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Will Swenson

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BIO

Will Swenson is known as one of Broadway’s most versatile leading men and has been seen on Broadway in roles across a wide character spectrum. Will received critical acclaim for his performance as the subversive hippie Berger in the 2009 revival of Hair for which he received Tony, Drama Desk and Drama League Nominations. He went on to perform the role in London’s West End as well. He starred as Inspector Javert in the 2014 revival of Les Miserables, and played the conflicted drag queen Tick in Priscilla: Queen of the Desert, (Drama League Nomination). In Waitress Will performed opposite the show’s creator Sara Bareilles. Other Broadway: Disaster!, Lestat, Brooklyn: The Musical, and his sentimental favorite 110 in the Shade: the production where he met his wife, actress Audra McDonald. Off-Broadway favorites include the recent revival of Assassins, Nantucket Sleighride, and Jerry Springer: The Opera for which he won an Obie Award. Will originated the role of Tom in Murder Ballad, and also created the role of Stacey Jaxx in the original Off-Broadway production of Rock of Ages. Other favorites include Little Miss Sunshine, Adrift in Macao, Two Gentlemen of Verona, and Pericles. Tours and Other: Miss Saigon, We Will Rock You, Camelot with the NY Philharmonic, Pirates of Penzance, Moon for the Misbegotten, The Royal Family of Broadway. Film & Television: Will played Philo Barnum in the movie musical “The Greatest Showman”, and can be seen in the feature films “This is Where I Leave You”, “The Kitchen” and “The Switch”. Will spent a season on the Netflix series “The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina” as the evil Professor Carcosa. He played opposite his wife in the Covid/Zombie thriller series “The Bite”. He has guest-starred on “Law & Order (SVU & CSI)”, “The Good Wife”, “No Tomorrow”, and “The Code.” He played Henry Donnenfeld on the Netflix crime drama series “Hit and Run”, and later this year will be seen as the father of the Vampire clan The Fairmont’s in the new Netflix drama “First Kill”. Some of Will’s earliest memories involve listening to his Dad’s 8-track copy of “Hot August Night”. Will can’t remember not having most of Neil Diamond’s songs permanently imprinted on his brain. And he’s super happy about that.

Photos

STAGE CREDITS

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2022
Neil Diamond (Then)


[Off-Broadway]
Classic Stage Off-Broadway Revival, 2021
Charles Guiteau


[Immersive]
Quintessence of Dust Theatre Company Immersive Production, 2019
Bruce


[Off-Broadway]
Lincoln Center Theater Off-Broadway Premiere, 2019
Performer


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


[Off-Broadway]
The New Group Off-Broadway Premiere, 2018
Satan

Warm-Up

Satan

Warm-Up

[Off-Broadway]
USS Intrepid Production, 2017
Performer


[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2016
Earl [Replacement]

[Replacement]

[Replacement]

[Replacement]

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2016
Tony Delvecchio [Replacement]

[Replacement]

[Replacement]

[Replacement]

[Off-Broadway]
Theatre for a New Audience Off-Broadway Production, 2016
Cleon


[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 2014
Javert [Replacement]

[Replacement]


[Replacement]

[Replacement]


[Off-Broadway]
Off-Broadway Premiere, 2013
Richard Hoover


[Off-Broadway]
2013
Performer


[Off-Broadway]
Manhattan Theatre Club Production, 2012


[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2011
Mitzi

Tick

Mitzi

Tick

[Toronto]
Pre-Broadway North American Production, 2010
Tick (Mitzi)


[West End]
London Revival, 2010
Berger


[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 2009


[Off-Broadway]
Original Off-Broadway Production, 2008
Stacee Jaxx


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


[Broadway]
Roundabout Revival, 2007
Cody Bridger


Bill Starbuck (Understudy)

(Unknown)

(Unknown)

(Unknown)

(Unknown)

(Unknown)

(Unknown)

[Off-Broadway]
Original Off-Broadway Production, 2007
Rick Shaw




[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2006
Ensemble

Marquis

Laurent

Ensemble

Laurent

Marquis

Armand (Understudy)

Lestat (Understudy)

(Unknown)

(Unknown)

(Unknown)

(Unknown)

(Unknown)

(Unknown)

Armand (Unknown)

(Unknown)

(Unknown)

(Unknown)

(Unknown)

(Unknown)

[Off-Broadway]
Off-Broadway Revival, 2005
Ensemble




[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2004
Vocalist [Replacement]

