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Ato Blankson-Wood

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Ato Blankson-Wood (he/him) is best known for his starring role in Jeremy O. Harris’ critically acclaimed Slave Play, for which he was nominated for a 2021 Tony Award. He has also earned nominations for the Drama League Awards and the inaugural Antonyo Awards for playing ‘Gary,’ a role he originated for the New York Theatre Workshop production, where his performance earned him a Lortel Nomination. This past summer, Ato played the titular role of Hamlet in Shakespeare in the Park’s production directed by Kenny Leon. Prior to this, Ato starred opposite Bill Camp and Elizabeth Marvel in Long Day’s Journey Into Night for Audible, which reunited him with Slave Play director Robert O’Hara. Ato had his breakout performance in the Public Theatre musical The Total Bent (Drama League and Lucille Lortel Award nomination) which explored the life of a black musical prodigy in a nation on the verge of social upheaval. Ato has also been seen on Broadway in Hair and Lysistrata Jones, as well as in The Rolling Stone for Lincoln Center (Drama League Award nomination for Distinguished Performance). Films include Kathryn Bigelow’s Detroit, Spike Lee’s BlacKKKlansman, Worth, opposite Michael Keaton, and Peter Hedge’s The Same Storm. Television includes “The Good Fight,” “She’s Gotta Have It,” and Ava DuVernay’s “When They See Us.” Ato is represented by Independent Artist Group and D2 Management.

Ato Blankson-Wood Photos

Ato Blankson-Wood STAGE CREDITS

[Broadway]
Broadway Revival Production, 2024
Cliff

[Off-Broadway]
The Public Theater Shakespeare in the Park Production, 2023
Hamlet

[Off-Broadway]
Shakespeare in the Park Production, 2022
Orlando

[Off-Broadway]
2022
Edmund Tyrone

[Broadway]
Broadway Return, 2021
Gary [Replacement]

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2019
Gary

[Off-Broadway]
American Premiere at Lincoln Center, 2019
Dembe

[Off-Broadway]
NYTW Off-Broadway World Premiere, 2018
Gary

[Off-Broadway]
The Public Theater Shakespeare in the Park Production, 2018
Orsino

[Off-Broadway]
MCC World Premiere Production, 2018
Performer

[Off-Broadway]
Public Theatre Public Works Production, 2017
Orlando

[Off-Broadway]
Public Theatre Off-Broadway Production, 2016
Marty Roy

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2011
Tyllus

[West End]
London Revival, 2010
Member of the Tribe

[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 2009
Member of the Tribe

[Off-Broadway]
Shakespeare In The Park Revival, 2008
Tribe


Ato Blankson-Wood Movies

It's Kind of a Funny Story
[ 2010 ] Jennifer
Detroit
[ 2017 ] Eddie
BlacKkKlansman
[ 2018 ] Hakeem
The Kindergarten Teacher
[ 2018 ] Justin
Worth
[ 2020 ] Darryl Barnes
The Same Storm
[ 2021 ] Russell Davis

Ato Blankson-Wood Awards and Nominations

Drama League Awards - 2020 - Distinguished Performance Award

Ato Blankson-Wood, The Rolling Stone

Drama League Awards - 2020 - Distinguished Performance Award

Ato Blankson-Wood, Slave Play

Tony Awards - 2020 - Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play

Ato Blankson-Wood, Slave Play

Drama League Awards - 2017 - Distinguished Performance Award

Ato Blankson-Wood, The Total Bent

The Lortels - 2017 - Outstanding Lead Actor in a Musical

Ato Blankson-Wood, The Total Bent

Ato Blankson-Wood Videos

Ato Blankson-Wood News


Photos: CABARET AT THE KIT KAT CLUB Celebrates Joel Grey's 92nd Birthday!


Last night, the company of Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club Broadway legend Joel Grey’s 92nd birthday on stage at the August Wilson Theatre. See photos of the show's Academy and Tony-winning star with the production's stars, Eddie Redmayne and Gayle Rankin. 

Video: Joel Grey and Eddie Redmayne Talk CABARET and The 'Emcee' Legacy


Last night, the company of Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club wilkommened some very special guests to their immersive nightclub home! Eddie Redmayne currently in previews as the ‘Emcee’ in Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club celebrated Broadway legend Joel Grey’s 92nd birthday on stage at the August Wilson Theatre.

CABARET AT THE KIT KAT CLUB Will Offer $25 Digital Lottery For Broadway Run


Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club will offer a $25 digital lottery ticket policy, which has been announced ahead of the musical's first preview on Monday, April 1 at the August Wilson Theatre. Find out how to enter the Cabaret lottery here!

Meet the Cast of CABARET AT THE KIT KAT CLUB, Beginning Previews Tonight on Broadway


The Kit Kat Club is now open! Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club, starring Academy Award and Tony Award winner Eddie Redmayne and introducing Gayle Rankin, begins previews tonight, April 1, at the August Wilson Theatre. Meet the cast of Cabaret here!

Exclusive: André De Shields Reprising Hermes Role For Rachel Chavkin-Directed Podcast


Starring André De Shields (Hadestown, the Wiz) and Ato Blankson-Wood (Cabaret, Hamlet, Slave Play), the podcast is directed by Tony Award-winner Rachel Chavkin (Lempicka, Hadestown), Zhailon Levingston (Tina: The Tina Turner Musical, Chicken & Biscuits), and Keenan Tyler Oliphant (Hadestown, The Broken Ear Set-list). Watch the video trailer now!

