David Cromer

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David Cromer
David Cromer, May 2018.jpg
Cromer in 2018
Born (1964-10-17) October 17, 1964 (age 60)
United States
OccupationTheatrical director
Awards Lucille Lortel Award, Obie Award, Tony Award, MacArthur Fellow

David Cromer (born October 17, 1964) 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 . [1] He was nominated for the Drama Desk Award and the Outer Critics Circle Award for his direction of The Adding Machine . [2] [3] In 2018, Cromer won the Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musical for The Band's Visit .

Contents

Biography and Education

Born the third of four sons to Richard and Louise Cromer, he was raised in Skokie, Illinois. Cromer dropped out of high school in his junior year, later acquired a GED, and attended Columbia College Chicago. [4]

Career

Cromer has been nominated for or won the Joseph Jefferson Award for his work in Chicago productions, winning for Angels in America Parts I and II in 1998, The Price in 2002, and The Cider House Rules in 2003. [5] [6] In 2005, Cromer made his Off-Broadway debut directing Austin Pendleton's Orson's Shadow at the Barrow Street Theatre. The production originated at the Steppenwolf Theatre Company in Chicago. [7] His 2008 production of a musical adaptation of The Adding Machine also moved to Off-Broadway from Chicago [8] and received wide critical acclaim, [9] receiving six Lucille Lortel Award nominations in the 2008 season, more than any other show. [3] Cromer received a nomination for the 2008 Drama Desk Award, Outstanding Director of a Musical, for The Adding Machine. [2] It is now being produced in regional theaters around the country. [10]

In 2009, Cromer performed the role of the Stage Manager in an Off-Broadway revival of Our Town , which he also directed, at The Barrow Street Theatre. [11] The production, which began in Chicago in 2008, has been acclaimed for its non-traditional elements. [12] Cromer won the Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Director and the Obie Award, Directing for Our Town. [13] In the wake of his Our Town success, The New York Times profiled Cromer, referring to "his suddenly thriving career [which] has etched him as a visionary wunderkind, a genius in a black cape with secrets up his billowing sleeves." [4]

In October 2009, Cromer directed a short-lived Broadway revival of Brighton Beach Memoirs starring Noah Robbins, Santino Fontana, Laurie Metcalf, and Dennis Boutsikaris. (The planned production of Broadway Bound was cancelled.) [14]

He directed the Broadway revival of The House of Blue Leaves , which starred Ben Stiller and Edie Falco and played a limited run from April 2011 to August 2011. [15]

In 2010, he was announced to direct the Broadway production of the musical Yank! by Joseph and David Zellnik. [16] In 2010, he said of Yank!, "I'm hungrier to work on this than anything in recent memory." [17] However, the production has been postponed, according to The New York Times article of September 2010. [18]

In June to July 2011, he directed A Streetcar Named Desire , with Jessica Hecht as Blanche, at the Williamstown Theater Festival. [19]

He was announced to direct a Broadway revival of Tennessee Williams' Sweet Bird of Youth starring Nicole Kidman and James Franco and set for Fall 2011, but in August 2011 the production was delayed and Franco dropped out. Cromer says it is "still on the drawing board." [20]

He directed Tribes by Nina Raine at the Off-Broadway Barrow Street Theatre, which ran from February 2012 to September 2012. [21] [22]

In October to December 2013, he returned to Chicago to star as Ned Weeks in TimeLine Theatre Company's production of The Normal Heart by Larry Kramer. [23]

In 2016 he directed The Effect [24] and The Band’s Visit , [25] the latter of which winning him the 2017 Obie Award for Directing. [26] In 2017, The Band's Visit transferred to Broadway, where it won 10 Tony Awards, including Best Musical and Best Direction of a Musical.

