Anna Louizos

Last updated
Anna Louizos
Born (1957-06-24) June 24, 1957 (age 66)
Nationality American
Occupation scenic designer

Anna Louizos (born June 24, 1957) [1] is an American scenic designer and art director. She is known for her Tony Award-nominated sets for the musicals In the Heights , High Fidelity and The Mystery of Edwin Drood as well as the London, Broadway, Las Vegas, and touring productions of Avenue Q . Louizos was represented on Broadway with School of Rock at The Wintergarden Theatre , Holiday Inn (2016) , Honeymoon in Vegas , Dames at Sea (2015) , Cinderella at the Broadway Theatre in 2013–15.Other Broadway designs include Curtains (2007),, It Shoulda Been You , White Christmas on Broadway at the Marquis Theatre, The Performers , Steel Magnolias and Golda's Balcony

Contents

Early life and training

Louizos was born and grew up in Yuba City, California. She saw her first Broadway musical, Applause with Lauren Bacall, at age fifteen. Interested in performing as an actress, Louizos studied at Mills College, Oakland, before transferring to New York University to complete a degree in acting. [2] "Instructors recognized her talent as a visual artist, and progressively her post-graduate focus shifted to design," wrote Andy Smith of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. [3] She used to live in the East Village, Manhattan, New York City. [4] She received an MFA in Scenic design from NYU Tisch School of the Arts.

Career

Louizos served as art director at the 47th Tony Awards in 1993, and was associate scenic designer for the Broadway musical The Red Shoes [5] in December of that year. She continued as an associate designer with the Broadway production of The Scarlet Pimpernel (1997) at the Minskoff and Neil Simon Theatres. [6] From April to June 2000, she was associate scenic designer for the comedic play Taller Than a Dwarf and Uncle Vanya on Broadway.

Her first major production credit as scenic designer came in 2003, with the critically acclaimed musical Avenue Q . Written by Jeff Whitty, Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx, the musical premiered off-Broadway before opening on Broadway at the John Golden Theatre. [7] [8] [9] Wrote one reviewer of Louizos' sets: "[She] provides an adaptable row of ramshackle houses that convey a down-at-heel atmosphere and somehow change character to fit the mood, rather like glorified dolls' houses." [10]

Following the opening of Avenue Q, Louizos became art director for eight episodes of the 2003 television series Sex and the City . Her second Broadway scenic design was for the play Golda's Balcony at the Helen Hayes Theatre in 2003. [11] Subsequent credits include the Broadway shows Steel Magnolias (2005), High Fidelity (2006), Curtains (2007), In the Heights (2007), All About Me (2010), and Baby It's You! (2011). [12] [13] [14]

She designed sets for the Manhattan Theatre Club 2008 production of To Be or Not to Be on Broadway at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre. [15] [16] [17]

Other scenic design work includes the regional premieres of Minsky's , and Vanities, the Musical , as well as the off-Broadway productions of Altar Boyz and Tick, Tick... Boom! . Other off Broadway productions include Sons of the Prophet , [18] [19] Olive and the Bitter Herbs , [20] Crimes of the Heart , [21] and The Foreigner .

In November 2008, Louizos designed sets for the musical White Christmas on Broadway at the Marquis Theatre and multiple productions in the US since 2004, as well as the UK production. [22] [23] [24] A year later, in November 2009, the musical returned to Broadway in a revival production at the Marquis Theatre. [25] [26] [27] She most recently served as the scenic designer for the Broadway musical Cinderella , which opened in March 2013 at the Broadway Theatre. [28] In December 2014, it was announced that her next project would be Broadway-bound School of Rock . [29]

Awards and nominations

Tony Awards
Drama Desk Awards
Lucille Lortel Awards
Emmy Awards

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Drama Desk Award</span> New York theater awards

The Drama Desk Award is an annual prize recognizing excellence in New York theatre. First bestowed in 1955 as the Vernon Rice Award, the prize initially honored Off-Broadway productions, as well as Off-off-Broadway, and those in the vicinity. Following the 1964 renaming as the Drama Desk Awards, Broadway productions were included beginning with the 1968–69 award season. The awards are considered a significant American theater distinction.

<i>Avenue Q</i> Musical comedy by Robert Lopez, Jeff Marx, and Jeff Whitty

Avenue Q is a musical comedy featuring puppets and human actors with music and lyrics by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx and book by Jeff Whitty. It won Best Musical, Book, and Score at the 2004 Tony Awards. The show's format is a parody of Sesame Street, but its content involves adult-oriented themes. It has been praised for its approach to themes of racism, homosexuality and internet pornography.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stephanie J. Block</span> American actress and singer (born 1972)

Stephanie Janette Block is an American actress and singer, best known for her work on the Broadway stage.

