Broadway Choreographer — And Kent Resident — Bob Avian Tells His Story
The legendary Broadway choreographer has just released his memoir, and it's filled with hit shows and theater superstars.
Bob Avian, Michael Bennett, and Jennifer Holliday rehearsing Dreamgirls.
Broadway may be closed for now, but the stories and memories of the theater’s golden age can still entertain you in the pages of the new book Dancing Man: A Broadway Choreographer’s Journey.
The book is the jaunty, intriguing and uplifting memoir of Tony and Olivier Award-winning Bob Avian, whose career on Broadway intersected with the 20th century’s biggest names. He’s also lived in Kent, Conn. for over 40 years.
Avian and co-author Tom Santopietro intended to hold their first event for the book’s March 16 launch at the Kent Memorial Library in two weeks, but the library is closed until further notice due to Covid-19. Before the closing was announced, Avian said he had looked forward to starting his book tour in the town he's called home for four decades. He said what he loves about Kent is how little it's changed. He added the community is passionate about maintaining the quality of life that drew him there in the first place. The robust programming at the library is just one of the many things that make the town special to him.
But if there’s any silver lining to a global pandemic it’s that there’s more time to read, and Santopietro’s interviews with Avian, a longtime friend, have unearthed a trove of valuable memories and perspective.
“Things have changed,” said Avian of the industry he loves. “But Broadway is still Broadway. It’s just bigger! For [a play] to succeed it has to have the magic formula — a great star, a great property, and a creative staff. No matter how huge the show it still all comes down to the quality of the writing.”
Santopietro is an accomplished Broadway theater manager in his own right. As an author his books include the best-selling The Sound of Music Story and Considering Doris Day. He was finally able to cajole Avian into writing the book and said the real secret to Avian’s success is that in the cutthroat world of the theater Avian was able to remain kind and humble.
“Bob said he was a late bloomer,” recalled Santopietro. “He was young when he first had success but his first show on his own as a choreographer wasn’t until he was in his 50s. I think that’s an inspiration to people."
Bob Avian
Dancing Man is a memoir told in three acts. Act One reveals the origins of the choreographer, who danced for Jerome Robbins in West Side Story and appeared on stage with stars like Barbra Streisand in Funny Girl and Mary Martin in Hello,Dolly!, all before the age of 30.
Act Two includes teaching Katharine Hepburn how to sing and dance for Coco and working with Stephen Sondheim and Avian’s close friend Michael Bennett, helping to choreograph the original productions of Company and Follies. During this time, Avian won Tony Awards as the co-choreographer of A Chorus Line and Ballroom. He also produced the Tony Award–winning Dreamgirls.
In his third act, Avian recounts how he devised all the musical staging for the blockbusters Miss Saigon and Sunset Boulevard, choreographed Julie Andrews’s return to the New York stage, and directed the hit revival of A Chorus Line on Broadway.
Avian in 1960
“He accomplished all this while remaining a nice guy,” said Santopietro. “But in writing the book Bob realized in his own quiet way that he was ambitious. He would say, ‘when a door opens, walk through it.’”
Avian worked with the biggest names on Broadway, including Andrew Lloyd Webber, Carol Burnett, Neil Simon, Patti LuPone, Jennifer Holliday, Jonathan Pryce, Elaine Stritch, Marvin Hamlisch and Glenn Close.
“I just kept talking and Tom found what was important,” said Avian. “My ego was always in a place where I didn’t want to be top banana. Being happy in that position made me successful.”
Candid, witty, sometimes surprising and always entertaining, Dancing Man is an insider’s view of the creation of the biggest, brightest, and best Broadway musicals of the past 50 years.
“When I read Bob’s autobiography I was astonished by the breadth of his life on stage,” said Broadway legend Patti LuPone. “I don’t think there’s anyone who has done as much in every aspect of our field. It’s mind-blowing. His demeanor is a model for all directors and choreographers. Not only is he supremely talented, he has the wisdom of the great creators in our business. His life in the theater was a page-turner, and his knowledge makes me think I haven’t even touched the surface. I have even more respect and admiration for my dear friend. What a life. What a talent.”