[Replacement]

Street Singer (Understudy) [Replacement]

Taylor Collins (Understudy) [Replacement]

(Unknown) [Replacement]

Street Singer (Unknown) [Replacement]

Taylor Collins (Unknown) [Replacement]

(Unknown) [Replacement]

(Unknown) [Replacement]

(Unknown) [Replacement]

(Unknown) [Replacement]

Street Singer (Unknown) [Replacement]

(Unknown) [Replacement]

(Unknown) [Replacement]

(Unknown) [Replacement]

(Unknown) [Replacement]

[Regional (US)]
Las Vegas Production, 2004
Ensemble


Movies

The Singles Ward
[ 2002 ] Jonathan Jordan
The R.M.
[ 2003 ] Kori Swenson
Sons of Provo
[ 2004 ] Will Jensen
The Singles 2nd Ward
[ 2007 ] Jonathan
The Switch
[ 2010 ] Actor on Stage
Gods Behaving Badly
[ 2013 ] Aries
This Is Where I Leave You
[ 2014 ] Younger Mort
The Greatest Showman
[ 2017 ] Philo Barnum
The Kitchen
[ 2019 ] Michael Mariano
Hidden Island
[ 2025 ] Colin

TV Shows

No Tomorrow
Pete
Elsbeth
[ 2024-2025 ]

Awards and Nominations

Drama League Awards - 2023 - Distinguished Performance Award

Will Swenson, A Beautiful Noise

Drama League Awards - 2022 - Distinguished Performance Awards

Will Swenson, Assassins

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

Will Swenson, Assassins


winner
Obie Awards - 2018 - Performance Award

Will Swenson, Jerry Springer: The Opera

Drama Desk Awards - 2009 - Outstanding Actor in a Musical

Will Swenson, Hair

Tony Awards - 2009 - Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical

Will Swenson, Hair

Videos

News


Audra McDonald Will Play bergenPAC This Spring
by Stephi Wild - Dec 4, 2025

Six-time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald will play a one-night-only concert at bergenPAC (Bergen Performing Arts Center) in May. Learn more and get tickets here!
Cabaret Roundup: November 24-30- Seth Rudetsky, Christine Ebersole & More
by Rebecca Kaplan - Nov 24, 2025

Here are a few top picks for shows to consider this week including eclectic singer Nellie McKay, Seth Rudetsky with an all-star Broadway lineup, and more.
AT THIS PERFORMANCE.. Returns To The Green Room 42 This Month
by Stephi Wild - Nov 7, 2025

AT THIS PERFORMANCE… will return to The Green Room 42 featuring standbys, understudies and alternates from Ragtime; Wicked; Hadestown; Aladdin; Beetlejuice; Masquerade; and The Seat Of Our Pants.
Wake Up With BroadwayWorld November 3, 2025- PUNCH Closes on Broadway and More
by - Nov 3, 2025

Wake up to all the latest buzz from the theatre world! Last night, the starry new play Little Bear Ridge Road opened on Broadway with Laurie Metcalf and Micah Stock taking the stage—get an inside look at the celebration and check out photos from the curtain call.
Best Cabaret in November 2025: Margaret Cho, Shoshana Bean, & More
by Rebecca Kaplan - Nov 1, 2025

See some of the biggest names performing at cabaret venues this month, at a range of budget points. See some of the biggest stars of the stage, screen, jazz, cabaret and comedy live in an intimate venue
Will Swenson and Lesli Margherita to Star in SWEENEY TODD Directed by Jason Alexander
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 31, 2025

Tony Award nominee Will Swenson and Olivier Award winner Lesli Margherita will star in Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street at La Mirada Theatre.
Will Swenson to Reprise A BEAUTIFUL NOISE Role as 'Neil Diamond' in Australia
by Michael Major - Oct 2, 2025

Will Swenson, who originated the role of ‘Neil Diamond’ on Broadway, will lead the cast of the smash-hit musical A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical in Australia.
Ciara Renée Sues WANTED Producers After Being Cut from Broadway Cast
by Sidney Paterra - Aug 25, 2025

Broadway veteran Ciara Renée is suing the producers of the Broadway-bound musical Wanted. Renée, who starred in the pre-Broadway engagement of the show at Paper Mill Playhouse in 2024, claims that she was unfairly fired from the Broadway production after taking part in a series of readings, recording sessions, and investor events. We have all of the details here!
Photos: Betty Gilpin, Bradley Whitford, & More in DEATH BY LIGHTNING Historical Drama Series
by Josh Sharpe - Aug 21, 2025

