James Royce Edwards Takes Over as Matthew in Altar Boyz, Passes Luke to Andrew Call
By: BWW News Desk Feb. 01, 2006
James Royce Edwards, who currently plays Luke in the off-Broadway hit Altar Boyz, will be getting a new calling when he takes over the role of Matthew from Scott Porter on February 9th.
Edwards, who was originally up for the role of Matthew when the production was first being mounted, received a call while on the road with Hairspray to audition for the role of Luke. He has been playing Luke since August of last year and, "although he loves the role, Edwards is looking forward to the change and adding a new dimension to Matthew," state press notes. Andrew Call, who currently plays Luke on the road, will replace Edwards in the role (possibly on the same night Edwards takes over as Matthew, according to the actor).
Born and raised in San Diego, CA, Edwards had worked with and became friends with legendary lyricist Sheldon Harnick while working on The Umbrellas of Cherbourg at the Sundance Theatre. It was through Sheldon that he received his first Equity job as Jean Valjean in Theatreworks' production of Les Miserables, from Sheldon's brother Jay. For the last couple of years Edwards was on tour with the national companies of Mamma Mia! and Hairspray. Regionally, Edwards was seen in Children of Eden and The Scarlet Pimpernel at the Musical Theatre West in Long Beach, Sound of Music and Miss Saigon at the American Musical Theatre of San Jose, Footloose and The Sound of Music at the Sacramento Music Circus, and an 8-month run with San Diego's resident company of Forever Plaid. Edwards is also an A.C.E. certified personal trainer.
Altar Boyz, which opened on March 1, 2005, is currently playing at Dodgers Stages, 340 West 50th Street (between 8th & 9th Avenues) in New York City. In addition to Edwards, the cast includes Tyler Maynard (Mark), Dennis Moench (Abraham), and Clyde Alves (Juan); Edwards' replacement as Luke will be named shortly. The show is directed by Stafford Arima and choreographed by Christopher Gattelli. Altar Boyz features music and lyrics by Gary Adler and Michael Patrick Walker with book by Kevin Del Aguila, based on a concept by Marc Kessler and Ken Davenport. Ken Davenport and Robyn Goodman, in association with Walt Grossman, Ruth Hendel, Sharon Karmazin, Matt Murphy and Mark Shacket, present the musical.
Tickets are $69.99 and available by calling Telecharge at 1.212.239.6200 or 1.800.432.7250 (outside of NYC) or www.telecharge.com.For more information, visit www.altarboyz.com or www.jamesroyceedwards.com.
Edwards, who was originally up for the role of Matthew when the production was first being mounted, received a call while on the road with Hairspray to audition for the role of Luke. He has been playing Luke since August of last year and, "although he loves the role, Edwards is looking forward to the change and adding a new dimension to Matthew," state press notes. Andrew Call, who currently plays Luke on the road, will replace Edwards in the role (possibly on the same night Edwards takes over as Matthew, according to the actor).
Born and raised in San Diego, CA, Edwards had worked with and became friends with legendary lyricist Sheldon Harnick while working on The Umbrellas of Cherbourg at the Sundance Theatre. It was through Sheldon that he received his first Equity job as Jean Valjean in Theatreworks' production of Les Miserables, from Sheldon's brother Jay. For the last couple of years Edwards was on tour with the national companies of Mamma Mia! and Hairspray. Regionally, Edwards was seen in Children of Eden and The Scarlet Pimpernel at the Musical Theatre West in Long Beach, Sound of Music and Miss Saigon at the American Musical Theatre of San Jose, Footloose and The Sound of Music at the Sacramento Music Circus, and an 8-month run with San Diego's resident company of Forever Plaid. Edwards is also an A.C.E. certified personal trainer.
Altar Boyz, which opened on March 1, 2005, is currently playing at Dodgers Stages, 340 West 50th Street (between 8th & 9th Avenues) in New York City. In addition to Edwards, the cast includes Tyler Maynard (Mark), Dennis Moench (Abraham), and Clyde Alves (Juan); Edwards' replacement as Luke will be named shortly. The show is directed by Stafford Arima and choreographed by Christopher Gattelli. Altar Boyz features music and lyrics by Gary Adler and Michael Patrick Walker with book by Kevin Del Aguila, based on a concept by Marc Kessler and Ken Davenport. Ken Davenport and Robyn Goodman, in association with Walt Grossman, Ruth Hendel, Sharon Karmazin, Matt Murphy and Mark Shacket, present the musical.
Tickets are $69.99 and available by calling Telecharge at 1.212.239.6200 or 1.800.432.7250 (outside of NYC) or www.telecharge.com.For more information, visit www.altarboyz.com or www.jamesroyceedwards.com.
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