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James Rana

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James Rana BIO

James Rana is an award winning writer-performer. He trained as a clown and juggler, beginning his career as a street performer. He received his MFA from Trinity Rep Conservatory. On Broadway, he was an original cast member of THE BAND’S VISIT, winner of 10 Tony awards, including Best Musical. His Off-Broadway, Regional, National and International credits include: The Royal Shakespeare Company, Red Bull Theater, The Shakespeare Theater Co., The Kennedy Center, Classical Theatre of Harlem, Ensemble Studio Theater, Pan Asian Rep, Worth Street Theater, East Lynne Theater, Contemporary American Theatre Festival, Shakespeare & Co., Actors Shakespeare Company, Germany’s Bonn Biennale and the Globe Neuss, Toronto’s David Mirvish Theatre, Luna Stage, Princeton Rep, Porthouse Theatre, Ocean Professional Theater, Mystic Theater, Coney Island USA, and Comedysportz.

He starred in the award-winning short A Girl Like You with A Boy Like Me (Accolade Award). Other film and television appearances include guest-starring roles on “Law & Order:SVU,” “Madam Secretary,” “Chicago Fire,” “The 72nd Tony Awards,” “Third Watch,” “As The World Turns,” “One Life To Live,” “Good Day NY,” The War Within, The Assassin, Swim Little Fish Swim, and sketch characters for “Conan O’Brien.”

He wrote and narrated the radio documentaries Poe: A Celebration and P.T. Barnum: Man of the People for NPR. He produced and hosted “Classically Absurd,” a four part original series, celebrating all that is funny in the world of classical music for HD Masterworks.

His stage plays A Year in the Trenches and The Poe Mysteries received their world premieres at the East Lynne Theater in Cape May, NJ. His sitcom pilot “HAS BEEN” was a semi-finalist for best pilot at the LA Comedy Short Film Festival and the Los Angeles Screenplay Competition. His screenplay Strays was a top finalist at the Bridge International Screenplay Competition and Back in the Box Script Competition. His one-act play So Long Pluto was produced by the Camino Real Playhouse’s International One Act Festival. His stage adaptations of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, Zorro, and Huck Finn all received their world premieres at the East Lynne Theater in Cape May, NJ.

James works frequently as a narrator and voice-actor. He is a member of Actors Equity, SAG-AFTRA, and The Players Club. For many years, he led the Coney Island U.S.A. Mermaid Parade as the stilt-walking Uncle Sam.

James Rana Photos

James Rana STAGE CREDITS

[US Tour]
US Tour, 2021
Simon

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2017
Performer (Understudy)

[Off-Broadway]
Red Bull Theater Adaptation, 2017
Performer

[Off-Broadway]
2008
Ross

[Off-Broadway]
2007
Polpoch


James Rana Videos

James Rana News


Photos: First Look at the North American Tour of THE KITE RUNNER


All new photos have been released from the North American tour of THE KITE RUNNER, a play with music based on Khaled Hosseini’s internationally best-selling novel.

THE KITE RUNNER Comes to the Overture Center in May


THE KITE RUNNER, a play with music based on Khaled Hosseini's internationally best-selling novel, will play at Overture Center's Capitol Theater from Friday, May 24 to Sunday, May 26 for five performances.

THE KITE RUNNER Returns to San Jose in April


The Kite Runner, a play with music based on Khaled Hosseini’s internationally bestselling novel, returns home to San Jose’s Hammer Theatre in two weeks.

Full Cast Set For the North American Tour of THE KITE RUNNER


The full cast has been revealed for the North American tour of THE KITE RUNNER, a play with music based on Khaled Hosseini's internationally best-selling novel. Find out who is starring in the show here!

East Lynne Theater Company Unveils Fall Lineup


East Lynne Theater Company has revealed its fall lineup featuring 'Tales of Horror and Suspense,' 'The Death of Sherlock Holmes?,' and 'Lennie's Christmas Extravaganza.' Don't miss these exciting performances in Cape May, NJ.

Brian Thomas Abraham, Jennifer Apple & More to Star in THE BAND'S VISIT at The Huntington Theatre


Find out who will be starring in and behind the scenes of 'The Band's Visit,' the highly anticipated musical coming to the Huntington Theatre in Boston this November.

