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Brent Barrett

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Brent Barrett
Born(1957-02-28)February 28, 1957(age 67)
Quinter, Kansas,United States
Occupation(s)Actor, tenor
Years active1980–present
Websitewww.brentbarrett

Brent Barrett(born February 28, 1957) is an Americanactorandtenorwho is mostly known for his work within Americantheatre.Barrett has performed inmusicalsand in concerts with theatres,symphony orchestras,opera houses,andconcert hallsinternationally. He starred in the original production ofMaltbyandShire's hitOff-BroadwaymusicalCloser Than Everin 1989 and the 2001West Endrevival ofCole Porter'sKiss Me, Kate.He has also appeared sporadically on television and in films.

Early life and career

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Barrett was born and raised inQuinter, Kansas,the youngest of three children.[1]

He began his education atFort Hays State Universityin 1974 as a vocal performance major but ultimately transferred toCarnegie Mellon Universityin 1976 where he studied musical theatre. While still a student he began his professional career performing with thePittsburgh Civic Light Operaduring the 1978 and 1979 seasons, appearing in productions ofHalf a Sixpence,Camelot,Good News,The Red Mill,Cabaret,andFunny Girlamong others.[2] While in his final year in college, he was cast byJerome Robbinsto play Diesel in the 1980Broadwayrevival ofLeonard Bernstein'sWest Side Story.He finished his degree that year and went to Broadway to begin his long association with New York theatre. He ultimately took over the role of Tony for the last three months of the show's run.[3]

In 1981, Barrett played Whizzer in the Off-Broadway production ofMarch of the Falsettos,taking over the role when the production moved to theWestside Arts Theater.[4]In 1982 he portrayed the title role in theOff-Broadwayproduction ofDes McAnuff'sThe Death of Von Richthofen as Witnessed From Earthat theJoseph Papp Public Theater[5]and he starred inHoward Marren'sPortrait of Jennieat theHenry Street Settlement'sNew Federal Theater.[6]He returned to Broadway in 1983 as Charles Castleton in the ill-fatedAlan Jay LernermusicalDance a Little Closer.[7]That same year he was cast in the recurring role of Tony Barclay on thesoap operaAll My Children,appearing in several episodes through 1984.[1]

In 1985 Barrett portrayed the role of Lieutenant Cable in the National Tour ofRodgers and Hammerstein'sSouth Pacific.In 1986 he appeared as Eddie Yeager in the Off-Broadway revival ofArthur Laurents'sThe Time of the Cuckooat theYork Theatreat St. Peter's. In 1988 he portrayed the role ofR. Daneel OlivawinRobots,atelevision filmadaptation ofIsaac Asimov'sRobotseries.[8]In 1989 he appeared in the original production ofRichard Maltby, Jr.andDavid Shire'sCloser Than Everat theCherry Lane Theatre.A critical success, the show ran for 312 performances and a CD recording was made on theRCA Victorlabel.[9]

Later life and career

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Barrett had a small role in the 1990 filmLongtime Companion.[1]In May of that same year he joined the original Broadway cast ofGrand Hotel,replacing the ailingDavid Carrollas Baron Felix Von Gaigern. This replacement—only six months into the show's run—resulted in Barrett playing the Baron during the44th Tony Awardstelecast, despite the fact that Carroll was nominated for the part. Delays in recording theGrand Hotelscore led to Barrett also being featured on the show'scast album.Barrett went on to reprise the Baron role for the originalWest Endproduction ofGrand Hotelin 1992, as well as portray the Baron during the show's international tour.

In 1993 he toured the United States as Frank Butler inIrving Berlin'sAnnie Get Your Gun,withCathy Rigbyas Annie.[10]In 1994 he appeared as Victor Duchesi in the original production of theSherman Brothers'sBusker Alley,which through unhappy circumstance never made it to Broadway, although it had been scheduled to do so.[11]In 1996 he played the role of Uris in theHercules: The Legendary Journeys's episodeA Star to Guide Them.[8]That same year he appeared as Tommy Albright in theNew York City Opera's production ofBrigadoonwithRebecca Lukeras Fiona,[12]and he played the role of Archibald inLucy Simon'sThe Secret Gardenin cities throughout New Zealand.[13]

He returned to Broadway in 1997 to portray Maximilian in the revival of Bernstein'sCandide.[14]In 1998 he portrayed the role of Billy Flynn in the National Tour ofChicagofor which he won a Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award, and the following year he took up the same role in the Broadway revival for several months.[15][16]

