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Chip Zien Headshot

Chip Zien

Birth Place: Milwaukee, WI, USA

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BIO

Chip Zien created the central role of the Baker in Sondheim/Lapine's award-winning INTO THE WOODS and also created the role of Mendel in William Finn's highly acclaimed FALSETTOS. Most recently he was seen on B'way in THE BIG KNIFE directed by Douglas Hughes, The Roundabout’s THE PEOPLE IN THE PICTURE, THE COUNTRY GIRL directed by Mike Nichols and as Thenardier in the revival of LES MISÉRABLES. He appeared in Tommy Tune's GRAND HOTEL playing Otto Kringelein, the memorable dancing bookkeeper. Other Broadway credits include, THE BOYS FROM SYRACUSE, CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG, ALL OVER TOWN directed by Dustin Hoffman and THE SUICIDE with Derek Jacobi. Mr. Zien also starred in the La Jolla reworking of MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG.


On TV, Mr. Zien is currently filming CRIME, a new HBO series and was a regular on THE CAROLINE RHEA SHOW, ALMOST PERFECT (CBS), NOW AND AGAIN (CBS), DEADLINE (NBC), SHELL GAME (CBS) and LOVE, SIDNEY (NBC).
Mr. Zien has recently turned his attention to writing. His new musical, THE HISTORY OF WAR was selected and presented at The New York Musical Theater Festival (NYMF). His one-man show DEATH IN ASHTABULA and a musical revue TRAVELS WITH MY DISCONTENT, showcasing the music of Deborah Abramson, were both developed and performed at The Barrington Stage.
Additionally, Mr. Zien has performed his solo concert at 54 Below to smashing notices.

Photos

STAGE CREDITS

[Off-Broadway]
2026
Ensemble ()

[Off-Broadway]
2025
Don Gonzalo


[Off-Broadway]
Encores! Concert Revival Production, 2024
Captain E.J. Smith


[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2023
Rabbi


[Off-Broadway]
Off-Broadway Premiere Production, 2022
Elder Rabbi


[Broadway]
Roundabout Theatre Company's Broadway Revival, 2021
Mr. Stopnick


[Regional (US)]
Regional World Premiere Production, 2018
Oscar


[Off-Broadway]
New York City Opera Production, 2017
Max's servant (Hugo), Radu (1st Bulgarian), Judge, Father Bernard, Rich Jew (Issachar), First Gambler


[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2015
Murray Steinberg


[Broadway]
Roundabout Theatre Company Production, 2013
Nat Danziger


[Off-Broadway]
Public Theater Production, 2012
Vasily Korinsky


[Broadway]
Roundabout Production, 2011
Yossie Pinsker


[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 2008
Phil Cook


[Off-Broadway]
Encores! Concert, 2008
Buzz Richards


[Broadway]
Return Engagement [Broadway], 2006
Thénardier [Replacement]

[Replacement]

[Replacement]

Thénardier [Replacement]

[Broadway]
Broadway Production, 2005
Goran


[Broadway]
Roundabout Revival, 2002
Dromio of Ephesus


[Off-Broadway]
Original Off-Broadway Production, 1998
Mr. Bungee




[Broadway]
Reunion Concert, 1997
Baker


[Off-Broadway]
1993
Matt Abelman


[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1992
Mendel


[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1989
Otto Kringelein [Replacement]

[Replacement]

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1987
Baker


[San Diego, CA (Regional)]
Old Globe Production (Pre-Broadway), 1986


[Regional (US)]
Regional Production, 1985
Charley Kringas


[Off-Broadway]
Original Off-Broadway Production, 1984
Performer




[Off-Broadway]
1984
Marty Sterling


[Off-Broadway]
1983


[Los Angeles]
Los Angeles Production, 1982
Mendel


[Off-Broadway]
1981


[Off-Broadway]
1981


[Off-Broadway]
Original Off-Broadway Production, 1981


[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1980
Victor Victorovich


[Off-Broadway]
1980
Performer


[Off-Broadway]
Original Off-Broadway Production, 1979




[Off-Broadway]
Original Off-Broadway Production, 1975


[Off-Broadway]
1975
[Replacement]

[Replacement]

[Off-Broadway]
1975
Louis Polaski


[Broadway]
1974
Detective Kirby (Understudy)

Charles Cogan (Understudy)

Demetrius (Understudy)

Laurent (Understudy)

Louie (Understudy)

Detective Kirby (Unknown)

Charles Cogan (Unknown)

Laurent (Unknown)

Charles Cogan (Unknown)

Demetrius (Unknown)

Louie (Unknown)

Detective Kirby (Unknown)

(Unknown)

Charles Cogan (Unknown)

Detective Kirby (Unknown)

(Unknown)

Louie (Unknown)

(Unknown)

(Unknown)

(Unknown)

(Unknown)

Demetrius (Unknown)

Laurent (Unknown)

(Unknown)

Detective Kirby (Unknown)

Laurent (Unknown)

(Unknown)

(Unknown)

Charles Cogan (Unknown)

Demetrius (Unknown)

(Unknown)

(Unknown)

Charles Cogan (Unknown)

Demetrius (Unknown)

