Damon Daunno Explained

Damon Daunno
Birth Date:28 November 1984
Birth Place:Whippany, New Jersey, U.S.
Years Active:2006–present

Damon Daunno (born November 28, 1984) is a Tony and Grammy-nominated American actor, singer, musician, and composer.[1] He is best known for his work on Broadway and for the role of Curly McLain in the 2019 revival of musical Oklahoma! for which he received a Tony nomination for Best Actor in a Musical as well as a Grammy nomination for Best Musical Theater Album.[2] [3]

Early life and education

Daunno was born in Whippany, New Jersey and raised in Glen Ridge, New Jersey.[1] He attended Glen Ridge High School for one year before transferring to the Loomis Chaffee School in Windsor, Connecticut.[1]

He graduated from Loomis Chaffee School and then studied at New York University Tisch School of the Arts, earning a BFA in drama in 2006.[4]

Career

On October 18, 2010, Daunno released his debut 3-song EP of original music called "Adulterated Trappings".[5] He lists Jeff Buckley and Radiohead to be among his musical influences.[6]

On March 2011, Daunno performed a tribute concert for Jeff Buckley at New York's Knitting Factory. Around this time was when he also had a performance residency at Niagara NYC.[6]

Daunno originated the role of Orpheus in Hadestown in the off-Broadway production which ran from May 6 to July 31, 2016, at New York Theatre Workshop. He appears on the Off Broadway Original Cast Recording.

Daunno starred in the 2019 Broadway revival of Oklahoma! as Curly, for which he received a nomination for the 2019 Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical.[2] [7]

In August 2020, Daunno was featured on the soundtrack Broadway Sings Blood Rock: The Musical with Andy Mientus, Jennifer DiNoia, and Robert Torti.[8]

Personal life

Daunno previously dated actress, Betty Gilpin, while both were attending Loomis Chaffee School.[9]

Daunno met British actress, Kirsty Woodward, in 2014 while performing at the Kneehigh Theatre Company.[10] The two married in 2018 in Brooklyn, New York.[10]

Theatre credits

YearTitleRoleVenue
2010The Last GoodbyeRomeoWilliamstown Theatre Festival[11]
2010–2011Brief EncounterEnsemble, BillStudio 54, Broadway
2012PippinPippinAmerican Repertory Theater
2013Fly By NightHarold McClamDallas Theater Center
2015Oklahoma!Curly McLainBard SummerScape
These Paper Bullets!ClaudeGil Cates Theater
2016HadestownOrpheusNew York Theatre Workshop, Off-Broadway
2017BeardoBeardoSt. John's Lutheran Church
The Tin DrumJanShoreditch Town Hall [12]
2018The Lucky OnesKaiConnelly Theater
2019–2020Oklahoma!Curly McLainSt. Ann's Warehouse
Circle in the Square Theatre, Broadway
2023Almost FamousJeff BebeEugene O'Neill Theater Center[13]
2024The Lonely FewDylanNewman Mills Theater, Off-Broadway[14]

Filmography

YearTitleRoleNotes
2013The FollowingSteveEpisode: "Love Hurts"
2020Blue BloodsMancusoEpisode: "Where the Truth Lies"
2021The Hating GameDanny
2022The Marvelous Mrs. MaiselJ.J.Episode: "Everything is Bellmore"
2022Interview with the VampireBruceEpisode: "A Vile Hunger for Your Hammering Heart"

Awards and nominations

YearAwardCategoryWorkResultRef.
2018Drama Desk AwardOutstanding Featured Actor in a MusicalThe Lucky Ones
Lucille Lortel AwardOutstanding Lead Actor in a Musical
2019Tony AwardBest Actor in a MusicalOklahoma!
Drama Desk AwardOutstanding Actor in a Musical
Outer Critics Circle AwardOutstanding Actor in a Musical
2020Grammy AwardBest Musical Theater Album[15]

Notes and References

  1. News: Damon Daunno Nominated for a Tony . Italian Tribune . May 9, 2019.
  2. Tony Nominee Spotlight: Damon Daunno on Breaking With Tradition in 'Oklahoma!,' Plus Watch 'People Will Say We're in Love' (Exclusive) . Billboard . 2019-06-21.
  3. News: Culwell-Block . Logan . Hadestown, Oklahoma!, More Cast Albums Receive 2020 Grammy Award Nominations . Playbill . November 20, 2019.
  4. Web site: Tony Awards 2019: N.J.'s Ali Stroker and Damon Daunno nominated for 'Oklahoma!' revival; see full list of nominees. Kuperinsky. Amy. 2019-04-30. nj.com. en-US. 2019-06-21.
  5. Web site: Adulterated Trappings EP — Damon Daunno . 2024-03-16 . Last.fm . en.
  6. Web site: Admin . J. B. M. . ARCHIVE Vol. 13:09 03/31/11 . 2024-03-16 . Jeff Buckley . en-US.
  7. Web site: Oklahoma! Star Damon Daunno on Leveling Up in a Classic Role and Strumming His Way to Broadway. Broadway.com. en. 2019-06-21.
  8. Web site: Wild. Stephi. 'Broadway Sings BLOOD ROCK' is Now Available on iTunes and Apple Music, Featuring Andy Mientus, Damon Daunno, and More!. 2021-12-20. BroadwayWorld.com. en.
  9. Maggots or Magic . Las Culturistas . Forever Dog. Bowen Yang, Matt Rogers . July 17, 2019. 14:25.
  10. News: King. Eric . Oklahoma! Star Damon Daunno on Leveling Up in a Classic Role and Strumming His Way to Broadway. Broadway.Com . April 6, 2019.
  11. Web site: Last Goodbye, the .
  12. Herman, Judi. (2018, July 7). The Tin Drum ★★★★. Jewish Renaissance. Retrieved December 20, 2022, from https://www.jewishrenaissance.org.uk/blog/review-theatre-the-tin-drum
  13. Web site: Rabinowitz . Chloe . ALMOST FAMOUS Headed Back into Workshops at the O'Neill . 2024-01-24 . BroadwayWorld.com . en.
  14. Web site: Harms . Talaura . Feb 12, 2024 . Damon Daunno and Taylor Iman Jones Will Lead New Off-Broadway Musical The Lonely Few . Feb 13, 2024 . Playbill.
  15. Web site: 2020 GRAMMYs Awards Show: Complete Winners & Nominations List . 2023-01-15 . www.grammy.com.