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Forrest McClendon

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BIO

Broadway/London: The Scottsboro Boys (Tony Award nomination). Off-Broadway: City Center Encores!, New Federal, Vineyard, La MaMa. Thoughts of a Colored Man at Arena Stage, Syracuse Stage, and Center Stage. Other regional: Guthrie Theatre, A Contemporary Theatre, Actors Theatre of Louisville, Westport Playhouse, Two River, Philadelphia Shakespeare Theatre, North Carolina Shakespeare Festival. Awards: Lunt-Fontanne Fellow, two Barrymore Awards (five nominations). Numerous visiting professorships. Faculty: National Theater Institute at the Eugene O’Neill Theatre Center. @forrestmcclend1 www.forrestmcclendon.com



Photos

STAGE CREDITS

Thoughts of a Colored Man Thoughts of a Colored Man
[Broadway]
2021
Performer
Cabin in the Sky Cabin in the Sky
[Off-Broadway]
Encores Concert Production, 2016
Performer
The Scottsboro Boys The Scottsboro Boys
[West End]
Young Vic Production, 2014
Performer
The Scottsboro Boys The Scottsboro Boys
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2010
Mr. Tambo
Deputy Tambo
Lawyer Tambo
Guard Tambo
Samuel Leibowitz
The Scottsboro Boys The Scottsboro Boys
[Off-Broadway]
Original Off-Broadway Production, 2010
Mr. Tambo
Deputy Tambo
Lawyer Tambo
Guard Tambo
Samuel Leibowitz
Dreamgirls
[Philadelphia, PA (Regional)]
Prince Music Theatre Revival, 2005
CC White
Faith Journey
[Off-Broadway]
1993
Performer

Awards and Nominations


winner
The Barrymore Awards - 2012 - Outstanding supporting actor in a musical

Forrest McClendonThe Scottsboro Boys

Tony Awards - 2011 - Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical

Forrest McClendon, The Scottsboro Boys

Videos

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News


Video: Meet the Dreams of DREAMGIRLS at Walnut Street Theatre Photo
Video: Meet the Dreams of DREAMGIRLS at Walnut Street Theatre
by Michael Major - Mar 26, 2025

Watch a video of the Dreams from Dreamgirls at Walnut Street Theatre. Leading the cast as The Dreams are Aveena Sawyer as Effie White, Gabrielle Beckford as Deena Jones, and Khalifa White Lorrell Robinson. Chali Cooke joins as Michelle.
Cast & Creative Team Set For Walnut Street Theatre's DREAMGIRLS Photo
Cast & Creative Team Set For Walnut Street Theatre's DREAMGIRLS
by Joshua Wright - Feb 27, 2025

Walnut Street Theatre will bring the acclaimed award-winning musical DREAMGIRLS to life as they close their 216th season of dreams. This dazzling production begins previews on March 25, opens April 2, and runs through May 4.
2011 Tony Nominations Announced! THE BOOK OF MORMON Leads With 14!
by Robert Diamond - Feb 3, 2024

Past Tony winners Anika Noni Rose and Matthew Broderick announced the 2011 Tony Awards nominees live from the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts in New York City.
Registration Open for Mayo Performing Arts Center Spring Performing Arts School Class Photo
Registration Open for Mayo Performing Arts Center Spring Performing Arts School Classes
by A.A. Cristi - Dec 5, 2023

Grammy Award-winning guitarist Peter Frampton confirms new spring dates on his 'Never EVER Say Never Tour' to celebrate his 60th year of touring. The tour will include a stop at Mayo Performing Arts Center on March 13, 2024. Tickets go on sale December 8.
Demetria Joyce Bailey Named as 2023 Lunt-Fontanne Fellow Photo
Demetria Joyce Bailey Named as 2023 Lunt-Fontanne Fellow
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 17, 2023

