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John Carrafa

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John Carrafa BIO

Two Time Tony Nominated Choreographer of URINETOWN and INTO THE WOODS.

John Carrafa is a two-time Tony Nominated, Lortel Award, Drama Desk Award and Outer Critics Circle and Obie Award winning Broadway director/choreographer. He's also a Media Choreography Award and World Dance Feature Film Award winning television and film choreographer.

Broadway credits include: URINETOWN THE MUSICAL (Tony Nomination), James Lapine's DIRTY BLONDE, Terrance MacNally's LOVE! VALOUR! COMPASSION! DANCE OF DEATH with Ian Mckellan and Helen Mirren, DANCE OF THE VAMPIRES and GOOD VIBRATIONS, which he also directed. He received a TONY NOMINATION for his work collaborating with Stephen Sondheim on a new Broadway production of INTO THE WOODS starring Vanessa Williams and worked with Sondheim again on A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC at the Kennedy Center starring Kristen Bell and Blair Brown. Also at the Kennedy Center, he choreographed Richard Wagner's RING CYCLE for the Washington Opera, starring Placido Domingo.

He's choreographed three musicals for the NY City Center Encores Series, OUT OF THIS WORLD, THE PAJAMA GAME and ON A CLEAR DAY YOU CAN SEE FOREVER.

He's been a collaborator both as a director and choreographer in the creation of countless original musicals. He won Best Director both at the NY MUSICAL THEATER FESTIVAL and the Daegu, Korea INTERNATIONAL MUSIC FESTIVAL for his direction of the original musical ACADEMY and choreographed the original musical version of FINDING NEMO at Disneyworld.

Recent television credits include Julian Fellowes THE GILDED AGE, ONLY MURDERS IN THE BUILDING, DEAD TO ME, SUCCESSION, BARRY, THE FLIGHT ATTENDANT, Stephen Soderbergh's THE KNICK, TRANSPARENT, THE BLACK LIST, BLUE BLOODS, MANIAC, HAPPY! HAPPYISH, NURSE JACKIE, PRODIGAL SON and the Disney Musical FREAKY FRIDAY. He choreographed the Emmy winning "Eat Shit Bob" mega-musical number for LAST WEEK WITH JOHN OLIVER. He was series choreographer for six seasons of the ABC/CMT show NASHVILLE which he also directed and as well as Season 1 of EMPIRE.

Upcoming television includes Season 4 of WESTWORLD, Season 2 of THE GILDED AGE, the new Scott L. Burns drama EXTRAPOLATIONS, starring Meryl Streep, Daveed Diggs, Toby Maguire, Forrest Whitaker and Marion Cotillard, THREE WOMEN starring Shailene Woodley, Betty Gilpin and DeWanda Wise, LOOT starring Maya Rudolph, and the new David E. Kelly crime drama, THE MISSING, directed by Barry Levinson.

He pioneered the use of Motion Capture technology to create choreography on THE POLAR EXPRESS for to win the Media Choreography Award and received the World Dance Feature Film for SOMETHING BORROWED. Other films include THE THOMAS CROWN AFFAIR, BRIDE WARS, ANALYZE THAT, IF I STAY, LET'S BE COPS, THE OTHER GUYS, REBEL IN THE RYE, THE LAST DAYS OF DISCO and THE CHAPERONE.

Broadway credits include: URINETOWN THE MUSICAL (Tony Nomination), James Lapine's DIRTY BLONDE, Terrance MacNally's LOVE! VALOUR! COMPASSION! DANCE OF DEATH with Ian Mckellan and Helen Mirren, DANCE OF THE VAMPIRES and GOOD VIBRATIONS, which he also directed. He received a TONY NOMINATION for his work collaborating with Stephen Sondheim on a new Broadway production of INTO THE WOODS starring Vanessa Williams and worked with Sondheim again on A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC at the Kennedy Center starring Kristen Bell and Blair Brown. Also at the Kennedy Center, he choreographed Richard Wagner's RING CYCLE for the Washington Opera, starring Placido Domingo.