New first-look photos have been released for Netflix's Death by Lightning, a new limited series that brings to life the story of President James Garfield and his assassin, Charles Guiteau. Take a look at the photos, featuring Michael Shannon, Matthew Macfadyen and Oh, Mary! star Betty Gilpin.
Understudies & Alternates from MAYBE HAPPY ENDING, SUNSET BOULEVARD, & More Come to Green Room 42
by Emmy Rice - Aug 2, 2025

AT THIS PERFORMANCE… returns to The Green Room 42 featuring Standbys, Understudies and Alternates from MAYBE HAPPY ENDING; PIRATES! THE PENZANCE MUSICAL; SUNSET BOULEVARD; MOULIN ROUGE!; BUENA VISTA SOCIAL CLUB and REAL WOMEN HAVE CURVES: THE MUSICAL.
Wake Up With BroadwayWorld June 27, 2025- BROADWAY IN BRYANT PARK Lineup Revealed and More
by - Jun 27, 2025

Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is June 27, 2025 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.
Solea Pfeiffer, Will Swenson, and More Lead WANTED Workshop Presentation; First Single Released
by Stephi Wild - Jun 26, 2025

Workshop presentations of new musical WANTED will take place at New 42 Studios ahead of the production’s Broadway run in 2026. Learn more and listen to the first single from the show here!
Photos: 2025 Tony Awards- Stars Walk the Red Carpet
by Bruce Glikas - Jun 8, 2025

Check out photos of all of the the red carpet looks at Radio City Music Hall for the 78th Annual Tony Awards and check back as we add more throughout the night.
Photos: On the Red Carpet at the 2025 Drama Desk Awards
by Genevieve Rafter Keddy - Jun 2, 2025

Debra Messing and Tituss Burgess hosted the 69th Annual Drama Desk Awards at 7:30pm ET at NYU Skirball. See photos from the red carpet here! Learn more about the awards here!
The Best Tony Awards Fashions of the 2020s
by A.A. Cristi - May 30, 2025

Let’s take a look back at some of the most unforgettable looks that turned the Tony Awards into a true fashion spectacle. Check out photos of all of our favorite Tony Awards fashions of the 2020s!
Bebe Neuwirth, Nicole Scherzinger, and More Will Present at the Drama Desk Awards
by Stephi Wild - May 30, 2025

Additional presenters and performances have been announced for the 69th Annual Drama Desk Awards, being held this Sunday, June 1 at NYU Skirball. Learn more here!
Jonathan Groff, Jeremy Jordan and More to Present at the 69th Annual Drama Desk Awards
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 22, 2025

The presenters have been revealed for the Drama Desk Awards, taking place on Sunday, June 1 at NYU Skirball. Learn more and see how to purchase tickets!
Photos: Inside The 2025 Drama League Awards
by Bruce Glikas - May 19, 2025

The best of Broadway gathered at the at the Ziegfeld Ballroom on May 16 to celebrate the 91st Annual Drama League Awards. Check out photos from the event here!
2025 Drama League Awards Winners- The Full List
by Nicole Rosky - May 16, 2025

The best of Broadway is gathered at the at the Ziegfeld Ballroom to celebrate the 91st Annual Drama League Awards. BroadwayWorld is bringing you live updates from inside the ceremony. Check back to find out who wins!
MTI Acquires Licensing Rights to A BEAUTIFUL NOISE
by Nicole Rosky - May 15, 2025

Theatrical licensor Music Theatre International announced the acquisition of A Beautiful Noise, The Neil Diamond Musical. We have all of the details here!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Will Swenson been in?

Will Swenson has appeared on Broadway in 9 shows.

How many West End shows has Will Swenson been in?

Will Swenson has appeared on London's West End in 1 shows.

What was Will Swenson's first West End show?

Will Swenson's first West End show was Hair which opened in 2010

What awards has Will Swenson been nominated for?

Distinguished Performance Award (Drama League Awards) for A Beautiful Noise, Distinguished Performance Awards (Drama League Awards) for Assassins, Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Assassins, Performance Award (Obie Awards) for Jerry Springer: The Opera, Outstanding Actor in a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for Hair and Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for Hair.

What awards has Will Swenson won?

Will Swenson won the Performance Award at the Obie Awards for his role in Jerry Springer: The Opera.

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