Kirby Ward has been in the entertainment industry for over thirty-five years and is a veteran of over sixty theatrical productions. He’s performed for The Queen of England and appeared as Bob Hope at the Library of Congress’ 100th Birthday celebration of the comic’s life. As the original Bobby Child in the London West End premier of Crazy For You he received an Olivier Award nomination. You can hear his performance on the London cast recording. He was also featured in the Broadway revival of Show Boat directed by Hal Prince, as well as numerous other Broadway Shows. Kirby has played many of the World showrooms with luminaries such as Debbie Reynolds, Phyllis Diller, Shecky Green and Bill Cosby.

As director and choreographer, Mr. Ward has created material for Debbie Reynolds and Donald O'Connor, worked with Bette Midler and James Caan on the film For The Boys, and has directed and choreographed both off-Broadway and regionally all over the US. He was named Best Director of 2002 and 2005 in Boston for his critically acclaimed productions of Singin' in the Rain and Crazy For You and recently received the San Diego Critics Circle Craig Noel Awards for Best Director of a Musical for 2005 and Best Choreography for 2007. He’s appeared in concert at the Hollywood Bowl and with reknowned symphoinies in Hollywood, Hong Kong, Buffalo, Virginia, New Mexico, Atlanta, Maryland, Winnipeg, Houston and Naples.

Kirby has written for television and film, most recently winning Best Short Film at the Kent Film Festival for a film he wrote and directed, Down in the Mouth. His original new musical, The Gypsy King, has been produced at the Village Theatre in Issaquah, WA.

DIRECTOR or CHOREOGRAPHER

DOWN IN THE MOUTH (indie.)

Written, directed and edited by Kirby, this twenty-minute short film for the festival circuit was an official selection at the Los Angeles International Shorts Film Festival, the Buffalo Film Festival, the New England Film and Video Festival, and it won the 2006 Award for best short film at the Kent Film Festival in Kent, CT.

FOR THE BOYS (20th Century Fox)

Kirby worked closely with Bette Midler and James Caan, training them for five weeks prior to filming -- then he assisted Joe Layton on the choreography for the film.

SINGIN' IN THE RAIN (various stage prods.)

Kirby directed and edited the films used in two productions. The films were shot on 16mm, transferred to digital video and edited in Final Cut Pro.

FREELANCE WRITER

WAKE, RATTLE AND ROLL (Hanna Barbera)

MONSTER TAILS (Hanna Barbera)

ACTOR

LAW & ORDER/SVU (NBC)

FOR THE BOYS (20th Century Fox)

BATTLE OF THE ROCKLORDS (Hanna Barbera)

GENERAL HOSPITAL (ABC/TV)

ONE GOOD TURN (PBS)

DIRECTOR or CHOREOGRAPHER

SHE LOVES ME (dir./choreo.)

THE JAZZ SINGER (choreo.)

CRAZY FOR YOU (dir./choreo.)

THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE (dir./choreo.)

BIG RIVER (dir./choreo.)

LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS (dir./choreo.)

ROMANCING THE THRONE (dir./choreo.)

DAMES AT SEA (dir./choreo.)

GREASE (dir./choreo.)

DAMES AT SEA (dir./choreo.)

BIG RIVER (dir./choreo.)

ME & MY GIRL (dir./choreo.)

SUGAR BABIES (dir./choreo.)

SINGIN' IN THE RAIN (dir./starred)

HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS... (choreo.)

SHOW BOAT (special choreo.)

ACTOR

CRAZY FOR YOU (starred, London West End)

SHOW BOAT! (Frank Schultz, Bdwy & Nat. Tour)

SUGAR BABIES (Ens., Nat. Tour)

NEVER GONNA DANCE (Various, Bdwy.)

STREET SCENE (Dick, Lyric Opera, Chicago)

THE COCOANUTS (Harvey, AJT, NY)

WOMAN OF THE YEAR (Ens., Bdwy.)

STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE (Dr.)

GYPSY (Herbie)

SWING (Band Leader)

BYE BYE BIRDIE (Albert)

ONE FLEW...CUCKOO’S NEST (Billy Bibbit)

PAL JOEY (Joey)

YOU’RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN (Snoopy)

THE SCHOOL FOR WIVES (Arnolph)

GEORGE M! (George)

MY ONE AND ONLY (Billy Buck)

DEAR WORLD (Prospector)

COMPANY (David)

JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR (Herod)

SINGING IN THE RAIN (Don Lockwood)

SUGAR BABIES (Top Banana)

THEY’RE PLAYING OUR SONG (Vernon)

DAMES AT SEA (Cpt./Hennesy)

EVITA (Che)

42ND STREET (Billy)

SYMPHONY GUEST STAR APPEARANCES

The Hollywood Bowl, Hong Kong, Detroit, Houston, Naples, The Pacific Sympony, Buffalo, Virginia, Winnipeg, Atlanta, and many more.

TO HAVE & TO HOLD

This cabaret show was created by and for Kirby and wife Beverly. They’ve appeared at the Downtown Cabaret in Bridgeport, CT, the famed Birdland in New York City and on the Crystal Cruise Line.

92ND STREET Y, NY

Kirby and Beverly were featured twice, presenting Gershwin’s political operettas and an evening of Gershwin “at the movies”.

THE DEBBIE REYNOLDS SHOW

Kirby was a featured singer in Debbie Reynolds’ act, appearing in Las Vegas, Australia, Atlantic City, Reno, Mexico City, the Tonight Show and everywhere in-between. He also conceptualized and staged Debbie's opening number and specialty material for Donald O'Connor when he joined the show.