Scott Pask is an American scenic and costume designer. He has worked primarily on stage productions in the United States, on Broadway and Off-Broadway, and in regional theatre, as well as in the United Kingdom. He has won Tony Awards for his work on The Pillowman, The Coast of Utopia and The Book of Mormon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rob Ashford</span> American stage director and choreographer

Rob Ashford is an American stage director and choreographer. He is a Tony Award, Olivier Award, Emmy Award, Drama Desk Award, and Outer Critics Circle Award winner.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Laura Osnes</span> American actress

Laura Ann Osnes is an American actress and singer known for her work on the Broadway stage. She has played starring roles in Grease as Sandy, South Pacific as Nellie Forbush, Anything Goes as Hope Harcourt, and Bonnie and Clyde as Bonnie Parker, for which she received a Tony Award nomination for Best Actress in a Musical. She also starred in the title role of Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella on Broadway, for which she received a Drama Desk Award and her second Tony Award nomination for Best Actress in a Musical.

<i>In the Heights</i> 2005 musical by Lin-Manuel Miranda

In the Heights is a musical with concept, music, and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda and a book by Quiara Alegría Hudes. The story is set over the course of three days, involving characters in the largely Dominican American neighborhood of Washington Heights in Upper Manhattan, New York City.

The Lucille Lortel Awards recognize excellence in New York Off-Broadway theatre. The Awards are named for Lucille Lortel, an actress and theater producer, and have been awarded since 1986. They are produced by the League of Off-Broadway Theatres and Producers by special arrangement with the Lucille Lortel Foundation, with additional support from the Theatre Development Fund.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Peggy Eisenhauer</span> American lighting designer

Peggy Eisenhauer is an American lighting designer for both theatre and films. She has designed or co-designed some 41 Broadway productions and frequently collaborates with Jules Fisher.

Jill Paice is an American actress best known for her musical theatre roles. She originated the roles of Laura Fairlie in the musical The Woman in White in the West End (2004) and on Broadway (2005); Niki in Curtains on Broadway (2006); Scarlett in London's Gone With The Wind (2008); and Grazia Off-Broadway in Death Takes a Holiday (2011). Among other roles, she appeared in the Broadway play The 39 Steps (2009).

<i>A Tale of Two Cities</i> (musical)

A Tale of Two Cities is a musical with book, music and lyrics by Jill Santoriello based on the 1859 novel of the same name by Charles Dickens.

Warren Carlyle is a British director and choreographer who was born in Norwich, Norfolk, England. He received Drama Desk Award nominations for Outstanding Choreography and Outstanding Director of a Musical for the 2009 revival of Finian's Rainbow.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kate Baldwin</span> American singer

Katherine Baldwin is an American singer and actress known for her work in musical theater. She received a Tony Award nomination for her work in the 2009 Broadway revival of Finian's Rainbow. She also co-starred opposite Bette Midler, David Hyde Pierce, and Gavin Creel in the Broadway revival of Hello, Dolly!, for which she received Tony, Drama Desk, and Outer Critics Circle award nominations for her work as the saucy millineress Irene Molloy. Baldwin continued with the production until it closed in August 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">David Cromer</span> American actor and director

David Cromer is an American theatre director, and stage, film, and TV actor. He has received recognition for his work on Broadway, Off-Broadway, and in his native Chicago. Cromer has won or been nominated for numerous awards, including winning the Lucille Lortel Award and Obie Award for his direction of Our Town. He was nominated for the Drama Desk Award and the Outer Critics Circle Award for his direction of The Adding Machine. In 2018, Cromer won the Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musical for The Band's Visit.

<i>White Christmas</i> (musical) Musical by Irving Berlin, David Ives and Paul Blake

White Christmas is a musical based on the Paramount Pictures 1954 film of the same name. The book is by David Ives and Paul Blake, with music and lyrics by Irving Berlin. The original St. Louis production starred Lara Teeter, Karen Mason, Lauren Kennedy, and Lee Roy Reams, and the 2004 San Francisco production starred Brian D'Arcy James, Anastasia Barzee, Meredith Patterson, and Jeffry Denman.

Jill Furman is an American theatrical producer. Furman's Broadway credits include: Hamilton,,In the Heights, Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella, The Heiress, Seminar, West Side Story,The Drowsy Chaperone, Sly Fox and Fortune’s Fool. Off Broadway: Freestyle Love Supreme, On The Line and Adult Entertainment. Furman's father is the producer Roy Furman.

Jeffry Denman is an American actor, director, choreographer and author.

<i>Baby Its You!</i> Jukebox musical

Baby It's You! is a jukebox musical written by Floyd Mutrux and Colin Escott, featuring pop and rock hits of the 1960s, with a special emphasis on songs by the Shirelles and other acts signed to Scepter Records. The show "tells the story of Florence Greenberg and Scepter Records, the label Greenberg started when she signed the Shirelles." After several tryouts and premieres, the show debuted on Broadway in April 2011, directed by Sheldon Epps.