He's choreographed three musicals for the NY City Center Encores Series, OUT OF THIS WORLD, THE PAJAMA GAME and ON A CLEAR DAY YOU CAN SEE FOREVER.

He's been a collaborator both as a director and choreographer in the creation of countless original musicals. He won Best Director both at the NY MUSICAL THEATER FESTIVAL and the Daegu, Korea INTERNATIONAL MUSIC FESTIVAL for his direction of the original musical ACADEMY and choreographed the original musical version of FINDING NEMO at Disneyworld.

Other work includes Creative Director/Producer for the National Basketball Association, Director for concerts such as CAROLE KING AND FRIENDS at Madison Square Garden and the SONGWRITERS HALL OF FAME CONCERT with Paul Macartney, Director/choreographer of the alternative circus, CIRQUE BERZERK at the Nokia Center and co-creator and director of the musical SHOWDOWN which has been running on Norwegian Cruise Lines since 2008.

He has choreographed music videos for SARAH BAREILLES, EDITORS, GREG LASWELL as well as MACHINE GUN KELLY's live Perfomance at the 2022 VMA Awards.

Commercials for a countless top brands including VERA WANG, SWAROVSKI CRYSTAL, ATT, SPRINT, OLD NAVY, THE GAP, BARNES & NOBLE.

He's known for being equally comfortable choreographing both lead actors with little or no dance training, and highly trained technical dancers. With the philosophy that everyone can dance, his calm and methodical approach has brought out the inner dancer in a countless number of the biggest stars in our industry. Robert DeNiro, Tom Hanks, Emma Stone, Carrie Coon, Morgan Spector, Daveed Diggs, Anne Hathaway, Kate Hudson, Connie Britton, Kate Hudson are just a few.





John Carrafa STAGE CREDITS

[Broadway]
Broadway Production, 1985
Ensemble

John Carrafa Productions

 
[Off-Broadway, 2009]
Choreographer
 
[Off-Broadway, 2008]
Choreographer
 
[Off-Broadway, 2008]
Choreographer
 
[Off-Broadway, 2008]
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[Broadway, 2005]
Director
Choreographer
 
[Regional (US), 2004]
Director/Choreographer
 
[West End, 2004]
Choreographer
 
[Off-Broadway, 2003]
Choreographer
 
[US Tour, 2003]
Choreographer
 
[Broadway, 2002]
Choreographer
 
[Regional (US), 2002]
Choreographer
 
[Off-Broadway, 2002]
Choreographer
 
[Broadway, 2002]
Choreographer
 
[Los Angeles, 2002]
Choreographer
 
[Broadway, 2001]
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[Broadway, 2001]
Choreographer
 
[Off-Broadway, 2001]
Choreographer
 
[Off-Broadway, 2001]
Choreographer
 
[Off-Broadway, 2000]
Choreographer
 
[Broadway, 2000]
Choreographer
 
[Off-Broadway, 2000]
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[Off-Broadway, 2000]
Choreographer
 
[Milburn, NJ (Regional), 1996]
Choreographer
 
[Off-Broadway, 1995]
Choreographer
 
[Broadway, 1995]
Choreographer
 
[Off-Broadway, 1994]
Choreographer
 
[Off-Broadway, 1994]
Choreographer
 
[Off-Broadway, 1992]
Choreographer
 
[Off-Broadway, 1992]
Choreographer
 
[Off-Broadway, 1991]
Choreographer
 
[Broadway, 1985]
Assistant to Miss Tharp

OBIE AWARD 2002



John Carrafa Awards and Nominations

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2002 - Outstanding Choreography

John Carrafa, Urinetown


winner
The Lortels - 2002 - Outstanding Choreographer

John Carrafa, Urinetown

Tony Awards - 2002 - Best Choreography

John Carrafa, Into the Woods

Tony Awards - 2002 - Best Choreography

John Carrafa, Urinetown The Musical


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2001 - Outstanding Choreography

John Carrafa, Urinetown

John Carrafa News


How Often are People Tony-Nominated for Different Shows in the Same Season?


This time, the reader question was: How often are people Tony Award-nominated for different shows in the same season?