In 2017 he directed The Treasurer at Playwrights' Horizons. [27]

In 2019, he directed The Sound Inside at Studio 54 [28] for which Cromer received a nomination for the Tony Award for Best Direction of a Play, one of the six Tony nominations the production received. [29]

He also has worked as a character actor. In 2012, he appeared in a small role in the pilot of the television show The Newsroom . [30] In 2015, he played a character in the show Billions . [31]

In 2022, he directed Camp Siegfried at the Tony Kiser Theatre and A Case for the Existence of God Off-Broadway. [32] [33]

In 2023, he appeared in the title role in Uncle Vanya Off-Broadway. [34]

Cromer directed the Broadway production of the play Prayer for the French Republic by Joshua Harmon in 2024. [35]

In 2024, it was announced that Cromer was set to direct the stage adaptation of Good Night, and Good Luck co-written and starring George Clooney. [36]

Cromer directed the musical Dead Outlaw on Broadway in 2025. [37]

Stage credits

YearTitleRole [38] Venue
1995Oscar RememberedDirectorRegional, Writers' Theater Chicago
1996 Golden Boy Regional, Steppenwolf Theatre
1998 Angels in America Regional, The Journeymen
1999 Translations Regional, Seanachi Theatre Company
2000 Orson's Shadow Regional, Steppenwolf Theatre
Regional, Williamstown Theatre Festival
Booth Regional, Writers' Theatre
2001 Betty's Summer Vacation Regional, Roadworks Productions
2002 The Price Regional, Writers' Theatre
The Dazzle Regional, Steppenwolf Theatre
The Hot l Baltimore Regional, Marry-Arrchie Theatre Company
2003 The Cider House Rules Regional, Famous Door Theater
Journey's End Regional, Seanachi Theatre Company
The Grapes of Wrath Regional, Ford's Theatre Company
2004 Blue/Orange Regional, Northlight Theatre
Mojo Regional, Marry-Arrchie Theatre Company
2005 Orson's Shadow Regional, Marry-Arrchie Theatre Company
2006 Come Back, Little Sheba Regional, Shattered Globe Theatre
2007The Adding Machine: A Chamber MusicalRegional, Next Theatre Company
2008Adding MachineRegional, Minetta Lane Theatre
Our Town Regional, Chopin Studio Theatre
Picnic Regional, Writers' Theatre
Celebrity RowRegional, American Theater Company
2009 Our Town Off-Broadway, Barrow Street Theatre
The Farnsworth Invention Regional, Alley Theatre
Brighton Beach Memoirs Broadway, Nederlander Theatre
Broadway Bound
The Santaland Diaries Regional, Alley Theatre
2010 When the Rain Stops Falling Off-Broadway, Lincoln Center Theatre
A Streetcar Named Desire Regional, Writers' Theatre
Cherrywood: The Modern ComparableRegional, Marry-Arrchie Theatre Company
2011 The House of Blue Leaves Broadway, Walter Kerr Theatre
A Streetcar Named Desire Regional, Williamstown Theatre Festival
2012 Tribes Off-Broadway, Barrow Street Theatre
Rent Regional, American Theater Company
Sweet Bird of Youth Regional, Goodman Theatre
Our Town Regional, Huntington Theatre Company
2013Really ReallyOff-Broadway, MCC Theater
Nikolai and the OthersOff-Broadway, Lincoln Center Theatre
Tribes Regional, La Jolla Playhouse
Women or NothingOff-Broadway, Atlantic Theatre Company
2014 A Raisin in the Sun Karl LindnerBroadway, Ethel Barrymore Theatre
Our Town DirectorRegional, Kansas City Repertory Theatre
West End, Almeida Theatre
2015 Angels in America Regional, Kansas City Repertory Theatre
Come Back, Little Sheba Regional, Huntington Theatre Company
2016The EffectWest End, Royal National Theatre
The Band's Visit Off-Broadway, Atlantic Theatre Company
2017 Man from Nebraska Off-Broadway, Second Stage Theatre
The TreasurerOff-Broadway, Playwrights Horizons
The Band's Visit Broadway, Ethel Barrymore Theatre
2018 The Sound Inside Regional, Williamstown Theatre Festival
The Waverly Gallery Howard FineBroadway, John Golden Theatre
2019 The Sound Inside DirectorBroadway, Studio 54
Next to Normal Regional, Writers' Theatre
2020BugRegional, Steppenwolf Theatre
2021
2022A Case for the Existence of GodOff-Broadway, Signature Theatre Company
Camp SiegfriedOff-Broadway, Second Stage Theatre
2024 Prayer for the French Republic Broadway, Samuel J. Friedman Theatre
Dead Outlaw Off-Broadway, Minetta Lane Theatre
The CounterOff-Broadway, Roundabout Theatre Company
I'm Almost ThereOff-Broadway, Minetta Lane Theatre
2025 The Antiquities Off-Broadway, Playwrights Horizons
Regional, Goodman Theatre
Good Night, and Good Luck Broadway, Winter Garden Theatre
Dead Outlaw Broadway, Longacre Theatre
CarolineOff-Broadway, MCC Theater
Meet the CartoziansOff-Broadway, Second Stage Theatre

