Director and choreographer Christopher Gattelli on being a two-time Tony nominee for ‘Schmigadoon!’

The director and choreographer nabbed two nominations, just as he did last year for Death Becomes Her.

Two left feet? No way. Two Tony Award nominations? Yes, indeed. Again! Christopher Gattelli danced away with not one but two Tony Award nominations for his work as the choreographer and director of the delightful musical comedy Schmigadoon!.

“It’s crazy,” Gattelli said, when New York Theatre Guide reminded him that he earned the same two nods a year ago for Death Becomes Her. “It means the world. It really does. This was not the plan growing up. It's still a surprise and truly, truly honored and grateful beyond words.”

While the still-running Death Becomes Her is chock full of spectacle, Schmigadoon! is all about traditional musical-theatre magic – ensemble singing and dancing at its best. Gattelli takes special pride in what he’s achieved on stage with the Broadway company in the show based on season one of the Apple+ TV series that he choreographed. In all, Schmigadoon! earned 12 Tony nods.

“We really went old school and didn’t rely on elevators and all this stuff,” said Gattelli, who has won a Tony Award for his Newsies choreography. “We just relied on Golden Age techniques, like painted backdrops. With a great score, a great book, and great talent that’s really all you need.”

Like the series, Schmigadoon! gently lampoons the world of musicals in which characters burst into song and dance at the drop of a hat – or the mention of corn puddin’. The story follows two New York doctors with relationship issues who find themselves stuck in the fantastical town of Schmigadoon, where residents are always singing. The only way the pair can get back home is to find true love.

Sure, it’s as schmilly as can be – and a total blast, and Gattelli wants to spread the word about that to audiences. “Come to our show and have the best night ever,” he said. “They won’t stop laughing.”

The Tony Awards will be handed out June 7 at Radio City Music Hall during a telecast hosted by P!nk. The awards will air live on CBS and stream on Paramount+.

Get Schmigadoon! tickets now.

Photo credit: Schmigadoon! on Broadway. (Photos by Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman)