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Will Swenson

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BIO

Will Swenson is known as one of Broadway’s most versatile leading men and has been seen on Broadway in roles across a wide character spectrum. Will received critical acclaim for his performance as the subversive hippie Berger in the 2009 revival of Hair for which he received Tony, Drama Desk and Drama League Nominations. He went on to perform the role in London’s West End as well. He starred as Inspector Javert in the 2014 revival of Les Miserables, and played the conflicted drag queen Tick in Priscilla: Queen of the Desert, (Drama League Nomination). In Waitress Will performed opposite the show’s creator Sara Bareilles. Other Broadway: Disaster!, Lestat, Brooklyn: The Musical, and his sentimental favorite 110 in the Shade: the production where he met his wife, actress Audra McDonald. Off-Broadway favorites include the recent revival of Assassins, Nantucket Sleighride, and Jerry Springer: The Opera for which he won an Obie Award. Will originated the role of Tom in Murder Ballad, and also created the role of Stacey Jaxx in the original Off-Broadway production of Rock of Ages. Other favorites include Little Miss Sunshine, Adrift in Macao, Two Gentlemen of Verona, and Pericles. Tours and Other: Miss Saigon, We Will Rock You, Camelot with the NY Philharmonic, Pirates of Penzance, Moon for the Misbegotten, The Royal Family of Broadway. Film & Television: Will played Philo Barnum in the movie musical “The Greatest Showman”, and can be seen in the feature films “This is Where I Leave You”, “The Kitchen” and “The Switch”. Will spent a season on the Netflix series “The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina” as the evil Professor Carcosa. He played opposite his wife in the Covid/Zombie thriller series “The Bite”. He has guest-starred on “Law & Order (SVU & CSI)”, “The Good Wife”, “No Tomorrow”, and “The Code.” He played Henry Donnenfeld on the Netflix crime drama series “Hit and Run”, and later this year will be seen as the father of the Vampire clan The Fairmont’s in the new Netflix drama “First Kill”. Some of Will’s earliest memories involve listening to his Dad’s 8-track copy of “Hot August Night”. Will can’t remember not having most of Neil Diamond’s songs permanently imprinted on his brain. And he’s super happy about that.

Photos

STAGE CREDITS

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2022
Neil Diamond (Then)

[Off-Broadway]
Classic Stage Off-Broadway Revival, 2021
Charles Guiteau

[Immersive]
Quintessence of Dust Theatre Company Immersive Production, 2019
Bruce

[Off-Broadway]
Lincoln Center Theater Off-Broadway Premiere, 2019
Performer

[Regional (US)]
Regional World Premiere Production, 2018
Tony

[Off-Broadway]
The New Group Off-Broadway Premiere, 2018
Satan

Warm-Up

[Off-Broadway]
USS Intrepid Production, 2017
Performer

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2016
Earl [Replacement]

Earl [Replacement]

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2016
Tony Delvecchio [Replacement]

Tony Delvecchio [Replacement]

[Off-Broadway]
Theatre for a New Audience Off-Broadway Production, 2016
Cleon

[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 2014
Javert [Replacement]

Javert [Replacement]

Javert

[Off-Broadway]
Off-Broadway Premiere, 2013
Richard Hoover

[Off-Broadway]
2013
Performer

[Off-Broadway]
Manhattan Theatre Club Production, 2012
Performer

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2011
Tick

Mitzi

[Toronto]
Pre-Broadway North American Production, 2010
Tick (Mitzi)

[West End]
London Revival, 2010
Berger

[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 2009
Berger

[Off-Broadway]
Original Off-Broadway Production, 2008
Stacee Jaxx

[Off-Broadway]
Shakespeare In The Park Revival, 2008
Berger

[Broadway]
Roundabout Revival, 2007
Cody Bridger

Bill Starbuck (Understudy)

[Off-Broadway]
Original Off-Broadway Production, 2007
Rick Shaw

Rick Shaw

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2006
Marquis

Laurent

Ensemble

Lestat (Understudy)

Armand (Understudy)

[Off-Broadway]
Off-Broadway Revival, 2005
Ensemble

Ensemble

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2004
Vocalist [Replacement]

Street Singer (Understudy) [Replacement]

Taylor Collins (Understudy) [Replacement]

[Regional (US)]
Las Vegas Production, 2004
Ensemble


Movies

The Singles Ward
[ 2002 ] Jonathan Jordan
The R.M.
[ 2003 ] Kori Swenson
Sons of Provo
[ 2004 ] Will Jensen
The Singles 2nd Ward
[ 2007 ] Jonathan
The Switch
[ 2010 ] Actor on Stage
Gods Behaving Badly
[ 2013 ] Aries
This Is Where I Leave You
[ 2014 ] Younger Mort
The Greatest Showman
[ 2017 ] Philo Barnum
The Kitchen
[ 2019 ] Michael Mariano

TV Shows

No Tomorrow
Pete

Awards and Nominations

Drama League Awards - 2023 - Distinguished Performance Award

Will Swenson, A Beautiful Noise

Drama League Awards - 2022 - Distinguished Performance Awards

Will Swenson, Assassins

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2022 - Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical

Will Swenson, Assassins


winner
Obie Awards - 2018 - Performance Award

Will Swenson, Jerry Springer: The Opera

Drama Desk Awards - 2009 - Outstanding Actor in a Musical

Will Swenson, Hair

Tony Awards - 2009 - Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical

Will Swenson, Hair

Videos

News


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Real Housewives of Salt Lake City audiences know Britani Bateman for her on and off relationship with Jared Osmond and feud with Mary Cosby, but not her musical theatre past. Watch videos of her singing Sondheim, Miss Saigon, and more!
Josh Groban, Brian Stokes Mitchell And More Join STARS IN THE HOUSE: VOTE-A-THON

