Bob Avian

Bob Avian, born Robert Avedisian on December 26, 1937, in New York City, was an American choreographer, theatrical producer, and director of Armenian descent. He performed on Broadway between 1960 and 1971 before transitioning into a celebrated career behind the scenes. He died on January 21, 2021.

Avian's path into the theater began as a dancer, and his early Broadway performing credits included West Side Story, Funny Girl, Henry, Sweet Henry, Coco, Cafe Crown, and Nowhere to Go But Up. Alongside his stage work, he served as a production assistant on projects including I Do! I Do! and Twigs. It was during the European tour of West Side Story in 1959 that he first crossed paths with Michael Bennett, a professional relationship that would define much of his subsequent career.

Over the following two decades, Avian and Bennett collaborated on a succession of Broadway productions, among them Promises, Promises, Coco, Company, Follies, Seesaw, God's Favorite, A Chorus Line, Ballroom, and Dreamgirls, the last of which marked Avian's debut as a solo producer. Their work on A Chorus Line earned Avian both a Tony Award for Best Choreography and a Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Choreography in 1976. The partnership yielded a second Tony Award for Best Choreography and a second Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Choreography in 1979 for Ballroom. Both productions also received Tony nominations for Best Musical.

Avian's Broadway credits extended beyond his work with Bennett. He choreographed the Broadway productions of Miss Saigon and Sunset Boulevard, receiving a Tony nomination for Best Choreography for each. He also directed the 2006 Broadway revival of A Chorus Line and produced Dreamgirls. Additional credits include Putting It Together.

In London's West End, Avian choreographed Follies, Martin Guerre, The Witches of Eastwick, Miss Saigon, and Sunset Boulevard, and staged Hey, Mr. Producer!, a tribute to producer Cameron Mackintosh. His choreography for Martin Guerre earned him the 1997 Laurence Olivier Award for Best Choreography.

Avian was openly gay and is survived by his husband, Peter Pileski, and his sister, Laura Nabedian.