Kyle Selig Explained

Kyle Selig
Birth Name:Kyle Andrew Selig
Birth Date:28 September 1992
Birth Place:Orange County, California, U.S.
Years Active:2012–present

Kyle Andrew Selig (born September 28, 1992)[1] is an American actor, dancer, and singer. He is known for originating the role of Aaron Samuels in the 2018 Tony Award-nominated musical, Mean Girls and for playing the role of Mr. Komos in .

Early life and education

Selig was raised in Huntington Beach, California. He is the son of Stuart and Sharon (née Kennedy) Selig and has a half-brother, Riley and half-sister, Harmony.[2] [3]

Selig first became interested in theatre after seeing his older sister performing a local play.[4] As his interest grew, he often attended musical theatre intensives, such as Collaborative Arts Project 21 (CAP21), during his summer breaks.[4]

He graduated from Huntington Beach High School in 2010 and was named prom king at the end of his senior year.[5] At HBHS, he attended the district magnet program, the Huntington Beach Academy for the Performing Arts, as a Musical Theater major and played the lead Don Lockwood in Singin' in the Rain.[6] In June 2010, at the age of 17, Selig won the National High School Musical Theatre Award (also known as the Jimmy Award) along with a $10,000 scholarship.[7] [8] [9] [10] He then attended the Carnegie Mellon University, earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in musical theatre in 2014.[9] [11]

Career

In August 2013, while still attending Carnegie Mellon University, Selig was cast as the standby for the lead role of Elder Kevin Price in the Broadway production of The Book of Mormon.[12] [13] [14] He remained with the company as its standby for three months, earning credit towards his undergraduate degree via independent study.[12] Months later in December of that same year, Selig joined the second national touring production of The Book of Mormon again as a standby for the role of Elder Price.[11] [15] [16]

Selig left The Book of Mormon tour on July 26, 2014, to begin rehearsals for the national tour of the musical, Pippin, in which he was cast as the musical's titular character.[17] [18] Selig rehearsed with the touring company of Pippin but was placed on vocal rest just one week before the tour was scheduled to open.[5] [19] He was then replaced by Matthew James Thomas, who originated the role of Pippin in the recent Broadway revival.[20] [21] Despite being said to be on a medical leave of absence, Selig never rejoined the touring company; but instead, when Thomas left the production, he was replaced by Kyle Dean Massey.[22] In interviews, Selig has alluded to being fired "from one of his first big jobs," but has never publicly confirmed his being fired from the Pippin tour.[4]

Selig rejoined the Broadway cast of The Book of Mormon in February 2015 as an ensemble replacement and Elder Price standby.[23] His first performance as Elder Price on Broadway took place on April 15, 2015.[24] For seven weeks in early 2016, he led the Broadway company of The Book of Mormon as Elder Price, replacing Gavin Creel, who left the production to star in She Loves Me.[5] [25] On February 21, 2016, Selig left the production and was replaced by Nic Rouleau.[26] He led the company again for two weeks in February 2022.[27]

In the summer of 2016, he appeared as Baby John in West Side Story at the Hollywood Bowl with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, alongside Jeremy Jordan and Karen Olivo.[28] Selig starred as Homer Hickam in the musical, October Sky, inspired by the film of the same name at the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego in the fall of 2016.[29] [30] In the spring of 2017, Selig portrayed Dauphin in The Public Theater's world premiere of the off-Broadway rock musical, Joan of Arc: Into the Fire directed by Alex Timbers.[31]

Selig starred as Aaron Samuels in the Tony Award-nominated Broadway musical, Mean Girls, written by Tina Fey with music and lyrics by Jeff Richmond and Nell Benjamin, respectively.[32] [33] [34] The show had its world premiere as an out-of-town tryout at the National Theatre in Washington, D.C., from October 31 to December 3, 2017, in which Selig originated the role.[34] [35] The musical, which is based on the film of the same name, began previews on March 12, 2018, and officially opened on Broadway on April 8, 2018, at the August Wilson Theatre.[36] In December 2019, it was announced that Selig would be taking a leave of absence from Mean Girls, and internet personality and actor, Cameron Dallas, would be filling the role of Aaron Samuels for four-week engagement.[37] The production and Selig's final performance was March 11, 2020. The show closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and it was announced on January 7, 2021, that it would not reopen after the pandemic ends.[38]

In March 2019, Selig portrayed Gene, opposite Mean Girls co-star Erika Henningsen, in Stephen Sondheim's Saturday Night at Second Stage Theater, as a part of the theater's "Musical Mondays" weekly concert series.[39]

On March 16, 2021, Selig released his first album.[40]

It was announced on August 15, 2024 that Selig would return to Broadway in Water for Elephants, replacing Grant Gustin in the starring role of Jacob Jankowski beginning September 3, 2024.[41]