Stars in the House has announced Josh Groban, Neil Patrick Harris, Brian Stokes Mitchell and more for the second annual Election Day Vote-A-Thon.
Lin-Manuel Miranda, Martin Short, Shoshana Bean, and More Join STARS IN THE HOUSE Vote-A-Thon

“Stars in the House” will return for its second Election Day Vote-A-Thon with a star-studded lineup joining hosts Seth Rudetsky and James Wesley Jackson to talk about their voting experiences and deliver LIVE musical performances.
Review Roundup: National Tour of A BEAUTIFUL NOISE: THE NEIL DIAMOND MUSICAL

A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical officially launched its First National Tour at the Providence Performing Arts Center (PPAC) in Providence, RI on September 24, 2024, and the reviews are starting to come in.
Danny Burstein Will Join Audra McDonald in GYPSY

Tony Award Winner Danny Burstein will star as “Herbie” opposite six-time Tony Award Winner Audra McDonald “Rose” in GYPSY. We have all of the details here!
AT THIS PERFORMANCE... Returns To The Green Room 42 This Month

AT THIS PERFORMANCE... returns to THE GREEN ROOM 42 on September 23, 2024, featuring Broadway understudies and standbys showcasing their talents. Join for an evening of performances from emerging stars.AT THIS PERFORMANCE… will return to The Green Room 42 featuring Standbys, Understudies and Alternates from The Outsiders; Hell's Kitchen; Suffs, Once Upon A Mattress; Cats: “The Jelicle Ball”; The Wiz; and Shucked.
Photos & Video: SUFFS Honors 104th Anniversary of the Ratification of the 19th Amendment

See photos and video from Suffs' celebration honoring the 104th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment!
AT THIS PERFORMANCE... to Return to The Green Room 42 in August

AT THIS PERFORMANCE… will return to The Green Room 42 in August, featuring Broadway's rising stars. Learn more and see how to purchase tickets.
Photos: Inside The Barrington Stage Co. 30th Anniversary Celebration

Go inside Barrington Stage Company's The Best of Times, A 30th Anniversary Celebration with new photos.
Are We In a Sondheim Renaissance?

This time, the reader question was: Have there been a lot of Sondheim productions in New York City since the legendary composer and lyricist passed away?
Wake Up With BroadwayWorld July 3, 2024

Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is July 3, 2024 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.
AT THIS PERFORMANCE... to Return to Green Room 42 in July

AT THIS PERFORMANCE… returns to The Green Room 42 featuring Standbys, Understudies, and Alternates from Hell's Kitchen, Suffs, The Wiz, Water For Elephants, Cats: “the Jellicle Ball”, Back To The Future, and The Heart Of Rock And Roll.
Photos: Jesse Eisenberg, Kathryn Gallagher & More Take Part in THE 24 HOUR MUSICALS

Check out photos of The 24 Hour Musicals featuring Angelique Cabral, Ryan Scott Oliver and more.
Audra McDonald Says Gavin Creel Pushed Her To Take on GYPSY

Audra McDonald revealed on the Tony Awards red carpet that Gavin Creel pushed her to take on the role of Rose Hovick in Gypsy.
Photos: Norm Lewis Concludes SUMMERTIME (Special Tony Edition) at 54 Below

Each night of Norm Lewis's SUMMERTIME show at 54 Below was a different kind of magic and, lucky me, living so nearby, I was able to capture all the award-winning guests and high-profile friends. So, here for Norm Lewis, who brought summer early to all of us at 54 Below, is a scrapbook of his seven nights and special guests, both on stage and off.
Review: Norm Lewis Brings a Touch of Broadway to 54 Below

This reviewer left the theater this night with the phenomenal music still humming in my head. The show continues its run on June 7, 8, 10, 11, 12 and 13 at 54 Below with different guests each night, including Marc Shaiman, Alice Ripley, Will Swenson, Seth Rudetsky, Brian Stokes Mitchell and Nova Payton and Kimberly Akimbo’s Olivia Hardy.
See Norm Lewis Ft. Will Swenson & More Next Week at 54 Below

Next week 54 BELOW will present some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond. See who is performing and learn how to purchase tickets.
Angelique Cabral, Ryan Scott Oliver, and More Join THE 24 HOUR MUSICALS

THE 24 HOUR PLAYS has revealed additional artists for The 24 Hour Musicals. See who else is starring and learn how to purchase tickets.
Stephen Schwartz, Brian Stokes Mitchell, And More To Join Norm Lewis' Summer Show

Join Norm Lewis for a spectacular summer show featuring special guests Melba Moore, Stephen Schwartz, Brian Stokes Mitchell, and more at 54 Below.
David Rockwell & Rockwell Group and Additional Artists Join THE 24 HOUR MUSICALS

The 24 Hour Musicals will be partnering with Tony Award-winning designer and architect David Rockwell and Rockwell Group for this year’s event. Learn more about the upcoming event!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Will Swenson been in?

Will Swenson has appeared on Broadway in 9 shows.

How many West End shows has Will Swenson been in?

Will Swenson has appeared on London's West End in 1 shows.

What was Will Swenson's first West End show?

Will Swenson's first West End show was Hair which opened in 2010

What awards has Will Swenson been nominated for?

Distinguished Performance Award (Drama League Awards) for A Beautiful Noise, Distinguished Performance Awards (Drama League Awards) for Assassins, Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Assassins, Performance Award (Obie Awards) for Jerry Springer: The Opera, Outstanding Actor in a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for Hair and Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for Hair.

What awards has Will Swenson won?

Will Swenson has won the Performance Award at the Obie Awards for his role in Jerry Springer: The Opera.

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