<i>A Christmas Story: The Musical</i> American stage musical

A Christmas Story: The Musical is a stage musical version of the 1983 film A Christmas Story. The musical has music and lyrics written by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul and the book by Joseph Robinette. The musical takes place in the 1940s in Indiana and focuses on a child named Ralphie, who wants a Red Ryder BB Gun for Christmas.

<i>Holiday Inn</i> (musical) Musical based on the 1942 film Holiday Inn

Holiday Inn is a musical based on the Paramount Pictures 1942 film of the same name. The libretto is by Gordon Greenberg and Chad Hodge, with music and lyrics by Irving Berlin. The musical opened on Broadway in 2016 after premiering at the Goodspeed Opera House in 2014.

References

  1. "Anna Louizos". BroadwayWorld. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  2. D'Arcy, David (9 May 2010). "'In the Heights' set designer plays with magic". SFGATE.
  3. http://www.broadwaycares.org/Page.aspx?pid=704
  4. Jones, Kenneth (May 27, 2008). "Scenic Designer Anna Louizos Captured the Heights by Wandering Its Streets". Playbill. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  5. Singer, Barry. "If the Shoes Fit", New York Magazine, December 13, 1993
  6. McKinley, Jesse (November 10, 2000). "On Stage and Off; 'Jekyll and Hyde' Among Closings". The New York Times.
  7. Brantley, Ben (August 1, 2010). "Theater Review; A Feeling You're Not On Sesame Street". The New York Times.
  8. Als, Hilton (August 11, 2003). "Mayhem and Madness". The New Yorker. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  9. Johns, Ian (May 29, 2006): "These Toys are Really Us." Times of London Archive Retrieved 2010-07-08.
  10. Fisher, Philip. "Theatre review: Avenue Q at Noël Coward Theatre". British Theatre Guide.
  11. "Golda's Balcony". Internet Broadway Database. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  12. Jones, Kenneth (January 14, 2011). "Producers of Baby It's You! Eyeing Broadhurst Theatre and Beth Leavel". Playbill.
  13. Riedel, Michael (January 14, 2011). "Musical's a Shirelles thing". New York Post.
  14. Diamond, Robert (January 14, 2011). "Mutrux's BABY, IT'S YOU Musical to Play Broadhurst in Spring with Leavel in Talks to Star?". BroadwayWorld. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  15. Jones, Kenneth (September 2, 2008). "Broadway's To Be or Not to Be Will Now Begin Sept. 13". Playbill.
  16. "To Be Or Not To Be". Internet Broadway Database. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  17. Gans, Andrew; Jones, Kenneth (October 20, 2008). "To Be or Not To Be to Close Nov. 16". Playbill.
  18. Isherwood, Charles (October 20, 2011). "Blighted Existences, Eased With Hope and Humor". The New York Times.
  19. Lahr, John (October 24, 2011). "Bluebird of Unhappiness". The New Yorker.
  20. Isherwood, Charles (August 16, 2011). "Co-Op's Old Crank Finds a Fresh Spirit". The New York Times.
  21. Isherwood, Charles (February 15, 2008). "Sisterhood Is Complicated". The New York Times.
  22. Jones, Kenneth (September 3, 2008). "Broadway's White Christmas Will Star Bogardus, O'Malley, Denman and Patterson". Playbill.
  23. Hernandez, Ernio (October 7, 2008). "PHOTO CALL: White Christmas Comes to Times Square". Playbill.
  24. Hernandez, Ernio (November 21, 2008). "PHOTO CALL: Snow Falls on Broadway in White Christmas". Playbill.
  25. Jones, Kenneth (September 29, 2009). "Williamson, Ogden Stiers, Errico, Yazbeck Will Be Merry and Bright in Broadway's White Christmas". Playbill. Archived from the original on October 2, 2009.
  26. Varley, Eddie (August 24, 2009). "IRVING BERLIN'S WHITE CHRISTMAS Returns To Broadway, Previews Begin At The Marquis Theatre 11/13". BroadwayWorld.
  27. Official site Archived 2011-05-31 at the Wayback Machine , whitechristmasthemusical.com, accessed September 30, 2009
  28. Geselowitz, Gabriela (21 November 2012). "Full Broadway Cast Announced for Cinderella, Starring Laura Osnes". Broadway.com. Retrieved 29 December 2014.
  29. Gioia, Michael (18 December 2014). "Andrew Lloyd Webber's School of Rock Will Shake Up Broadway Next Fall". playbill.com. Playbill . Retrieved 8 April 2022.