THE 24 HOUR MUSICALS Makes Its Live Return To NYC, June 26


On June 26, 2023, distinguished artists from across the entertainment industry will come together at Classic Stage Company's Lynn F. Angelson Theater for The 24 Hour Musicals, an intensive theatrical endeavor where artists write, rehearse and perform four new musicals in 24 hours.

Hunter Bell, Jeff Bowen & Ann McNamee's OTHER WORLD To Have Staged Reading This Week


OTHER WORLD, a new musical with an original score and story by Hunter Bell, Jeff Bowen and Ann McNamee will present invite-only staged readings on Thursday, March 16 and Friday, March 17.

Disney Channel Original Movies for Broadway Lovers


Read BroadwayWorld's list of the best Disney Channel Original movies for Broadway lovers, featuring High School Musical, Descendants and more!

THE 24 HOUR MUSICALS to Stream Tonight


Distinguished artists from across the nation's entertainment industry came together at The Bourbon Room in Hollywood for The 24 Hour Musicals, the intensive theatrical endeavor where stars from Broadway, film and TV write, compose, rehearse and perform four original musicals within 24 hours. Now, the show premieres tonight on Stellar at 5:30 PT/8:30 ET and will be available through June.

Lisa Loeb, Rebecca Naomi Jones, Kether Donohue, and More Took Part in THE 24 HOUR MUSICALS This Weekend


On May 23, 2022, distinguished artists from across the nation's entertainment industry came together in Los Angeles for The 24 Hour Musicals, the intensive theatrical endeavor where stars from Broadway, film and TV come together to write, compose, rehearse and perform four original musicals within 24 hours at the Bourbon Room. 

Rebecca Naomi Jones, Lisa Loeb & More to Take Part in THE 24 HOUR MUSICALS in Hollywood


On May 23, 2022, distinguished artists from across the nation’s entertainment industry will come together in Los Angeles for The 24 Hour Musicals, the intensive theatrical endeavor where stars from Broadway, film and TV come together to write, compose, rehearse and perform four original musicals within a 24 hour time span at the Bourbon Room.

Jennifer Ashley Tepper's THE UNTOLD STORIES OF BROADWAY, VOLUME 4 to be Released in March


Dress Circle Publishing has announced the release of THE UNTOLD STORIES OF BROADWAY, VOLUME 4, the latest in a series by historian and producer Jennifer Ashley Tepper. The book will be available on Tuesday, March 9 to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the 2020-2021 Broadway shutdown.

Broadway Green Alliance (BGA) Releases Free Toolkit For Reopening Theatres


The Broadway Green Alliance has just launched a free, online Toolkit outlining sustainable resources for the theatre community as they plan for reopening.

Alan Menken, Judith Light, Harvey Fierstein, and More Join BRIDGE TO BROADWAY Online Training Platform


On Monday, April 6th, the latest installment of Erik Liberman's Bridge to Broadway online training platform launches. Bridge matches theatre students and emerging artists around the world with Broadway luminaries, with a percentage of proceeds benefiting The Actors Fund.   

VIDEO: John Oliver Sings to Coal CEO Robert Murray in Epic Musical Number


Over the past two years, John Oliver has been involved in a lawsuit with coal company CEO Robert Murray, after Oliver called Murray a 'geriatric Dr. Evil' and made fun of his energy corporation during a segment in June 2017. Recently, Murray dropped the suit against HBO. During this time, Oliver was unable to make jokes about Murray or the lawsuit, but now that the suit has been dropped, Oliver is going all out.

Paige Davis To Host The Annual Dance Lab New York Spring Gala


Dance Lab New York (formerly Broadway Dance Lab) will celebrate its new identity, reflective of its mission to be an inclusive hub for dance makers of all genres at their annual Spring Gala on Monday, March 25, 2019 at the Ailey Citigroup Theater (405 W 55th Street, NYC).

