About

Fred Hanson is a Producer, Director and Project Manager with extensive experience in both the creative and production sides of the entertainment business. 

Recently he directed a new production of PRETTY WOMAN in São Paulo. Prior to that he directed OKLAHOMA at the Ogunquit Playhouse, and in São Paulo directed SUNSET BOULEVARD (4 Bibi Ferreira awards), and SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN, (6 Bibi Ferreira awards, including Best Director and Best Musical).  

Previously, he was the Deputy Operations Manager for the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the 2016 Olympics and Paralimpics in Rio de Janeiro.  Also in Rio, he was Location Producer for ESPN's Host Set Studio for their coverage of the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

He has directed the musical BABY in Rio de Janeiro at the Teatro João Caetano and JEKYLL & HYDE in São Paulo at the Teatro Bradesco.

He has directed new versions of MISS SAIGON and LES MISERABLES for the St. Louis Muny, and directed a new staging of LES MISERABLES (designed by Matt Kinley) for Theatre of the Stars which played Wolf Trap, the Fox Theatre Atlanta, Kansas City Starlight, and Houston (for TUTS), which served as the developmental model for the current licensed version being presented worldwide.

Fred was Associate Director to Nicholas Hytner on the original Broadway productions of MISS SAIGON and the Lincoln Center Theater production of CAROUSEL, and staged touring companies of both shows. He also directed the National Tour of OKLAHOMA (based on the 2002 Broadway production) which ran for 3 years. He was the Associate Director for the US National Tour of PIPPIN.

Internationally, he has directed MISS SAIGON in São Paulo (new version) and in Tokyo (Broadway remount) in 2004 and 2008.

As an original member of Cameron Mackintosh’s production staff in the US, he worked on the original Broadway productions of LES MISERABLES, THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, MISS SAIGON and their numerous North American touring companies as Production Stage Manager, Production Supervisor, Associate Director and Executive Producer.   He was the Associate Director and Executive Producer for the 2007 revival of LES MIS on Broadway.

Fred first worked as a Stage Manager on many Broadway productions and National Tours including EVITA, AGNES OF GOD (starring Elizabeth Ashley and Mercedes MacCambridge), ZORBA (starring Anthony Quinn), 42ND STREET, and EXECUTION OF JUSTICE (starring Wesley Snipes, John Spencer, Mary McDonnell, Peter Friedman, and Stanley Tucci).

While attending Northwestern University, he spent two seasons working on the production staff of the Lyric Opera of Chicago, and after graduation at the San Francisco Opera.

He is fluent in Portuguese and is based in New York and Rio de Janeiro.  He also has extensive experience in Conflict Resolution as a Mediator.