In 2000 Barrett portrayed the role of Edward Moncrief in theNew York City CenterEncores!revival ofOn a Clear Day You Can See ForeverwithKristin Chenowethas Daisy Gamble.[17]He returned to Broadway again in the winter of 2001 to replacePatrick Cassidyas Frank Butler in the revival ofIrving Berlin'sAnnie Get Your Gun,portraying the role oppositeReba McEntireas Annie. The Fall of that same year he was cast in the starring role of Fred Graham for theWest Endrevival ofCole Porter'sKiss Me, Kate,which also starred Marin Mazzie and later Rachel York as Lilli Vanessi. For his performance he received aLaurence Olivier Awardsnomination. The production was recorded live for broadcast onPBS'sGreat Performancesin the United States and is available on DVD.[1]

In 2002 he portrayed the role of Sid Sorokin in the City Center Encores! revival ofThe Pajama Game[18]and he played the role of Billy Crocker inAnything GoesatUCLA's Freud Playhouse inWestwood, Los Angeles, California.[8]On New Years Day 2003 he appeared in a concert of music byKurt Weillwith theBerlin Philharmonicunder conductorSimon Rattle.That same year he portrayed Arthur inLerner and Loewe'sCamelotat thePaper Mill PlayhouseinMillburn, New Jersey[1]and he returned to Broadway to portray Billy Flynn in the revival ofChicago,leaving the production in 2004.[19]

In 2005 Barrett appeared as Brian The Set Designer in the film version ofThe Producers.[20]That same year he returned to Broadway to portray the role of Billy Flynn again in the revival ofChicagoand he sang at theNew York Festival of SongatCarnegie Hallin a concert honoringHal Prince.In 2006 he played the title role inAndrew Lloyd Webber'sThe Phantom of the Operafor the new production in atThe Venetian ResortinLas Vegaswhich was directed by Hal Prince.[21]

On July 7, 2009, he rejoined the Broadway cast ofChicago,in the role of Billy Flynn, a role he has now played several engagements of on Broadway. He starred alongsideSamantha Harrisfrom television'sDancing with the Starsin the role of Roxie.[22]

Barrett rejoined the cast ofChicagofrom February 7 to March 7, 2011, to be replaced byChristopher Siebertemporarily, to then take over again from March 26 to June 19, 2011. During this return, he starred oppositeChristie Brinkleyin her Broadway debut.[23]

On June 24, 2011, five days after leavingChicago,Barrett began starring as famous characterHannibal Lecter,inSILENCE! The Musical,described as an "unauthorized parody" ofThe Silence of the Lambs.The show has run for longer than its initial limited engagement at 80 St. Marks Place, directed and choreographed by Christopher Gattelli. Barrett can also now be heard on the Original Cast Recording.[24]

Barrett starred asCaptain Hookin the American tour ofPeter PanoppositeCathy Rigbywith whom he had previously starred inAnnie Get Your Gun.

It was announced he would reprise the titular role in theOberhausenproduction ofThe Phantom of the Operain November 2015, with Elizabeth Welch from the New York production playing Christine. His run was postponed to early 2016 due to an injury he sustained during rehearsals.

In June and July 2016, Barrett played Georges in a production ofLa Cage aux Follesat theSignature Theatrein Arlington, Virginia.[25]

In June 2018 Barrett joined the cast of Cocktail Cabaret at Caesar's Palace for a limited engagement.[26]

Discography

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Barrett has appeared on several recordings, including theatrical cast recordings and compilations.[27]

Videography

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Awards and nominations

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Year Award Category Series Result
2011 BroadwayWorld Chicago Awards Best Actor Folliesas Ben Winner
Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Awards Best Actor Chicagoas Billy Flynn Winner
Olivier Awards Best Actorfor Fred/Petruchio (London) Kiss Me, Kate Nominated
(Source:[1])

