Eric Rosen (playwright)

Eric Brent Rosen (born September 23, 1970) is an American theater director and playwright.

Eric Rosen
Rosen in 2017
Born (1970-09-23) September 23, 1970 (age 54)
Occupation(s)Director and Playwright
SpouseClaybourne Elder (m. 2012)

Education

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Rosen attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and completed a doctorate of performance studies at Northwestern University.

Career

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Eric Rosen co-founded and served as Artistic Director of Chicago’s About Face Theatre from 1995-2008.[1] At About Face, Rosen produced the original production of the Pulitzer and Tony Award winning play I Am My Own Wife[2] and Tennessee Williams' One Arm[3] directed by Moisés Kaufman. He went on to serve as Artistic Director of Kansas City Repertory Theatre, bringing national attention to the institution.[4]

He directed the original production of A Christmas Story: The Musical,[5] with music by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, which opened on Broadway in 2012 and was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Musical.[6] He co-wrote and directed Venice[7] at the Public Theatre in New York which Time magazine named the best musical of 2010.[8] He also directed and co-conceived Clay at Lincoln Center.[9]

He is also known for his reimagining of classic musicals including Sunday in the Park with George which played at the Nelson-Atkins Museum,[10] a punk rock production of Pippin,[11] and Hair: Retrospection in collaboration with and starring members of the original Broadway companies of Hair[12]

As a playwright, his work includes the play Dream Boy[13] which won a Chicago Jeff Award for Best New Play and Best Direction, and the critically acclaimed hip hop musical Venice.[14]

In 2000, he co-founded About Face Youth Theatre, one of the nation’s foremost arts and advocacy programs for at-risk LGBTQ youth, and the 18 year old program continues to serve thousands of young people in Chicago.

Rosen serves on the Board of Directors of Theatre Communications Group.[15]

Directing credits

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Steppenwolf, Goodman, Hartford Stage, Baltimore Center Stage, St. Louis Rep, Cincinnati Playhouse, Chicago Shakespeare, Melbourne Theatre Company (AUS), the O'Neill, and Sundance.

Personal life

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Eric Rosen and actor Claybourne Elder were married on July 28, 2012 in New York State.[16] In 2017 they had a son through surrogacy, who they named Claybourne.[17]

References

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  1. ^ Wayne, Kevin. "About Face Artistic Director Eric Rosen is Leaving for Kansas City". chicagopride.com. Chicago Pride. Retrieved 19 June 2018.
  2. ^ "Eric Rosen". Internet Broadway Database. IBDB. Retrieved 19 June 2018.
  3. ^ Simonson, Robert. "Steppenwolf, About Face and Tectonic Team on Williams' One Arm". Playbill. Retrieved 19 June 2018.
  4. ^ Trussell, Robert. "KC Rep's Eric Rosen looks to future". Kansascity.com. Kansas City Star. Retrieved 19 June 2018.
  5. ^ Hetrick, Adam. "A Christmas Story: The Musical! Finds Its Ralphie; Casting Set for 5th Avenue Debut". Playbill. Retrieved 19 June 2018.
  6. ^ Snetiker, Marc. "A Christmas Story, The Musical Cast to Reunite for Tony Awards Performance". Broadway.com. Retrieved 19 June 2018.
  7. ^ "Eric Rosen Broadway and Theatre Credits". BroadwayWorld.com. Broadway World. Retrieved 19 June 2018.
  8. ^ Zoglin, Richard (14 May 2010). "Venice, by Way of Kansas City: The Year's Best Musical". Time. Time. Retrieved 19 June 2018.
  9. ^ "Eric Rosen". Lct.org. Lincoln Center. Retrieved 19 June 2018.
  10. ^ Trussell, Robert. "Kansas City Repertory Theatre's 'Sunday in the Park With George' is a triumph of design". KansasCity.com. Kansas City Star. Retrieved 19 June 2018.
  11. ^ Walker, Steve (20 September 2012). "Kansas City Rep Brings 'Pippin' Into The 21st Century". KCUR.com. Kansas City Public Radio. Retrieved 19 June 2018.
  12. ^ Trussell, Robert. "'Hair' at KC Rep soars to unexpected heights". KansasCity.com. Kansas City Star. Retrieved 19 June 2018.
  13. ^ Ring, Trudy (3 March 2016). "Dream Boy Helps Usher In a New Era for Queer Theater". Advocate.com. Advocate. Retrieved 19 June 2018.
  14. ^ H, Clair. "The Public Theater's Venice offers a fresh perspective on a universal truth". Stagedoordish.com. Stage Door Dish. Retrieved 19 June 2018.
  15. ^ "TCG Announces New Appointments to Board of Directors". tcg.org. Theatre Communications Group. Retrieved 19 June 2018.
  16. ^ Wontorek, Paul. "Exclusive! Claybourne Elder on Puppy Love, His Broadway Wedding & Making Music in Pippin with New Hubby Eric Rosen" broadway.com, August 20, 2012
  17. ^ "Broadway's Claybourne Elder & Eric Rosen Welcome First Child". Broadway.com. Retrieved 2018-06-19.