Lawrence Leritz- Director/Choreographer: Broadway, Film, TV- MSA/NY

Lawrence Leritz is one of America's best known dance personalities. Leritz began his career with a Ford Foundation Scholarship to Balanchine's NEW YORK CITY BALLET and HARKNESS BALLET (with Patrick Swayze) danced with the PARIS OPERA at New York's Metropolitan Opera & the Kennedy Center, the CHICAGO BALLET, Placido Domingo's LOS ANGELES MUSIC CENTER OPERA, Germany's HAMBURG BALLET, Israel's BAT DOR DANCE COMPANY, in FONTEYN & NUREYEV ON BROADWAY and as a guest artist throughout the world. Leritz's own dance company, DANCE CELEBRATION, represented the United States at the International Choreographic Competitions in Paris and received special congratulations from the White House. Lawrence appeared three times on the cover of DANCE PAGES MAGAZINE. Lawrence is proud to have danced for a Who's Who of international dance choreographers, including George Balanchine, Jerome Robbins, Robert Joffrey, Tommy Tune, Ruth Page, Lee Theodore, Joe Layton, Sir Frederick Ashton, John Neumeier and Alvin Ailey.
Leritz made his theatrical debut in the children's chorus of the World Stage Premiere of Rodgers and Hammerstein's musical STATE FAIR, starring Ozzie & Harriet Nelson at the St. Louis Municipal Opera. STATE FAIR was supervised by Richard Rodgers, directed by James Hammerstein and choreographed by Tommy Tune. Lawrence made his Broadway debut in Sir Frederick Ashton's production of FONTEYN & NUREYEV ON BROADWAY, in the legendary duo's farewell engagement at the Gershwin Theatre. Leritz returned to Broadway when he was chosen by Jerome Robbins for his revival of FIDDLER ON THE ROOF at the New York State Theatre, starring Herschel Bernardi & Maria Karnilova. Leritz returned to co-star with Judy Kaye, John Reardon, John Schuck, Beth Leavel and Lorene Yarnell ("Shields & Yarnell") at the St. Louis Municipal Opera in Cole Porter's CAN-CAN, garnering rave reviews.

Audiences will recognize Lawrence Leritz from his acting roles in the Universal's THE ADJUSTMENT BUREAU with Matt Damon and Emily Blunt and Julie Taymor's musical ACROSS THE UNIVERSE. as the Groom in DUMMY, starring Adrien Brody, EASY MONEY with Rodney Dangerfield & the HBO's feature film STAG, which features an ensemble cast including Ben Gazzara, Andrew McCarthy, Taylor Dayne and Jerry Stiller.
Lawrence produced and choreographed the hit show, BOOBS! THE MUSICAL, which opened at The Triad Theatre, May 20th, 2003 to rave reviews. Lawrence received New York's 2004 MAC AWARD BEST MUSICAL nomination & won the New Orleans 2005 BIG EASY AWARD & AMBIE AWARD for BOOBS! Lawrence returned to the Triad Theatre, Oct.3, 2012, directing and producing Welcome Back Kotter's "Ron Palillo Tribute Celebration," hosted by Tyne Daly.

Leritz produced The 50th Anniversary Gala of The American Guild of Musical Artists, starring Beverly Sills and Peter Martins at The New York State Theatre at Lincoln Center in 1986. Lawrence also choreographed the Motown/Sony Pictures hit, "The Last Dragon", the mime duo Shields & Yarnell, and for MTV. Leritz is the Spectrum Records recording artist of the dance hit single "Crank It Up" produced by Cory Wade, performing live during the final month of the Las Vegas Stardust Hotel.

In 2006,Lawrence Leritz had success as a producer for three seasons of the annual television event, DAY OF COMPASSION, which became the largest one day event in television history with over 200 shows on the air. TIME MAGAZINE named Lawrence as their LOCAL HERO in June 1996 for his contribution.
Lawrence Leritz appeared as CIA villain Edgar, The Villain in the spy spoof, FUNDING THE ARTS at the Baryshnikov Arts Center, spring 2010.

www.LawrenceLeritz.com

THE NEW YORK TIMES: "The six-person cast is expertly choreographed by Lawrence Leritz"

LONDON FINANCIAL TIMES: Brendan Lemon- "With only a piano for accompaniment, Boobs! has been inventively choreographed by Lawrence Leritz"

NEW YORK MAGAZINE: John Simon "Boobs! is subtitled The World According to Ruth Wallis, and a canny, tuneful, and niftily naughty world it is. Lawrence Leritz's choreography is appealing apposite"

SHOWBUSINESS: "Boobs more than any other production I've seen off-Broadway or Broadway do the offstage figures deserve commendation. Lawrence Leritz's choreography and musical staging are exceptional-flawless!"

McDonald/Selznick Agency NY