Philanthropy and social activism

In August 2018, Selig participated in Covenant House's Stage & Screen Sleep Out along with Mean Girls co-stars Ashley Park and Curtis Holland, and together they raised over $14,000 for this organization which provides shelter, food, and crisis care for homeless and runaway youth.[42] Selig also has served as a mentor and held masterclasses for aspiring performers.[43]

Personal life

Selig has been in a relationship with fellow actor Erika Henningsen, since 2018.[44] The two announced their engagement on July 1, 2021, after a trip to Hawaii.[45] [46] [47] Selig married Henningsen on May 22, 2023, in New York City.[48]

Theatre credits

Credits in bold indicate Broadway production(s):

YearTitleRoleTheatreDirector(s)
2012The Glorious OnesFrancescoRose Center Theater
2013 The Book of Mormon Elder Price Eugene O'Neill Theatre
2013–14U.S. National Tour
2014 PippinPippinU.S National TourDiane Paulus
2015–16 The Book of Mormon Ensemble/Cunningham's Dad ;
Elder Price
Eugene O'Neill Theatre
2016Elder Price
West Side StoryBaby JohnHollywood Bowl
October SkyHomer HickamOld Globe Theatre
2017Joan of Arc: Into the FireDauphinThe Public Theater
Mean Girls Aaron Samuels
2018–20August Wilson Theatre
2019Saturday NightGeneTony Kiser Theatre
2022 The Book of Mormon Elder Price Eugene O'Neill Theatre
2024 Water for Elephants Jacob Jankowski Imperial Theatre[49]
Notes

Filmography

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
2014The Price Is RightHimselfEpisode: "April 8, 2014"
2015Billy on the StreetHimself (uncredited)Episode: "Billy Helps Tina Fey Find a Friend"
2018Late Night with Seth MeyersAaron SamuelsEpisode: "October 1, 2018"
2019Madam SecretaryTravis2 episodes
EvilProcess ServerEpisode: "Exorcism Part 2"
2021 Christmas in TahoeRyan DonaldsonHallmark Channel television movie
The Housewives of the North PoleJakeTelevision movie
2022Girls5evaD'BlazeEpisode: "B.P.E."
Mr. KomosTelevision movie
2022–2023Welcome to FlatchDylanRecurring role
2023MulliganMagnetoEpisode: "Morning in America"

