Andy Fickman is an award-winning director, writer and producer, whose work spans across film, television, theater and digital. Fickman recently helmed the pilot for the Wizards of Waverly Place reboot for Disney+. The pilot reunites the original stars of the series, Selena Gomez and David Henrie. The launch of the series scored a record premiere viewership on Disney+. Fickman continues to direct and executive produce multiple episodes of the show, which is now in its second season.
Fickman also recently directed the world premiere of Parents In Chains, a play written by Emmy Award-winning writer Jay Martel. The show launched at the Ensemble Theater Company in Santa Barbara, and featured a rotating cast of stars, including Matt Walsh, Melora Hardin, Loni Love, Thomas Sadoski, Josh Malina, Rob Huebbel, Jorja Fox and Sharon Lawrence. The show’s developmental workshop launched in Los Angeles and immediately sold out, starring Jason Alexander, Kristen Bell, Jackie Tohn, Yvette Nicole Brown, Tom Everett Scott, and Gary Anthony Williams. Fickman is also directing Heathers The Musical’s return to Off-Broadway in New York this summer, after yet another sold out run at the SoHo Place Theatre in London, as well as its third sold out UK/Ireland tour. This follows a record-breaking, sell-out run at The Other Palace in London, where it won multiple awards, including a win for WhatsOnStage’s Best New Musical.
In conjunction with Village Roadshow and BKL, Fickman directed and produced the stage capture of the award-winning show, Heathers The Musical, which became an instant hit on Roku. Prior to that, the show had two successful West End runs at the Theatre Royal Haymarket. Before its transfer to London, the show had a successful New York run at New World Stages, where it was nominated for multiple Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, and Lortel awards. The show first started in Los Angeles to sold-out, standing-room-only audiences.
Fickman is soon to launch the much-anticipated World Premiere of 13 Going On 30 The Musical in the UK. This will be followed by the UK Premiere of Freaky Friday The Musical.
Fickman’s latest feature film is the indie horror film Don’t Turn Out the Lights. The film, which was inspired by true events and recently debuted at ScreamFest UK. It then found a home on Hulu where it became a Top Ten hit. Additionally, Fickman directed Buzzfeed’s romantic dramedy One True Loves, based on the best-selling novel by Taylor Jenkins Reid. The film stars Phillipa Soo, Simu Liu and Luke Bracey. Fickman’s previous credits include the hit family comedy Christmas Again for Disney+ and Disney Channel. Prior to that, he directed and executive produced all episodes of “The Crew” for Netflix, starring Kevin James, Freddie Stroma and Sarah Stiles. Previously, he directed and executive produced Kevin James’ Netflix stand-up comedy special Never Don’t Give Up and directed Netflix’s No Good Nick, starring Melissa Joan Hart and Sean Astin. Prior to that, he directed the hit family film Playing with Fire, starring John Cena, Keegan-Michael Key, John Leguizamo and Judy Greer, for Paramount. Additionally, Fickman directed and executive produced two seasons of “Kevin Can Wait” for Sony TV and CBS, which was nominated for two People’s Choice Awards. Fickman also helmed Sony’s box office hit movie, Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2. The film was nominated for multiple Teen Choice Awards, including Best Comedy. Fickman also directed the smash-hit family comedy Parental Guidance starring Billy Crystal, Bette Midler and Marisa Tomei for Fox/Walden Media, Paramount’s She’s The Man, which won a Teen Choice Award for Best Comedy, and Disney’s hit films The Game Plan and Race to Witch Mountain—both starring The Rock – along with Touchstone’s comedy You Again, starring Kristen Bell, Jamie Lee Curtis, Sigourney Weaver, Kristin Chenoweth, Victor Garber and Betty White.
Fickman was a producer on Sony’s hit film Anaconda as well as Paramount’s Scouts Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse. Fickman’s other television directing/producing credits include episodes of “Recovery Road”, “The Odd Couple”, “Hellcats”, “Austin and Ally”, and “Aliens in America”, alongside four seasons of the Emmy Award-winning “Liv and Maddie” for Disney Channel. Fickman also directed and produced Reefer Madness: The Musical for Showtime, which premiered at Sundance and went on to win an Emmy Award (with three Emmy nominations), as well as the Premiere Award at the Deauville Film Festival. Prior to that, Fickman also directed the stage versions of Reefer Madness in both Los Angeles and New York, which won him Best Director awards at the Ovation Awards and Drama Critics Awards. Fickman also produced the 25th anniversary production of Reefer Madness: The Musical, which sold out crowds at the Whitley Theater in Los Angeles. Fickman’s other stage works include the smash hits Jewtopia and Sneaux! which won him Best Director awards from LA Weekly. Early in his career, Fickman co-founded the critically acclaimed Fountainhead Theatre Company.