CABARET Pre-Show Will Begin 75 Minutes Before Showtime with Prologue Company


Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club has announced the Prologue Company, the dancers and musicians that welcome audiences to the club, as rehearsals are now underway in New York City.

The Public Theater Sets Traveling Free Shakespeare in the Park Schedule for Summer 2024


The Public Theater will present GO PUBLIC! A Festival of Free Shakespeare in the Park, featuring a suite of free summer programming taking place across all five boroughs. Learn more about The Public's summer 2024 season.

PURLIE VICTORIOUS Stage Film to Premiere on PBS This May; Great Performances Sets New 'Broadway's Best' Lineup


The live capture of the recent Broadway revival of Purlie Victorious is premiering on PBS this May. Starring Leslie Odom Jr., the Kenny Leon-directed production was filmed before it closed on Broadway earlier this year. The lineup also includes the Audra McDonald concert, Rodgers & Hammerstein 80th Anniversary, Hamlet, and more!

Wake Up With BroadwayWorld February 6, 2024


Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is February 6, 2024 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.

Video: Watch the Exciting Moment Gabi Campo Learned She Booked CABARET AT THE KIT KAT CLUB on Broadway


Gabi Campo took to TikTok to share a tender video from the moment she found out she would be playing 'Frenchie' in the upcoming Broadway revival, Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club.

GREAT PERFORMANCES to Air Audra McDonald Concert, Public Theatre's HAMLET & More This Spring


Audra McDonald's London Palladium Concert, The Public Theater’s production of Hamlet, Elton John And Bernie Taupin: The Library Of Congress Gershwin Prize For Popular Song concert special and a star-studded Rogers & Hammerstein celebration are coming to PBS. The specials will feature Ato Blankson-Wood, Aaron Tveit, Marisha Wallace, and more.

Marty Lauter And More Join CABARET AT THE KIT KAT CLUB; Additional Casting Announced


Additional casting has been announced for Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club starring Academy Award and Tony Award winner Eddie Redmayne in his Olivier Award-winning performance as ‘The Emcee' and introducing Gayle Rankin as the toast of Mayfair ‘Sally Bowles.' The production is directed by Olivier Award winner Rebecca Frecknall and designed by Tony Award nominee and Evening Standard Award winner Tom Scutt.

Broadway Stars Premiere Family Variety Show LET YOU BE YOU at Mastercard Midnight Theatre


Multi-award winning producer and director Meredith Sharkey brings Let You Be You, a musical family variety show to Mastercard Midnight Theatre. Learn more about the performance and find out how to get tickets here!

Up on the Marquee: CABARET at the Kit Kat Club


Get ready to come to the Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club! check out photos of the new Broadway marquee at the August Wilson Theatre!

Natascia Diaz and Henry Gottfried Join the Cast of CABARET AT THE KIT KAT CLUB on Broadway


Get the latest updates on the cast of Broadway's Cabaret at The Kit Kat Club, including Natascia Diaz and Henry Gottfried. Find out when the show is opening and how long it will be running.

Bebe Neuwirth and Steven Skybell Join the Cast of CABARET AT THE KIT KAT CLUB on Broadway


More casting has been announced for the upcoming Broadway production of Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club! Two-time Tony Award® winner and Emmy Award® winner Bebe Neuwirth will play ‘Fraulein Schneider’ and Obie Award winner and Drama Desk Award® nominee Steven Skybell will play ‘Herr Schultz'.

Photos: First Look at Eddie Redmayne and Gayle Rankin in CABARET; Tickets On Sale Now!


Tickets are now on sale to catch Academy Award®, Tony Award®, and two-time Olivier Award winner Eddie Redmayne as ‘The Emcee’ and Gayle Rankin as the toast of Mayfair ‘Sally Bowles,’ in the visionary new production of Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club at the August Wilson Theatre. Plus, check out all new photos of the two stars!

Wake Up With BroadwayWorld October 31st, 2023


Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is October 31, 2023 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.

Video: Get a First Look at the Teaser Trailer for CABARET AT THE KIT KAT CLUB on Broadway


Get a first look at Eddie Redmayne and Gayle Rankin in the teaser trailer for Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club on Broadway.

Ato Blankson-Wood to Star as 'Cliff' in CABARET AT THE KIT KAT CLUB on Broadway


Tony Award nominee Ato Blankson-Wood will play ‘Cliff’ opposite Academy Award® and Tony Award winner Eddie Redmayne as ‘The Emcee’ and Gayle Rankin as the toast of Mayfair ‘Sally Bowles,’ in the visionary new production of Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club at the August Wilson Theatre.

Ato Blankson-Wood FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Ato Blankson-Wood been in?

Ato Blankson-Wood has appeared on Broadway in 5 shows.

How many West End shows has Ato Blankson-Wood been in?

Ato Blankson-Wood has appeared on London's West End in 1 shows.

What was Ato Blankson-Wood's first West End show?

Ato Blankson-Wood's first West End show was Hair which opened in 2010

What awards has Ato Blankson-Wood been nominated for?

Ato Blankson-Wood has been nominated for several awards, including the Distinguished Performance Award at the Drama League Awards for "The Rolling Stone" and "Slave Play." He was also nominated for Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play at the Tony Awards for "Slave Play," as well as the Distinguished Performance Award at the Drama League Awards for "The Total Bent." Additionally, he received a nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Musical at The Lortels for his performance in "The Total Bent."

What is Ato Blankson-Wood next theatre project?

Ato Blankson-Wood's next show will be Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club which opens on 4/21/2024 on Broadway.

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