Duane Boutte

Duane Boutté (born March 5, 1966) is an American actor, director, and composer known in film for his portrayal of "Bostonia" in Nigel Finch's Stonewall (1995), and as young "Bruce Nugent" in Rodney Evans' Brother to Brother (2004).[1] Boutté was in the original Broadway company of Parade,[2] and played "Enoch Snow, Jr." in the 1994 TONY Award-winning revival of Carousel.[3] His television acting credits date from the 1980s and include episodes of What's Happening Now,[4] A Year in the Life, Sex and the City, and the made-for-television movie The Drug Knot, directed by Happy Days star, Anson Williams.[1]

Early life

Duane Boutté was born and raised in Fresno, California where his mother (Velda Neal Boutte) taught piano. Boutté's father, Alfred Boutte, is an Air Force veteran and was regional administrator for California's Employment Development Department.[5][6] Boutté's parents were active in community programs, particularly those advancing opportunities for Fresno's black citizens,[7] and are honored in Fresno's African American History Museum.[6][8] Duane Boutté is the youngest of the couple's seven children.[9] Though coming to California from east Texas, Boutté's paternal family has its Creole roots in Louisiana.[10] Boutté began taking piano lessons from his mother when he was a toddler, and started composing music at age 4 that his mother would then transcribe.[11][12][13]

In 1979, Boutté's parents took him to Roger Rocka's Music Hall in Fresno to see Anything Goes performed by Good Company Players (GCP).[14] The musical was preceded by a 15-minute pre-show of song and dance by the troupe's "Junior Company." Boutté auditioned and was accepted into Junior Company later that year. Boutté, then 13, would perform six shows each week for the next three years, taking just two weeks off each year for family vacation. He calls GCP the place where he learned "important...life lessons [like] commitment, responsibility, showing up on time ready, really ready, to work."[15] In GCP's Junior Company, Boutté worked alongside youngsters who would later become his Broadway colleagues (Audra McDonald, Heidi Blickenstaff, Sharon Leal, Andrea Chamberlain, and Sarah Uriarte Berry).[16][17] Boutté also performed in plays and musicals with the senior company, mostly under the direction of company founder, Dan Pessano, and gained his first television experience in Junior Company's local Saturday morning variety shows, and holiday specials.[14]

Career

Duane Boutté's early career was managed by Summer of '42 actress Jennifer O'Neill.[12] In these years ('86-'88), Boutté filmed episodes of What's Happening Now, A Year in the Life and a made-for-TV movie directed by Anson Williams, and starring Dermot Mulroney.[1] Boutte completed his B.A. in theatre at UCLA, and earned an M.F.A. in acting under Tony Church at the National Theatre Conservatory in Denver before moving to New York in 1991.[13] That year, Boutté toured the U.S. with Jeffrey Wright (actor), Rainn Wilson and other young actors in The Acting Company's A Midsummer Night's Dream.[18] In 1994, he played "Enoch Snow, Jr." in Lincoln Center's TONY Award-winning revival of Carousel, and was one of Michael Hayden's "Billy Bigelow" understudies. Boutté returned to Broadway in 1999 in Parade.[3] He has performed numerous roles in classical and contemporary plays Off-Broadway and at leading regional theatres throughout the country.[14] In 2001, Boutté played "Orestes" in the Oresteia trilogy directed by Tony Taccone and Stephen Wadsworth, inaugurating Berkeley Repertory Theatre's new RODA Theatre.[19] Among his favorite roles performed, Boutté names "Mercutio" at Oregon Shakespeare Festival, and opportunities to premiere works by playwrights like Terrence McNally, Eric Overmyer, Charles Randolph-Wright, and Robert O'Hara.[20] Of note among his premieres are Kirsten Childs' Off-Broadway musical The Bubbly Black Girl Sheds Her Chameleon Skin (Playwrights Horizons),[21] and Brian Freeman's play Civil Sex in which Boutté played civil rights activist Bayard Rustin (Berkeley Repertory Theatre).[22] In New York, Boutté has been listed among Vineyard Theatre's esteemed "Community of Artists."[23]