Charles Cogan (Unknown)

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1974
Inari


[Off-Broadway]
1973
Performer


[New York]
Workshop, 2003


[Off-Off-Broadway]
Original Off-Off-Broadway Production, 1979


Movies

The Rose
[ 1979 ] Reporter
So Fine
[ 1981 ] Wise Guy in Disco
Grace Quigley
[ 1984 ] Dr. Herman
The House of God
[ 1984 ] Eat-My-Dust-Eddie
Howard the Duck
[ 1986 ] Howard T. Duck
Hello Again
[ 1987 ] Reporter #4
Mrs. Parker and the Vicious Circle
[ 1994 ] Franklin P. Adams
The Real Shlemiel
[ 1995 ] Treitel, The Donkey
The Siege
[ 1998 ] Chief of Staff
Snake Eyes
[ 1998 ] Mickey Alter
Breakfast of Champions
[ 1999 ] Andy Wojeckowzski
United 93
[ 2006 ] Mark Rothenberg
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Undead
[ 2009 ] Dr. Marsh
Commentary
[ 2012 ] Clifford Blowman
Little Evil
[ 2017 ] Stepdad Therapist
Simchas and Sorrows
[ 2022 ] Mortimer

TV Shows

All My Children
Donald Steele
Almost Perfect
Gary Karp
As the World Turns
Roastmaster, Arthur Howell
Deadline
Sammy Klein, Detective Sammy Klein
Law & Order
Cromwell, Attorney Steven Cromwell, Mr. Green
Love, Sidney
Jason Stoller

Awards and Nominations

Drama Desk Awards - 2022 - Outstanding Actor in a Musical

Chip Zien, Harmony

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2022 - Outstanding Actor in a Musical

Chip Zien, Harmony

Drama Desk Awards - 1984 - Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play

Chip Zien, Isn't It Romantic

Videos

News


Caroline Aaron, Noah Galvin and More to Star in THE RESERVOIR at Atlantic Theater Company
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 13, 2025

The cast has been revealed for the Off-Broadway debut of The Reservoir, written by Jake Brasch and directed by Shelley Butler.
Photos: REUNIONS Opens Off-Broadway
by A.A. Cristi - Nov 3, 2025

REUNIONS, a new musical with book and lyrics by Jeffrey Scharf and music by Jimmy Calire, is now open at City Center Stage (ii). Check out photos from opening night!
Photos: Chip Zien, Chilina Kennedy and More in REUNIONS Off-Broadway
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 28, 2025

REUNIONS, a new musical with book and lyrics by Jeffrey Scharf and music by Jimmy Calire, is currently in previews at City Center Stage II. Get a first look at photos here!
Chilina Kennedy, Courtney Reed and More to Star in REUNIONS Off-Broadway
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 2, 2025

REUNIONS, a new musical with book and lyrics by Jeffrey Scharf and music by Jimmy Calire, will play City Center Stage II. See who is starring and learn how to purchase tickets here!
Photos: Barrington Stage Company Honors the Legacy of Composer William Finn
by Stephen Sorokoff - Aug 20, 2025

Barrington Stage Company presented a one-night only celebration and tribute to the Tony Award-winning composer and lyricist and Associate Artist William Finn last night (August 19) on it’s  Boyd-Quinson Mainstage. Check out photos from the event.
THE RIGHTEOUS Reading to Take Place at The Center At West Park
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 3, 2025

The cast is complete for Drama Desk Award winner Jeff Cohen's historical drama 'The Righteous' - a reading to benefit The Center at West Park. See who is starring and learn more!
Photos: Inside West Bank Cafe & Laurie Beechman Theatre's Star-Studded Gala Reopening
by Stephen Sorokoff - Apr 15, 2025

Tom D’Angora and Michael D'Angora held the official Renaissance Gala last night on Monday April 14th, marking the reopening of one of New York City’s most beloved cabaret venues, The Laurie Beechman Theatre.
Playlist: The Best of William Finn
by Sidney Paterra - Apr 12, 2025

We are celebrating William Finn's life and works with a playlist of 40 of our favorite William Finn songs. Enjoy songs from musicals like: Falsettos, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, A New Brain, In Trousers, Elegies, and more. 
Review: SONDHEIM’S MASTERPIECE COMES TO LIFE WITH INTO THE WOODS at New Tampa Players
by Drew Eberhard - Mar 31, 2025

Into the Woods is a Tony Award-winning 1986 Musical written by Stephen Sondheim (Music/Lyrics) and James Lapine (Book), marking their second collaboration following Sunday in the Park with George (1984). Into the Woods premiered in 1986 at San Diego’s Old Globe Theatre and then was followed by a Broadway transfer in 1987 which amassed three Tony Awards (Best Score, Best Book, and Best Actress. A year in which many know the “Great White Way,” was dominated by The Phantom of the Opera.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Chip Zien been in?

Chip Zien has appeared on Broadway in 16 shows.

How many West End shows has Chip Zien been in?

Chip Zien has not appeared in the West End.

What awards has Chip Zien been nominated for?

Outstanding Actor in a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for Harmony, Outstanding Actor in a Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Harmony and Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Isn't It Romantic.

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