony Awards History of the 2024 Nominated Revivals

The results of this season's Tony races are still up in the air, but many of this season's nominated revivals have been through awards season 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!
In a Deconstructed and Immersive Production CABARET KIT KAT CLUB Opens in Brazil

In a Berlin nightclub, as the 1920's draw to a close, a garish MC welcomes the audience and assures them they will forget all their troubles at the Cabaret. With the Emcee's bawdy songs as wry commentary, Cabaret explores the dark, heady, and tumultuous life of Berlin's natives and expatriates as Germany slowly yields to the emerging Third Reich.
Video: Watch Lost Footage of Broadway Greats in ON THE STEPS OF THE SHUBERT

Broadway veteran Kurt Peterson appears in On the Steps of the Shubert, a video commemorating the 50th Anniversary of 'Sondheim: A Musical Tribute'. Narrated by Kurt from the steps inside Broadway's Shubert Theatre in the rear orchestra where he sat beside Stephen Sondheim that evening, the video just debuted online in celebration of the event's 50th anniversary and you can watch it in full.
50th Anniversary of SONDHEIM: A MUSICAL TRIBUTE Will Be Celebrated in Commemorative Video

Broadway veteran Kurt Peterson will appear in On the Steps of the Shubert, a video commemorating the 50th Anniversary of “Sondheim: A Musical Tribute”, the first celebration of Stephen Sondheim's work, originally presented at the Shubert Theatre, Sunday, March 11, 1973. 
Video: Celebrate 50 Years of A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC

A Little Night Music opened on Broadway on February 25, 1973. Watch videos of the original and revival casts!
Student Blog: Remembering the Godfather of Theatre

The loss of one of the brightest lights of the Great White Way has been terribly challenging to accept. I think everyone within the theatre community can share a story related to Sondheim that led them to where they are. For me, it was the production of West Side Story and the album of Sunday in the Park with George. The South African production of West Side Story, reminded me of the magic of theatre and it solidified my dream of being part of a story made for the stage. While the Sunday in the Park with George revival with Jake Gyllenhaal and Annaleigh Ashford is my go-to album for inspiration.
Highlighting Iconic Set Designers from Broadway Past

Who are some of Broadway's greatest set designers? Which scenic designers have won the most Tony Awards? Read more about some of the greatest behind the scenes employees of Broadway and study up on ten iconic set designers from Broadway history.
Photos: Henry Lee's Reimagined Lego Broadway Sets Are on Display This Fall at the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts

Company, Follies, Evita, The Phantom of the Opera, A Little Night Music, Sweeney Todd. These popular Broadway shows and iconic sets will be seen like never before in the new pop-up installation opening September 17, 2021 at The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts in Lincoln Center, thanks to artist Henry Lee of Lego Broadway Sets. Brick By Brick, Putting It Together: The Broadway Set Miniatures of Henry Lee showcases Lee's intricate, miniature reimaginings of set designs built with LEGO® bricks. 
PLAY OF THE DAY! Today's Play: THE ROSE TATTOO By Tennessee Williams

During this time when productions all over the world have been put on pause, we are coming together to celebrate plays that have left their mark on theater history. This week we will be focusing on the plays of Pulitzer Prize winning playwright, Tennessee Williams. Today's play, The Rose Tattoo! 
BWW Interview: National Theater Hall of Fame Inductee Donna McKechnie Reminisces on Her Broadway Career

In celebration of her upcoming induction into the National Theater Hall of Fame on November 18th, I sat down with Broadway legend, Donna McKechnie for a spirited, informative, career-spanning chat.
Immersive Exhibit To Celebrate Hal Prince At Library For The Performing Arts

In The Company of Harold Prince opens September 18, 2019 in the Library's Donald and Mary Oenslager Gallery.
BWW Review: Jeremy O. Harris' Extremely Daring SLAVE PLAY Explores Sexual Dissatisfaction Caused By Racial Issues

It was over fifty years ago when designer Boris Aronson famously let a large mirror hang from the set of CABARET, forcing audience members to see their own reflections to bring home the point that what was happening in 1930s Germany could very well happen in America. And while that symbolic gesture may have become a bit of a cliche in the ensuing decades as it got used by other artists for other plays and musicals, designer Clint Ramos ads a provocative twist with the fully mirrored upstage wall in his design for Jeremy O. Harris' extremely daring, highly original and undoubtedly thought-provoking satirical drama, SLAVE PLAY.
Theatre Guild's Next Musical is ZORBA

