Eric Rosen (playwright)
{{Short description|American playwright}}
{{COI|date=August 2018}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Eric Rosen
| image = Eric Rosen AD KC Rep (cropped).jpg
| caption = Rosen in 2017
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1970|9|23}}
| birth_place = Asheville, North Carolina
| occupation = Director and Playwright
| years_active =
| spouse = Claybourne Elder (m. 2012)
}}
Eric Brent Rosen (born September 23, 1970) is an American theater director and playwright.
Education
Rosen attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and completed a doctorate of performance studies at Northwestern University.
Career
Eric Rosen co-founded and served as Artistic Director of Chicago's About Face Theatre from 1995-2008.{{cite web |last1=Wayne |first1=Kevin |title=About Face Artistic Director Eric Rosen is Leaving for Kansas City |url=http://chicago.gopride.com/news/article.cfm/articleid/4930000 |website=chicagopride.com |publisher=Chicago Pride |access-date=19 June 2018}} At About Face, Rosen produced the original production of the Pulitzer and Tony Award winning play I Am My Own Wife{{cite web |title=Eric Rosen |url=https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-cast-staff/eric-rosen-117545 |website=Internet Broadway Database |publisher=IBDB |access-date=19 June 2018}} and Tennessee Williams' One Arm{{cite web |authorlink1=Robert Simonson|last1=Simonson |first1=Robert |title=Steppenwolf, About Face and Tectonic Team on Williams' One Arm |url=http://www.playbill.com/article/steppenwolf-about-face-and-tectonic-team-on-williams-one-arm-com-122469 |website=Playbill |access-date=19 June 2018}} directed by Moisés Kaufman. He went on to serve as Artistic Director of Kansas City Repertory Theatre, bringing national attention to the institution.{{cite web |last1=Trussell |first1=Robert |title=KC Rep's Eric Rosen looks to future |url=http://www.kansascity.com/entertainment/article303218/KC-Reps-Eric-Rosen-looks-to-future.html |website=Kansascity.com |publisher=Kansas City Star |access-date=19 June 2018}}
He directed the original production of A Christmas Story: The Musical,{{cite web |last1=Hetrick |first1=Adam |title=A Christmas Story: The Musical! Finds Its Ralphie; Casting Set for 5th Avenue Debut |url=http://www.playbill.com/article/a-christmas-story-the-musical-finds-its-ralphie-casting-set-for-5th-avenue-debut-com-172810 |website=Playbill |access-date=19 June 2018}} with music by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, which opened on Broadway in 2012 and was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Musical.{{cite web |last1=Snetiker |first1=Marc |title=A Christmas Story, The Musical Cast to Reunite for Tony Awards Performance |url=https://www.broadway.com/buzz/169779/a-christmas-story-the-musical-cast-to-reunite-for-tony-awards-performance/ |website=Broadway.com |access-date=19 June 2018}} He co-wrote and directed Venice{{cite web |title=Eric Rosen Broadway and Theatre Credits |url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/people/Eric-Rosen/ |website=BroadwayWorld.com |publisher=Broadway World |access-date=19 June 2018}} at the Public Theatre in New York which Time magazine named the best musical of 2010.{{cite magazine |last1=Zoglin |first1=Richard |title=Venice, by Way of Kansas City: The Year's Best Musical |url=http://content.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1989375,00.html |magazine=Time |date=14 May 2010 |publisher=Time |access-date=19 June 2018}} He also directed and co-conceived Clay at Lincoln Center.{{cite web |title=Eric Rosen |url=http://www.lct.org/shows/people/eric-rosen/ |website=Lct.org |publisher=Lincoln Center |access-date=19 June 2018}}
He is also known for his reimagining of classic musicals including Sunday in the Park with George which played at the Nelson-Atkins Museum,{{cite web |last1=Trussell |first1=Robert |title=Kansas City Repertory Theatre's 'Sunday in the Park With George' is a triumph of design |url=http://www.kansascity.com/entertainment/performing-arts/article35826897.html |website=KansasCity.com |publisher=Kansas City Star |access-date=19 June 2018}} a punk rock production of Pippin,{{cite web |last1=Walker |first1=Steve |title=Kansas City Rep Brings 'Pippin' Into The 21st Century |url=http://kcur.org/post/kansas-city-rep-brings-pippin-21st-century#stream/0 |website=KCUR.com |date=20 September 2012 |publisher=Kansas City Public Radio |access-date=19 June 2018}} and Hair: Retrospection in collaboration with and starring members of the original Broadway companies of Hair{{cite web |last1=Trussell |first1=Robert |title='Hair' at KC Rep soars to unexpected heights |url=http://www.kansascity.com/entertainment/performing-arts/article16598780.html |website=KansasCity.com |publisher=Kansas City Star |access-date=19 June 2018}}
As a playwright, his work includes the play Dream Boy{{cite web |last1=Ring |first1=Trudy |title=Dream Boy Helps Usher In a New Era for Queer Theater |url=https://www.advocate.com/arts-entertainment/2016/3/03/dream-boy-helps-usher-new-era-queer-theater |website=Advocate.com |date=3 March 2016 |publisher=Advocate |access-date=19 June 2018}} which won a Chicago Jeff Award for Best New Play and Best Direction, and the critically acclaimed hip hop musical Venice.{{cite web |last1=H |first1=Clair |title=The Public Theater's Venice offers a fresh perspective on a universal truth |url=http://stagedoordish.com/the-public-theaters-venice-offers-a-fresh-perspective-on-a-universal-truth/ |website=Stagedoordish.com |publisher=Stage Door Dish |access-date=19 June 2018}}
In 2000, he co-founded About Face Youth Theatre, one of the nation's foremost arts and advocacy programs for at-risk LGBTQ youth, and the 18 year old program continues to serve thousands of young people in Chicago.
Rosen serves on the Board of Directors of Theatre Communications Group.{{cite web |title=TCG Announces New Appointments to Board of Directors |url=https://www.tcg.org/Default.aspx?TabID=6508 |website=tcg.org |publisher=Theatre Communications Group |access-date=19 June 2018}}
Directing credits
Personal life
Eric Rosen and actor Claybourne Elder were married on July 28, 2012 in New York State.Wontorek, Paul. [http://www.broadway.com/buzz/163506/exclusive-claybourne-elder-on-puppy-love-his-broadway-wedding-making-music-in-pippin-with-new-hubby-eric-rosen/ "Exclusive! Claybourne Elder on Puppy Love, His Broadway Wedding & Making Music in Pippin with New Hubby Eric Rosen"] broadway.com, August 20, 2012 In 2017 they had a son through surrogacy, who they named Claybourne.{{Cite news|url=https://www.broadway.com/buzz/189355/broadways-claybourne-elder-eric-rosen-welcome-first-child/|title=Broadway's Claybourne Elder & Eric Rosen Welcome First Child|work=Broadway.com|access-date=2018-06-19}}
References
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Category:American theatre directors
Category:Broadway theatre directors
Category:Northwestern University alumni