Premiere of Disney Channel's Original Movie FREAKY FRIDAY is the #1 TV Telecast of the Summer in Kids 6-11 and Tweens 9-14


The world premiere of the Disney Channel Original Movie “Freaky Friday” on Friday, August 10 (8:00-9:45 p.m. EDT/PDT) reached 7.2 million Total Viewers – including 3.1 million Kids 6-14 – across seven telecasts in its first three days. The Friday (8:00 p.m.) telecast alone ranks as the summer's #1 TV telecast among both Kids 6-11 (999,000/4.2 rating) and Tweens 9-14 (782,000/3.2 rating) and is the top cable telecast in six months among both Kids 6-11 and Tweens 9-14 – since 2/16/18 and 2/19/18, respectively.  Disney Channel's “Freaky Friday” is available now on DisneyNOW and VOD. 

VIDEO: Watch FREAKY FRIDAY Stars Talk New Movie Musical on GOOD MORNING AMERICA


Cozi Zuehlsdorff and Heidi Blickenstaff, stars of Disney Channel's music-driven, contemporary body swap comedy 'Freaky Friday,' chat about the fifth remake of the iconic movie.  on ABC's 'Good Morning America' on Monday, August 6.

Photo Flash: Cozi Zuehlsdorff and Heidi Blickenstaff Perform Live Version of New Song From FREAKY FRIDAY on GOOD MORNING AMERICA


Cozi Zuehlsdorff and Heidi Blickenstaff, stars of Disney Channel's music-driven, contemporary body swap comedy 'Freaky Friday,' performed a special live version of 'At Last It's Me,' a new, original song from the Disney Channel Original Movie, on ABC's 'Good Morning America' on Monday, August 6.

Photo Coverage: Broadway Gets Freaky! On the Red Carpet for the Premiere of FREAKY FRIDAY


Disney Theatrical Productions just celebrated its first stage-to-television collaboration with the Disney Channel in adapting its original stage musical Freaky Friday for a worldwide televised premiere on the Disney Channel on Friday, August 10th.

VIDEO: Watch the Official Trailer for Disney's FREAKY FRIDAY, Starring Heidi Blickenstaff and Cozi Zuehlsdorff


Disney's new musical adaptation of FREAKY FRIDAY will be coming to the Disney Channel this summer! The TV movie stars Broadway's Heidi Blickenstaff as one half of the mother-daughter duo at the center of the body-swapping story. She will be joined by Cozi Zuehlsdorff as the other half of the pair.

Disney's FREAKY FRIDAY Movie Musical Gets August 10th Premiere Date


Disney Channel's Freaky Friday musical movie finally has a premiere date! The film starring Heidi Blickenstaff and Cozi Zuehlsdorff will be hitting the small screen August 10 at 8 p.m. ET.

Broadway Dance Lab Announces Full Summer Roster


Broadway Dance Lab (BDL), a non-profit arts service organization supporting new works of dance-driven theatre, has announced the launch of its 2018 Summer Cycle. Two-time Tony award nominee John Carrafa, Kristen Carcone, and Helen Simoneau have each received creation grants to experiment with the development of new work. The Cycle will run June 4-29.

Broadway Dance Lab Announces Summer Cycle, Commissioned Performance at Fire Island Dance Festival


Broadway Dance Lab (BDL), a non-profit arts service organization supporting new works of dance-driven theatre, has announced the launch of its 2018 Summer Cycle. Two-time Tony award nominee John Carrafa, Kristen Carcone, and Helen Simoneau have each received creation grants to experiment with the development of new work. The Cycle will run June 4-29. BDL 2018 Summer Cycle grantees Helen Simoneau, John Carrafa, and Kristen Carcone.

John Carrafa FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has John Carrafa been in?

John Carrafa has appeared on Broadway in 1 shows.

How many West End shows has John Carrafa been in?

John Carrafa has not appeared in the West End.

What awards has John Carrafa been nominated for?

John Carrafa has been nominated for the following awards: Outstanding Choreography (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Urinetown, Outstanding Choreographer (The Lortels) for Urinetown, Best Choreography (Tony Awards) for Into the Woods, Best Choreography (Tony Awards) for Urinetown The Musical, and Outstanding Choreography (Drama Desk Awards) for Urinetown.

What awards has John Carrafa won?

John Carrafa has won the Outstanding Choreographer award at The Lortels for Urinetown and the Outstanding Choreography award at the Drama Desk Awards for Urinetown.

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