Born Joseph Lichtman in Brooklyn, Layton began his career as a dancer in Wonderful Town (1953), and he appeared uncredited in the ensemble cast of the original live TV production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella (1957) starring Julie Andrews.[2] However, from the start, his primary interest was in musical staging. In addition to his many legitimate theatre credits, he conceived and directed Broadway concerts for Bette Midler (1975), Diana Ross (1976), Cher (1979), and Harry Connick Jr. (1990). He choreographed the Broadway version of The Sound of Music with Mary Martin and Theodore Bikel.
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).
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).
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.[3][4]
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[5][6][7] and Sir Robert Helpmann at His Majesty's Theatre, Auckland,[8] Auckland (New Zealand), starring Derek Metzger from the Hamilton world première production,[9][10][11] with Hollywood actress Patricia Morison. Derek Williams was the orchestrator and musical director for both productions.[12] Despite being well reviewed however,[13] 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[14] 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.[15] During this period, Layton was suffering from AIDS, from which he eventually died in 1994 at his home Key West, Florida, aged 63.[16]
Personal life
He was married to actress Evelyn Russell in 1959;[1] she predeceased him in February 1976.[17] They had a son, Jeb James Layton.[1][18][19]
