Biography
Christopher Ashley won the Tony Award for directing the Broadway production of Come From Away and is the Artistic Director of the Tony Award-winning La Jolla Playhouse in San Diego, CA. His film credits include Diana: The Musical on Netflix, the feature films Jeffrey and Lucky Stiff, and the American Playhouse production of Blown Sideways Through Life for PBS. At La Jolla Playhouse, Ashley directed world premieres such as Come From Away, Diana: The Musical, Escape to Margaritaville, Memphis, The Darrell Hammond Project, Hollywood, and Chasing the Song. His other notable Playhouse credits include Freaky Friday, A Midsummer Night's Dream, and Glengarry Glen Ross.
On Broadway, in addition to Come From Away, his credits include Diana: The Musical; Escape to Margaritaville; Xanadu; Leap of Faith (Drama Desk Award nomination); Memphis (Tony and Outer Critics Circle nominations); All Shook Up; and The Rocky Horror Show (Tony, Drama Desk, and Outer Critics Circle Award nominations). Ashley has directed Come From Away productions in London, Toronto, Australia, and on national tours. Other tours he has directed include Escape to Margaritaville, Memphis, Xanadu, All Shook Up, and Seussical: The Musical.
His additional New York stage credits feature Blown Sideways Through Life, Jeffrey (recipient of Lucille Lortel and Obie Awards), The Most Fabulous Story Ever Told, Valhalla (Lucille Lortel nomination for Outstanding Direction), Regrets Only, Wonder of the World, Communicating Doors, Bunny Bunny, The Night Hank Williams Died, and Fires in the Mirror (Lucille Lortel Award), among others. Christopher Ashley has been honored with the Princess Grace Award, the Drama League Director Fellowship, and an NEA/TCG Director Fellowship.
