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Jeff Keller

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jeff Keller
Occupation(s)Actor, singer
Years active1974–2012
Known forThe Phantom of the Opera

Jeff Keller is an American musical theatre actor. He is best known for being in the original Broadway cast of The Phantom of the Opera and later taking over the roles of Monsieur André and Firmin, as well as the title role.

Some of his other Broadway credits include roles in Dance a Little Closer, Fiddler on the Roof, and Sunday in the Park with George, as well as several others.[1][2][3]

Career

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Keller made his Broadway debut in the cast of Candide in 1974.[2] In 1976, Keller played the role of Perchik in the touring cast of Fiddler on the Roof. Later that year, he played the role in the Broadway revival.[3] He was a replacement actor in the 1978 production of On the Twentieth Century. He originated roles in The 1940's Radio Hour, The Roast, and Dance a Little Closer.[2] In 1984, Keller joined the original Broadway cast of Sunday in the Park with George understudying the title role. He would later take over several supporting roles while still understudying the title role.[1] He played the roles of Billy and Louis ten years later in the Broadway Anniversary Concert.[3]

In 1986, Keller started a 19-year stint in the Broadway company of The Phantom of the Opera. In the original cast, he was an ensemble member and understudied the Phantom. In 1989, he took over the role of Monsieur André when Cris Groenendaal was promoted to Phantom.[2] In November 1990, he stepped into the title role for a month in between the stints of Steve Barton and Kevin Gray.[1][4] In 1994, Keller again substituted in the title role for 3 months in between Marcus Lovett and Davis Gaines.[4] He also played the role of Jacob Marley in the annual production of A Christmas Carol at The Theater at Madison Square Garden.[1] In 2001, Keller switched roles with George Lee Andrews, "to keep things fresh", portraying Monsieur Firmin in Phantom.[5]

Stage credits

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Source:[1][2][3]

Year(s) Production Role Notes
1974–1976 Candide Botanist / Guest / Rich Jew / Judge Gomez / Man In Black / Cartagenian / Pirate / German Broadway
1976 Fiddler on the Roof Perchik National tour
1976–1977 Broadway
1977 Camelot Sir Lancelot du Lac Regional
1978–1979 On the Twentieth Century Max Jacobs Broadway
1979–1980 The 1940's Radio Hour Johnny Cantone
1980 The Roast s/b Charles Browning
s/b Danny
1983 Dance a Little Closer Edward Dunlop
1983–1984 The Music Man Harold Hill Alliance Theatre
1984 Sunday in the Park with George u/s Georges Seurat / George Broadway
1984–1985 Billy Webster / Louis / A Man Lying on the Bank

u/s Georges Seurat / George
u/s Franz / Dennis
u/s A Soldier / Alex
u/s Jules / Bob Greenberg

1985 A Soldier / Alex

u/s Georges Seurat / George

1985–1986 Personals Sam
1986 Anything Goes Billy Crocker Regional
1986–1987 Sunday in the Park with George Georges Seurat / George
1988–1989 The Phantom of the Opera Marksman / Porter

u/s The Phantom of the Opera

Broadway
1989–1990 Monsieur Gilles André

u/s The Phantom of the Opera

1990 The Phantom of the Opera
1990–1994 Monsieur Gilles André

u/s The Phantom of the Opera

1994 The Phantom of the Opera
Sunday in the Park with George Billy Webster / Louis Broadway

10th Anniversary Concert

A Christmas Carol Jacob Marley The Theater at Madison Square Garden
1994–2001 The Phantom of the Opera Monsieur Gilles André

u/s The Phantom of the Opera

Broadway
2001–2005 Monsieur Richard Firmin

u/s The Phantom of the Opera

2012 A Letter to Harvey Milk Harry Weinberg New York Musical Theatre Festival

References

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