Monday, February 27, 2023

Broadway Who's Who: Howard McGillin

This edition of Broadway Who's Who focuses on one of my all-time favorite actors, Howard McGillin, whose New York stage career I've been following since nearly its beginning. That beginning, 1984's New York Shakespeare Festival production of La Boheme co-starring Linda Ronstadt, earned him raves and was the start of a nearly 40 year career. Currently, he is back on Broadway in the acclaimed revival of Parade. As far as Broadway stars go, he certainly qualifies.


Broadway Who's Who:
Howard McGillin

DID YOU KNOW?:
BIRTH DATE: November 5, 1953
BIRTHPLACE: Los Angeles, California
FAMILY: Married twice, 2 sons
EDUCATION: University of California, Santa Barbara
EARLY CAREER: Universal Studios contract player with roles in such classic television shows as Emergency!, Columbo, MacMillan and Wife, The Six Million Dollar Man, The Bionic Woman and The Rockford Files
OTHER WHO'S WHO HE'S WORKED WITH: Linda Ronstadt, Wilford Leach, Lee Remick, Betty Buckley, George Rose, Patti Cohenour, Judy Kuhn, Patti LuPone, Stephen Sondheim, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Jerry Herman, Chita Rivera, Vanessa Williams, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Victoria Clark and Rebecca Luker


OFF-BROADWAY, WEST END, REGIONAL AND TOURING CREDITS:

Off-Broadway: As Thousands Cheer
World Premiere: Bounce

West End: Anything Goes and Mack & Mabel

Concert: Follies

National Tour: Peter Pan
Pre-Broadway: It Shoulda Been You

BROADWAY:

Sunday in the Park with George
 -
(debut) Booth Theatre, c. 1984; as Soldier/Alex and understudy for George









   

   


The Mystery of Edwin Drood
 -
Imperial Theatre; as John Jasper/Mr. Clive Paget; originated the role off-Broadway at Shakespeare in the Park; played the role for entire Broadway run

⭐ Winner! Theatre World Award
⭐ Nominated for Tony Award and Drama Desk Award: Best Featured Actor in a Musical



   


Anything Goes
 -
Vivian Beaumont Theater at Lincoln Center; as Bill Crocker

⭐ Nominated for Tony Award and Drama Desk Award: Best Featured Actor in a Musical






   

   


The Phantom of the Opera
-
Majestic Theatre; as The Phantom; played the role more than any actor in the show's history - 2,544 times!; selected by Andrew Lloyd Webber to head the company when it became Broadway's Longest-Running show







   


The Secret Garden
-
St. James Theatre; as Archibald Craven; replaced Mandy Patinkin









   


She Loves Me - Criterion Center West/Brooks Atkinson Theatre; as Steven Kodaly








   

   


Kiss of the Spider Woman
 
- Broadhurst Theatre; as Molina; replaced Brent Carver; co-starred with Brian Stokes Mitchell, Chita Rivera, Vanessa Williams and Maria Conchita Alonso; recorded the 2nd cast recording with Williams and Mitchell







   


Gigi
-
Neil Simon Theatre; as Honore Lachaille; co-starred with Vanessa Hudgens, Corey Cott and Victoria Clark










Parade
-
Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre; as Judge Roan/Old Soldier; co-starred with Ben Platt and Micaela Diamond

Friday, February 24, 2023

At This Performance: Alex Vinh in Kimberly Akimbo

When Mike and I paid a second visit to Kimberly Akimbo last month, our Playbills came with a little white piece of paper. "At this performance, the role of Martin will be played by Alex Vinh." We are always excited to see new talent, and in this case, a new young actor making his Broadway debut! If you go, and see that he's on at your performance, you are in for a real treat.

What a thrill to report that he was terrific - notable for his vibrant presence, ease with the sharp group of four show choir teens, and especially his chemistry with the equally vibrant Michael Iskander. Truly, it is great to find out that this little ensemble - with the tightest harmonies currently on Broadway - runs like a well-oiled machine no matter who is in the mix. Mr. Vinh is also really funny, getting laughs where I don't recall them occurring before.

with his fellow KA swings Skye Alyssa Friedman and Miguel Gil

Needless to say, I had to find out more about this dynamo. Here's what I found:
  • He has a BFA in Musical Theater from Texas Christian University.
  • Among the shows he was a part of in his training were Sweeney Todd (Tobias Ragg), Bat Boy (Bat Boy), Sylvia, and A Day in Hollywood/A Night in the Ukraine.
  • In addition to acting, his training also included make-up and wig design.
  • He's appeared in a variety of regional theater productions including: Violet, Winter's Tale, ...Spelling Bee, Mamma Mia! and Spring Awakening.
  • Off-Broadway, he was in CSC's Snow in Midsummer, and Kimberly Akimbo at Atlantic Theater Company.
  • We also spotted him in a featured role in season 1 of Only Murders in the Building!
left to right: Bat Boy and Spring Awakening

Opening Night at Snow in Midsummer

I look forward to watching Alex's career take off! 
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