Jay O. Sanders

Birth Place: Austin, TX, USA

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Jay O. Sanders BIO

Currently in: Primary Trust. Past Roundabout as Doolittle in Pygmalion. He was most recently seen as Falstaff in TFANA’s open workshop of Henry IV parts 1&2, Nick Laine in Conor McPherson’s Girl From The North Country, and David Michaels in Richard Nelson’s What Happened?: The Michaels Abroad, which completed The Rhinebeck Panorama; a cycle of 12 new plays which began at the Public Theater in 2010, on which he collaborated with his wife, Maryann Plunkett. Sanders notably played the title roles in Uncle Vanya for Hunter Theater Project and Cyrano de Bergerac at the Guthrie Theater, as well as appearing in numerous television projects (True Detective, Sneaky Pete, The Sinner, Law & Order, Manhunt), films; (The Day After Tomorrow, JFK, Kiss the Girls, Edge of Darkness, Tumbleweeds, and most recently Alejandro Iñárritu’s BARDO and Jesse Eisenberg’s When You Finish Saving The World), and has narrated a long list of documentaries, mostly for PBS. As a writer, his play, Unexplored Interior, delving into the 1994 Genocide in Rwanda, was the inaugural production of Washington D.C.’s Mosaic Theater.

Jay O. Sanders Photos

Jay O. Sanders STAGE CREDITS

[Broadway]
Broadway Revival Production, 2023
Ol' Cap'n Cotchipee

[Off-Broadway]
Roundabout Theatre Off-Broadway Premiere Production, 2023
Clay

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2022
Nick Laine

[New York]
Public Theater Off-Broadway World Premiere, 2019
David Michael

[Off-Broadway]
Public World Premiere Production, 2016
George Gabriel

[Off-Broadway]
Public Theater Original Off-Broadway Production, 2016
George Gabriel

[Off-Broadway]
Public Theater's Shakespeare in the Park, 2014
Kent

[Off-Broadway]
Public Theater Production, 2012
Richard Apple

[Off-Broadway]
Public Theater Production, 2011
Titus Andronicus

[Off-Broadway]
Shakespeare In The Park Revival, 2009
Sir Toby Belch

[Off-Broadway]
2008
Ghost of Hamlet's Father/ Player King/ Gravedigger

[Broadway]
Roundabout Revival, 2007
Alfred Doolittle

[Off-Broadway]
2007
Bottom

[Off-Broadway]
2006
George W. Bush

[Off-Broadway]
2005
Phillip

[Off-Broadway]
2004
Sergeant John Falstaff

[Off-Broadway]
Original Off-Broadway Production, 2004
Falstaff

[Off-Broadway]
2002
Performer [Replacement]

[Broadway]
1993
Dunois

[Off-Broadway]
1989
Bobby Jr.

[Off-Broadway]
1988
Phillip

[Off-Broadway]
1986
MacDuff

[Off-Broadway]
1985
Seargant Wolff

[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 1983
Lt. Stephen Maryk

[Off-Broadway]
1982
Milo McGee McGarr [Replacement]

[Off-Broadway]
Off-Broadway Revival, 1981
Performer

Performer

[Off-Broadway]
1980
Orsino

[Off-Broadway]
1980
Performer

[Broadway]
1979
Doug

[Off-Broadway]
1978
Bradley

[Off-Broadway]
1976
Barnardine

[Off-Broadway]
1976
Westmoreland

Exeter (Understudy)

Jay O. Sanders Productions

 
[Off-Broadway, 2018]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 2017]
Director

Jay O. Sanders Awards and Nominations

Obie Awards - 2012 - Performance

Jay O. SandersSweet and Sad

The Lortels - 2012 - Outstanding Lead Actor

Jay O. Sanders, Titus Andronicus

Jay O. Sanders Videos

Jay O. Sanders News


Photos: Inside THE NOTEBOOK Opening Night Party

The Notebook officially opened at the Schoenfeld Theatre last week. Following the show's opening, the cast celebrated the big night at an after party at Tavern on the Green. BroadwayWorld was on hand for the celebration, and you can check out photos here!

Photos: On the Red Carpet at Opening Night of THE NOTEBOOK

The Notebook officially opened at the Schoenfeld Theatre last week. Opening night was held on March 14th, and BroadwayWorld was there! Check out photos of the VIPs arriving at the big night here!

MRS. WARREN'S PROFESSION to be Presented as Part of Gingold Theatrical Group's PROJECT SHAW

Mrs. Warren’s Profession by George Bernard Shaw will kick-off Gingold Theatrical Group's 19th season of Project Shaw.

Video: PURLIE VICTORIOUS Takes its Final Bows on Broadway

This weekend, Purlie Victorious took its final bow at the Music Box Theatre following 23 previews and 151 regular performances. The final show took place on February 4. Check out a video of the final curtain call here!

2 Broadway Shows Close Today

Purlie Victorious takes its final bow at the Music Box Theatre following 23 previews and 151 regular performances; and Harmony will conclude its run at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre following 28 previews and 96 regular performances.

Lin-Manuel Miranda, Adrienne Warren, and Melba Moore Join Talkback Series at PURLIE VICTORIOUS

A slew of stars are joining the lineup for 'Victorious Talkbacks' the series of post-show events following performances of the Broadway revival of the American comedy Purlie Victorious: A Non-Confederate Romp Through the Cotton Patch by Ossie Davis starring Leslie Odom, Jr.

