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Cris Groenendaal

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Cris Groenendaal
Born (1948-02-17) February 17, 1948 (age 76)
Occupation(s)Singer, actor
Years active1976–2002
Known forThe Phantom of the Opera,
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

Cris Groenendaal is a retired American musical theatre actor and opera singer. He has performed in the original Broadway productions of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, Sunday in the Park with George, The Phantom of the Opera and Passion, as well as appearing in the original cast of the 1996 Broadway revival of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.[1][2][3]

Training

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He is a trained operatic tenor. He was trained by fellow tenor Frederick Jagel.[4]

Career

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Known for his work in Stephen Sondheim's musicals, he made his Broadway debut in the original cast of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street as an ensemble member and understudy for the role of Anthony. He would later replace Victor Garber in the role of Anthony.[5] He was also in the original cast of the first national tour of Sweeney Todd reprising his role of Anthony.[6] He appeared in the 1982 televised recording of the touring production.[7]

Groenendaal was also in the original Broadway cast of Sunday in the Park with George originating the roles of Billy Webster and Louis while understudying many roles including the titular role.[1] He replaced Robert Westenberg in the roles of a Soldier/Alex and later played the titular roles of Georges Seurat/George for 5 days.[8][9]

Groenendaal originated the role of Monsieur Gilles André in the original Broadway cast of The Phantom of the Opera also understudying the role of Raoul, Vicomte de Chagny. He would later take over the role of The Phantom from Timothy Nolen in March 1989 on Broadway and was the third principal actor to play the Phantom on Broadway. He was replaced in the role in March 1990 by the original Broadway and West End Raoul, Steve Barton. Groenendaal would later reprise the role of the Phantom in the Canadian production replacing Colm Wilkinson and for two stints in the Canadian tour.[2][10][11]

In 1994 and 1996 he would play roles in two Sondheim musicals, the Broadway revival of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum and the original Broadway production of Passion, playing Miles Gloriosus and Major Rizzolli respectively.[1][2][9]

In 1998, he appears in the first US tour of Ragtime as the Father. This would be his last production before his retirement. However, he made an exception in 2002 to perform in the Sondheim celebration at the Kennedy Center in a production of Sunday in the Park with George as Jules and Bob Greenberg.[6]

Acting credits

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Theatre

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Source:[1][6]

Year(s) Production Role Notes
1976 1776 Roger Sherman Regional
My Fair Lady Jamie / Ensemble
A Little Night Music Frid
1977 Follies Max Deems / Ensemble
The Wizard of Oz The Tin Man / Hickory
Fiddler on the Roof Ensemble
1979 Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street Ensemble
u/s Anthony Hope
Original Broadway Production
1979-1980 Anthony Hope
1980 South Pacific Lt. Joseph Cable, USMC Regional
1980-1981 Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street Anthony Hope US National Tour
1984 Houston Grand Opera
New York City Opera
Sunday in the Park with George Billy Webster / Louis / A Man Lying on the Bank

u/s A Soldier / Alex
u/s Franz / Dennis

Original Broadway Production
1984-1985 A Soldier / Alex

u/s Georges Seurat / George

1985 Georges Seurat / George
A Soldier / Alex

u/s Georges Seurat / George

1987 South Pacific Lt. Joseph Cable, USMC (Alternate) New York City Opera
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street Anthony Hope
1988 The Phantom of the Opera Monsieur Gilles André

u/s Raoul, Vicomte de Chagny

Original Broadway Production
1988-1989 Monsieur Gilles André

u/s The Phantom of the Opera
u/s Raoul, Vicomte de Chagny

1989-1990 The Phantom of the Opera
1992 Canadian National Tour
Carousel Enoch Snow Regional
1993-1994 The Phantom of the Opera The Phantom of the Opera Canadian National Tour
1994 Passion Major Rizzolli Original Broadway Production
1994-1995 The Phantom of the Opera The Phantom of the Opera Canadian Production
1996-1998 A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum Miles Gloriosus Second Broadway Revival
1998-1999 Ragtime Father US National Tour
2002 Sunday in the Park with George Jules / Bob Greenberg Kennedy Center

Filmography

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Year(s) Production Role Notes
1980 The Doctors Dr. Harrow 3 episodes
1982 Great Performances Anthony Hope Episode: Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
1986 American Playhouse Louis / Billy Webster Episode: Sunday in the Park with George
1995 Pocahontas Chorus Animated film

References

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