Musical Theatre Guild, the winner of the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Margaret Harford Award for sustained excellence in the theatre, will continue their 23rd Anniversary season with Kander and Ebb's haunting musical ZORBA. The one-night-only concert will take place at Glendale's historic Alex Theatre on Sunday, November 11, 2018 at 7:00 PM.
Musical Theatre Guild Sets 23rd Season

Musical Theatre Guild, the winner of the Los Angeles Drama Critic's Circle Margaret Harford Award for sustained excellence in the theatre, has announced an exciting quartet of shows for their 23rd season of Broadway in Concert musicals.  The MTG 2018-2019 season includes: MAME, ZORBA, MINNIE'S BOYS and SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE. 
Hal Prince Chats, Signs New Memoir SENSE OF OCCASION Today at The Drama Book Shop

The Drama Book Shop welcomes legendary producer and director Harold Prince to celebrate the publication of his new memoir, Sense of Occasion, today, September 12th, at 4:00pm.
Hal Prince to Chat, Sign New Memoir SENSE OF OCCASION at The Drama Book Shop

The Drama Book Shop will welcome legendary producer and director Harold Prince to celebrate the publication of his new memoir, Sense of Occasion, on Tuesday, September 12th at 4:00pm.
Photo Flash: Beowulf Boritt Pays 'Hidden' Tribute to Original Designers in PRINCE OF BROADWAY Sets

Tony Award-winning set designer Beowulf Boritt wanted to evoke and pay homage to all the original set designers of Hal Prince's iconic shows. To that end, he hid the names of those original designers within each scene's design.
Review Roundup: George Takei Stars in Classic Stage Company's Revival of PACIFIC OVERTURES

Classic Stage Company's new production of Stephen Sondheim and John Weidman's Pacific Overtures, directed and designed by Tony Award winner John Doyle, celebrated its opening night this evening.
NY Public Library's Rosenberg Curator of Exhibitions Barbara Cohen-Stratyner on Stage Design by Ming Cho Lee

BroadwayWorld continues our exclusive content series, in collaboration with The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, which delves into the library's unparalleled archives, and resources. Below, check out a piece by Barbara Cohen-Stratyner, the Judy R. and Alfred A. Rosenberg Curator of Exhibitions for the Shelby Cullom Davis Museum, The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts on: Stage Design by Ming Cho Lee.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What awards has Boris Aronson been nominated for?

Boris Aronson has been nominated for several awards throughout his career. Some of his nominations include Outstanding Set Design (Drama Desk Awards) for "Pacific Overtures," Scenic Design (The Hewes Awards) for "Pacific Overtures," Best Scenic Design (Tony Awards) for "Pacific Overtures," "A Little Night Music," and "Follies," Outstanding Set Design (Drama Desk Awards) for "Follies," Scenic Design (The Hewes Awards) for "Follies," Best Scenic Design (Tony Awards) for "Company," Outstanding Set Design (Drama Desk Awards) for "Company," Scenic Design (The Hewes Awards) for "Company," Best Scenic Design (Tony Awards) for "Zorba," "The Price," "Cabaret," "Fiddler On The Roof," "Incident at Vichy," "J.B.," "Orpheus Descending," "The Rope Dancers," "A Hole in the Head," "Small War on Murray Hill," "The Diary of Anne Frank," "A View from the Bridge," "Once Upon a Tailor," "Bus Stop," "The Rose Tattoo," "The Country Girl," and "Season in the Sun."

What awards has Boris Aronson won?

Boris Aronson has won several awards for his outstanding set design in various Broadway shows. He received the Outstanding Set Design award from the Drama Desk Awards for "Pacific Overtures" and "Follies." He also won the Scenic Design award from The Hewes Awards for these two shows as well. Aronson's talent was recognized with the Best Scenic Design award at the Tony Awards for "Pacific Overtures," "Follies," "Company," "Zorba," "Cabaret," "Fiddler On The Roof," "The Rose Tattoo," "The Country Girl," and "Season in the Sun." These accolades highlight Aronson's exceptional contributions to the world of Broadway set design.

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