David Harris (Australian actor)

David Harris (born 1975) is an Australian actor and singer, currently based in New York City. He is best known for his Australian performances as Chris in Miss Saigon, Fiyero in Wicked and Emmett in Legally Blonde having received Helpmann Award nominations for all three leading roles.[1] Harris also starred as the Baker in Victorian Opera's production of Into the Woods [2] and, in America, as Jean Valjean in Les Misérables opposite Terrence Mann in 2015.[3] He has released two solo albums.

David Harris
David Harris in 2013
Background information
Born1975 (age 44–45)
New South Wales, Australia
GenresMusical Theatre
Occupation(s)Singer, actor
Years active1995–present
Websitewww.davidharrisofficial.com

Theatre

Harris made his professional theatre debut in 1998 as an original cast and workshop cast member of the world premiere production of The Boy from Oz directed by Gale Edwards with Todd McKenney as Peter Allen, where he also performed in the role of Greg as an understudy.[4] This was quickly followed by another ensemble role in the Australian premiere production of Mamma Mia! with Anne Wood, where he also understudied as Sky.[5]

He starred as Malcolm in The Full Monty with Paul Mercurio and Matt Hetherington,[6] with other notable roles including the revolutionary student Perchik in the Fiddler on the Roof with Topol,[7] and originating the role of Bud in the Australian premiere production of the comedy Gutenberg! The Musical! with James Millar in 2009.[8]

In 2007 he starred as Chris in Sir Cameron Mackintosh's Miss Saigon with Laurie Cadevida as Kim.[9] Harris received his first nomination for Best Actor in a Musical at the Helpmann Awards as Chris, alongside other nominees including Hugh Jackman and the eventual winner iOTA. He also received a nomination in the Sydney Theatre Awards for this role.

In 2008 he starred as the "perfect, muscular, golden boy" Joe Hardy [10] in Damn Yankees for The Production Company. He also starred as Greg in their season of The Boy from Oz, directed by Nancye Hayes AM, with Todd McKenney reprising his role as Peter Allen.[11]

Between 2011 and 2013 Harris performed as Fiyero in Wicked "one of the most successful musicals ever staged in Australia"[12] and was then reunited with his Wicked co-star Lucy Durack as Emmett in Legally Blonde, directed by Jerry Mitchell. Harris earned a second Helpmann Award nomination for Fiyero and a third nomination for Emmett. He was also awarded a Green Room Award for Emmett [13] and his second nomination in the Sydney Theatre Awards.

In September 2013 Harris starred in the Australian professional premiere of a Stephen Schwartz's Children of Eden where he played the dual role of Noah and Adam.[14] This was followed by the demanding role of The Baker in Stephen Sondheim's Into The Woods with the Victorian Opera [15] and starring as The Beast in Disney's Beauty and the Beast in Melbourne.[16]

After relocating to the United States, Harris starred as Jean Valjean with the Connecticut Repertory Theatre, in their production of Les Misérables opposite Terrence Mann in 2015. This production was also directed by Terrence Mann.

Concerts
  • 2010 Adelaide Cabaret Festival - Stephen Schwartz and Friends[17]
  • 2010 Adelaide Cabaret Festival - Til the Night is Gone[18]
  • 2010 David Harris in concert - Civic Theatre Newcastle with special guest Elise McCann
  • 2010 duet partner for Lea Salonga in Concert in Hanoi, Vietnam[19]
  • 2011 Harris performed in TDP Graduation Concert.
  • Harris joined Michael Ball, Lea Salonga, Amanda Harrison, and Marie Zamora for Enda Markey Presents Do You Hear The People Sing at Shanghai Grand Theatre from 27 November until 1 December 2013 [20] which coincided with the 15th anniversary of the Shanghai Grand Theatre and celebrated the work of Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg.
  • Salonga, Harris and Zamora reunited for a benefit concert on 29 and 30 January 2014 in Manila [21] to aid the victims of Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) which devastated the region in November 2013.
  • Harris joined Lucy Durack, this time for a concert "Wickedly Broadway" in 14 March 2014 Twilight at Taronga Zoo, Sydney.[22]

Harris has also regularly performed at the Rob Guest Endowment, Light the Night and Hats Off Concerts.



Film and television

Harris appears as Dreamy Solo in the 2001 made-for-television movie of South Pacific starring Glenn Close and Harry Connick Jr.[23]

Harris's other television credits include Rescue: Special Ops, Blue Heelers and Neighbours.

In December 2012, Harris joined his Legally Blonde co-stars to perform at Carols in the Domain which is broadcast on the Channel 7 network.

