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David Kernan

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BIO

In 1970 he appeared in the original London production of the musical 1776. He played the role of Count Malcolm in the original London production of Sondheim's A Little Night Music. In 1977 he was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical for his appearance in the original Broadway cast of Side by Side by Sondheim. He also made two appearances on BBC TV's long running Edwardian Old Time Music Hall variety show, The Good Old Days, in the 1970s and 80s.

In 1986 he conceived and directed the Broadway production of Jerome Kern Goes to Hollywood, a musical revue. He also collaborated with Dick Vosburgh and Robin Ray on a production of Noel/Cole Let's do it, celebrating the work of Noël Coward and Cole Porter. Originally a one-off production at the Barbican in aid of the Terence Higgins Trust, it later opened the 1994 season of the Performing Arts Foundation of Memphis Tennessee and ran for a season at Chichester Festival Theatre before touring.

He died on 26 December 2023.

STAGE CREDITS

[West End]
Original London Production, 1991
Performer

[West End]
Original London Production, 1985
Performer

[West End]
Original London Production, 1976
Performer

[West End]
London Production, 1975
Count Carl-Magnus Malcolm

[West End]
London Production, 1970
Edward Rutledge

[West End]
Original London Production, 1961
Performer

[UK Tour]
National Tour, 1994
George Dillingham

[Regional (UK)]
World Premiere, 1994
Performer

Productions

 
[Broadway, 1986]
Director

Writing

Conceiver

Awards and Nominations

Olivier Awards - 1984 - Actor of the Year in a Musical

David KernanThe Ratepayers' Iolanthe

Tony Awards - 1977 - Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical

David Kernan , Side by Side by Sondheim

News


SONDHEIM ON SONDHEIM Comes Home To The Bridewell Theatre This Summer

The musical revue Sondheim on Sondheim will come home to the Bridewell Theatre this summer (4-8 July) when leading amateur theatre company Sedos present this showcase of the composer's best-loved work in the venue where it was first produced.
Video: Celebrate 50 Years of A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC

A Little Night Music opened on Broadway on February 25, 1973. Watch videos of the original and revival casts!
UN DÍA COMO HOY: 1776 se estrenaba en Broadway

Un 16 de marzo de 1969, el 46th Street Theatre, ahora conocido como Richard Rodgers, 1776 se estrenaba por primera vez en Broadway.
Theater Stories: DEAR EVAN HANSEN, PIPPIN and More About The Music Box Theatre

This week's Theater Stories features the Music Box Theatre! Learn about the shows to have graced the theater's stage including August: Osage County, the lauded revival of Pippin, Dear Evan Hansen and much more!
New Album 'Lost West End Revues' Celebrates London's Forgotten Revues

Following the critically acclaimed release of 'Lost West End Vintage' (highlighted in The Sunday Times as an 'Essential New Release') and 'Lost West End Vintage 2', Stage Door Records are pleased to continue the album series with 'Lost West End Revues' to be released on November 30th 2018.
Odyssey Revives SIDE BY SIDE BY SONDHEIM

Dan Fishbach (last season's award-winning Jacques Brel Is Alive and Living in Paris) returns to the Odyssey Theatre to direct a revival of Side by Side by Sondheim, set to run July 21 through Sept. 16 at the Odyssey's venue in West L.A.
BWW Review: SONDHEIM ON SONDHEIM in Good Hands at Lyric Stage

There's Sondheim music galore playing at the Lyric Stage Company as Producing Artistic Director and recognized Sondheim expert Spiro Veloudos directs an octet of Boston musical theatre performers in SONDHEIM ON SONDHEIM. In effect, the composer/lyricist is the ninth member of the ensemble as he appears onscreen, larger than life, providing intimate commentary on his life, his process, and his words and music. The video affords the opportunity to sit through a master class with the master, and the living, breathing actors demonstrate his brilliance with their starry interpretations.
BWW Review: Impressive Young Talent on Display in SONDHEIM ON SONDHEIM

SONDHEIM ON SONDHEIM is a multi-media musical revue consisting entirely of the music and lyrics of Stephen Sondheim. It was conceived by James Lapine and had a limited run on Broadway in 2010. It is based on a show produced in 2000 called Moving On that was created by David Kernan. Kernan also created another review of Sondheim material called Side By Side By Sondheim. The show featured narration recorded by Sondheim and had several performances in New York at Carnegie Hall's Zankel Hall in 2004, under the title Opening Doors.
Photo Flash: First Look at the Los Angeles Premiere of SONDHEIM ON SONDHEIM at International City Theatre

International City Theatre winds up its 30th anniversary season with an intimate portrait of musical icon Stephen Sondheim in his own words and music. DJ Gray directs and stages the Los Angeles premiere of James Lapine's award-winning Broadway hit, Sondheim on Sondheim. Previews were October 14 and 15, and opening night is tonight, October 16 at ICT's newly renovated home in the Long Beach Performing Arts Center.  BroadwayWorld brings you a first look below!
ICT's SONDHEIM ON SONDHEIM Begins Tonight

