Julie Taymor is an acclaimed stage and film director who has won three Tonys for the 1997 Broadway musical, The Lion King , as well as an Emmy for the 1993 television musical production of Oedipus Rex.
Taymor will be directing Spider-Man's Broadway debut in Spider-Man, Turn Off the Dark which opens on February 18, 2010 at the Hilton Theatre.msn music: Bono, the Edge to Write Score for Broadway 'Spider-Man' (February 24, 2009)
Spider-Man
Taymor's Broadway production of a Spider-Man musical will reportedly feature a 20-piece rock band, and music by Bono and The Edge. Taymor is writing the libretto with Glen Berger.msn music: Bono, the Edge to Write Score for Broadway 'Spider-Man' (February 24, 2009)
Indonesia
In the 1970s Taymor spent time in Indonesia, which she cites as a major influence on her life and on her work. She had been awarded a fellowship to spend 3 months in Indonesia, studying puppet theatre. While there, she has said, "I became a director." The three months turned into four years, in which she organized her own theatre troupe.Smithsonian Magazine: 35 Who Made a Difference: Julie Taymor (November 1, 2005) YouTube Video: Julie Taymor: Theater and the Imagination (Time: 28:32) She credits the time she spent in Indonesia with showing her the power that "art has to transform life". Indonesian influences can be seen in the design of the costumes in The Lion King, whic earned her a Tony award.PBS: Bill Moyers Interviews Julie Taymor (2002)
Filmography
Julie Taymor Timeline
Note: The IMDb links in this timeline have pop-ups.
December 15, 1952: Born
1997: The Lion King (stage musical) | 'IMDb listing
1999: Titus | IMDb listing
2002: Frida | IMDb listing
2007: Across the Universe | IMDb listing
2009: The Tempest | IMDb listing