Theatrical Director. Influential stage director and acting coach is perhaps best known his staging of Jean Genet's ground-breaking play, "The Blacks" in 1961. For his work in the play, Frankel received one of several Obie Awards in his career. It ran Off Broadway for more than 1,400 performances and featured the talents of three future Award Award nominees early in their careers: James Earl Jones, Cicely Tyson and Louis Gossett Jr. Also part of the cast were Roscoe Lee Browne, Maya Angelou and future Pulitzer Prize winning playwright, Charles Gordone ("No Place to Be Somebody"). Other highlights of his Off Broadway directing career included: Ben Jonson's "Volpone," Sophie Treadwell's "Machinal," and "To Be Young Gifted and Black," the latter based on the work of Lorraine Hansberry. He also staged several productions on the Great White Way, most noteably William Gibson's drama, "A Cry of Players" with Anne Bancroft, Frank Langella and René Auberjonois in 1968. This was followed by Arthur Kopit's controversial drama "Indians," featuring Stacy Keach and Raul Julia, a year later.In addition to directing, Frankel was a much sought after acting coach, having trained some of the most respected actors in the business. In 1988, the Gene Frankel Theatre was opened to provide a regular space for his workshops. The 70-seat facility is located on Bond Street in New York City.
Theatrical Director. Influential stage director and acting coach is perhaps best known his staging of Jean Genet's ground-breaking play, "The Blacks" in 1961. For his work in the play, Frankel received one of several Obie Awards in his career. It ran Off Broadway for more than 1,400 performances and featured the talents of three future Award Award nominees early in their careers: James Earl Jones, Cicely Tyson and Louis Gossett Jr. Also part of the cast were Roscoe Lee Browne, Maya Angelou and future Pulitzer Prize winning playwright, Charles Gordone ("No Place to Be Somebody"). Other highlights of his Off Broadway directing career included: Ben Jonson's "Volpone," Sophie Treadwell's "Machinal," and "To Be Young Gifted and Black," the latter based on the work of Lorraine Hansberry. He also staged several productions on the Great White Way, most noteably William Gibson's drama, "A Cry of Players" with Anne Bancroft, Frank Langella and René Auberjonois in 1968. This was followed by Arthur Kopit's controversial drama "Indians," featuring Stacy Keach and Raul Julia, a year later.In addition to directing, Frankel was a much sought after acting coach, having trained some of the most respected actors in the business. In 1988, the Gene Frankel Theatre was opened to provide a regular space for his workshops. The 70-seat facility is located on Bond Street in New York City.
Bio by: R Wheaton
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