Will Chase
Will Chase | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Chase performs "Desert Island Top 5 Break-ups" at Broadway on Broadway, September 10, 2006 | |
| Born | September 12, 1970 |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1998–present |
Will Chase (born September 12, 1970) is an American actor and singer, best known for his work in Broadway musicals.
Chase was born in Frankfort, Kentucky to Jerry and Betty Chase and is the youngest of three boys. He graduated from Western Hills High School and the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, where he majored in Percussion studied conducting with Robert Spano and percussion.[1][2]
He first performed in a Broadway show in 1998 as the "Squeegee Man" and "Roger" understudy in Rent; he also starred as the last Roger in the final Broadway company of Rent, which was recorded for the theatrical release Rent: Filmed Live on Broadway.[3] His additional Broadway credits include Miss Saigon (with the original star Lea Salonga playing Kim to close the Broadway production), The Full Monty as Jerry Lukowski replacement (2001), Lennon (2005), and Aida (Radames replacement, 2003–04), and Tony in Billy Elliot.[4]
In 2005, he played Neville Craven in the 2005 World AIDS Day The Secret Garden concert.[5] In 2006 he starred in the short lived High Fidelity on Broadway, and starred as Valentin in Kiss of the Spider Woman at Signature Theatre in Arlington, VA, for which he received a 2009 Helen Hayes Nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor.[6] He appeared in The Pajama Game opposite Kate Baldwin at The Muny in July 2007.[7] He also starred in Oklahoma in 2007 at the Lyric Theatre opposite Kelli O'Hara.
Chase's television guest appearances include the recurring role of Pat Mahoney on "Rescue Me", "Cupid", "Canterbury's Law", Law & Order, Third Watch, Conviction, and "Queens Supreme". He had a small role in the 2000 film Shaft.[8]
Chase was in the short-lived Broadway musical The Story of My Life, with Malcolm Gets in February 2009.[9]
Chase guest-starred in the "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" episode "Passion" in July 2009.
His most recent television appearances include Hallmark's The Lost Valentine alongside Jennifer Love Hewitt and Betty White, the 2011 season finale of Royal Pains (USA), Blue Bloods (CBS), and the new ABC drama Pan Am. In 2012, he appeared on the series White Collar in the episode "Neighborhood Watch".
Chase played the role on Valentin in Kiss of the Spider Woman at Signature Theater in Shirlington, VA from March 11 - April 20, 2008.
Chase will play Michael Swift in the new NBC series, Smash.[10]
Personal life
He has two daughters, Daisy and Gracie from a previous marriage. He married Stephanie Gibson on November 15, 2009. They filed for divorce in January 2012. [11]
References
- ^ Feldman, Ed.Spotlight on Will Chase Talkin'Broadway, accessed July 11, 2009
- ^ BWW News Desk.The Story of My Life broadwayworld.com, January 8, 2009
- ^ Rent Internet Broadway Database, accessed july 11, 2009
- ^ Will Chase Internet Broadway Database, accessed July 11, 2009
- ^ Gans, Andrew and Jones, Kenneth."Chase, Pasquale, Cavenaugh and More Join All-Star Secret Garden Benefit Concert," playbill.com, November 11, 2005
- ^ [1][dead link]
- ^ Gans, Andrew."Chase and Baldwin Play The Pajama Game at the Muny Beginning July 23," playbill.com, July 23, 2007
- ^ Will Chase Internet Movie Database, accessed July 11, 2009
- ^ The Story of My Life" Internet Broadway Database, accessed July 11, 2009
- ^ Will Chase Joins the Cast of SMASH on NBC
- ^ Registry registry.weddingchannel.com