Boutté stars in two films that have become landmarks in gay cinema.[24][25] The first of these, Stonewall (1995), was directed by Nigel Finch (The Lost Language of Cranes).[26] In the film, Boutté plays "Bostonia," a fictional 'mother' of the Stonewall Inn, whose imagined, first punch incites this film's version of the 1969 Stonewall riots. Interview magazine profiled Boutté for his performance in the role, stating "a Stonewall star is born."[27] He was the first of the film's actors to come out as gay in an interview with 4-Front magazine that year.[28] Boutté later played "Bruce Nugent, young" in Rodney Evans' 2004 film Brother to Brother. The film, also starring Anthony Mackie and Roger Robinson, presents circa 1920's Bruce Nugent as an unapologetic homosexual accepted, and embraced by celebrated Harlem Renaissance figures like Langston Hughes, and Zora Neale Hurston.[29]

Boutté has directed plays and musicals in regional theatres and universities, and has collaborated as composer on new musicals including Lyin' Up a Breeze (presented by Good Company Players in 2002), and Caravaggio Chiaroscuro (performed at LaMama Etc. in 2007).[14][30] He has taught acting at Illinois State University),[10] National Theatre Institute, Ramapo College, and directed work at Stella Adler Studio of Acting in New York.[11]

Feature Films

YearTitleRoleNotes
1995StonewallBostoniadir. Nigel Finch
2002CheckoutAlmoExample
2004Brother to BrotherBruce Nugent, youngdir. Rodney Evans
2007You Belong to MeRobertdir. Sam Zalutsky
2013All is BrightMan 1dir. Phil Morrison

Television

YearTitleRoleEpisodeNotes
1986What's Happening NowHowardSeason 2: "Picture Perfect," syndicationdir. Gary Brown
1986What's Happening NowHowardSeason 2: "Shirley's Little Sister," syndicationdir. Neema Barnette
1986CBS Schoolbreak SpecialLeon"The Drug Knot"dir. Anson Williams
1986The Drug KnotLeonCBS television moviedir. Anson Williams
1987A Year in the LifeCo-Star "student""While Someone Else is Eating or Opening a Window," NBC Seriesdir. Rob Cohen
1998Sex and the CityAllanne"Oh Come All Ye Faithful", HBO Seriesdir. Matthew Harrison
2018Unbrealable Kimmy SchmidtPrincipal Webb"kimmy disrupts a papadigm", netflix

Web Series

YearTitleRoleEpisode/Notes
2012-13Child of the '70sWeezyFour episodes: Happy Birthday Darling, Kiki Lawrence, The Wedding, The Wedding Part 2

Broadway

YearShowCreditNotes
1994Carousel (Broadway Revival)Enoch Snow, Jr., and understudy Billy BigelowBroadway: Lincoln Center, dir. Nicholas Hytner
1998ParadeEnsemble, and principle understudyBroadway: Lincoln Center, dir. Hal Prince

Off-Broadway

YearShowCreditNotes
1992A Midsummer Night's Dream national tourFrancis Flute, ThisbyThe Acting Company, dir. Joe Dowling
1993The Heliotrope Bouquet by Scott Joplin and Louis ChauvinLouis ChauvinPlaywrights Horizons, dir. Joe Morton
1993MotherlodeRevolutionaryMabou Mines, workshop dir. John McGrath
1993Christina Alberta's FatherTeddyVineyard Theatre (workshop), dir. Andre Ernotte
1999Civil SexBayard RustinPublic Theatre "First Stages" production
2000The Bubbly Black Girl Sheds Her Chameleon SkinLarry Grimble, and KeithPlaywrights Horizons, dir. Wilfredo Medina, world premiere

