Andy Sandberg is an American director, writer, actor, and producer. A 2005 graduate of

Yale College Yale College is the undergraduate college of Yale University. Founded in 1701, it is the original school of the university. Although other Yale schools were founded as early as 1810, all of Yale was officially known as Yale College until 1887, ...

, his Off-Broadway directing credits include ''Straight, Application Pending'' (also author), ''Shida, Craving for Travel'' (also author)'', Operation Epsilon'', and ''The Last Smoker in America''. He is also known as a producer of the

Broadway Broadway may refer to: Theatre * Broadway Theatre (disambiguation) * Broadway theatre, theatrical productions in professional theatres near Broadway, Manhattan, New York City, U.S. ** Broadway (Manhattan), the street **Broadway Theatre (53rd Stree ...

(2009) and

West End West End most commonly refers to: * West End of London, an area of central London, England * West End theatre, a popular term for mainstream professional theatre staged in the large theatres of London, England West End may also refer to: Pl ...

(2010) revivals of the musical '' Hair'' (2009 Tony Award).

Early life and education

Sandberg began acting in school productions as a child. He graduated from the Browning School in 2001 and

in 2005 with a B.A. in English (Writing Concentration) and Theater Studies. While at Yale, Sandberg performed with and served as the business manager for the

Whiffenpoofs The Yale Whiffenpoofs is a collegiate a cappella singing group. Established at Yale University in 1909, it is the oldest such group in the United States. The line-up is completely replaced each year: the group is always composed of rising senio ...

and the

Yale Alley Cats The Yale Alley Cats is an undergraduate a cappella singing group at Yale University. Founded in 1943, it is the college's third-oldest underclassman a cappella group. In the summer of 1943, four Yale undergraduate students climbed Saybrook To ...

. At Yale, he performed in and/or directed over 30 productions including ''

Side Show In North America, a sideshow is an extra, secondary production associated with a circus, carnival, fair, or other such attraction. Types There are four main types of classic sideshow attractions: *The Ten-in-One offers a program of ten s ...

Parade A parade is a procession of people, usually organized along a street, often in costume, and often accompanied by marching bands, floats, or sometimes large balloons. Parades are held for a wide range of reasons, but are usually celebrations of s ...

The Laramie Project ''The Laramie Project'' is a 2000 play by Moisés Kaufman and members of the Tectonic Theater Project (specifically, Leigh Fondakowski, writer-director; Stephen Belber, Greg Pierotti, Barbara Pitts, Stephen Wangh, Amanda Gronich, Sara Lambert ...

, Songs for a New World, The Last Five Years'' and '' The Goat or Who is Sylvia?''

Career

Director and writer

He directed the Off-Broadway show ''Straight,'' which was named a Critics’ Pick by ''The New York Times'', which wrote that the production was “directed with polished finesse by Andy Sandberg.” He directed the critically acclaimed ''Application Pending'', a comedy about kindergarten admissions that he co-wrote with Greg Edwards (Westside Theatre; BroadwayWorld Award – Best Off-Broadway Play; Drama Desk Nomination – Outstanding Solo Show). He also directed the world premieres of ''Craving for Travel'', which he also wrote with Edwards (Peter J. Sharp Theater @ Playwrights Horizons); ''Shida'', a musical by Jeannette Bayardelle (Ars Nova; four AUDELCO Award Nominations, including Best Director and Best Musical; also at the

American Repertory Theater The American Repertory Theater (A.R.T.) is a professional not-for-profit theater in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Founded in 1979 by Robert Brustein, the A.R.T. is known for its commitment to new American plays and music–theater explorations; to n ...

in 2014; LA premiere in 2015); ''The Last Smoker in America'', an original musical by Tony nominee

Bill Russell William Felton Russell (February 12, 1934 – July 31, 2022) was an American professional basketball player who played as a center for the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association (NBA) from 1956 to 1969. A five-time NBA Most V ...

and Drama Desk nominee

Peter Melnick Peter Rodgers Melnick (born July 24, 1958) is an American author and composer for film, television and musical theatre. Career Some of Melnick’s earlier film score credits include ''L.A. Story'', ''The Only Thrill'', ''Convicts'', and ''Farce of ...

(Westside Theatre); and

Alan Brody Alan Brody is an American playwright A playwright or dramatist is a person who writes plays. Etymology The word "play" is from Middle English pleye, from Old English plæġ, pleġa, plæġa ("play, exercise; sport, game; drama, applause"). The ...

’s ''Operation Epsilon'' (Four IRNE Awards, including Best Director, Best Play, and Best Ensemble; Three Elliot Norton Award Nominations). Sandberg directed ''Bernice Bobs Her Mullet'' in 2007 (NYMF), ''R.R.R.E.D.'' in 2009 (NYMF), ''Zelda at the Oasis'' in 2012 (St. Luke's) and "Eli’s Comin’ to Broadway," a BC/EFA benefit hosted by

Nathan Lane Nathan Lane (born Joseph Lane; February 3, 1956) is an American actor. In a career spanning over 40 years he has been seen on stage and screen in roles both comedic and dramatic. Lane has received numerous awards including three Tony Awards, ...

