Michael Cerveris

Michael Cerveris
Michael Cerveris, July 2, 2006
Born	November 6, 1960 (1960-11-06) (age 51) Bethesda, Maryland, USA
Occupation	Actor
Website
http://www.amazing-journey.com

Michael Cerveris (born November 6, 1960) is an American singer, guitarist and actor. He has performed in many stage musicals and plays, including in several Stephen Sondheim musicals: Assassins, Sweeney Todd, Road Show, and Passion. He won the Tony Award as Best Featured Actor in a Musical for Assassins.

He was called, by Playbill.com, "arguably the most versatile leading man on Broadway",^[1] playing roles from "Shakespeare's Romeo to The Who's Tommy, from the German transsexual rock diva Hedwig in Hedwig and the Angry Inch to the homicidal title character of Sondheim's Sweeney Todd."^[2]

Early life

Cerveris was born in Bethesda, Maryland and raised in Huntington, West Virginia. His mother, Marsha (née Laycock), was a dancer, and his father, Michael Cerveris, was a professor of music; the two met while students at the Juilliard School.^[3][4] He is a 1979 graduate of Phillips Exeter Academy and a 1983 cum laude graduate of Yale University, where he studied voice, German lieder and Italian songs.^[2]

Career

Theatre

Broadway and Off-Broadway

Cerveris had roles in several Off-Broadway productions, starting with Macbeth in 1983 as Malcolm and including Total Eclipse in 1985 as Rimbaud at the Westside Theatre,^[5] Abingdon Square in 1987 as Frank at the Women's Project,^[6] and Blood Sports in 1987 as Nick at the New York Theatre Workshop.^[7]

He made his Broadway debut in The Who's Tommy in 1993 as "18-20 year old Tommy/Narrator", receiving a Tony Award nomination as Best Featured Actor in a Musical, Drama League nomination, Theater World Award winner, and Original Cast Grammy winner.^[8] He had appeared in Tommy in the La Jolla Playhouse prior to Broadway.^[9] He next appeared in the Broadway musical Titanic in 1997 as Thomas Andrews. He played the role of John Wilkes Booth in the Broadway musical Assassins in 2004, and won the Tony Award, Best Featured Actor in a Musical^[10] and the Outer Critics Circle Award.

In the 2005 Broadway revival of Sweeney Todd Ceveris played the title role, and was nominated for the Tony Award, Drama Desk Award, Outer Critics Circle Award, Drama League award, and received the Drama Critics Circle citation. In this John Doyle production, the actors also played instruments, with Cerveris playing lyric guitar.^[11][12] In the Broadway musical LoveMusik (2007) he appeared as Kurt Weill,^[13] and received Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics, and Drama League award nominations. In 2007 he played "Kent" in King Lear at the Off-Broadway Public Theater,^[14] receiving a Drama League Award nomination. He appeared Off-Broadway in the Stephen Sondheim-John Weidman musical Road Show at the Public Theater in 2008 as Wilson Mizner.^[15] Ceveris appeared opposite Mary-Louise Parker in the limited Roundabout Theatre Company production of Hedda Gabler from January 2009 to March 2009.^[16] He next played Dr. Givings in the Broadway comedy by Sarah Ruhl, In The Next Room or the vibrator play, starting in October 2009.^[17]

Other venues

In 2000 Cerveris played the lead role of "Hedwig" in Hedwig and the Angry Inch in the West End. He had previously played the role Off-Broadway from July 8, 1998 to August 4, 1998^[18] and again from February 1999^[19][20] He was a Garland Award winner, and Ovation Award nominee. During 2002, the Kennedy Center presented a "Sondheim Celebration"; Cerveris appeared in Passion as Giorgio.^[21] Ceveris has appeared several times at the Ravinia Festival Concerts (Chicago), including: Passion (2003)^[22] Sunday In The Park With George (2004),^[23] and Anyone Can Whistle in 2005.^[24] He performed in the New York City Center Encores! staged concert of The Apple Tree in 2005, with Kristin Chenoweth.^[25]

Regional^[26][27][28]

• Crow in The Tooth of Crime, Hartford Stage (1985–86)
• Romeo in Romeo and Juliet, opposite Phoebe Cates at the Goodman Theatre (1988)
• Bazarov in Nothing Sacred, Northlight Theatre, Illinois (1988)^[29]
• Puck in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Dallas Theater Center
• Eastern Standard with Tom Hulce, Seattle Repertory Theatre (1988)^[30]
• Richard II, Mark Taper Forum (1991–1992)
• Measure for Measure, Old Globe Theatre
• El Dorado, South Coast Repertory (1991)^[31]
• A Little Night Music, as Count Carl-Magnus Malcolm, Chicago Shakespeare Theater (December 23, 2003 - January 21, 2004) Jefferson award nomination ^[32]

Film

A partial list of films

• Stake Land (2010)^[33]
• Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant (2009)
• Brief Interviews With Hideous Men (2009)^[34]
• The Mexican (2001)^[35]
• Lulu on the Bridge (1998)

