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Joe Layton (May 3, 1931 – May 5, 1994) was an American theatre director and choreographer known primarily for his work on Broadway theatre.Dunning, Jennifer. (9 May 1994). Page B7. 'Joe Layton, Choreographer And Director, Is Dead at 64'. Obituary. New York Times. (USA)
Joe Layton won the Tony Award for Best Choreography for No Strings (1962), starring Diahann Carroll, and for George M! (1968), starring Joel Grey.
In 1965, Layton won an Emmy Award for his work on My Name Is Barbra, the television special that introduced the public to the more sophisticated side of Barbra Streisand. It was his first of four collaborations with the star; the others were Color Me Barbra (1966), The Belle of 14th Street (1967) and Barbra Streisand ... And Other Musical Instruments (1973).
He also directed and/or produced specials for Paul Lynde, Hal Linden, Richard Pryor, and Olivia Newton-John.
Layton broke into films as the dance director for Thoroughly Modern Millie in 1967. He executive produced the first film version of Annie (1982) and reunited with Midler to choreograph For the Boys (1991).
Layton directed the 1972 West End and 1973 Los Angeles productions of Scarlett, the musical stage adaptation of Gone with the Wind, and the 1985 world première of the Jule Styne musical Pieces of Eight in Edmonton.
In 1976, Layton collaborated with Diana Ross for her one-woman international concert tour, An Evening with Diana Ross, for which the singer won a Special Event Tony Award for the concert's performance at The Palace Theater.Archived at Ghostarchive and the
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Joe Layton also choreographed a ballet for The Royal Ballet, London titled "Grand Tour" which received critical acclaim as well as a warm reception from the audiences around the UK. In 1984, Layton was one of the three choreographers credited with staging the dances for the Opening ("How the West Was Won" sequence) and Closing (the break-dances in "All Night Long") ceremonies of the 23rd Summer Olympiad of Los Angeles. He was also the Director of Paul Green's symphonic outdoor drama, "The Lost Colony" from 1964-1984.
In 1985, Layton directed and choreographed a Michael Edgley revival production of Aloha: A Musical of the Islands by Eaton "Bob" Magoon 'Eaton Magoon, Jr.'. Music Theatre International. (USA) 'Eaton Magoon, Jr.'. Discogs. 'Eaton Magoon, Jr.'. Playbill. (New York, USA). and Sir Robert Helpmann at His Majesty's Theatre, Auckland, His Majesty's Theatre Auckland (New Zealand), starring Derek Metzger from the Hamilton world première production,Day, Paul. (19 October 1981). 'Hamilton Says Aloha To Musical'. The New Zealand HeraldMax Cryer. (25 October 1981). 'Hamilton produces ambitious musical' and 'Kitsch Aloha goes down a real treat'. Page 9. New Zealand Times(27 October 1981). 'Author full of praise' (Robert Helpmann). Waikato Times, New Zealand with Hollywood actress Patricia Morison. Derek Williams was the orchestrator and musical director for both productions.'The Arts'. (12 June 1985). 'Teacher Continues Aloha Association'. Page 24. Rotorua Daily Post Despite being well reviewed however,Kwok, E.D. (15 July 1985). 'NZ-US Talent Blends Well in Aloha. The New Zealand Herald houses for the Aloha revival didn't measure up to those for the première production and it finished early, destined for Honolulu, Hawaii with Layton again as Director, playing at the purpose built Aloha Showroom(16 February 1991). Aloha: A Musical of the Islands. WorldCat until the Gulf War destroyed its tourist patronage.
From 1989, in preparation for the Aloha production, Layton had moved to live with Magoon in Honolulu where he also directed a revival production of Magoon's 13 Daughters at the Hawaii Theatre.Harada, Wayne. (12 July 1989). "Updating a Tale of '13 Daughters'" . Pages B1-B2. The Honolulu Advertiser. (Hawaii, USA). During this period, Layton was suffering from AIDS, from which he eventually died in 1994 at his home Key West, Florida, aged 63.Riedel, Michael. (January 13, 1999). 'The Death of the Superstar Choreographer'. New York Post 'L.A. Shanti to Pay Tribute to Layton'. 13 March 1995. 'Entertainment and Arts': Los Angeles Times.
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