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Paul Alexander Nolan

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Paul Alexander Nolan
Born1979 (age 44–45)
Rouleau, Saskatchewan, Canada
Occupation(s)Actor, singer
Years active2001–present
SpouseKeely Hutton (m. 2014)
Websitepaulalexandernolan.com

Paul Alexander Nolan is a Canadian actor and singer, who has appeared in several musical theatre productions across Canada and the United States.

In Canada, Nolan appeared in 9 Stratford Festival productions, including starring as Jesus in their 2011 production of Jesus Christ Superstar. In 2012, he made his Broadway debut when that same production transferred to Broadway. Since then, he has originated the roles of Jimmy Ray Dobbs in Bright Star, Tully in Escape to Margaritaville, and Jim in Slave Play. He has also played Billy Flynn in Chicago and Hugh Dorsey in the 2023 Broadway revival of Parade. He is currently starring in Water for Elephants, where he originated the role of August Rackinger / Charlie O'Brien.[1]

Early life

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Nolan was born and raised in Rouleau, Saskatchewan, which is a small farming community.[2] Growing up, he developed an interest in music by listening to folk, opera, show tunes, and classical music.[3] He attended Rouleau School, where he performed in several musicals and received vocal lessons.[4]

He attended the Randolph College for the Performing Arts.[5] Following college, he worked with Disney Cruise Line as a performer.[6]

Career

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In 2001, Nolan made his professional stage debut when he appeared in the ensemble for the Canadian production of Mamma Mia!, which played at the Royal Alexandra Theatre in Toronto.[4]

Nolan made his debut with the Stratford Festival during its 2007 season, where he appeared as Slim in a production of Oklahoma!.[7] Following this, he starred as Tony in Stratford's 2009 production of West Side Story.[8] He also played Orlando in their 2010 production of As You Like It.[4]

In 2011, Nolan starred as Jesus in the Stratford Festival's production of Jesus Christ Superstar.[9] The musical then had a pre-Broadway engagement at the La Jolla Playhouse in San Diego.[9] Nolan then made his Broadway debut in 2012 when he reprised his role of Jesus in the revival of Jesus Christ Superstar, where it played at the Neil Simon Theatre.[9]

During the 2013 Stratford Festival season, Nolan appeared in two productions. He played Fyedka in a production of Fiddler on the Roof, and then played Cousin Kevin in a production of The Who's Tommy.[10]

In December 2013, Nolan joined the cast of Once, playing Guy.[11] He continued with the show until it closed in January 2015.[12] He also played Pasha Antipov in the original Broadway production of Doctor Zhivago, which only played at the Broadway Theatre for just over a month of performances.[13][14]

He also originated the role of Jimmy Ray Dobbs in the musical Bright Star, which had a pre-Broadway engagement at the Kennedy Center. The musical transferred to Broadway, where it played at the Cort Theatre for four months, closing on June 26, 2016.[15] After this closed, he played Billy Flynn in Chicago for several weeks.[16]

Nolan starred as Tully in the world premiere production of Escape to Margaritaville, a jukebox musical based on the songs of Jimmy Buffett, which played at the La Jolla Playhouse in 2017.[17] He then reprised his role at subsequent pre-Broadway engagements of the musical in New Orleans, Houston, and Chicago. Nolan also reprised his role when the musical transferred to Broadway, where it opened at the Marquis Theatre.[18]

Later in 2018, Nolan starred as Jim in the world premiere of Slave Play, a three-act play by Jeremy O. Harris. It premiered off-Broadway at the New York Theatre Workshop. He reprised the role of Jim when the play premiered on Broadway at the John Golden Theatre for a limited engagement between October 6, 2019, and January 19, 2020.[19] Nolan again reprised his role when the play was later remounted on Broadway at the August Wilson Theatre in 2021, as well as in Los Angeles at the Mark Taper Forum in 2022.[20]

In 2022, he starred in the world premiere of the musical Knoxville.[21] Later in 2022, Nolan starred as Frank Carter in the musical Life After, which played at the Goodman Theatre between June 11 and July 17, 2022.[22]

Nolan played Hugh Dorsey in the New York City Center's production of Parade. He then reprised his role when the production transferred to Broadway, where it played at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre for a limited engagement run between February 22, 2023, and August 6, 2023.[23]

He also participated in a staged industry reading of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, based on the novel of the same name.[24]

In 2024, Nolan originated the role of August Rackinger / Charlie O'Brien in the musical adaptation of Water for Elephants.[25] The musical opened on Broadway at the Imperial Theatre in previews on February 24, 2024, ahead of an official opening on March 21, 2024.