(

Alice Tully Hall Alice Tully Hall is a concert hall at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in the Upper West Side neighborhood of Manhattan in New York City. The hall is named for Alice Tully, a New York performer and philanthropist whose donations assist ...

Lincoln Center Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts (also simply known as Lincoln Center) is a complex of buildings in the Lincoln Square neighborhood on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. It has thirty indoor and outdoor facilities and is host to 5 millio ...

), as well as two Sing for Hope benefits, featuring

Dick Cavett Richard Alva Cavett (; born November 19, 1936) is an American television personality and former talk show host. He appeared regularly on nationally broadcast television in the United States for five decades, from the 1960s through the 2000s. In ...

Michael Cerveris Michael Cerveris (born November 6, 1960) is an American actor, singer, and guitarist. He has performed in many stage musicals and plays, including several Stephen Sondheim musicals: ''Assassins'', '' Sweeney Todd'', '' Road Show'', and '' Pass ...

, and

Richard Kind Richard Bruce Kind (born November 22, 1956) is an American actor and comedian, known for his roles as Dr. Mark Devanow in '' Mad About You'' (1992–1999, 2019), Paul Lassiter in ''Spin City'' (1996–2002), Andy in ''Curb Your Enthusiasm'' (200 ...

.Theatre programme, ''

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum ''A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum'' is a musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart. Inspired by the farces of the ancient Roman playwright Plautus (254–184 BC), specifi ...

'', Theatre at St. Clements, the

Blue Hill Troupe The Blue Hill Troupe, Ltd. (often referred to as the Troupe or BHT), is a musical theatre performing company and charitable organization based in New York City. The Troupe is the only musical theatre company in the city that donates all the net pr ...

, November 4, 2011 In 2007, Sandberg assisted

Hal Prince Harold Smith Prince (born Harold Smith; January 30, 1928 – July 31, 2019), commonly known as Hal Prince, was an American theatre director and producer known for his work in musical theatre. One of the foremost figures in 20th century America ...

on the Broadway production of '' LoveMusik'' (SDC Fellowship),Andy Sandberg biography
Playbill.com, accessed May 9, 2011 and he served as the Associate Director to Sheryl Kaller on

Christopher Durang Christopher Ferdinand Durang (born January 2, 1949) is an American playwright known for works of outrageous and often absurd comedy. His work was especially popular in the 1980s, though his career seemed to get a second wind in the late 1990s. ...

and

’s ''Adrift in Macao'' at

Primary Stages Primary Stages was founded in 1984 by Casey Childs as an Off-Broadway not-for-profit theater company. In 2004, Primary Stages moved from its 99-seat home of 17 years at 354 West 45th Street to the 199-seat theater at 59E59 Theaters. In 2014, the c ...

.Andy Sandberg
BroadwayWorld.com, accessed May 9, 2011

Producer

At age 25, Sandberg became the youngest producer in history to win a Tony Award. He has worked on Broadway and in London's West End. He was a producer of the hit revival of '' Hair'' (2009 Tony, Drama Desk, Drama League, Outer Critics Circle Awards), the Broadway revival of Gore Vidal's ''The Best Man'', starring

James Earl Jones James Earl Jones (born January 17, 1931) is an American actor. He has been described as "one of America's most distinguished and versatile" actors for his performances in film, television, and theater, and "one of the greatest actors in America ...

Angela Lansbury Dame Angela Brigid Lansbury (October 16, 1925 – October 11, 2022) was an Irish-British and American film, stage, and television actress. Her career spanned eight decades, much of it in the United States, and her work received a great deal ...

Candice Bergen Candice Patricia Bergen (born May 9, 1946) is an American actress. She won five Primetime Emmy Awards and two Golden Globe Awards for her portrayal of the title character on the CBS sitcom '' Murphy Brown'' (1988–1998, 2018). She is also kn ...

, Eric McCormack, and

John Larroquette John Bernard Larroquette (; born November 25, 1947) is an American actor. He is known for his starring roles in the NBC military drama series '' Baa Baa Black Sheep'' (1976–1978), the NBC sitcom ''Night Court'' (1984–1992; for which he recei ...

(2012 Tony, Drama Desk, Drama League, Outer Critics Circle Nominations), and Will Eno's critically acclaimed play '' The Realistic Joneses,'' starring

Toni Collette Toni Collette Galafassi (born Toni Collett; 1 November 1972) is an Australian actress, producer, singer, and songwriter. Known for her work in television and independent films, she has received various accolades throughout her career, inclu ...

, Michael C. Hall,

Tracy Letts Tracy S. Letts (born July 4, 1965) is an American actor, playwright, and screenwriter. He started his career at the Steppenwolf Theatre before making his Broadway debut as a playwright for '' August: Osage County'' (2007), for which he received ...

, and

Marisa Tomei Marisa Tomei ( , ; born December 4, 1964) is an American actress. She came to prominence as a cast member on ''The Cosby Show'' spin-off '' A Different World'' in 1987. After having minor roles in a few films, she came to international attention ...

