Bernie Ardia

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Bernie Ardia BIO

BERNIE ARDIA (Hair Designer) Having a 40-year career. A California native starting in print work and television with soap opera work and television specials such as Happy Birthday Hollywood. Ardia returned to live theater with David Merrick's national tour of 42nd St. After many years of touring with live productions such as Can-Can, Me and My Girl, Showboat, Ziegfeld - A Night at the Follies he has now designed for well over 75 productions including recreating Mr. Paul Huntly’s designs for this current NETworks presentation of Hairspray. He is very happy to be a part of this project and working under the direction of Matt Lenz. Another production of the seasonal hit ELF will be touring this Holiday season! A show that he always enjoys as a kickoff to his favorite time of the year! Other credits: Ragtime, The Kennedy Center; Dirty Dancing; Cameron Mackintosh's Les Misérables and Oliver; Kiss of the Spider Woman with Chita Rivera; Andrew Loydd Webber's long running - Starlight Express in Las Vegas; and Cinderella with Eartha Kitt. Mr. Ardia is proud to have worked with many talented performers and directors in his career including Jeanne Cooper, George Wendt, Hal Prince, Melody Thomas Scott, Mary Wilson, Patrick Cassidy, Many Osmond's, Anita Gillette, Lynda Carter, Makenzie Philips and even Judge Judy! He is also the author of Barbra Streisand in New York City, and very proud to be presenting the upcoming -At Sea with Patrick Dennis My Madcap Mexican Adventure with the Author of Auntie Mame- Being published by Ratteling Good Yarns

Bernie Ardia Productions

 
[US Tour, 2022]
Hair Design
 
[US Tour, 2015]
Wig and Hair Designer
 
[US Tour, 2014]
Hair Design
 
[US Tour, 2013]
Hair & Wig Designer

BERNIE ARDIA



Having a 40-year career as a theatrical hair designer and wig builder this California native started in print work and television, commercials, and television specials such as Happy Birthday Hollywood. Ardia returned to live theater with David Merrick’s national tour of 42nd St. After many years of touring with live productions such as Chita Rivera’s Can-Can, Tim Curry’s Me and My Girl, Showboat, he then focused on designing hair for productions of Eleanor Bergstein’s Dirty Dancing, Kiss of the Spider Woman, the Kennedy Center’s Ragtime, Cameron Mackintosh’s Oliver, Elf, and Starlight Express at The Las Vegas Hilton among others others. Ardia has now designed for well over 75 productions. Though he semi-retired to allow more time for writing, productions still have his designs onstage today. As a child, after seeing Barbra Streisand open for Liberace in Las Vegas, he followed her career as a hobby—turning that into a book, Barbra Streisand in New York City. For the last several years he has been working on a biography of Streisand’s stepfather. That work was delayed for three years after Patrick Dennis landed on his desk. Falling in love with this adventurous tale he dedicated his time to see it through to publication so this wonderful ‘slice of a life’ story could be shared. As a ‘Dreamer’ he always sees ideas as possible. Most of Ardia’s life expectations have been surpassed. He is proud to have worked with many talented performers and directors in his career including Hal Prince, Melody Thomas Scott, Jeanne Cooper, Eartha Kitt, George Wendt, Linda Carter, Molly Ringwald, Patrick Cassidy, Debbie Gibson, Anita Gillette, Pat Harrington, Michelle Lee, Carole Cook, Kathie Lee Gifford, Sally Ann Howe, Toni Tennille, John Schuck, Mackenzie Phillips, Constance Towers, Jamie Lynn Sigler, and more. Ardia now divides his time between Rancho Mirage, California, with constant traveling. Presenting At Sea with Patrick Dennis: My Madcap Mexican Adventure with the Author of Auntie Mame is another of his dream’s come true.



Bernie Ardia Videos

Bernie Ardia News


Tickets Go On Sale For HAIRSPRAY in Dallas This Week

The Dallas engagement of HAIRSPRAY  will go on sale Friday, March 22 at 10 a.m. This new North American tour, helmed by original director Jack O’Brien and original choreographer Jerry Mitchell, will play June 18-30 in Dallas at the Music Hall at Fair Park.

Broadway Podcast Network Debuts THE DRAMA BOOK SHOW! Podcast

Broadway Podcast Network introduces a new podcast, THE DRAMA BOOK SHOW! Tune in for engaging discussions on drama literature and insightful interviews with industry professionals.

HAIRSPRAY North American Tour is Coming to the Orpheum Theatre This Spring

HAIRSPRAY, Broadway’s Tony Award-winning musical comedy phenomenon, will be performing a limited engagement at BroadwaySF’s Orpheum Theatre. See performance dates and learn how to purchase tickets.

Tickets Go On Sale This Week For HAIRSPRAY at the Hobby Center

Tickets to HAIRSPRAY at the Hobby Center will go on sale to the general public Friday, February 23, 2024 at 10am. Performances run June 4-9, 2024.

