Tony Yazbeck Explained

Tony Yazbeck
Birth Date:14 March 1979
Birth Place:Riverside, California, United States
Education:Point Park University
University of Cincinnati (BFA)

Tony Yazbeck (born March 14, 1979) is an American actor, singer, and dancer, best known for his work on the Broadway stage, including the revival of On the Town, for which he received 2015 Tony Award and Outer Critics Circle Award nominations for lead actor in a musical. Yazbeck is also known for his principal roles on Broadway, including J.M. Barrie in the Broadway production of Finding Neverland, Tulsa in Gypsy starring Patti LuPone, Billy Flynn in Chicago, Phil Davis in White Christmas, Al Deluca in A Chorus Line and the original casts of Broadway's Never Gonna Dance and Oklahoma (2002 revival). In 2014 he appeared in a concert version of Kiss Me, Kate with the John Wilson Orchestra at the Royal Albert Hall, London as part of that season's Promenade Concerts. In 2020, Yazbeck originated a leading role in the musical Flying Over Sunset, directed by James Lapine. The production began in 2021 at the Vivian Beaumont Theatre. Production was delayed because of the COVID-19 shutdown of Broadway.[1]

Yazbeck made his Broadway debut at the age of eleven playing a newsboy in the revival of Gypsy starring Tyne Daly. On television he was featured on NBC's Smash, and he appeared in the feature documentary Every Little Step about the casting process for the 2006 revival of A Chorus Line on Broadway. Yazbeck is on the board of the YOUNG/ARTS program of the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts.

Personal life

Born in Riverside, California, he grew up in Pennsylvania and Florida before moving to New York. He attended University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music and Point Park University.

On October 20, 2014, Yazbeck married Katie Huff, an actress, dancer, singer, and choreographer.[2]

Yazbeck is of Lebanese descent through his father, and has German, Irish, Ukrainian and Romanian ancestry on his mother's side.[3]

Broadway

YearTitleRoleLocation
1989GypsyNewsboyMarquis Theatre
2002Oklahoma!Swing
u/s Ali
Gershwin Theatre
2003-04Never Gonna DanceEnsemble Broadhurst Theatre
2006-07A Chorus LineAl DeLucaGerald Schoenfeld Theatre
2008-09GypsyTulsaSt. James Theatre
2009White ChristmasPhil DavisMarquis Theatre
2011, 2012, 2017ChicagoBilly FlynnAmbassador Theatre
2014-15On The TownGabeyLyric Theatre
2016Finding NeverlandJ.M. BarrieLunt-Fontanne Theatre
2017Prince of BroadwayVariousSamuel J. Friedman Theatre
2021Flying Over SunsetCary GrantVivian Beaumont Theatre

Other theatre

YearTitleRoleLocationNotes
2000-01Annie Get Your GunEnsemble National tour
2003Thoroughly Modern MillieEnsemble
2005Doctor DolittleMatthew Mugg
2006Fanny HillCharles WaneighYork Theatre CompanyOff-Broadway
2007On The TownGabeyNew York City CenterEncores!
2009Animal CrackersWally Winston/Monsieur DoucetGoodman TheatreChicago, IL
2010Sycamore TreesAndrewSignature TheatreWashington, D.C.
2011My One and OnlyBillyGoodspeed MusicalsEast Haddam, Connecticut
2014Little MeGeorge MusgroveNew York City CenterEncores!
2018A Chorus LineZachNew York City CenterAnnual Gala Presentation
2019The Scarlet PimpernelSir Percy BlakeneyLincoln CenterConcert

Awards and nominations

YearAward CategoryWorkResult
2008Outer Critics Circle AwardOutstanding Featured Actor in a MusicalGypsy
2015Tony AwardBest Actor in a MusicalOn the Town
Drama League AwardDistinguished Performance
Astaire AwardBest Male Dancer
Outer Critics Circle AwardOutstanding Actor in a Musical
2018Outstanding Featured Actor in a MusicalPrince of Broadway
Drama Desk AwardOutstanding Featured Actor in a Musical

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Paulson . Michael . Tripping on Broadway: A New Musical Explores LSD Use by Cary Grant and More . August 20, 2019 . The New York Times . The New York Times . August 20, 2019.
  2. Web site: Theater: Tony Yazbeck finds perfect role — and wife. Kennedy, Mark. 2015-06-07. 2015-06-28.
  3. Web site: BWW Interview: ON THE TOWN's Tony Yazbeck on His Birdland Concert and Debut Album!. Joseph F. Panarello. broadwayworld.com . June 25, 2015 . June 28, 2015 .