. In the fall of 2009, Sandberg and Daryl Roth produced the New York premiere of ''Vigil'', starring

Malcolm Gets Malcolm Gets (born December 28, 1963) is an American actor. He is best known for his role as Richard in the American television sitcom '' Caroline in the City''. Gets is also a dancer, singer, composer, classically trained pianist, vocal direct ...

and Helen Stenborg. In the spring of 2010, Sandberg helped produce '' Paradise Found'', a new musical co-directed by

and

Susan Stroman Susan P. Stroman (born October 17, 1954) is an American theatre director, choreographer, film director and performer. Her notable theater productions include '' The Producers'', '' Crazy for You'', ''Contact'', and '' The Scottsboro Boys''. She i ...

, produced at London's

Menier Chocolate Factory The Menier Chocolate Factory is a 180-seat off-West End theatre, which comprises a restaurant, bar and rehearsal rooms. It is located in a former 1870s Menier Chocolate, Menier Chocolate Company factory at 53 Southwark Street, a major street in ...

and starring

Mandy Patinkin Mandel Bruce Patinkin (; born November 30, 1952) is an American actor and singer, known for his work in musical theatre, television and film. He is a critically acclaimed Broadway performer, having received three Tony Award nominations, winning ...

Off-Broadway An off-Broadway theatre is any professional theatre venue in New York City with a seating capacity between 100 and 499, inclusive. These theatres are smaller than Broadway theatres, but larger than off-off-Broadway theatres, which seat fewer th ...

, he helped produce '' Love, Loss, and What I Wore'', by Nora and

Delia Ephron Delia Ephron ( ; born July 12, 1944) is an American bestselling author, screenwriter, and playwright. Life and career Ephron was born in New York City, the second eldest of four daughters of screenwriters Phoebe and Henry Ephron. Her movies i ...

(2010),Hull, Christina
"Tony award-winning Andy Sandberg ’06 talks theater"
. ''Yale Daily News'', January 18, 2011 and the lead producer of '' A Perfect Future'', a new play by David Hay (2011). He served as the Executive Producer for the Off-Broadway revival of ''Pageant'' (2015 Drama Desk nomination). In 2010, he directed and produced a Columbus, Ohio, production of ''

The Last Smoker in America ''The Last Smoker in America'' is a four-character, one-act musical comedy featuring book and lyrics by Bill Russell and music by Peter Melnick.Bill Russell William Felton Russell (February 12, 1934 – July 31, 2022) was an American professional basketball player who played as a center for the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association (NBA) from 1956 to 1969. A five-time NBA Most V ...

and

, which subsequently opened in New York in the summer of 2012 under Sandberg's direction.

Actor

As an actor, Sandberg appeared as Jimmy opposite

Lea Michele Lea Michele Sarfati (; born August 29, 1986) is an American actress, singer, songwriter, and author. She began her career as a child actress on Broadway, appearing in productions of ''Les Misérables'' (1995–1996), ''Ragtime'' (1997–1999), ...

in the 2006

New York Musical Theatre Festival The New York Musical Festival (NYMF) was an annual three-week summer festival that operated from 2004 to 2019. It presented more than 30 new musicals a year in New York City's midtown theater district. More than half were chosen by leading theate ...

(NYMF) production of ''Hot and Sweet''."Finneran and Michele Star in NYMF Musical ''Hot and Sweet''"
August 29, 2006, accessed May 9, 2011 Other roles have included Huck in '' Big River,'' Sam in ''Fully Committed,'' and Joey in ''Scarlett Fever''. He has appeared in the films ''The Living'' and ''The Battle of Pussy Willow Creek''.

Awards and nominations

*''Hair'' (2009) – Tony Award, Drama Desk Award, Drama League Award, Outer Critics Circle Award – Best Revival of a Musical *''The Best Man'' (2012) – Tony, Drama Desk, Drama League, Outer Critics Circle Nominations – Best Revival of a Play *''Operation Epsilon'' (2013) – IRNE Award – Best Director *''Shida'' (2013) – AUDELCO Award Nomination – Best Director *''Application Pending'' (2015) – Broadway World Award – Best Off-Broadway Play; Drama Desk Nomination – Outstanding Solo Show; Book Pipeline Competition Winner

Other

Sandberg is a member of the

Stage Directors and Choreographers Society The Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (SDC), formerly known as Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers (SDC), is an independent national labor union established in 1959, representing theatrical directors and choreographer ...

(SDC), Actors’ Equity Association (AEA) and the Off-Broadway League. He currently sits on the boards of the

Yale Dramatic Association The Yale Dramatic Association, also known as the "Yale Dramat," is the third oldest college theater company in the United States. Founded in 1901 by undergraduates at Yale University, the Dramat has been producing student theatre in the United ...

, the

Whiffenpoof A whiffenpoof was a tool for training Boy Scouts in tracking skills. The whiffenpoof itself was a small log, about the size of a stick of firewood, with nails driven into it on all sides, so that it bristled with nails. This was dragged through th ...

Alumni Association, and the Browning School (NY). He is President of the Browning Alumni Association and the

Alumni Organization.

References

External links

Official Site
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sandberg, Andy Living people Year of birth missing (living people) People from New York (state) American male actors American directors American theatre managers and producers Yale College alumni Browning School alumni