From: Torrance, California. LA Opera: The Dwarf (2024, debut).
Bill Burns has an extensive history as director, choreographer and dancer. He has directed and choreographed U.S. and international companies of The Producers, Japanese productions of On the Town, Curtains, My One and Only, and was resident choreographer for the U.S. premiere of Dirty Dancing. Recently, his work was seen on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.
His career began in nightclubs, dancing with the incomparable Juliet Prowse. He was selected by director Arthur Laurents to play Hanna in La Cage Aux Folles and was tapped by Jerome Robbins to dance several roles in Jerome Robbins’ Broadway. Additional Broadway and touring credits include Fosse, Guys and Dolls, Chita, All That Jazz, Beauty and the Beast and Victor/Victoria. On television, film and stage, he has performed with Chita Rivera, Liza Minnelli, Michael Jackson, Ann Miller, Julie Andrews, Carol Burnett, John Travolta, Bernadette Peters and Gregory Hines, among others.
He has collaborated with choreographers and directors including Mel Brooks, Susan Stroman, Gwen Verdon, Ann Reinking, Walter Painter, Scott Salmon, Paula Abdul, Alan Johnson, Don Mischer, Gary Smith and Dwight Hemion.
