Joshua Henry
Joshua Anthony Charlton Henry[1] (born September 2, 1984) is an American actor and singer of stage and screen. He is best known for portraying Haywood Patterson in Kander and Ebb's 2010 musical The Scottsboro Boys, for which he received a Tony Award nomination.[2] He portrayed the lead role of Aaron Burr in the first U.S. tour of Hamilton, previously playing the role in the Chicago production that began performances in late September 2016.[3] After Hamilton, Henry portrayed the lead role of Billy Bigelow in a Broadway revival of Carousel.[4]
Joshua Henry | |
---|---|
Joshua Henry in the cockpit of a C-17 Globemaster III for Army Wives in 2013 | |
Born | Joshua Anthony Charlton Henry September 2, 1984 |
Occupation | Actor and singer |
Known for | The Scottsboro Boys, Violet, Hamilton |
Home town | Miami, Florida, USA |
Awards | Drama Desk Award, Outstanding Ensemble Performance |
Personal life
Henry was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada[5] to Zadoc Henry (A teacher at Calvary Christian Academy), and raised in Miami, Florida, United States. He currently resides in Harlem, New York City.[6] He had originally wanted to be an accountant, like his mother. However, he was cast as Harold Hill in his high school (Florida Bible Christian School) production of The Music Man and with the experience he changed his mind. Henry studied theatre at the University of Miami, graduating in 2006.[7] He married his college sweetheart, Cathryn Stringer, in October 2012.[8]
Career
Henry made his acting debut when he co-starred as Judas in the Paper Mill Playhouse (Milburn, New Jersey) production of Godspell in 2006. He was set to star in a 2008 Broadway transfer, but the project was cancelled.[9]
In 2007, Henry appeared in the ensemble of the Off-Broadway musical In the Heights, re-joining the cast for the show's Broadway production.[10] For In the Heights, the entire cast won a Drama Desk Award, and Henry and the ensemble won an ACCA Award for Outstanding Broadway Chorus from Actors' Equity Association.[11]
Henry starred in Serenade, which played off-Broadway from December 9, 2007, to December 15, 2007.[12] Henry then appeared in the first Sex and the City film in 2008, subsequently playing the Tin Man in The Wiz at the New York City Center in 2009.[13]
On September 23, 2008, Henry performed in a concert performance titled Party Worth Crashing in New York City.[14] In June 2009, Henry contributed original music to the off-Broadway musical Shafrika, The White Girl at the Vineyard Theatre.[15]
From March 24, 2010 to July 20, 2010 he played "Favorite Son" in the original Broadway cast of the Green Day musical American Idiot.[16][17]
Henry then joined the Broadway cast of The Scottsboro Boys, directed and choreographed by Susan Stroman with a score by John Kander and Fred Ebb.[18] He portrayed Haywood Patterson, for which he achieved critical praise.[19] The Star Tribune wrote of his performance, "Joshua Henry ... ignites the role of Haywood Patterson as the lightning rod for our identification with the men."[20] Charles Isherwood in The New York Times asserted that Henry "gives a performance of keen intensity as Haywood Patterson, an illiterate young man who becomes the focus of our sympathy as he steadfastly refuses to sign his name to a lie in order to obtain parole. Mr. Henry performs Haywood’s ballad of hopeless yearning, "Go Back Home," with a powerful simplicity that slashes through the evening's artifice."[21] Despite these positive reviews, The Scottsboro Boys closed within a month.[22] For his performance, Henry was nominated for the 2011 Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical, but lost to Norbert Leo Butz in Catch Me If You Can.[23][24]
Henry, along with Corbin Bleu and Andréa Burns, was featured on "Dare to Go Beyond: The Album", by the nonprofit organization R.Evolución Latina. It was released on December 13, 2010, produced by Luis Salgado.[25] Henry has also appeared on the television series Kings and Nip/Tuck, as well as the 2010 short film Once Upon a Time in Australia.[26]
On January 16, 2011, Henry, Laura Osnes, and Natalie Weiss were featured performers in Kait Kerrigan and Brian Lowdermilk's You Made This Tour concert at the Laurie Beechman Theatre.[27] On January 22, he was among the performers in the Broadway Memories concert performance in New York, in which he performed selections from The Scottsboro Boys.[28]
Henry performed in the 92nd Street Y's Lyrics & Lyricists event, honoring Burton Lane, on February 14, 2011.[29] On March 2, 2011, he performed with The Scottsboro Boys' original Broadway cast in Stro!, a gala celebration honoring Susan Stroman.[30]
From March 15, 2011 until the show's closing on April 24, 2011 he returned to the role of "Favorite Son" in American Idiot.[31][32]
Henry attended and performed at a MCC Miscast Gala in New York, held on March 15, 2011. The performance showcases "Broadway's hottest stars performing songs from roles in which they would never be cast."[33]
On April 10, 2011, he returned to the University of Miami to perform in their Broadway Unplugged concert.[34] In addition, Henry and the cast of The Scottsboro Boys performed in the May 16, 2011, performance of Broadway Sensation in New York City.[35]
Henry performed the role of Jake in the American Repertory Theater's production of Porgy and Bess, which began previews August 17, 2011, at the Loeb Drama Center in Cambridge, Massachusetts. It officially opened on August 31 and ran through September 30, 2011. It transferred to the Richard Rodgers Theatre on Broadway where it played from January 12 until September 23, 2012.[36]
Henry also appeared in the role of Corporal Quincy Montclair on season 7 of the Lifetime series Army Wives.