HAIRSPRAY Comes To ABT This Week

Alberta Bair Theater will welcome HAIRSPRAY on Saturday, February 17, for two performances – 2 P.M. and 7:30 P.M. Learn more about the production here!

HAIRSPRAY is Coming to The Buddy Holly Hall in March

The American Theatre Guild will present Broadway’s Tony Award-winning musical comedy phenomenon, HAIRSPRAY. See performance dates and learn how to purchase tickets!

HAIRSPRAY is Coming to Alberta Bair Theater This Month

Alberta Bair Theater will welcome HAIRSPRAY in 3 weeks on Saturday, January 17 for two performances – 2 P.M. and 7:30 P.M. Learn more here!

HAIRSPRAY is Coming to Stifel Theatre in February

Hairspray is coming to Stifel Theatre on February 8-9. Learn how to purchase tickets!

HAIRSPRAY is Coming to Pikes Peak Center in February

The American Theatre Guild will present Broadway’s Tony Award®-winning musical comedy phenomenon, HAIRSPRAY.

HAIRSPRAY Comes To Mayo Performing Arts Center, January 26-27

MPAC releases Hairspray and announces February events. Get all the details on upcoming shows and performances at Mayo Performing Arts Center.

HAIRSPRAY Comes to the Palace Theater Next Month

HAIRSPRAY, Broadway’s Tony Award®-winning musical comedy phenomenon, helmed by original director Jack O’Brien and original choreographer Jerry Mitchell, will play January 16-18 in Waterbury, CT at the Palace Theater.

HAIRSPRAY To Play Limited Engagement At BroadwaySF's Orpheum Theatre, April 16-21, 2024

BroadwaySF, part of the Ambassador Theatre Group, announced today that HAIRSPRAY, Broadway's Tony Award-winning musical comedy phenomenon, will play a limited engagement at BroadwaySF's Orpheum Theatre (1192 Market St., San Francisco) from April 16 to 21, 2024.

Photos: Get a First Look at New Images of HAIRSPRAY on Tour

Check out new photos of Hairspray on tour, and see if the show is coming to a city near you!

HAIRSPRAY Coming to Playhouse Square in December

Get ready for a toe-tapping experience! HAIRSPRAY, the hit musical, is coming to Playhouse Square in December. Find out all the details about the dates and venue for this exciting production. Don't miss your chance to catch this fabulous show live on stage. Book your tickets now!

The Drama Book Shop to Present AT SEA WITH PATRICK DENNIS: MY MADCAP MEXICAN ADVENTURE WITH THE AUTHOR OF AUNTIE MAME

The Drama Book Shop will host an evening with Bernie Ardia as he takes us on a captivating journey through 'At Sea with Patrick Dennis: My Madcap Mexican Adventure with the Author of Auntie Mame.'

Review: HAIRSPRAY at Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre

What did our critic think of HAIRSPRAY at Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre?

'At Sea with Patrick Dennis- A Conversation with Bernie Ardia' is Coming to The Drama Bookshop

Join Bernie Ardia at The Drama Bookshop on October 10 at 7:30 pm as he recounts the hilarious and outlandish escapades of friends Patrick Dennis, Walter Healy, and Robert Karr in Mexico. Get your tickets now!

Greg Kalafatas and Caroline Eiseman-Led HAIRSPRAY National Tour Reveals 2023-24 Casting and Full Route

HAIRSPRAY, Broadway's Tony Award-winning musical comedy phenomenon, has announced casting and the touring schedule for the 2023-2024 season. This new North American tour, helmed by original director Jack O'Brien and original choreographer Jerry Mitchell, will visit 45 cities including premiere engagements in Calgary, AB; Charlotte, NC; Cleveland, OH; Dallas, TX; Denver, CO; Edmonton, ALB; Houston, TX; Nashville, TN; Ottawa, ONT; Vancouver, BC; and many more.

Review: Drag Race Star Nina West Leads Hilarious New HAIRSPRAY Tour at Segerstrom Center

As if the universe knew that our increasingly divisive country is in desperate need to revisit this hit 2002 Tony Award-winning musical again, HAIRSPRAY has now embarked on a brand new non-equity national tour starring RuPaul's Drag Race fan favorite Nina West. The show, now at Segerstrom Center for the Arts through April 30, does not disappoint.

Review: HAIRSPRAY at Paramount Theater

HAIRSPRAY is a toe-tapping, dance in your seat, good time show with a message we still need to hear. With an audience who came ready for a party, the show hummed along with enthusiastic support from the crowd. With catchy tunes, over-the-top characters, and energetic dance numbers, HAIRSPRAY is a whirl of excitement. Beyond the flash, the show has a poignant message of inclusion, self-worth, and acceptance.

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