International City Theatre winds up its 30th anniversary season with an intimate portrait of musical icon Stephen Sondheim in his own words and music. DJ Gray directs and stages the Los Angeles premiere of James Lapine's award-winning Broadway hit, Sondheim on Sondheim. Previews are set for October 14 and 15, and opening night is tonight, October 16 at ICT's newly renovated home in the Long Beach Performing Arts Center.
ICT's SONDHEIM ON SONDHEIM to Run 10/16-11/8

International City Theatre winds up its 30th anniversary season with an intimate portrait of musical icon Stephen Sondheim in his own words and music. DJ Gray directs and stages the Los Angeles premiere of James Lapine's award-winning Broadway hit, Sondheim on Sondheim. Previews are set for October 14 and 15, and opening night is October 16 at ICT's newly renovated home in the Long Beach Performing Arts Center.
David Schmittou, Becca Ayers & More Set for Riverside Theatre's SIDE BY SIDE BY SONDHEIM, Beginning Tonight

Riverside Theatre's 2014-2015 Season continues with the delightful and enchanting musical, Side By Side By Sodhiem. Featuring the music of legendary composer/lyricist Stephen Sondheim, Side By Side By Sondheim plays the Waxlax Stage from tonight, March 10th through March 22nd, 2015.
David Schmittou, Becca Ayers & More Set for Riverside Theatre's SIDE BY SIDE BY SONDHEIM

Riverside Theatre's 2014-2015 Season continues with the delightful and enchanting musical, Side By Side By Sodhiem. Featuring the music of legendary composer/lyricist Stephen Sondheim, Side By Side By Sondheim plays the Waxlax Stage from March 10th through March 22nd and is sponsored by Dick & Rosemary Haverland, John & Marilyn McConnell, Ray & Sonia McGowan, and Bobbie Olsen along with Riverside Theatre's Patron Producers.
London Theatre Workshop to Open New Boutique Theatre in Fulham with ORDINARY DAYS, March 10

London Theatre Workshop is delighted to announce that it will be opening the doors to a new, fully functional, 65 seat boutique theatre in the heart of Fulham, on 10 March, 2014.
Linzi Hateley, Clare Foster, Louise Gold & More Set for SONDHEIM: WOMEN Concert at St. James Theatre Tonight

Olivier Award nominee and Theatre World Award winner Linzi Hateley, Clare Foster, and the legendary Louise Gold headline a cast of West End leading ladies at the St. James Theatre, tonight September 7th 2013.
Linzi Hateley, Clare Foster, Louise Gold & More Set for SONDHEIM: WOMEN Concert at St. James Theatre, 7 Sept

Olivier Award nominee and Theatre World Award winner Linzi Hateley, Clare Foster, and the legendary Louise Gold headline a cast of West End leading ladies at the St. James Theatre, Saturday September 7th 2013.
NYMF and Paley Center Present AN AFTERNOON WITH SHELDON HARNICK Today, 7/28

As part of the annual New York Musical Theatre Festival, the Paley Center is pleased to honor the three-time Tony Award-winning lyricist Sheldon Harnick-who collaborated with composer Jerry Bock on landmark musicals including the Pulitzer Prize winner Fiorello!, Fiddler on the Roof, and The Rothschilds.
Supermodels, Soledad O'Brien and Sheldon Harnick Set for The Paley Center, Beg. Today, 7/17

The Paley Center for Media has announced its July 2012 events, featuring the New York premiere of the HBO documentary film ABOUT FACE: SUPERMODELS THEN AND NOW, Soledad O'Brien, Sheldon Harnick, and more. See below for further details.
Supermodels, Soledad O'Brien and Sheldon Harnick Set for The Paley Center, Beg. 7/17

The Paley Center for Media has announced its July 2012 events, featuring the New York premiere of the HBO documentary film ABOUT FACE: SUPERMODELS THEN AND NOW, Soledad O'Brien, Sheldon Harnick, and more. See below for further details.
NYMF and Paley Center Present AN AFTERNOON WITH SHELDON HARNICK, 7/28

As part of the annual New York Musical Theatre Festival, the Paley Center is pleased to honor the three-time Tony Award-winning lyricist Sheldon Harnick-who collaborated with composer Jerry Bock on landmark musicals including the Pulitzer Prize winner Fiorello!, Fiddler on the Roof, and The Rothschilds.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has David Kernan been in?

David Kernan has not appeared on Broadway.

How many West End shows has David Kernan been in?

David Kernan has appeared on London's West End in 6 shows.

What was David Kernan's first West End show?

David Kernan's first West End show was On the Brighter Side which opened in 1961

What awards has David Kernan been nominated for?

Actor of the Year in a Musical (Olivier Awards) for The Ratepayers' Iolanthe and Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for Side by Side by Sondheim.

How many shows has David Kernan written?

David Kernan has written 3 shows including Noel/Cole: Let's Do It! (Conceiver), Jerome Kern Goes to Hollywood (Conceiver), A Swell Party (Conceiver).

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