Henry performed the role of Flick in the Roundabout Theatre production of Violet which began in April, 2014. On April 29, 2014, he was nominated for a Tony in the category of Best Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical. He appeared in the role of Noble Sissle in the 2016 production of Shuffle Along, or, the Making of the Musical Sensation of 1921 and All That Followed at the Music Box Theatre on Broadway.
Henry starred as Jamie alongside Cynthia Erivo in a one-night benefit concert performance of Jason Robert Brown's The Last Five Years on September 12, 2016. Proceeds from the performance went to the Brady Center, a national gun violence organization.[37]
Theatre credits
Year(s) | Production | Role | Location | Category |
---|---|---|---|---|
2007 | In the Heights | Ensemble | 37 Arts Theatre | Off-Broadway |
2008 | Richard Rodgers Theater | Broadway | ||
2009 | The Wiz | Tin Man | New York City Center Encores! | Off-Broadway |
2010–11 | American Idiot | Ensemble/Favorite Son | St. James Theatre | Broadway |
2010 | The Scottsboro Boys | Haywood Patterson | Lyceum Theatre | Broadway |
2011–12 | The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess | Jake | Richard Rodgers Theatre | Broadway |
2012 | Bring It On: The Musical | "Cross the Line" Soloist | St. James Theatre | Broadway |
2014 | Violet | Flick | American Airlines Theatre | Broadway |
2016 | Shuffle Along | Noble Sissle | Music Box Theatre | Broadway |
The Last Five Years | Jamie Wellerstein | The Town Hall | Brady Center Benefit Concert | |
2016–17 | Hamilton | Aaron Burr | PrivateBank Theatre | Chicago/Regional |
2017 | Orpheum Theatre | First U.S. National Tour | ||
Pantages Theatre | ||||
2018 | Carousel | Billy Bigelow | Imperial Theatre | Broadway |
2019 | The Wrong Man | Innocent man | MCC Theater | Off-Broadway |
Awards and nominations
Year | Award | Category | Work | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|
2007 | ACCA Award (Actors' Equity Association) | Outstanding Broadway Chorus | In the Heights | Won |
Drama Desk Award | Outstanding Ensemble Performance | Won | ||
2011 | Tony Award | Best Actor in a Musical | The Scottsboro Boys | Nominated |
2014 | Best Featured Actor in a Musical | Violet | Nominated | |
2018 | Best Actor in a Musical | Carousel | Nominated | |
Drama Desk Award | Outstanding Actor in a Musical | Nominated | ||
Drama League Award | Distinguished Performance | Nominated | ||
Outer Critics Circle Award | Outstanding Actor in a Musical | Nominated | ||
2019 | Grammy Award | Best Musical Theater Album[38] | Nominated |
References
- Blank, Matthew (October 26, 2010). "Playbill.com's Cue & A: The Scottsboro Boys' Joshua Henry". playbill.com. Archived from the original on 31 October 2010. Retrieved 28 March 2011.
- "Joshua Henry". Who's Who. Celebrity Buzz. Archived from the original on 29 June 2011. Retrieved 15 March 2011.
- Desk, BWW News. "Breaking News: Joshua Henry, Mandy Gonzalez & Jonathan Kirkland Will Join Hamilton in Chicago and Broadway!". Retrieved 2016-08-01.
- Henry, Alan. "Breaking: Jessie Mueller, Joshua Henry, Renée Fleming to Star in CAROUSEL on Broadway". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2017-04-17.
- "Tony nods take the road less hyped". globeandmail.com. Archived from the original on 25 March 2012. Retrieved 21 June 2011.
- "Joshua Henry is on the brink of a Broadway breakthrough with the lead role in The Scottsboro Boys". NY Daily news. Retrieved 15 March 2011.
- "Joshua Henry" nydailynews.com, October 3, 2010.
- Henderson, Kathy. " 'Violet' Star Joshua Henry on Life Lessons From Audra & Sutton and How to Eat Cheesecake While Staying Fit" broadway.com, April 14, 2014
- "Joshua Henry – Theatre Credits". broadwayworld.com. Retrieved 15 March 2011.
- Jones, Kenneth."In the Heights Is in the "Hits" Category; Producers Recoup Investment" Archived 2009-01-25 at the Wayback Machine, playbill.com, January 8, 2009
- Staff (September 10, 2008). "In the Heights Wins Actors' Equity Outstanding Broadway Chorus Award". Broadway.com. Retrieved 3 April 2011.
