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Adrian Bailey

Birth Place: Detroit, MI, USA

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BIO

Bailey starred in 15 Broadway shows over the course of his three-decade career. He made his Broadway debut in 1976's Your Arms Too Short to Box With God. He also appeared in the original productions of Hot Feet, La Cage aux Folles, Dreamgirls, The Wild Party, Smokey Joe's Cafe, The Who's Tommy, Jelly's Last Jam, Prince of Central Park, Legs Diamond, My One and Only, Sophisticated Ladies and Your Arms Too Short to Box with God.



In 2008, Bailey was seriously injured after an accidental fall through a trap door during a performance of The Little Mermaid, which would be his final Broadway show.

He died in September 2024.

Photos

STAGE CREDITS

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2008
Ensemble

King Triton (Understudy)

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2006
Victor (Standby)

[Washington, DC (Regional)]
Reading, 2005
Performer

[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 2004
Fisherman

Francis (Understudy)

Jacob (Understudy)

[Broadway]
New York Concert, 2001
Tiny Joe Dixon

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2000
Eddie Mackrel (Understudy)

Phil D'Armano (Understudy)

Oscar D'Armano (Understudy)

[West End]
London Production, 1996
Performer

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1995
Performer

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1993
Ensemble/Other Roles [Replacement]

Hawker [Replacement]

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1992
Ancestor

One of "The Crowd"

Ensemble/Other Roles

Buddy Bolden (Understudy)

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1989
Officer Simpson

Mannequin

Street Person

Aerobics Student

Tango Dancer

Tap Dancer

Tango Dancers

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1988
Convict

Boy from Bay Ridge

Latin Dancer

Member of A. R.'s Gang

Boys from Bay Ridge

A.R.'s Gang

Bones (Understudy)

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1983
Dancing Gentlemen

Conductor

Dancing Gentleman

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1981
Sophisticated Gentleman

Performer (Understudy) [Replacement]

[Broadway]
Return Engagement [Broadway], 1980
Performer

Swing Dancer

[Off-Broadway]
Original Off-Broadway Production, 1978
Ensemble

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1976
Performer

[US Tour]
National Tour, 1976
Performer

[New York]
Workshop, 1990
Performer

Productions

 
[Broadway, 2000]
Dance Captain
 
[Broadway, 1983]
Conductor

News


Industry Pro Newsletter: Can the Arts Adapt? Australia Looks at a 4-Day Work Week in the Arts

Groundbreaking research in London measures brain activity during live dance performances, hinting at the powerful, collective connection audiences feel. Meanwhile, financial pressures are prompting some theaters to close while others push for new ticketing and funding strategies to survive. Broadway faces calls for a more inclusive approach to honoring its artists, and discussions grow around adopting a four-day work week in the arts to combat burnout.
Broadway League Steps Back from Light-Dimming Announcements Following Backlash

The Broadway League will no longer be involved in announcing the traditional dimming of marquee lights that honors the memories of deceased performers, writers, and other influential figures in the Broadway community.
Photos: Broadway and Off-Broadway Dim Their Lights In Memory of Adrian Bailey

In an historic gesture, every Broadway and Off-Broadway theater owner dimmed the lights on all theaters honoring veteran performer Adrian Bailey. Traditionally, this honor is only given to Tony Award-Winning Broadway stars. Check out photos from the event.
Review: Bill Russell Presents Special DIVAS I LOVE SINGING LYRICS I WROTE at Birdland

Special events come and go but the people in the room remember them for a long time, after.
Wake Up With BroadwayWorld October 10, 2024

Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is October 10, 2024 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours: 
Lights of All Broadway Theatres to be Dimmed for Gavin Creel, Adrian Bailey & Maggie Smith

After a public petition and outcry to dim all the lights of Broadway for some recent passings of stage legelends. All Broadway theatres in New York will dim their lights in honor of Adrian Bailey, Gavin Creel, and Maggie Smith.
Petition Launched to Dim the Lights of All Broadway Theatres to Honor Gavin Creel

A petition has been launched calling for the lights of every Broadway theater to be dimmed in honor of Tony and Olivier award winning performer Gavin creel, who passed away this week. Learn more about the petition.
Broadway Theatre Lights Will Partially Dim in Memory of Gavin Creel