Walnut Street Theatre has announced that Demetria Joyce Bailey has been selected as one of 10 stage actors in the United States to be a 2023 Lunt-Fontanne Fellow.
Meet the Cast of OHIO STATE MURDERS, Beginning Previews on Broadway Tonight! Photo
Meet the Cast of OHIO STATE MURDERS, Beginning Previews on Broadway Tonight!
by Stephi Wild - Nov 11, 2022

Ohio State Murders will be the first show to play at the newly renamed James Earl Jones Theatre when it begins previews tonight, Friday, November 11, 2022 ahead of an opening on Thursday, December 8, 2022. Meet the cast of Ohio State Murders here!
Bryce Pinkham, Lizan Mitchell & More Join Audra McDonald in OHIO STATE MURDERS; Full Photo
Bryce Pinkham, Lizan Mitchell & More Join Audra McDonald in OHIO STATE MURDERS; Full Cast Announced
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 17, 2022

The complete cast for the Broadway premiere of Ohio State Murders by Adrienne Kennedy is now announced. Joining Emmy, Grammy, and Six-time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald, Tony Award nominee Bryce Pinkham, and Drama Desk nominee Lizan Mitchell.
Eugene O'Neill Theater Center Announces Final Casting for the 2022 National Playwrights Conference
by Stephi Wild - Jul 5, 2022

The Eugene O’Neill Theater Center has announced the casts for the final two plays featured in the 2022 National Playwrights Conference: House of India by Deepak Kumar and Nightwatch by Max Yu.
Photos: Michael Douglas, Joshua Henry & More at Eugene O'Neill's Theatre Center's 21s Photo
Photos: Michael Douglas, Joshua Henry & More at Eugene O'Neill's Theatre Center's 21st Monte Cristo Awards
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 12, 2022

Last night in New York City, Michael Douglas and Joshua Henry attended the Eugene O’Neill’s Theatre Center’s  21st Monte Cristo Awards which honored George C. White.
The Acting Company Announces Reading of SAM'S COMING By Kia Corthron Photo
The Acting Company Announces Reading of SAM'S COMING By Kia Corthron
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 6, 2022

The Acting Company has announced the return of The Louanna O. Carlin & John MacDonald Reading Series with Kia Corthron’s Sam’s Coming, which will receive a public reading on Monday, April 18 at 7:30 PM at The Mainstage Theater (416 West 42nd Street).
THOUGHTS OF A COLORED MAN Ends Broadway Run Photo
THOUGHTS OF A COLORED MAN Ends Broadway Run
by Robert Diamond - Dec 24, 2021

The Keenan Scott II play, directed by Steven H. Broadnax III has tried its hardest to safely navigate the current health crisis, even putting the playwright on stage with script this past Tuesday evening, but eventually was not able to continue under the unfortunate conditions of Covid exposure in the city and country.
Playwright Steps Into THOUGHTS OF A COLORED MAN and Saves Performance From Being Canc Photo
Playwright Steps Into THOUGHTS OF A COLORED MAN and Saves Performance From Being Cancelled
by Stephi Wild - Dec 22, 2021

Last night at Broadway's new hit play, Thoughts of a Colored Man, playwright Keenan Scott II made the rare move of going on in one of the roles, after a cast member tested positive for COVID-19 and two non-COVID related illnesses felled the cast.
Photos & Video: Mayor-Elect Eric Adams & More Attend THOUGHTS OF A COLORED MAN Photo
Photos & Video: Mayor-Elect Eric Adams & More Attend THOUGHTS OF A COLORED MAN
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 24, 2021

Mayor-Elect Eric Adams attended last night’s performance of Thoughts of a Colored Man, his first Broadway play in his new position. After the show, which was attended by Mary J. Blige, Broadway’s own Sheryl Lee Ralph and her husband PA. State Senator Vincent Hughes and Tasha Smith, Mr. Adams praised Keenan Scott II’s play as “historic”.
Photos: Go Inside Reopening Night of IMMERSIVE VAN GOGH at Pier 36 Photo
Photos: Go Inside Reopening Night of IMMERSIVE VAN GOGH at Pier 36
by Bruce Glikas - Nov 23, 2021