- BWW (December 7, 2007). "'Serenade' Opens 12/9 with Anika Larsen & Joshua Henry". broadwayworld.com. Retrieved 2 April 2011.
- Gans, Andrew. "The Wiz Ends Limited City Center Engagement July 5", playbill.com, July 5, 2009
- Pimienta, Pablo (September 25, 2008). "Photo Coverage: Kerrigan & Lowdermilk's Party Worth Crashing Concert at the Zipper Factory". Broadway World. Retrieved 1 April 2011.
- "Shafrika, The White Girl". Lortel Archives. Archived from the original on 12 October 2012. Retrieved 15 March 2011.
- Jones, Kenneth (2010-01-15), "American Idiot Will Rock Broadway's St. James Starting March 24", Playbill.com, archived from the original on 2010-01-07
- "Wallace Smith Will Enlist in Broadway's American Idiot July 20" Archived 2011-06-29 at the Wayback Machine playbill.com, July 19, 2010.
- Kenneth, Jones (July 8, 2010). "Joshua Henry Joins Broadway's Scottsboro Boys; Domingo, Hicks and Most Vineyard Troupers Continue". playbill.com. Archived from the original on 29 June 2011. Retrieved 15 March 2011.
- Nondorf, Tom (November 18, 2010). "The Leading Men: Joshua Henry of The Scottsboro Boys". Playbill. Archived from the original on 14 March 2011. Retrieved 15 March 2011.
- "'Scottsboro Boys' is both disturbing and entertaining". The Star Tribune. Retrieved 16 March 2011.
- Isherwood, Charles (October 31, 2010). "Revisiting an Outrage With Gallows Humor". The New York Times. p. 2. Retrieved 16 March 2011.
- Jones, Kenneth."Roars of Approval, and Also Remembrance, at Final Bow of The Scottsboro Boys" Archived 2010-12-15 at the Wayback Machine, playbill.com, December 12, 2010.
- "Tony Rulings: Brief Encounter and Long Story Are Best Plays; Daisy and Life Are Revivals" Archived 2010-12-12 at the Wayback Machine playbill.com, December 9, 2010.
- BWW. "2011 Tony Nominations Announced! THE BOOK OF MORMON Leads With 14!". broadwayworld.com. Retrieved 9 December 2016.
- Peter, Thomas (November 30, 2010). "Corbin Bleu, Andrea Burns, Joshua Henry Featured On "Dare To Go Beyond" CD, Due in December". playbill.com. Archived from the original on 18 February 2011. Retrieved 15 March 2011.
- "Joshua Henry". Internet Movie Database. Amazon. Retrieved 15 March 2011.
- Gans, Andrew (January 16, 2011). "You Made This Tour Concert, With Joshua Henry, Laura Osnes, Natalie Weiss, Presented Jan. 16". Playbill. Archived from the original on 21 March 2011. Retrieved 15 March 2011.
- Gans, Andrew (January 22, 2011). "Andrea Burns, Joshua Henry, Bobby Steggert Recall Broadway Memories Jan. 22". playbill.com. Archived from the original on 26 February 2011. Retrieved 15 March 2011.
- "Lyrics & Lyricists at 92Y Host A Tribute to Burton Lane 2/14". BroadwayWorld. Retrieved 14 April 2011.
- "Photo Coverage: STRO! A Gala Celebration - Part One". Retrieved 14 April 2011.
- Jones, Kenneth (March 15, 2011). "Joshua Henry Re-Ups for American Idiot; David Larsen and P.J. Griffith Also Join Rock Musical". Playbill. Archived from the original on 11 April 2011. Retrieved 15 March 2011.
- "Joshua Henry Returns to American Idiot; David Larsen and P.J. Griffith Also Join Cast". Broadway.com. March 15, 2011. Retrieved 15 March 2011.
- BWW News Desk (March 15, 2011). "Photo Coverage: 2011 MCC Miscast Gala – Danes, Dancy, Borle, Leo & More!". Broadwayworld.com. Retrieved 2 April 2011.
- Higgins, Beau (March 8, 2011). "Joshua Henry in Broadway Unplugged At University Of Miami". broadwayworld.com. Retrieved 15 March 2011.
- Gans, Andrew (April 1, 2011). "Broadway Sensation Benefit Will Be Held at Alice Tully Hall in May". Playbill. Archived from the original on 4 April 2011. Retrieved 1 April 2011.
- BWW Staff (April 14, 2011), "Henry, Boykin and Dollison Join McDonald, Lewis & Grier in Porgy & Bess at A.R.T.; Cast Complete", Broadwayworld.com
- Piepenburg, Erik (August 11, 2016). "Cynthia Erivo and Joshua Henry to Star in 'Last Five Years' Benefit". New York Times. Retrieved 13 Aug 2016.
- Desk, TV News. "THE BAND'S VISIT, CAROUSEL & More Nominated for 2019 GRAMMY AWARDS". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2018-12-07.