Awards and nominations

YearAwardCategoryWorkResultRef.
2008 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Director of a Musical Adding MachineNominated [39]
Outer Critics Circle Awards Outstanding Director of a MusicalNominated
2012 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Director of a Play Tribes Nominated
Outer Critics Circle Awards Outstanding Director of a PlayNominated
2017 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Director of a Musical The Band's Visit Won
Outer Critics Circle Awards Outstanding Director of a MusicalNominated
2018 Tony Awards Best Direction of a Musical Won
Drama League Awards Outstanding Production of a Broadway or Off-Broadway MusicalWon
2020 Tony Awards Best Direction of a Play The Sound Inside Nominated
2022 Lucille Lortel Awards Outstanding Director Prayer for the French Republic Nominated
2023A Case for the Existence of GodNominated
2024 Dead Outlaw Nominated
Drama League Awards Outstanding Direction of a MusicalNominated
Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Direction of a Musical Nominated
2025 Tony Awards Best Direction of a Musical Nominated
Drama League Awards Outstanding Direction of a Play Good Night, and Good Luck Nominated
Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Director of a Play The Antiquities Nominated

Personal life

He was named a 2010 MacArthur Fellows Program, the foundation cited his efforts in reviving classic theater such as his work on The Adding Machine and Our Town in their announcement. [40]

He taught directing at Columbia College Chicago, the same school he attended years prior.

Cromer is gay. [4]