Personal life

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In 2014, Nolan married Canadian actress Keely Hutton, who he met while performing at the Stratford Festival.[4]

He is a fan of the Toronto Maple Leafs.[26]

Stage credits

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Year Title Role Location Notes Ref.
2001-2002 Mamma Mia Ensemble Royal Alexandra Theatre Mirvish Productions [4]
2002 Robin Hood: The Merry Family Musical Will Scarlet Elgin Theatre Regional: Ross Petty Productions
2003 Cinderella: The Sparkling Family Musical Ensemble
2006 Jesus Christ Superstar Jesus Regional: Stage West Calgary
2007 King Lear Ensemble Festival Theatre Stratford Festival
Oklahoma! Slim
Beauty and the Beast The Beast Regional: Persephone Theatre
2008 Cabaret Bobby Avon Theatre Stratford Festival
2009 West Side Story Tony Festival Theatre [4]
2009 Cyrano de Bergerac Vicomte de Valvert
2010 As You Like It Orlando [4]
2010 The Winter's Tale Ensemble Tom Patterson Theatre
2011 Jesus Christ Superstar Jesus Avon Theatre [27]
La Jolla Playhouse Pre-Broadway engagement
2012 Neil Simon Theatre Broadway
2012 Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots Ben La Jolla Playhouse World premiere [4]
2013 Fiddler on the Roof Fyedka Festival Theatre Stratford Festival
The Who's Tommy Cousin Kevin Avon Theatre [4]
2013-2015 Once Guy Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre Broadway (Replacement)
2015 Doctor Zhivago Pasha Antipov Broadway Theatre Broadway
Daddy Long Legs Jervis Pendleton Davenport Theatre Off-Broadway, Original [4]
2016 Bright Star Jimmy Ray Dobbs Kennedy Center Pre-Broadway engagement [28]
Cort Theatre Broadway (Original)
My Fair Lady Professor Henry Higgins Bay Street Theatre Regional
Chicago Billy Flynn Ambassador Theatre Broadway (Replacement) [4]
2017 Escape to Margaritaville Tully La Jolla Playhouse Pre-Broadway engagement: World premiere [29]
Saenger Theatre Pre-Broadway engagement
Hobby Center
Ford Center
2018 Marquis Theatre Broadway (Original)
2018-2019 Slave Play Jim New York Theatre Workshop Off-Broadway: World premiere [30]
2019 John Golden Theatre Broadway (Original)
The Who's Tommy Cousin Kevin La Jolla Playhouse Concert staging
2021-2022 Slave Play Jim August Wilson Theatre Broadway [31]
2022 Mark Taper Forum Center Theatre Group
Knoxville Jay Follett Asolo Repertory Theatre World premiere
Life After Frank Carter Goodman Theatre Regional [32]
Parade Hugh Dorsey New York City Center Off-Broadway [33]
2023 Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre Broadway
Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil Joe Odom Staged industry reading [24]
2024 Water for Elephants August Rackinger / Charlie O'Brien Imperial Theatre Broadway (Original) [1]

Filmography

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Television

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Year Title Role Notes
1997 Uncle Short film
1998 Strike! Charles Schumacher Film
1999 Shapeshifter Alex Film
2003 The Visual Bible: The Gospel of John Bridegrom Film
2003 The Root Donovan Kinder Short film
2018 Madam Secretary Captain David Paley S5.E4: "Requiem"
2019 Instinct Jonathan James S2.E1: "Stay Gold"
2019 The Code Major Daniel Arcineaux S1.E12: "Legit Bad Day"
2020 The Scottish Play Lucas Film
2021 Hudson & Rex Ron Craw S3.E8: "Sleeping Beauty"
2024 The Broadway Show with Tamsen Fadal Himself S3.E26
TBA The Gilded Age Alfred Merrick Season 3

Awards and nominations

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Year Award Category Nominated work Result Ref.
2015 Outer Critics Circle Awards Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical Doctor Zhivago Nominated [34]
2016 Drama Desk Award Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical Bright Star Nominated [35]