Over the weekend, the Original Immersive Van Gogh celebrated its highly-anticipated return to New York City with a 'Starry Night' reopening at Pier 36 (229 South St). Immersive Van Gogh, the blockbuster art installation of the iconic work by Vincent van Gogh, is back by popular demand through January 2, 2022.
Lantern Theater Company Announces Additional Extension of ME AND THE DEVIL
by Stephi Wild - Nov 16, 2021

The Lantern’s first collaboration with nationally prominent director and playwright Steve H. Broadnax III, this world premiere play with music shows the dramatic confrontation between the great American blues musician Robert Johnson and the Devil from whom, legend has it, Johnson received his extraordinary talent.
Photos: Vanessa Williams and Ashleigh Murray Attend THOUGHTS OF A COLORED MAN Photo
Photos: Vanessa Williams and Ashleigh Murray Attend THOUGHTS OF A COLORED MAN
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 15, 2021

Super star Vanessa Williams, along with Ashleigh Murray, who stars along with Luke James in the upcoming Hallmark Holiday movie “Christmas in Harmony” congratulated actors Bryan Terrell Clark, Dyllon Burnside, Tristen Mack Wilds, and Luke James after a  performance of THOUGHTS OF A COLORED MAN.
VIDEO: THOUGHTS OF A COLORED MAN Featured on WORKING IN THE THEATRE Live Photo
VIDEO: THOUGHTS OF A COLORED MAN Featured on WORKING IN THE THEATRE Live
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 11, 2021

The American Theatre Wing hosted the first post-pandemic live installment of its Emmy Nominated documentary series, “Working in the Theatre,” with playwright Keenan Scott II and the cast of his acclaimed new Broadway play Thoughts of a Colored Man.
VIDEO: THOUGHTS OF A COLORED MAN Stars Appear on THE WENDY SHOW Photo
VIDEO: THOUGHTS OF A COLORED MAN Stars Appear on THE WENDY SHOW
by Michael Major - Nov 3, 2021

Luke James, Tristan 'Mack' Wilds and Forrest McClendon appeared on the Wendy Williams Show to discuss opening Thoughts of a Colored Man on Broadway. The segment also featured a performance from Luke James. Watch guest-host Sherri Shepherd interview the trio in the full interview now!
Photos: Cynthia Bailey Visits Kandi Burruss Backstage at THOUGHTS OF A COLORED MAN Photo
Photos: Cynthia Bailey Visits Kandi Burruss Backstage at THOUGHTS OF A COLORED MAN
by Bruce Glikas - Oct 21, 2021

Just last week Thoughts of a Colored Man officially opened on Broadway at the John Golden Theatre- an opening that what celebrated by the full company, including one of the show's producers, Kandi Buruss. Earlier this week, the Real Housewives of Atlanta veteran was joined by her costar, Cynthia Bailey, who came to the show in support of her friend.
Wake Up With BWW 10/15: Inside Opening Night of THOUGHTS OF A COLORED MAN, and More! Photo
Wake Up With BWW 10/15: Inside Opening Night of THOUGHTS OF A COLORED MAN, and More!
by Stephi Wild - Oct 15, 2021

Today's top stories: Go inside opening night of Thoughts of a Colored Man, and more!
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Forrest McClendon been in?

Forrest McClendon has appeared on Broadway in 2 shows.

How many West End shows has Forrest McClendon been in?

Forrest McClendon has appeared on London's West End in 1 shows.

What was Forrest McClendon's first West End show?

Forrest McClendon's first West End show was The Scottsboro Boys which opened in 2014

What awards has Forrest McClendon been nominated for?

Outstanding supporting actor in a musical (The Barrymore Awards) for The Scottsboro Boys and Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for The Scottsboro Boys.

What awards has Forrest McClendon won?

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Musical (The Barrymore Awards) for The Scottsboro Boys.

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