Discography
  • 1998 The Boy From Oz (Original Australian Cast recording)
  • 2009 'Til The Night Is Gone. Debut album[24]
  • 2010 LoveBites. Cast Recording.[25]
  • 2011 Breast Wishes. Australian Cast Recording
  • 2011 At This Stage. Featuring duets with Lucy Durack, Jemma Rix and Kellie Rode

Awards
Year Award ceremony Category Role Production Result
1997 Mo Awards The Johnny O'Keefe Encouragement Award[26] (Variety) Won
2007 Helpmann Awards Best Male Actor in a Musical Chris Miss Saigon Nominated
2007 Sydney Theatre Awards[27] Best Performance by an Actor in a Musical Chris Miss Saigon Nominated
2011 Helpmann Awards Best Male Actor in a Musical Fiyero Wicked Nominated
2012 Sydney Theatre Awards[28] Best Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical Emmett Forrest Legally Blonde Nominated
2013 Helpmann Awards Best Male Actor in a Musical Emmett Forrest Legally Blonde Nominated
2013 Green Room Award[29] Male Actor in a Leading Role Emmett Forrest Legally Blonde Won
gollark: You can individually adjust things' volume if needed, for purposes.
gollark: ++radio connect
gollark: Inevitably?
gollark: How would YOU like AUTOBOTROBOTIC VOICE CHAT?!
gollark: ++search bee rotation

References
  1. Wilson, Ashleigh (6 March 2012). "Legally Blonde". The Australian. News Limited. Retrieved 18 June 2012.
  2. Burch, Peter (22 July 2014). "Into the woods, where inner darkness lurks". The Australian. News Limited. Retrieved 27 February 2016.
  3. "Les Misérables Complete Cast Announced". Connecticut Repertory Theatre. Retrieved 27 February 2016.
  4. Longworth, Ken (21 July 2007). "Enter Stage Left". The Newcastle Herald (includes the Central Coast Herald). Fairfax.
  5. "All the right moves". The Newcastle Herald (includes the Central Coast Herald). Fairfax. 5 June 2001.
  6. "Full Monty". AusStage. Retrieved 14 October 2013.
  7. Hallett, Bryce (27 September 2005). "Fiddler on the Roof". The Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax. Retrieved 28 February 2016.
  8. "History!". Gutenberg! The Musical!. Retrieved 28 February 2016.
  9. Kemp, Peter H. (4 April 2007). "Miss Saigon is fine tuned". Variety. Retrieved 21 March 2012.
  10. Herbert, Kate (22 August 2008). "Damn Fine Yankees". Herald Sun. News Australia.
  11. "McKenney back in Boy from Oz". The Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax. 10 March 2010. Retrieved 28 February 2016.
  12. Longworth, Ken (3 October 2011). "Riding the Broomstick". The Newcastle Herald (includes the Central Coast Herald). Fairfax.
  13. Bennett, Sally (24 June 2013). "King Kong gatecrashes Helpmann Awards". Herald Sun. News Australia.
  14. Parris, Simon. "Magnormos: Children of Eden Review". Retrieved 7 December 2013.
  15. Zwartz, Barney (21 July 2014). "Sondheim Musical Stalls in Second Half". The Age. Fairfax. Retrieved 22 July 2014.
  16. "On the Couch". Australian Arts Review. 16 July 2014. Retrieved 27 February 2016.
  17. Burdon, Peter (25 June 2010). "Cabaret Festival Stephen Schwartz and Friends". The Advertiser. News Australia.
  18. Hallett, Bryce (15 April 2010). "Director Adds More Flesh to Cabaret Festival". The Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax. Retrieved 16 September 2013.
  19. "Hello, Vietnam!". Showbizandstyle.inquirer.net. Archived from the original on 21 October 2013. Retrieved 14 October 2013.
  20. Jacqueline Bublitz (17 September 2013). "Michael Ball and Lea Salonga Headline Do You Hear the People Sing? in Shanghai, 11/27". Broadwayworld.com. Retrieved 17 September 2013.
  21. Jacqueline Bublitz (29 December 2013). "A Heart Full of Cause - Lea Salonga to Headline a Special Do You Hear The People Sing? Benefit Concert in Manila". Broadway World.com. Retrieved 30 December 2013.
  22. "Wickedly Broadway". Retrieved 7 December 2013.
  23. "South Pacific (2001 TV Movie) : Full Cast & Crew". IMDb.com. Retrieved 14 October 2013.
  24. Hallett, Bryce (11 November 2009). "Harris alters pace for his debut solo". Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax.
  25. Troy Dodds (25 February 2010). "LoveBites cast recording released". Aussie Theatre. Retrieved 25 October 2013.
  26. "22nd – 1997 | Australian Entertainment". Moawards.com. Retrieved 14 October 2013.
  27. "2007". Sydney Theatre Awards. Retrieved 14 October 2013.
  28. "2012". Sydney Theatre Awards. Retrieved 14 October 2013.
  29. "2013 Green Room Award Winners". Stage Whispers. 28 April 2014. Retrieved 28 April 2014.
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