References

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  1. ^ a b Wild, Stephi (February 24, 2024). "Meet the Cast of Water for Elephants Beginning Previews on Broadway Tonight!". BroadwayWorld. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
  2. ^ DeDekker, Jeff (August 8, 2017). "Paul Nolan heading back to Broadway via Margaritavill". Regina Leader-Post. Retrieved July 11, 2024.
  3. ^ Hoffman, Barbara (May 8, 2018). "How a pale Canadian opera-lover wound up in 'Margaritaville'". New York Post. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Willett, Edward (May 2, 2017). "Paul Alexander Nolan: From small-town Saskatchewan to Broadway's bright lights". Retrieved July 10, 2024.
  5. ^ Blog, Edward Willett in; Music (May 3, 2017). "Paul Alexander Nolan: From small-town Saskatchewan to Broadway's bright lights". Edward Willett. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
  6. ^ Hoffman, Barbara (May 8, 2018). "How a pale Canadian opera-lover wound up in 'Margaritaville'". New York Post. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
  7. ^ Hoile, Christopher (June 18, 2007). "Review: Oklahoma! at Stratford Festival". Stage-Door. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
  8. ^ Nestruck, J. Kelly (June 7, 2009). "A stunning West Side Story". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
  9. ^ a b c Hetrick, Adam (March 1, 2012). ""Heaven On Their Minds": Rock Hit Jesus Christ Superstar Resurrected on Broadway March 1". Playbill. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
  10. ^ Hetrick, Adam; Jones, Kenneth (May 30, 2013). "Des McAnuff's New Tommy, Starring Jeremy Kushnier and Paul Nolan, Opens May 30 at Stratford Fest". Playbill. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
  11. ^ Peterson, Tyler (December 16, 2013). "hoto Flash: First Look - Paul Alexander Nolan Joins Cast of Broadway's ONCE as 'Guy'". BroadwayWorld. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
  12. ^ Cox, Gordon (October 7, 2014). "Broadway Musical 'Once' to Close in January". Variety. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
  13. ^ Blank, Matthew (May 5, 2015). "Cue & A: Doctor Zhivago Star Paul Alexander Nolan on Theatre Faves, Idols and Brent Carver". Playbill. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
  14. ^ Cox, Gordon (May 4, 2015). "Broadway's 'Doctor Zhivago' to Close After Tony Shutout". Variety. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
  15. ^ DeDekker, Jeff (June 27, 2016). "Final curtain falls on Bright Star and Paul Nolan". Regina Leader-Post. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
  16. ^ Sullivan, Lindsay (October 26, 2016). "Suit Up! Paul Alexander Nolan Is Chicago's New Sizzling Billy Flynn". Broadway.com. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
  17. ^ Vine, Hannah (May 30, 2017). "First Look at the World Premiere of Escape to Margaritaville". Playbill. Retrieved July 11, 2024.
  18. ^ Savoia, Courtney (June 22, 2018). "Paul Alexander Nolan Reflects on Escape to Margaritaville & Navigating the Journey of Life". BroadwayWorld. Retrieved July 11, 2024.
  19. ^ Wild, Stephi (August 13, 2019). "Slave Play Announces Full Cast Including Paul Alexander Nolan, Ato Blankson-Wood, James Cusati-Moyer, and More!". BroadwayWorld. Retrieved July 11, 2024.
  20. ^ Meyer, Dan; Putnam, Leah (February 9, 2022). "Slave Play Los Angeles Premiere Begins February 9". Playbill. Retrieved July 11, 2024.
  21. ^ Brunner, Raven (March 2, 2022). "Jason Danieley, Hannah Elless, Paul Alexander Nolan to Lead World Premiere of Ahrens and Flaherty Musical Knoxville". Playbill. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
  22. ^ Putnam, Leah (July 17, 2022). "Life After Completes Run at Chicago's Goodman Theatre July 17". Playbill. Retrieved May 30, 2024.
  23. ^ Wild, Stephi (January 30, 2023). "Howard McGillin, Jay Armstrong Johnson, and More Join Parade; Full Casting Announced!". BroadwayWorld. Retrieved January 30, 2023.
  24. ^ a b Culwell-Block, Logan (July 31, 2023). "J. Harrison Ghee, Steven Pasquale, Amber Gray, More to Lead Industry Readings of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil Musical". Playbill. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
  25. ^ Higgins, Molly (December 13, 2023). "Full Casting Announced for Broadway's Water for Elephants". Playbill. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
  26. ^ "Five Burning Questions with Bright Star's Paul Alexander Nolan". BroadwayBox.com. Retrieved January 13, 2021.
  27. ^ "Jesus Christ Superstar announces full cast". New York Theatre Guide. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
  28. ^ Pierpoint, Katie (December 2, 2015). "Bright Star Begins Limited Pre-Broadway Engagement". TheaterMania. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
  29. ^ McPhee, Ryan (August 8, 2017). "Full Cast Set for Broadway's Jimmy Buffett Musical Escape to Margaritaville". Playbill. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
  30. ^ McPhee, Ryan (August 13, 2019). "Full Cast Set for Broadway Transfer of Jeremy O. Harris' Slave Play". Playbill. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
  31. ^ Meyer, Dan; Putnam, Leah (February 9, 2022). "Slave Play Los Angeles Premiere Begins February 9". Playbill. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
  32. ^ "Cast set for Life After at the Goodman Theatre". Theatre in Chicago. May 4, 2022. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
  33. ^ Culwell-Block, Logan (January 30, 2023). "Complete Casting Revealed for Broadway Revival of Parade". Playbill. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
  34. ^ Cox, Gordon (May 11, 2015). "Outer Critic Circle Awards 2015 (FULL LIST): 'Curious Incident' Wins Big". Variety. Retrieved July 11, 2024.
  35. ^ Cox, Gordon (April 28, 2016). "Drama Desk Nominations: 'She Loves Me,' 'American Psycho' Earn Most Nods". Variety. Retrieved July 11, 2024.
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