References

  1. Hetrick, Adam (September 12, 2010). "David Cromer's Heralded Our Town Ends Off-Broadway Run Sept. 12". Playbill. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
  2. 1 2 "Cromer listing" InternetBroadway Database, accessed April 24, 2011
  3. 1 2 Gans, Andrew; Jones, Kenneth (May 5, 2008). "Betrayed and Adding Machine Win Lucille Lortel Awards". Playbill. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
  4. 1 2 3 Witchel, Alex. "David Cromer Isn’t Giving Up", The New York Times , February 11, 2011.
  5. "Jeff Awards Cromer Listing" Archived August 29, 2011, at the Wayback Machine jeffawards.org, accessed April 25, 2011
  6. Jones, Kenneth (November 4, 2003). "Chicago Jeff Awards Go to Richard Kind, Marc Robin, Cider House Rules, Singin' in the Rain". Playbill. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
  7. Isherwood, Charles. "Two Titans of Drama Assemble for a Battle of Wills and Wits" The New York Times, March 14, 2005
  8. Isherwood, Charles (February 28, 2007). "An Audience-Friendly Theatrical Town, Chicago Is". The New York Times. Retrieved April 6, 2008.
  9. Feldman, Adam (February 27, 2008). "Adding Machine". Time Out: New York . Archived from the original on March 30, 2008. Retrieved April 6, 2008.
  10. Isherwood, Charles. "Prolific Director, Off Off Off Off Broadway" The New York Times, November 11, 2008
  11. Gans, Andrew; Jones, Kenneth (June 16, 2009). "Cromer to Return to Off-Broadway's Our Town June 19". Playbill. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
  12. Isherwood, Charles. "21st-Century Grover’s Corners, With the Audience as Neighbors" The New York Times, February 27, 2009
  13. "'Our Town' Listing" Archived October 2, 2012, at the Wayback Machine Internet Off-Broadway Database, accessed April 24, 2011
  14. Jones, Kenneth (October 31, 2009). "Broadway's Neil Simon Plays Will Close Nov. 1". Playbill. Archived from the original on June 6, 2012.
  15. Gans, Andrew (April 25, 2011). "Ben Stiller and Edie Falco Inhabit a House of Blue Leaves, Opening on Broadway April 25". Playbill. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
  16. Gans, Andrew; Hetrick, Adam (May 10, 2010). "David Cromer to Direct Broadway's Yank! A WWII Love Story". Playbill. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
  17. Cromer newyorktheatreguide.com
  18. Healy, Patrick. "'Yank!' Won't Reach Broadway This Season" New York Times, September 4, 2010
  19. Healy, Patrick."Cromer and Hecht to Reunite for 'Streetcar' at Williamstown" The New York Times, March 7, 2011.
  20. Healy, Patrick (August 30, 2011). "'Sweet Bird' Won't Fly on Broadway This Fall; Franco No Longer Involved in Revival". The New York Times.
  21. Hetrick, Adam (March 21, 2011). "David Cromer-Directed Off-Broadway Hit Tribes Extends to September". Playbill. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
  22. Brantley, Ben. "World of Silence and Not Listening" nytimes.com, March 4, 2012
  23. Peterson, Tyler (July 18, 2013). "David Cromer to Lead TimeLine's NORMAL HEART; Casts Announced for Fall Season". BroadwayWorld.
  24. Als, Hilton. "David Cromer directs "The Effect"". New Yorker.
  25. Teachout, Terry. "'The Band's Visit' Review: Nothing Lost in Translation". Wall Street Journal.
  26. Obie Awards for his work, 2017 Winners Archived May 7, 2019, at the Wayback Machine
  27. Brantley, Ben. "In ‘The Treasurer,’ a Son Remembers Mama, as She Forgets Everything" nytimes.com, September 26, 2017
  28. Meyer, Dan (October 18, 2019). "How Broadway's The Sound Inside Got Made and Why Audiences Should See It". Playbill. Retrieved October 31, 2020.
  29. Libbey, Peter (October 15, 2020). "Full List of the 2020 Tony Award Nominees". The New York Times. Retrieved October 31, 2020.
  30. Jones, Chris. "Cromer shows up in Sorkin pilot", Chicago Tribune, April 03, 2012, accessed April 30, 2016 at
  31. Clement, Olivia (August 9, 2018). "The Band's Visit Director David Cromer Joins Cast of The Waverly Gallery on Broadway". Playbill .
  32. Rabinowitz, Chloe. "Sawyer Barth & Lily McInerny to Star in Bess Wohl's CAMP SIEGFRIED at Second Stage Theater". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved August 25, 2022.
  33. Green, Jesse (May 3, 2022). "Review: Making a Beautiful 'Case for the Existence of God'". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved September 15, 2023.
  34. Collins-Hughes, Laura (July 7, 2023). "'Uncle Vanya' Review: Confidences by Candlelight". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved September 15, 2023.
  35. Culwell-Block, Logan (January 9, 2024). "Watch: Take a Look at Broadway's Prayer for the French Republic, Opening January 9". Playbill .
  36. Culwell-Block, Logan (May 13, 2024). "George Clooney Will Star in Broadway Adaptation of Good Night, and Good Luck". Playbill .
  37. Culwell-Block, Logan (December 19, 2024). "Dead Outlaw Is Coming to Broadway". Playbill .
  38. "David Cromer". AboutTheArtists. Retrieved August 4, 2025.
  39. "David Cromer". Playbill. Retrieved August 4, 2025.
  40. "MacArthur Fellows Program: Meet the 2010 Fellows" macfound.org, accessed April 24, 2011