ROBERT LONGBOTTOM is a New York City based director who is equally at home working in a Broadway theater or in an opera house. Mr. Longbottom made his Broadway debut as the director and choreographer of the original Broadway production of the TONY nominated musical, SIDE SHOW, which was hailed by The New York Times as “something to marvel at,” “directed with stylish confidence,” and “poetically staged.” The New York Observer also described the show as “brilliantly directed,” “pulsing with artistry,” and “nothing less than electrifying.”
Longbottom’s subsequent body of work is just as impressive. Recent projects include curating and directing EVERYBODY RISE: A SONDHEIM CELEBRATION for the Hollywood Bowl starring Patti LuPone, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Sutton Foster, Norm Lewis, Sierra Boggess and Skylar Astin. Also for the Hollywood Bowl, a new production of INTO THE WOODS with the LA Philharmonic. That cast included Sutton Foster, Patina Miller, Gaten Matarazzo, Sierra Boggess, Cheyenne Jackson and Skylar Astin. The LA Times theatre critic reported: “The stars aligned, literally and metaphorically, at the Hollywood Bowl on Friday in a bewitching presentation of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s musical “Into the Woods”…”This Hollywood Bowl staging, cannily directed and choreographed by Robert Longbottom, is one of the best I’ve seen.” The LA Times awarded this celebrated production a spot on its ’Ten Best List of 2019’ that included Broadway offerings as well. Broadway World named the show ‘Best Special Theater Event Of The Year.’
For the Washington National Opera he directed and choreographed a new production of LA FILLE DU REGIMENT that starred Lawrence Brownlee, Lisette Oropesa, with a special appearance by Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Ginsburg’s performance was memorialized in the OSCAR nominated documentary about her life, RBG. Longbottom’s interpretation of the opera was met with rave reviews. Opera News cheered, “Longbottom’s eager cast jumped into everything with theatrical flourish…dialogue sparkled.” DC Metro Theatre Arts noted that the staged drama was “guided by the precise directorial and choreographic hand of Robert Longbottom who wisely keeps things moving briskly and places the emphasis where it should be on the thrilling music of Donizetti.” DC Theatre Scene described the opera’s dance as “entertaining choreography that takes thematic elements from musical theater and repurposes them in an unexpected way.” Metro Weekly confirmed, “The chorus aces the clever choreography and wit of director Longbottom and are a joy to watch.”
Longbottom’s celebrated revival of DREAMGIRLS, toured nationally and internationally with stops in Seoul, Tokyo, Johannesburg and Shanghai after its premiere at the legendary Apollo Theater in Harlem. The Chicago Tribune declared this much-acclaimed production “a seamlessly conceived and superbly danced revival that could only have been created by a single director-choreographer. Longbottom clearly understands that this title was always, in essence, a non-stop concert with telegraphed conflicts and redemptions, and easy to digest emotional overlays. It almost plays here as a pop operetta, and if you’ve seen ‘Dreamgirls’ on previous ragtag outings, you’ll understand the huge scale of that accomplishment.”
On Broadway, Longbottom directed and choreographed the reconceived revival of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s FLOWER DRUM SONG, with a new book by the playwright David Henry Hwang following its premiere at The Mark Taper Forum, earning him a TONY Award nomination for his choreography, as well as Fred Astaire and Outer Critics Circle nominations. Other Broadway credits include THE SCARLET PIMPERNEL at the Minskoff Theater and BYE BYE BIRDIE for the Roundabout Theatre Company. He also conceived, directed and choreographed the original Off-Broadway hit PAGEANT, which was nominated for four Outer Critics Circle Awards and a Drama Desk Award for Unique Theatrical Experience.
Other credits include: INTO THE WOODS for Theatre Under The Stars, Disney’s ON THE RECORD, CARNIVAL! for the Kennedy Center, THE RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR 1994-1999, SHOW BOAT at Carnegie Hall, TRIANGLE at the Eugene O’Neill Center, SOUTH PACIFIC at the Muny Opera, starring Howard Keel, and CAMELOT at the Glimmerglass Festival, starring David Pittsinger and Nathan Gunn. Plays include MISTER ROBERTS for the Kennedy Center and HAY FEVER for the Old Globe. Longbottom also staged a one night only revival of ANYTHING GOES for Lincoln Center Theatre, starring Patti LuPone, Howard McGillin and Boyd Gaines. For BROADWAY CARES/ EQUITY FIGHTS AIDS, he conceived, directed and choreographed three editions of THE EASTER BONNET COMPETITION.
On Broadway, he performed in the revival of LITTLE JOHNNY JONES and appeared in the original companies of 42ND STREET and ME AND MY GIRL. He understudied the role of Will Parker in the Agnes DeMille helmed national tour of OKLAHOMA and played Bobby in the European Company of A CHORUS LINE.
He is currently developing a new play, with music, about the lives of Castrati, written by the Pulitzer Prize/TONY Award winning playwright, Doug Wright.
For the past fourteen years, Longbottom has mentored high school students for Wendy Wasserstein’s OPEN DOORS Program. In addition, he has conducted master audition classes in colleges and universities throughout the country.