Frank Galati Headshot

Frank Galati

Birth Place: USA

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Frank Galati BIO

Galati was an associate director at the Goodman Theatre from 1986 to 2008.

In 2004, Galati was inducted into the Chicago Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame. He was the recipient of nine Joseph Jefferson Awards for his contributions to Chicago theater.

Galati and co-writer Lawrence Kasdan adapted the novel The Accidental Tourist for a film, The Accidental Tourist which was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Writing (Adapted Screenplay), a BAFTA Award for Best Adapted Screenplay, and a Writers Guild of America Award for Best Adapted Screenplay. The pair won a USC Scripter Award for the screenplay.

Galati was awarded the Tony Award for Best Play for his adaptation of The Grapes of Wrath in 1990. The production originated at Steppenwolf and transferred to Broadway where, in addition to Best Play, Galati won an additional Tony for Best Direction of a Play. The drama also received six more nominations, including recognition in acting categories for Gary Sinise, Terry Kinney, and Lois Smith. Following his success with The Grapes of Wrath, Galati went on to adapt As I Lay Dying in 1995, and Haruki Murakami's After the Quake in 2005. He also wrote original work, such as Everyman (1995). Most of his work debuted at Steppenwolf.

Galati occasionally had turns as an actor, and directed Tony Kushner's Homebody/Kabul at New York Theatre Workshop. For Broadway, he directed the musical Ragtime in 1998 and The Pirate Queen in 2007. He directed two productions of The Visit, at the Goodman Theatre in 2001 and at the Signature Theatre (Arlington, Virginia) in May 2008, with Chita Rivera.

With a book score by Stephen Flaherty, lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, and directing and libretto by Galati, Knoxville premiered at the Asolo Repertory Theatre in Spring 2020, based on the Pulitzer Prize winning book A Death in the Family by James Agee and Pulitzer Prize winning play All the Way Home by Tad Mosel. It stars Jason Danieley as Author.

The Frank Galati Papers are at Northwestern University. He was a professor emeritus in the Department of Performance Studies at Northwestern University, having retired in 2006.

Frank Galati Productions

 
[Regional (US), 2020]
Director
 
[Arlington, VA (Regional), 2008]
Director
 
[Arlington, VA (Regional), 2007]
Director
 
[Broadway, 2007]
Director
 
[Chicago, 2006]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 2004] Cancelled
Director
 
[Chicago (Regional), 2001]
Director
 
[Broadway, 2001] Cancelled
Director
 
[Broadway, 2000] [Replacement]
Director[Replacement]
 
[New York, 1999]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1998]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1994]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1990]
Director
 
[New York, 1998]
Director
 
[Broadway, 2000] Cancelled
Director

Writing

Bookwriter/Lyricist

Frank Galati Awards and Nominations

Helen Hayes Awards - 2009 - Outstanding Director, Resident Musical

Frank GalatiThe Visit


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1998 - Outstanding Director - Musical

Frank Galati, Ragtime

Drama Desk Awards - 1998 - Outstanding Director - Musical

Frank Galati, Ragtime

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 1998 - Best Director - Musical

Frank Galati, Ragtime

Tony Awards - 1998 - Best Direction of a Musical

Frank Galati , Ragtime


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1990 - Outstanding Director - Play

Frank Galati, The Grapes of Wrath

New York Drama Critics Circle Awards - 1990 - Best Play

Frank Galati, The Grapes of Wrath

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 1990 - Best Director

Frank Galati, Grapes of Wrath

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 1990 - Best Director

Frank Galati, The Grapes of Wrath


winner
Tony Awards - 1990 - Best Direction of a Play

Frank Galati, Grapes of Wrath


winner
Tony Awards - 1990 - Best Play

Frank Galati, The Grapes of Wrath

Frank Galati Videos

Frank Galati News


Patti LuPone & More to Join Atlantic Theater Company 2024 Gala


Atlantic Theater Company will present their 2024 Gala on Monday, April 29, 2024 at The Plaza. See who is taking part and learn how to purchase tickets.

DIAL M FOR MURDER Comes to Asolo Rep Next Month


Asolo Repertory Theatre will present a rendition of the classic thriller, DIAL M FOR MURDER, an intense cat-and-mouse game directed by Céline Rosenthal. 

Cast Set for Highland Park Players' RAGTIME In Concert


Experience the magic of the turn of the 20th century with the Highland Park Players' staged-concert rendition of the Tony Award-winning musical 'Ragtime.' See who is starring and learn how to purchase tickets.

Meet the Cast of WATER FOR ELEPHANTS, Beginning Previews on Broadway Tonight!


WATER FOR ELEPHANTS begins previews tonight, Saturday, February 24, 2024, and opens on Thursday, March 21, 2024, at the Imperial Theatre (249 West 45th Street). Meet the cast of Water For Elephants here!

Cherry Jones Will Lead THE GRAPES OF WRATH at The National Theatre; Summer 2024 Line-Up Announced


The National Theatre has announced new productions for all three South Bank stages this summer: Alan Bleasdale’s Boys from the Blackstuff and Mnemonic in the Olivier theatre and The Grapes of Wrath in the Lyttelton theatre, alongside the previously announced The Hot Wing King in the Dorfman theatre. 

VIDEO: Watch Jessica Thebus Relive Top 3 Moments of A CHRISTMAS CAROL at Goodman Theatre


Watch Director Jessica Thebus relive her top 3 moments from her productions of A CHRISTMAS CAROL in the video below!