Regional Stage

YearShowRoleNotes
1990Twelfth NightFabianBerkeley Shakespeare Festival, dir. Richard E. T. Wright
1990CymbelinePhilharmonusBerkeley Shakespeare Festival, dir. Laird Williamson
1990The Merry Wives of WindsorFentonBerkeley Shakespeare Festival, dir. Julian Lopez-Morillas
1990OthelloClownBerkeley Shakespeare Festival, dir. Michael Addison
1990The American ClockRudyDenver Center Theatre Company, dir. Randal Myler
1991Joe Turner's Come and GoneJeremyDenver Center Theatre Company, dir. Israel Hicks
1991-92A Midsummer Night's Dream national tourFrancis Flute, ThisbyThe Acting Company, dir. Joe Dowling
1992RiverviewRobertGoodman Theatre, dir. Robert Falls
1993Six Degrees of SeparationPaulDallas Theatre Center, dir. Stephen Wadsworth
1995InsurrectionRonworld Premiere - Columbia University, dir. Robert O'Hara
1995A Midsummer Night's DreamDemetriusLa Jolla Playhouse, dir. Marion McClinton
1997Civil SexBayard RustinWoolly Mammoth Theatre Company, D.C.
1998Les BlancsEricCenter Stage, Baltimore, dir. Marion McClinton
1998AfterplayRazielCoconut Grove Playhouse, dir. Arthur Storch
1999Blues for an Alabama SkyGuyVirginia Stage, dir. Aaron Cabell
2000Civil SexBayard RustinBerkeley Repertory Theatre, dir. Brian Freeman
2000The OdysseyNeomanMcCarter Theatre, dir. Mary Zimmerman
2000The OdysseyNeomanSeattle Repertory Theatre, dir. Mary Zimmerman
2001OresteiaOrestesBerkeley Repertory Theatre, dir. Tony Taccone and Stephen Wadsworth
2002HamletLaertesAlabama Shakespeare Festival, dir. Ray Chambers
2002Much Ado About NothingClaudioAlabama Shakespeare Festival, dir. Kent Thompson
2003Romeo and JulietMercutioOregon Shakespeare Festival, dir. Loretta Greco
2003Antony and CleopatraPompey, and ErosOregon Shakespeare Festival, dir. Penny Metropulos
2004The StoryNeilLong Wharf Theatre, dir. Loretta Greco
2005The TempestFerdinandShakespeare Theatre (DC), dir. Kate Whoriskey
2005Cuttin' UpVariousArena Stage, dir. Charles Randolph-Wright, world premiere
2006Some MenAngel EyesPhiladelphia Theatre Company, dir. Philip Himberg, world premiere
2007Cuttin' UpVariousAlliance Theatre, dir. Kent Gash
2007Caravaggio ChiaroscuroCaravaggioLaMama, Etc., dir. George Drance, premiere
2008MacbethMacduffRoust Theatre Company, dir. James Phillip Gates
2009The Whipping ManJohnPenumbra Theatre, dir. Lou Bellamy
2010On the VergeGrover, et al.Rep Stage (MD), dir. Jackson Phippin
2012ShadowsBenHoi Polloi, dir. Alec Duffy
2012Fierce LoveVariousPomoAfroHomo anniversary tour (New Conservatory Theatre)
2012All HandsVariousHoi Polloi, dir. Alec Duffy
2013Wild With HappyMoTheatreWorks, dir. Danny Scheie

Stage Direction

YearShowNotes
2008LOLAlgonquin Productions (NY)
2011Stalag 17Good Company Players (CA)
2012OthelloStella Adler Studio (NY)
2013HomeRep Stage (MD)
2014The Merry Wives of WindsorWorcester Shakespeare Festival
2015CabaretIllinois State University
2015FencesIllinois State University

Musical Compositions and Librettos

YearShowCreditNotes
1987Bottom's Up: A MusicommediaMusic - Duane Boutté, book - Ron Morasco, lyrics - Ron Mohasco, Dwight Smith, Paul Svendson, Luck HariProduced at UCLA; winner ACTF and ASCAP awards 1988[31]
2002Lyin' Up a BreezeBook and lyrics - Terry Miller, music - Duane BouttéProduced by Good Company Players, Second Space Theatre
2007Caravaggio ChiaroscuroBook - Gian Marco Lo Forte, Music - Duane BouttéProduced by LaMama Etc. (2007)[32]
2011Thanks to the LighthouseMusic and Libretto by Duane BouttéPresented 2011 and 2012 by NYC Parks and Recreation, and Historic House Trust