Video: Watch an All New Montage of PURLIE VICTORIOUS on Broadway

Watch a montage of Purlie Victorious on Broadway, starring Leslie Odom Jr. & more!

PURLIE VICTORIOUS Profiled on 'THEATER: All The Moving Parts', on CUNY TV

Host Patrick Pacheco is first joined by cast members Kara Young, Jay O. Sanders, and Heather Alicia Simms, who talk about their provocative roles in this sly and subversive comedy in which white supremacy meets its worst nightmare. Then critic Brittani Samuel and CUNY Professor Hillary Miller place Davis's groundbreaking drama.

Exclusive Photos: Go Inside Red Bull Theater's THE COUNTRY WIFE Gala Celebration

Red Bull Theater and Art Lab Productions presented the first major New York presentation of Maltby & Shire’s new musical, The Country Wife. See photos!

Exclusive Photos: Inside Red Bull Theater's Presentation of Maltby and Shire's THE COUNTRY WIFE

Red Bull Theater and Art Lab Productions presented the first major New York presentation of Maltby & Shire’s new musical, The Country Wife on Monday December 11th at the Peter Norton Symphony Space. This concert event was a celebratory fundraiser for Red Bull Theater. Proceeds help to make all of its programs possible. Check out photos from the event here!

Red Bull Theater 20th Anniversary To Feature Audra McDonald, Patrick Page, Santino Fontana, Reeve Carney, and More

RED BULL THEATER has announced details of its plans for 2024, celebrating its 20th Anniversary. Highlights include the rolling world premiere of Medea: Re-Versed opening Off-Broadway; a new season of OBIE Award-winning Revelation Readings with an all-star line-up (offered both in-person and online); and an all-new season of the popular Red Bull Theater Podcasts (formerly known as RemarkaBULL Podversations), intimate behind the scenes conversations with great artists.

Photos: Hillary Clinton Visits PURLIE VICTORIOUS on Broadway

At the Wednesday evening performance of PURLIE VICTORIOUS: A Non-Confederate Romp Through The Cotton Patch, the cast, led by Leslie Odom, Jr. and Kara Young, was treated to a special visit from former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton backstage at the Music Box Theatre. See photos here!

Words From The Wings: Noah Robbins of PURLIE VICTORIOUS Shares Favorite Backstage Moments and More!

BroadwayWorld is bringing you Words From the Wings, a new series of interviews that take fans behind the scenes of some of their favorite Broadway stars' backstage routines! We're chatting with Noah Robbins of Purlie Victorious. Noah told us all about his favorite backstage moments, routines and more!

Photos: PURLIE VICTORIOUS Welcomes Angela Bassett, Alicia Keys, Mariska Hargitay & Hilary Swank

See photos from a special Saturday Night on Broadway! The Music Box Theatre was graced by multiple celebrities on Saturday Night for the performance of Purlie Victorious: A Non-Confederate Romp Through The Cotton Patch. 

Anthony Rapp's WITHOUT YOU is Coming to Boston for Limited Two-Week Engagement

Actor Anthony Rapp is bringing his critically-acclaimed solo musical, WITHOUT YOU to Boston for two-week limited engagement, presented by ATG Colonial.

Billy Porter, Nicole Ari Parker, James Ijames, and More Set For PURLIE VICTORIOUS Talkback Series

The new Broadway production Purlie Victorious: A Non-Confederate Romp Through the Cotton Patch by Ossie Davis starring Leslie Odom, Jr. will host a post-show talkback series this fall at the Music Box Theatre.

Red Bull Theater to Continue Revelation Readings With THE INN AT LYDDA

RED BULL THEATER will present THE INN AT LYDDA featuring Amir Arison, Alfredo Narciso, Jay O. Sanders, and more in their Revelation Readings series.

Photos: Patrick Page Takes First Bows in ALL THE DEVILS ARE HERE

All the Devils Are Here: How Shakespeare Invented The Villain, starring Patrick Page, and directed by Simon Godwin, just celebrated opening night at the DR2 Theatre. Check out photos from inside the festivities!

Video: Leslie Odom Jr. Shares His Daughter's Reaction to PURLIE VICTORIOUS on FALLON

Leslie Odom Jr. sat down with Jimmy Fallon to discuss his return to Broadway in Purlie Victorious. Odom Jr. said he had a 'different schedule' the last time he was on Broadway in Hamilton, since he now has two young children. He shared his daughter's thoughts on his new play, revealing one scene in the show that shocked her. Watch the video!

PURLIE VICTORIOUS Extends Broadway Run

Purlie Victorious: A Non-Confederate Romp Through the Cotton Patch by the legendary Ossie Davis starring Leslie Odom, Jr. has announced an extension of its critically claimed Broadway run.

Jay O. Sanders FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Jay O. Sanders's next show will be Purlie Victorious which opens on 9/27/2023 on Broadway.

Jay O. Sanders has appeared on Broadway in 6 shows.

Jay O. Sanders has not appeared in the West End.

Jay O. Sanders has been nominated for several awards including Outstanding Actor in a Play at the Drama Desk Awards for Uncle Vanya, Outstanding Ensemble Performance at the Drama Desk Awards for Sweet and Sad, Performance at the Obie Awards for Sweet and Sad, and Outstanding Lead Actor at The Lortels for Titus Andronicus.

Jay O. Sanders has won several awards, including Outstanding Actor in a Play at the Drama Desk Awards for Uncle Vanya, Outstanding Ensemble Performance at the Drama Desk Awards for Sweet and Sad, and a Performance award at the Obie Awards for Sweet and Sad.

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