Meet a Marketer: John Zinn, Marketing Consultant - Steppenwolf


John Zinn is a free-lance arts marketing consultant and producer. He was Director of Marketing and Communications at Steppenwolf Theatre Company in Chicago for 7 years and has worked with the company in some capacity for a total of 15 years.

Review: THE GRAPES OF WRATH at The Arts Asylum


A new production of the 1990 award winning stage adaption of “Grapes” by Frank Galati plays now through November 19 at the new Arts Asylum in the lower level theater of their new facility at 824 E Meyer Boulevard in the Brookside neighborhood of Kansas City.  The play won the 1990 Tony Award for Best New Play.

Grant Gustin Will Make Broadway Debut in WATER FOR ELEPHANTS; Additional Cast Revealed


Grant Gustin will make his Broadway debut in the upcoming new musical Water For Elephants, which is set for come to Broadway in February 2024! Plus, find out who else will appear in the production.

Cast Set for BUENA VISTA SOCIAL CLUB World Premiere at Atlantic Theater Company


Get ready for the world premiere of BUENA VISTA SOCIAL CLUB at Atlantic Theater Company. Find out when the show is running and how to secure your tickets for this must-see event.

Cast and Design Team Set for HOUSEHOLD SPIRITS World Premiere at Theater Wit


Theater Wit has announced the cast for the world premiere of Mia McCullough's dark comedy 'Household Spirits.' Don't miss this haunting tale of two holidays, a sentient doll, and a mother ghost. Running from October 6th to November 11th.

THE GRAPES OF WRATH Comes to The Arts Asylum in Brookside 


Adapted for the stage by Frank Galati, the Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning classic will be staged this fall at the Arts Asylum in the Brookside neighborhood of Kansas City. Learn more about the production and find out how to get tickets here!

New Staging of THE GRAPES OF WRATH to Play the Arts Asylum in November


A new staging of John Steinbeck's 'The Grapes of Wrath' will come to the stage in Kansas City. This production stays true to the novel while examining its modern relevance. Get ticket and event information here!

Justin Lucero Named Artistic Director Of Theater Latte Da


Theater Latté Da (TLD) announced today that it has chosen Justin Lucero as its next Artistic Director. Lucero will join TLD in mid-October, co-leading the organization with Managing Director Elisa Spencer-Kaplan.

Chicago Teacher is Honoring the 400th Anniversary Of Shakespeare's First Folio


Hart, of Andersonville, has been training actors of all levels since she began teaching in 2006. She taught for five years at the acclaimed Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, as well as at Loyola University, Notre Dame University Summer Shakespeare, and Act One Conservatory. She has served as text coach for Chicago Shakespeare, Strawdog Theatre and Summer Shakespeare at Notre Dame, and her directing credits include Macbeth at City Lit Theatre and Falstaff's Dream at Notre Dame.

City Lit Sets 2023-24 Season; Producer/Artistic Director Terry McCabe to Retire


City Lit Producer and Artistic Director Terry McCabe announced that the theatre’s 2023-2024 season—its forty-third—will be his last on its staff. 

Interview: Jason Danieley Stages RAGTIME: THE SYMPHONIC CONCERT For Boston Pops


Popular Broadway performer Jason Danieley will stage 'Ragtime: The Symphonic Concert with the Boston Pops May 12-13 at Boston's Symphony Hall, and July 8 at Tanglewood in Lenox, MA.

Chicago Theatres To Dim Lights; Hold Memorial in Honor of Late Frank Galati


Several major theatres across the Chicago-area will dim their marquees or lobby lights on the evening of Saturday, May 13, 2023 in tribute to late playwright, director, actor and educator Frank Galati, who passed away January 2, 2023 at the age of 79.

Joe Mantello, Laurie Metcalf & More to be Featured in Steppenwolf Theatre Company 2023/24 Season


Steppenwolf Theatre Company has announced its 2023/24 Season, featuring three world premieres and three Chicago premieres. See full programming and learn how to purchase tickets!

RAGTIME Reunion Concert Was Filmed According To Lyricist Lynn Ahrens


In a new interview with the Observer, Tony-winning songwriting duo Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty reflected on the recent gala concert presentation of their beloved musical, Ragtime. As a part of their profile, acclaimed lyricist Ahrens revealed that the starry, one night only event was filmed!

Frank Galati FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many shows has Frank Galati written?

Frank Galati has written 2 shows including Boss (Bookwriter/Lyricist), Loving Repeating (Bookwriter).

What awards has Frank Galati been nominated for?

Frank Galati has been nominated for several awards throughout his career, including: Outstanding Director, Resident Musical at the Helen Hayes Awards for "The Visit", Outstanding Director - Musical at the Drama Desk Awards for "Ragtime", Best Director - Musical at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for "Ragtime", Best Direction of a Musical at the Tony Awards for "Ragtime", Outstanding Director - Play at the Drama Desk Awards for "The Grapes of Wrath", Best Play at the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards for "The Grapes of Wrath", and Best Director at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for "Grapes of Wrath" and "The Grapes of Wrath". Additionally, he was nominated for Best Direction of a Play at the Tony Awards for "Grapes of Wrath" and Best Play at the Tony Awards for "The Grapes of Wrath".

What awards has Frank Galati won?

Frank Galati has won several awards for his work in theater. He won the Outstanding Director - Musical award at the Drama Desk Awards for "Ragtime" and the Outstanding Director - Play award for "The Grapes of Wrath." At the Tony Awards, he won the Best Direction of a Play award for "Grapes of Wrath" and the Best Play award for the same production.

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