Television

• The Observer on Fringe
• Ian Ware on Fame

Cerveris' most visible role to date has been as The Observer in the FOX science fiction television series Fringe. His character, a mysterious man seen attending many unusual events, has appeared in every episode of the series, often in subtle cameo appearances. Cerveris also appeared as The Observer at several real-life events covered by FOX as part of a viral marketing campaign for the series. These include appearing in the audience at a taping of American Idol, and being shown in the stands at various football and NASCAR events. He also made a cameo in a commercial for Glee.^[36]

Music career

Cerveris played guitar as a member of Bob Mould's touring band supporting the album The Last Dog And Pony Show. A performance at The Forum in London was recorded and released as BobMouldBand: LiveDog98 (Granary Music 2002). His debut solo album, Dog Eared (Low Heat Records 2004), was co-produced with Adam Lasus and includes guest appearances from Norman Blake (Teenage Fanclub), Corin Tucker and Janet Weiss (Sleater-Kinney), Ken Stringfellow (Posies, R.E.M.), Steve Shelley (Sonic Youth), Kevin March (Guided by Voices), Anders Parker (Varnaline), and Laura Cantrell.

He has also contributed vocals to "My Other Phone Is a Boom Car" as part of a ringtone project by They Might Be Giants for Wired Magazine in March 2007. In They Might Be Giants' 2011 release, Join Us, Cerveris also provided vocals for the track, "Three Might Be Duende."

Other activities

Cerveris has performed at many events, to honor or celebrate notable performers and creatives. He performed at The Drama League gala, A Musical Celebration of Broadway on February 7, 2011, which also honored Patti LuPone.^[37] In November 2010 he appeared at the Sonnet Repertory Theatre benefit, which honored director Jack O'Brien.^[38] On April 27, 2009, he performed at the Signature Theatre gala, a benefit and to celebrate the first annual Sondheim Award.^[39]

On December 8, 2010, he took part in the Symphony Space "Selected Shorts and Thalia Book Club" series of readings.^[40]

His concert appearances include the Broadway Cabaret Festival, held in October 2010 at The Town Hall (New York).^[41]

Tony Award nominations

Ceveris has been nominated for four Tony Awards during his career:(Source:TonyAwards.com)^[42]

• 1993 - Best Featured Actor in a Musical for The Who's Tommy
• 2004 - Best Featured Actor in a Musical for Assassins - won
• 2006 - Best Leading Actor in a Musical for Sweeney Todd
• 2007 - Best Leading Actor in a Musical for LoveMusik

Work

Broadway The Who's Tommy (1993) as "18-20 year old Tommy/Narrator" Titanic: A New Musical (1997) as "Thomas Andrews" Assassins (2004) as "John Wilkes Booth" Sweeney Todd (2005) as "Sweeney Todd" Lovemusik (2007) as "Kurt Weill" Cymbeline (2007) as "Posthumus" Hedda Gabler (2009) as "Jorgen Tesman" In the Next Room (or The Vibrator Play) (2009) as "Dr. Givings" West-End Hedwig and the Angry Inch (2000) Hedwig Off-Broadway Macbeth (1983) Malcolm Life Is A Dream (1984) Astolfo The Games (1984) Young Man Green Fields (1985) Levi-Yitshok Total Eclipse (1985) Rimbaud Blood Sports (1986) Nick Abingdon Square (1986) Frank Eastern Standard (1988) Peter Kidde Hedwig and the Angry Inch (1998) Hedwig Fifth of July (2003) Kenneth Talley The Apple Tree (2005) (Encores! staged concert) Snake King Lear (2007) Kent Road Show (2008) as "Wilson Mizner"

Filmography Doubletake (1985) (TV) Fame (1982) TV Series (1986–1987) Quantum Leap (TV) Strangers (1990) Rock 'n' Roll High School Forever (1990) Steel and Lace (1991) A Woman, Her Men, and Her Futon (1992) Lulu on the Bridge (1998) CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (2001) (TV) The Mexican (2001) The American Embassy (2002) (TV) Temptation (2004) Law & Order: Criminal Intent (2007) (TV) (episode "Depths") Fringe (2008–present) (TV) Brief Interviews with Hideous Men (2009) The Vampire's Assistant (2009) Discography BobMouldBand: LiveDog98 (2002) Dog Eared (2004)