References

  1. "IMDB Actor Profile". IMDB.
  2. Willis, John (July 2002). Theatre world 1998-1999, Vol. 55. p. 31. ISBN 1557834334.
  3. "Playbill Person Profile". Playbill.com.
  4. "TV actor profiles". tv.com.
  5. Savage, Sam (July 27, 2008). "Boutte Touched a Chord in Many". The Fresno Bee.
  6. Jenkins, Kyra (January 11–18, 2013). "Paving the Way, Leaving a Legacy: Honoring African-American Trailblazers" (pages A1, A7). The California Advocate.
  7. "Fresno Music Teacher Honored By Former Students" (page 5). The California Advocate. March 16, 1994.
  8. "Fresno African American Museum". Your Central Valley.
  9. "Mr. & Mrs. Boutte Celebrate their 50th Anniversary" (page 2). The California Advocate. June 20, 2003.
  10. Jome, Eric (March 25, 2015). "Boutte play to explore questions of race and identity". Illinois State University News.
  11. Dawkins, Sydney-Chanele (February 25, 2013). "Part 2, An Interview with Duane Boutte - the Director of Rep Stage's 'Home'". DC Metro.
  12. Hale, David (July 16, 1989). "All jazzed up, Boutte returns to GCP stage, this time with his own songs" (Spotlight section page F15). The Fresno Bee.
  13. Duckett, Richard (July 17, 2014). "Worcester Shakespeare Festival Promises to be a Merry Time". Worcester Telegram & Gazette.
  14. "GCP Actor Profile - Duane Boutte". GCPlayers. 2010-07-10.
  15. Tehee, Joshua (June 2008). "Take a Bow: Good Company Players celebrates 35 years of community theater" (pages 40–41). Imagine Fresno.
  16. Gans, Andrew (July 11, 2008). "DIVA TALK: Chatting with [title of show]'s Heidi Blickenstaff Plus Heights and Pacific on CD". Playbill.
  17. Fox, Jena Tesse. "[interview] With Pressgrove, Blackwell, Bell, and Blickenstaff". Broadway World. Retrieved September 26, 2008.
  18. Holden, Stephen (April 8, 1992). "Theater in Review". New York Times.
  19. Grant, John Angell (March 23, 2001). "The Oresteia Trilogy Makes Strong Showing". Berkeley Daily Planet.
  20. "You Belong To Me cast biographies" (PDF). Mongrel Media - You Belong to Me.
  21. Childs, Kirsten (2003). The Bubbly Black Girl Sheds Her Chameleon Skin. Dramatists Play Service. p. 5. ISBN 0822218798.
  22. Harvey, Dennis (January 30, 2000). "Review 'Civil Sex'". Variety.
  23. "Our Artists". VineyardTheatre.org.
  24. "Double identity: Actor speaks about accurately performing conflicted characters" (page 7). The Battalion, Texas A&M University. October 9, 2009.
  25. Duralde, Alonso. 101 Must See Movies for Gay Men. ISBN 0739464574.
  26. Ebert, Roger. "Stonewall Movie Review". rogerebert.com. Retrieved 13 October 2016.
  27. Moverman, Oren (July 1996). "Boutte Camp". Sandra J. Brant. Andy Warhol's Interview magazine.
  28. White, Skip (June 12, 1996). "Stonewall: The Movie Actor Duane Boutte Takes Us Behind the Scenes". 4-Front Magazine. 1 (21): 73.
  29. Ehrenstein, David (October 26, 2004). "Props to a Gay Hero: Duane Boutte Talks about Bringing the Harlem Renaissance to Life in the Person of out Poet Bruce Nugent". The Advocate (October 26, 2004): 56.
  30. "Caravaggio Chiaroscuro". Theatermania.com.
  31. "Directory of Contemporary Operas & Musical Theater Works & North American Premieres 1980 - 1989" (PDF). Central Opera Service. 30 (2–4): 17.
  32. "Caravaggio Chiaroscuro". Lamama.org. Retrieved 13 October 2016.
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