Photos: First Look At The World Premiere A DISTINCT SOCIETY At TheatreWorks Silicon Valley


TheatreWorks Silicon Valley stages the World Premiere of A Distinct Society, presented in association with Pioneer Theatre Company. See photos of the production.

Interview: Kareem Fahmy & Giovanna Sardelli of A DISTINCT SOCIETY at TheatreWorks Silicon Valley Bring a New Play to Life That Makes the Political Personal


BroadwayWorld talks to playwright Kareem Fahmy and director Giovanna Sardelli about TheatreWorks Silicon Valley's world premiere production of 'A Distinct Society' inspired by the Muslim travel ban. The intensely moving play runs April 5th to 30th in Mountain View, CA.

Full Cast Announced For TheatreWorks' World Premiere of A DISTINCT SOCIETY


TheatreWorks Silicon Valley has announced full casting for World Premiere of A Distinct Society, presented in association with Pioneer Theatre Company. In this moving play by Kareem Fahmy, a quiet library that straddles the United States and Canada becomes the battlefield for border control.

Review: HOTTER THAN EGYPT at DCPA Theatre Company


What did our critic think of HOTTER THAN EGYPT at DCPA Theatre Company? Some say the world will end in fire - they must not be familiar with husbands who can be as cold as ice. Such is the case in DCPA's latest local production, Hotter than Egypt.

Full Cast and Creative Teams Announced for LAUGHS IN SPANISH and HOTTER THAN EGYPT at DCPA


The Denver Center for the Performing Arts Theatre Company has announced the full casting and creative teams for the world premiere production of Laughs in Spanish by Alexis Scheer and Yussef El Guindi’s Hotter Than Egypt.

Actors Shakespeare Company Presents A CHRISTMAS CAROL


The Actors Shakespeare Company, now in its 22nd season, returns to New York with their acclaimed one-man production of A Christmas Carol.

Review: THE BAND'S VISIT at The Kennedy Center


What did our critic think of THE BAND'S VISIT at The Kennedy Center?

DOROTHY PARKER: A CERTAIN WOMAN Returns To East Lynne Theater Company


'I'd rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy,' was just one of Dorothy Parker's famous quotes. 

THE BAND'S VISIT to Begin Performances in D.C. in July


The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts has announced that THE BAND’S VISIT, featuring music and lyrics by Tony® and Drama Desk Award®-winner David Yazbek, will be returning to Washington, D.C. from July 5–17, 2022.

BWW Review: A Visually Stunning THE BAND'S VISIT Makes a Stop at Straz Center For The Performing Arts


'Do yourself a favor, DO NOT miss this incredibly sobering production.' says BWW's critic.

BWW Review: THE BAND'S VISIT Makes a Great Impression at OC's Segerstrom Center


Even without dazzling special effects and spectacular theatrics, or histrionic high drama, THE BAND'S VISIT---the Tony Award-winning stage musical now on stage at Orange County's Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa through April 3---still provides a powerful show that is quietly poetic in its precious, slow-burning delivery.

BWW Review: THE BAND'S VISIT at The Paramount Theatre


Dear Readers, I want to tell you a story about a show. You probably never heard of it because it’s not very important. Wait! No, it is important, and you should have heard of it. At least since the show in question is the winner of 11 Tony Awards including Best Musical, “The Band’s Visit”, currently playing at the Paramount Theatre. But sadly, too few do know this show but let’s try and remedy that, shall we?

Tony Winning Best Musical THE BAND'S VISIT to Play At Segerstrom Center, March 22 To April 3


Segerstrom Center for the Arts presents THE BAND'S VISIT, featuring music and lyrics by Tony and Drama Desk Award-winner David Yazbek.  It will play in Segerstrom Hall March 22 to April 3, 2022.

Tickets Go On Sale This Month For THE BAND'S VISIT At Detroit's Fisher Theatre


Broadway In Detroit announced today that tickets for the tour of THE BAND'S VISIT, featuring music and lyrics by Tony and Drama Desk Award-winner David Yazbek, will go on sale on Friday, February 25, 2022. Starting at $35, tickets may be purchased online at Ticketmaster.com and in person at the Fisher Theatre Box Office.

James Rana FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has James Rana been in?

James Rana has appeared on Broadway in 1 shows.

How many West End shows has James Rana been in?

James Rana has not appeared in the West End.

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