Larry Raben

Larry Raben recently completed a stint starring as Leo Bloom in the Las Vegas production of Mel Brook’s THE PRODUCERS. This came after playing Leo and Carmen Ghia on Broadway in the New York production. He is best known to LA audiences as Sparky in FOREVER PLAID at the Canon Theatre (Ovation Award, L.A. Drama-Critics, and Dramalogue Awards). He also appeared in the original New York and London West End (Apollo Theatre) productions. While in London he performed a command performance for Queen Elizabeth II and had an audience with her. Other NYC credits include: CHESS revival in concert at Broadway’s New Amsterdam Theatre and two appearances at Carnegie Hall-NOEL COWARD TRIBUTE and A CELEBRATION OF MGM MUSICALS. Regional favorites include: Ross in BRIGHT IDEAS (Laguna Playhouse), Ens. Pulver in MISTER ROBERTS (Old Globe Theatre), Man #1 in I LOVE YOU, YOU?RE PERFECT, NOW CHANGE (Off-Broadway and LA productions), Hysterium in A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM (SBCLO), Man in THE THING ABOUT MEN (American Stage Company, Broward Center), Jerry/Daphne in SUGAR (Gateway Playhouse), Bryce in THE BIG BANG (Norris Center), Josh Baskin in BIG, the MUSICAL, Francis in BELLS ARE RINGING (Reprise), Cornelius Hackl in HELLO, DOLLY! (Pittsburgh CLO), Charlie Chaplin in CHAPLIN (Best Actor ‘Handy’ award winner), Sparky in PLAID TIDINGS (Pasadena Playhouse), and Finch in HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TR YING. Films include: LOST AND FOUND, THINGS TO DO IN DENVER WHEN YOU’RE DEAD, CAB TO CANADA, NIGHT OF THE RUNNING MAN. Television appearances include: GENETICALLY CHALLENGED (2006 WB TV Pilot), PARTY OF FIVE, CAB TO CANADA, CAROLINE IN THE CITY, THE TONIGHT SHOW, GENERAL HOSPITAL, WORKING, SUNSET BEACH. Larry is also an accomplished director who recently directed an awardin g winning production of SWEET CHARITY in Buenos Aires on the Corrietes, BA’s Broadway district, and the first post-Broadway staging of NEVER GONNA DANCE starring Tony winner Harriet Harris in LA (2006). Other directing highlights: many international and US stagings of FOREVER PLAID, ALWAYS PATSY CLINE, I LOVE YOU, YOU’RE PERFECT, NOW CHANGE, HOLLYWOOD’S HEYDAY, THE THING ABOUT MEN, CYRANO, HOT IN HOLLYWOOD, SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN and THE PRODUCERS. Mr. Raben completed principal shooting on FOREVER PLAID: THE MOVIE in August ’08 which is scheduled for release this Christmas.