References

1. ^ Simonson, Robert."Brief Encounter With Michael Cerveris" Playbill.com, November 19, 2009
2. ^ ^{a b} "About Michael Cerveris" MasterWorksBroadway.com, accessed March 13, 2011
3. ^ Michael Cerveris, Star File: Broadway.com Buzz
4. ^ [1]
5. ^ "'Total Eclipse', 1985" InternetOff-BroadwayDatabase.com, accessed March 11, 2011
6. ^ "'Abingdon Square' listing" InternetOff-BroadwayDatabase.com, accessed March 11, 2011
7. ^ "'Blood Sports' listing" InternetOff-BroadwayDatabase.com, accessed March 11, 2011
8. ^ "'The Who's Tommy' listing" InterneBroadwayDatabase.com, accessed March 11, 2011
9. ^ Churnin, Nancy.From Angel to Devil : Stage: Michael Cerveris, star of 'Tommy,' sees parallels in his latest, villainous role Los Angeles Times, October 23, 1992
10. ^ "'Assassins' listing" InterneBroadwayDatabase.com, accessed March 11, 2011
11. ^ "'Sweeney Todd' listing" InterneBroadwayDatabase.com, accessed March 11, 2011
12. ^ Brantley, Ben."Review:Grand Guignol, Spare and Stark" The New York Times, November 4, 2005
13. ^ Jones, Kenneth."Weill and Lenya Conjured in LoveMusik, Opening May 3" Playbill.com, May 3, 2007
14. ^ Goodwin, Joy.Busy Actor’s Long, Long Day: Shakespeare, Weill and Rock" The New York Times, April 1, 2007
15. ^ Brantley, Ben."Theater Review:Brothers in Flimflammery on a Continental Sojourn" The New York Times, November 19, 2008
16. ^ Jones, Kenneth."Parker's 'Hedda Gabler' Takes Her Last Shot March 29" Playbill.com, March 29, 2009
17. ^ Ishwood, Charles."Theater Review: 'In The Next Room, Or The Vibrator Play' The New York Times, November 20, 2009
18. ^ Simonson, Robert.Titanic's Michael Cerveris to Be Hedwig July 8-Aug. 4" Playbill.com, July 8, 1998
19. ^ Gutman, Les."Review, 'Hedwig', 1999" CurtainUp.com, March 15, 1999 and in Los Angeles.
20. ^ "Stars Line Up For Hedwig, the New Rocky Horror" The Independent, September 10, 2000
21. ^ "'Passion', Kennedy Center" sondheimguide.com, accessed March 11, 2011
22. ^ "'Passion', Ravinia" sondheimguide.com, accessed March 11, 2011
23. ^ "'Sunday in the Park With George', Ravinia" sondheimguide.com, accessed March 11, 2011
24. ^ "'Anyone Can Whistle', Ravinia" sondheimguide.com, accessed March 11, 2011
25. ^ Simonson, Robert."Chenoweth, Gets and Cerveris Shake 'The Apple Tree' at Encores! May 12-16" Playbill.com, May 12, 2005
26. ^ Playbill bios mcerverisfan.tripod.com, accessed March 11, 2011
27. ^ Biography, Lincoln Center LincolnCenterTheater.com, accessed March 11, 2011
28. ^ Biography filmreference.com, accessed March 11, 2011
29. ^ Christiansen, Richard."'Nothing Sacred` Adds A Twist To A Finely Woven, Well-worn Story" Chicagotribune.com, December 16, 1988
30. ^ Rich, Frank.Review/Music; Seattle Grabs Spotlight: New Play, Renewed Musical" The New York Times, May 10, 1988
31. ^ "'El Dorado' listing and review untamedspirits.net, accessed March 11, 2011
32. ^ "'A Little Night Music', 2003 Chicago Shakespeare Theater Production" sondheimguide.com, accessed March 12, 2011
33. ^ Gans, Andrew.Michael Cerveris and Kelly McGillis Star in New Vampire-Themed Film "Stake Land" Playbill.com, September 20, 2010
34. ^ Holden, Stephen."Movie review:'Brief Interviews With Hideous Men'" The New York Times, September 25, 2009
35. ^ "'The Mexican' see full acting credtis" The New York Times, accessed March 12, 2011
36. ^ (For examples, see [2])
37. ^ Andrew Gans "Audra McDonald, Justin Guarini, Michael Cerveris Join Drama League Celebration of Patti LuPone" Playbill.com, January 18, 2011
38. ^ Gans, Andrew."Kerry Butler, Michael Cerveris, Victor Garber, Ethan Hawke Will Be Part of Jack O'Brien Tribute" Playbill.com, October 27, 2010
39. ^ Jones, Kenneth."Peters and Cerveris Celebrate Sondheim at DC Sondheim Award Gala April 27" Playbill.com, April 27, 2009
40. ^ Peter, Thomas."Mary-Louise Parker, Michael Cerveris, Amy Ryan, Lois Smith and More to Read at Symphony Space" Playbill.com, November 5, 2010
41. ^ Gans, Andrew."Alice Ripley and Michael Cerveris Join Lineup for Broadway Cabaret Festival" Playbill.com, September 21, 2010
42. ^ Michael Cerveris Tony Award listing tonyawards.com, accessed March 11, 2011

External links

• Michael Cerveris official website
• Michael Cerveris at the Internet Broadway Database
• Michael Cerveris at the Internet Movie Database
• Internet Off-Broadway Database listing
• Yale Daily News: Broadway actor arrives late, entertains Berkeley crowd
• Michael Cerveris - Downstage Center interview at American Theatre Wing.org
• TonyAwards.com Interview with Michael Cerveris
• Spring 2009 interview with Michael Cerveris at The Sondheim Review

Persondata
Name	Cerveris, Michael
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	November 6, 1960
Place of birth	Bethesda, Maryland, USA
Date of death
Place of death