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References

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  1. ^abcdeGurewitsch, Matthew (February 16, 2003)."Theater: Who's That? Well, Now He's the Star".The New York Times.RetrievedMarch 25,2009.
  2. ^Kimmel, Bruce (2001)."The Unseemly Interview Interview Section... Brent Barrett".haineshisway.Archived fromthe originalon August 20, 2008.RetrievedMarch 25,2009.
  3. ^Paddock, Terri (October 29, 2001)."20 Questions With...Brent Barrett".Whats On Stage.Archived fromthe originalon June 16, 2011.RetrievedMarch 25,2009.
  4. ^"'March of the Falsettos' Moves to Westside Arts ".The New York Times.October 11, 1981.RetrievedMarch 25,2009.
  5. ^Rich, Frank (July 30, 1982)."Theater: MUSICAL: MCANUFF'S 'RICHTHOFEN' ARRIVES AT PUBLIC".The New York Times.RetrievedMarch 25,2009.
  6. ^Gussow, Mel (December 19, 1982)."THEATER: 'PORTRAIT OF JENNIE,' A MUSICAL ADAPTION".The New York Times.RetrievedMarch 25,2009.
  7. ^Rich, Frank (May 12, 1983)."STAGE: LERNER MUSICAL 'DANCE A LITTLE CLOSER'".The New York Times.RetrievedMarch 25,2009.
  8. ^abc"Brent Barrett Biography (1957-)".filmreference.RetrievedMarch 25,2009.
  9. ^Holden, Stephen (February 25, 1990)."RECORDINGS; 'Closer Than Ever' Is One From the Heart".The New York Times.RetrievedMarch 25,2009.
  10. ^Ketcham, Diane (October 3, 1993)."Long Island Journal".The New York Times.RetrievedMarch 25,2009.
  11. ^Everett, Todd (June 29, 1995)."Stage Door Charley".Variety.RetrievedMarch 25,2009.
  12. ^Tommasini, Anthony (November 15, 1996)."In the Magical Highlands With a Day to Find Love".The New York Times.RetrievedMarch 25,2009.
  13. ^International New Zealand ArtistsArchivedJanuary 31, 2009, at theWayback Machine
  14. ^Brantley, Ben (April 30, 1997)."High-Voltage Voltaire".The New York Times.RetrievedMarch 25,2009.
  15. ^Brantley, Ben (July 7, 1999)."THEATER REVIEW; New Roxie And Velma Take Over In 'Chicago'".The New York Times.RetrievedMarch 25,2009.
  16. ^Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Awards Web SiteArchived2008-01-24 at theWayback Machine
  17. ^Brantley, Ben (February 12, 2000)."THEATER REVIEW; Reincarnation With a Green Thumb".The New York Times.RetrievedMarch 25,2009.
  18. ^Brantley, Ben (May 4, 2002)."THEATER REVIEW; A Test of Love for Labor and Management".The New York Times.RetrievedMarch 25,2009.
  19. ^Brantley, Ben (August 4, 2003)."THEATER REVIEW; Movie Doll Hits Broadway Without Breaking a Sweat".The New York Times.RetrievedMarch 25,2009.
  20. ^Scott, A. O.(2012)."The Producers (2005)".Movies & TV Dept.The New York Times.Archived fromthe originalon October 21, 2012.RetrievedMarch 25,2009.
  21. ^Jones, Kenneth (12 June 2006)."Phantom — The Las Vegas Spectacular Begins June 12; Brent Barrett Dons Mask".Playbill News.Archived fromthe originalon 9 May 2008.RetrievedMarch 25,2009.
  22. ^"Broadway - Chicago: Samantha Harris, Brent Barrett and Roz Ryan join cast".Newyorktheatreguide.Retrieved2012-01-15.
  23. ^"Brent Barrett returns as Chicagos' Billy Flynn".Newyorktheatreguide.Retrieved2012-01-15.
  24. ^Silence! The Musical - Off-Broadway (2011-05-11)."Brent Barrett to Play Hannibal Lecter in Parody Tuner Silence! The Musical".Broadway.Retrieved2012-01-15.
  25. ^Rickwald, Bethany (8 June 2016)."New Photos and Video From Signature Theatre'sLa Cage aux Folles".TheaterMania.Retrieved12 June2016.
  26. ^Hall, Debbie."BWW Feature: THE COCKTAIL CABARET at Cleopatra's Barge At Caesars Palace".BroadwayWorld.Retrieved2018-09-15.
  27. ^"Brent Barrett: Recordings".Archived fromthe originalon 2008-09-28.Retrieved2009-08-27.
  28. ^"2011 BroadwayWorld Chicago Award Winners Announced! FOLLIES, PUSSY ON THE HOUSE, CATS and More To Be Honored at 12/28 Celebration at The Call".Broadwayworld.Retrieved2012-01-15.
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