Film

Discography

Cast recordings

Albums

Collaborative projects

Awards and nominations

Special honors and awards

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Kyle Andrew Selig, Born 09/28/1992 in California CaliforniaBirthIndex.org . 2024-02-11 . www.californiabirthindex.org.
  2. Web site: 2010 Kyle Selig Up Close . February 25, 2014 . YouTube.
  3. Web site: Frances Kennedy Obituary . August 19, 2018 . Legacy.com .
  4. Web site: Kevin Ray . Johnson . Chatting with "Mean Girls" Star Kyle Selig . Onstage Blog . June 3, 2018.
  5. Web site: Nicole . Hertvik . Interview: 'Mean Girls' Star Kyle Selig Discusses Playing Aaron Samuels in the Broadway-Bound National Theatre Premiere . DC Metro Arts . October 31, 2017.
  6. Web site: Singin' in the Rain . National Youth Arts .
  7. Web site: 62 high school students arrive in New York with hopes of leaving with a musical theater crown. The Associated Press . June 29, 2013.
  8. Web site: David N. . Dunkle . High school theater Jimmy Awards go to students from California, Georgia . Penn Live . June 29, 2010.
  9. Web site: Erik . Piepenburg . Five Questions for High School Musical Award Winner . The New York Times . July 1, 2010.
  10. Web site: Huntington Beach teen wins on Broadway . The Orange County Register . July 4, 2010.
  11. Web site: Michael . Elkin . Nice CMU boys making it big in 'Mean Girls' . June 8, 2018 . Trib Live.
  12. Web site: Greg . Mellen . Broadway debut just the start for Huntington Beach actor . The Orange County Register . February 3, 2016.
  13. Web site: Kyle Selig has joined the Broadway cast as an Elder Price standby . August 12, 2013 . Tumblr.
  14. News: Students relish search for the Holy Grail . The Orange County Register . October 26, 2013 . Kyle Selig...is now the standby for Elder Price, the lead actor in the Broadway production of “The Book of Mormon.”.
  15. Web site: Thanks to Jumamosi... . December 11, 2013 . Twitter.
  16. Web site: Steve . Stanley . The Book of Mormon . StageSceneLA . May 14, 2014 .
  17. Web site: U.S. National Tour Casting Announced for the Tony Award-Winning Hit Broadway Musical Pippin . June 25, 2014 . Blumenthal Performing Arts.
  18. Web site: Michael . Gioia . "The Voice" Finalist Will Have "Magic To Do" on Pippin Tour; John Rubinstein Will Reprise Charles . June 25, 2014 . Playbill .
  19. Web site: Andrew . Gans . Matthew James Thomas Will Step Into Title Role for Launch of Pippin Tour . September 2, 2014 . Playbill .
  20. Web site: Get an up-close preview of the new touring "Pippin" . January 4, 2015 . YouTube.
  21. Web site: Michael . Gioia . Pippin Pitches a Circus Tent in Denver; National Tour, Starring Original Pippin and Sasha Allen, Begins . September 6, 2014 . Playbill .
  22. Web site: Kyle Dean Massey to Join Cast of PIPPIN National Tour in Los Angeles Straight from Broadway . Broadway World . October 30, 2014.
  23. Web site: "The funniest musical of all time" The Book of Mormon . Montse Bru Media . August 21, 2015.
  24. Web site: Making my broadway elder price debut... . April 15, 2015 . Twitter.
  25. Web site: Imogen . Lloyd Webber . Kyle Selig Will Step In for She Loves Me-Bound Gavin Creel in The Book of Mormon. Broadway.com . January 4, 2016.
  26. Web site: Ryan . McPhee . Back to Believe: Nic Rouleau Will Return to The Book of Mormon on Broadway . Broadway.com . February 17, 2016.
  27. https://www.instagram.com/p/CZvO_P8roNi/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== Feb 2022 Book of Mormon
  28. Web site: Andrew . Gans . Jeremy Jordan and Karen Olivo Star in Hollywood Bowl West Side Story . July 14, 2016 . Playbill .
  29. Web site: Andrew . Gans . Kyle Selig, Ron Bohmer, Kerry O'Malley Star in October Sky Musical, Opening Tonight . Playbill . September 22, 2016.
  30. Web site: James . Hebert. Old Globe recruits 'October Sky' cast . The San Diego Union-Tribune . July 29, 2016.
  31. Web site: Hannah . Vine . Jo Lampert Takes on Joan of Arc at the[sic] The Public Theater ]. March 2, 2017 . Playbill .
  32. Web site: Tony Awards 2018: See the Full List of Nominees Here . June 7, 2018 . Vogue.
  33. Web site: Hannah . Vine . See Who's Bringing Mean Girls to Broadway . February 2, 2018 . Playbill.
  34. Web site: Ryan . McPhee . Mean Girls Musical Finds Its Plastics in Taylor Louderman and Ashley Park; Additional Casting Announced . July 27, 2017 . Playbill .
  35. Web site: Erika Henningsen, Taylor Louderman, Ashley Park and Kate Rockwell to Play 'The Plastics' in Broadway-Bound MEAN GIRLS Musical; Cast Announced! . July 27, 2017 . Broadway World.
  36. Web site: Hannah . Vine . Inside the Mean Girls Opening Night on Broadway . April 8, 2018 . Playbill .
  37. Web site: Gans. Andrew. December 20, 2019. Chasing Cameron Star Cameron Dallas Will Make Broadway Debut in Mean Girls. Playbill.
  38. Web site: Tony-Nominated Musical Mean Girls, Based on Hit Film, Will Not Reopen on Broadway. 2021-02-28. Broadway.com. en.
  39. Web site: Ryan . McPhee . Mean Girls' Erika Henningsen and Kyle Selig, Jonathan Raviv, More Set for Second Stage's Saturday Night Concert . March 5, 2019 . Playbill .
  40. Web site: BWW News Desk. Kyle Selig Releases New Album CAREFUL DAYS. 2021-03-18. BroadwayWorld.com. en.
  41. Web site: Rosky . Nicole . Kyle Selig Will Replace Grant Gustin in WATER FOR ELEPHANTS . 2024-08-15 . BroadwayWorld.com . en.
  42. Web site: Covenant House Sleep Out: Mean Girls Team Page . Covenant House Sleep Out.
  43. Web site: Photo Flash: Broadway Workshop Celebrates MEAN GIRLS Day With Ashley Park, Erika Henningsen, and More! . January 30, 2019 . Broadway World.
  44. Ep43 - Kate Rockwell . YouTube . The Theatre Podcast . Alan Seales . July 23, 2019 . 39:15.
  45. Web site: Instagram post from 07.01.2021. https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/CQym0pEjaQP . 2021-12-26 . registration. live.
  46. Web site: Broadway's Erika Henningsen Engaged to Mean Girls Costar Kyle Selig PEOPLE.com.
  47. Web site: Mean Girls Stars Erika Henningsen and Kyle Selig Engaged.
  48. Web site: Emily . Strohm . Stars of Broadway's 'Mean Girls' Are Married: Inside the Wedding— with Champagne and Pizza— in New York City! . People . May 25, 2023.
  49. https://playbill.com/article/mean-girls-kyle-selig-will-return-to-broadway-in-water-for-elephants Mean Girls' Kyle Selig Will Return to Broadway in Water for Elephants
  50. Taylor . Weatherby . 'Mean Girls' Musical Unveils Latest Track From Cast Recording Album, 'Apex Predator': Listen . May 3, 2018 . Billboard.
  51. Web site: Adam . Hetrick . Casts of Mean Girls, Frozen, Dear Evan Hansen, and Pretty Woman Featured on 2018 Carols For a Cure . November 19, 2018 . Playbill.