To honor the memory of beloved Broadway actor Gavin Creel, Broadway theatres will dim their lights. Learn more about the life and career of Creel.
Broadway Theatres to Dim Lights in Memory of Adrian Bailey

Adrian Bailey passed away on September 22, 2024, at the age of 67. In a rare tradition that reflects the magnitude of Mr. Bailey’s impact on the Broadway industry and the community, the Committee of Theatre Owners will dim the lights of one theater from every Theater Owner on Broadway in his honor. Learn more.
Broadway Veteran Adrian Bailey Passes Away at 67

BroadwayWorld is saddened to report the death of Broadway veteran Adrian Bailey, who passed away at the age of 67. 
The Museum of Broadway Will Host Reunions For the Casts of THE WHO'S TOMMY and JELLY'S LAST JAM

The Museum of Broadway will host two upcoming events reunited the original Broadway casts of The Who's Tommy and Jelly's Last Jam next week. Learn more about both events here!
Which Actors Have Done Multiple Broadway Shows Together?

This time, the reader question was: which actors have done multiple Broadway shows together?
SKELETON CREW Announces Detroit Night & Detroit Week Event

The Motor City is coming to Broadway! Special guests from Detroit and New York City will come together for an extraordinary evening to celebrate the people, the culture, and the city of Detroit with Skeleton Crew, the Broadway premiere by Tony Award nominee Dominique Morisseau, at the 8PM performance on Friday, February 4.
Photos: Inside The 13th Annual DANCERS OVER 40 Legacy Awards

Dancers Over 40 returned to 'live' events this Fall with the 13th Annual Legacy Awards and Holiday Dinner on Monday, December 6, 2021.
Photos: Inside Dancers Over 40's CELEBRATION OF TOMMY TUNE At Actor's Temple

Dancers Over 40's celebration of Tommy Tune and DO40 author Kevin Winkler’s book, Everything is Choreography: The Musical Theater of Tommy Tune! Sold out! Over 120 in attendance at the Actors’ Temple Theatre in NYC. Two panels, three performances, videos, and a premiere video from ADM21 rounded out the evening.
Cady Huffman & Jeff Calhoun Join OUR ONE AND ONLY: A CELEBRATION OF TOMMY TUNE

Dancers over 40 will present a one-night-only special event: Our One and Only: A Celebration of Tommy Tune on Monday, November 15th, 8pm at the Actors' Temple Theatre in NYC, to kick off publication of DO40 member Kevin Winkler's new book, Everything is Choreography, The Musical Theater of Tommy Tune (in stores and online Nov. 15th).
OUR ONE AND ONLY: A CELEBRATION OF TOMMY TUNE Will Be Performed at The Actors' Temple Theatre Next Month

Dancers over 40 presents a one-night-only special event: Our One and Only: A Celebration of Tommy Tune on Monday, November 15th, 8pm at the Actors' Temple Theatre in NYC, to kick off publication of DO40 member Kevin Winkler's new book, Everything is Choreography, The Musical Theater of Tommy Tune (in stores and online Nov. 15th). 
VIDEO: JUST ONE STEP FOR DEMOCRACY Premieres 'Stronger' by Devin Marie and Lorna Ventura

STRONGER, the new song and dance-based video for JUST ONE STEP FOR DEMOCRACY is written and performed by singer / songwriter Devin Marie ('I Can't Breathe'). The video is Directed and Choreographed by Lorna Ventura (Broadway: Wicked).
Encore Performance of DANCING FOR DEMOCRACY Featuring Annaleigh Ashford, Laura Benanti and More to Take Place

On Monday October 5th, MONDAYS For BIDEN, a group created by Broadway Veteran Jeffrey Schecter, held DANCING For DEMOCRACY, a virtual fundraiser to benefit the Biden Victory Fund. The event was held on the Broadway Sessions YouTube Channel and was hosted by Schecter and fellow A Chorus Line Alum, J. Elaine Marcos.
Just One Step For Democracy and Henry Krieger Premiere New Song for the Vote

JUST ONE STEP FOR DEMOCRACY and Henry Krieger will premiere a new song for the vote on October 8th!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Adrian Bailey been in?

Adrian Bailey has appeared on Broadway in 14 shows.

How many West End shows has Adrian Bailey been in?

Adrian Bailey has appeared on London's West End in 1 shows.

What was Adrian Bailey's first West End show?

Adrian Bailey's first West End show was Smokey Joe's Cafe which opened in 1996

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