Tony Award-winning choreographer Bob Avian dies at 83
NEW YORK (AP) - Bob Avian, a Tony Award-winning choreographer who had a role in some of the most beloved and influential shows on Broadway, including 'œDreamgirls,'ť 'œA Chorus Line,'ť 'œFollies'ť and 'œMiss Saigon,'ť has died. He was 83.
Avian died Thursday of cardiac arrest at Holy Cross Hospital in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, said Matt Polk, head of the theatrical publicity firm Polk & Co.
Tony-winner Tony Yazbeck on Twitter called Avian 'œa sweet and kind spirit who generously gave his creative talents to legendary works.'ť Marvin Hamlisch said: 'œHis legacy will live on stage for years to come.'ť
Avian rose from a dancer in 'œWest Side Story'ť and 'œFunny Girl'ť to work alongside such theater luminaries as Michael Bennett, Cameron Macintosh, Stephen Sondheim and Andrew Lloyd Webber.
It was with Bennett that Avian enjoyed a long professional partnership, working as associate choreographer or assistant director on such Bennett-choreographed productions as 'œA Chorus Line,'ť 'œPromises, Promises,'ť 'œCoco,'ť 'œCompany,'ť 'œFollies, 'œSeesaw'ť and 'œGod's Favorite.'ť
He was a producer on the original 'œDreamgirls'ť and 'œBallroom'ť and did musical staging for 'œSunset Boulevard'ť starring Glenn Close in 1994, 'œPutting It Together'ť with Carol Burnett and the original 'œMiss Saigon'ť with Lea Salonga in 1991.
Avian earned six Tony nominations and won twice, for choreographing 'œBallroom'ť and co-choreographing 'œA Chorus Line.'ť He won an Oliver Award for choreographing Boublil and Schonberg's musical 'œMartin Guerre'ť in London. He also choreographed 'œThe Witches of Eastwick'ť in the West End starring Ian McShane.
Avian's association with 'œA Chorus Line'ť continued when he directed the 2006 revival on Broadway and the London revival at the Palladium in 2013. He also directed touring versions.
He earned a bachelor's degree from Boston University and also studied at Boston Ballet School. In 2020, his memoir 'œDancing Man: A Broadway Choreographer's Journey'ť co-written with Tom Santopietro was published by University Press of Mississippi.
He is survived by his husband, Peter Pileski, and a sister, Laura Nabedian.