Michael Robert Ockrent (18 June 1946 – 2 December 1999) was a British stage director, well-known both for his Broadway musicals and smaller niche plays.
Education He was educated at Highgate School.
Career Through directing Educating Rita, The Nerd and Follies, he became an established figure in London theatre. In 1986 he made a successful transition to New York City with Me and My Girl that earned several Tony Award nominations. In later life Ockrent worked in film, mainly straight-to-TV movies.
Personal life In 1992 Ockrent worked with Susan Stroman on Crazy for You and other productions. They were married in 1996 and remained so until Ockrent's death from leukaemia in New York in 1999. Ockrent's son is the screenwriter and director Ben Ockrent.
Legacy A charitable trust now exists in his name.Official website The trust aims to give access to theatre for children with cancer, involving nights at the theatre with visits backstage afterwards. It also funds leukaemia research, "both mainstream and 'alternative'".
Credits
Filmography Shakespeare Lives! (1982) TV series (co-producer) Bestseller (1985) (TV) (director) Mrs. Capper's Birthday (1985) (TV) (a.k.a. Star Quality: Mrs. Capper's Birthday (UK)) (director) Dancin' Thru the Dark (1990) (director) Money for Nothing (1993/II) (TV) (a.k.a. Hot Millions (USA) or Screen One: Money for Nothing (UK: series title)) (director) A Christmas Carol (2004/I) (TV) (musical) (a.k.a. A Christmas Carol: The Musical (USA)) (screenplay)
Stage The Dead of Night by Stanley Eveling (1975) Once a Catholic (1979) The Nerd, Aldwych Theatre, London (1984) (starring Rowan Atkinson) Rowan Atkinson at the Atkinson (1986) Me and My Girl (1986–1989) Happy Birthday, Sir Larry (31 May 1987) an 80th birthday tribute to Lord OlivierProgramme for Happy Birthday, Sir Larry, dated 31 May 1987 Crazy for You (1991–1996) (Ockrent conceived the idea) A Christmas Carol (1995) Big (1996) King David (1997)
Novel
Running Down Broadway (1992)
Awards and nominations Awards 1987 – Drama Desk Award Outstanding Book – Me and My Girl 1987 – Drama Desk Award Outstanding Director of a Musical – Me and My Girl Nominations 1987 – Tony Award Best Book of a Musical – Me and My Girl (joint with L. Arthur Rose, Douglas Furber and Stephen Fry) 1987 – Tony Award Best Direction of a Musical – Me and My Girl 1992 – Drama Desk Award Best Direction of a Musical – Crazy for You 1992 – Drama Desk Award Outstanding Director of a Musical – Crazy for You
References
External links The Mike Ockrent charitable trust