Norm Lewis (born June 2, 1963[2]) is an American actor and baritone singer. He has appeared on Broadway and in London'sWest End, film, television, recordings and regional theatre. He’s also noted for his wide vocal range.[3] Lewis was the second African-American actor after Robert Guillaume to perform in the title role in Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera and the first one to do so in the Broadway production.[4] In 2023, he reprised the role in the show's sequel, Love Never Dies, in the West End.[5]

Norm Lewis
Born (1963-06-02) June 2, 1963 (age 61)
Occupations
  • Actor
  • singer
Years active1986–present[1]
Known for
Websitenormlewis.com

Lewis is also known for his many different performances as Inspector Javert in Les Misérables, first playing the role in the 2006 Broadway revival and later reprising the role in the West End, in the 25th Anniversary Concert, and at The Muny in St. Louis.[6][7][8]

Some other major theatrical productions that he has been involved in include Porgy and Bess, The Little Mermaid, Miss Saigon, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.[4]

Early life

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Lewis was born in Tallahassee, Florida, and grew up in Eatonville, Florida. He graduated in 1981 from Edgewater High School, Orlando.[9] He worked at the Orlando Sentinel prior to his acting career.[10]

Career

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1992–2005: Early career, Broadway debut and Miss Saigon

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Lewis credits the kickoff of his career to Ralph Petillo, who ran Theatre on Park in Winter Park, Florida.

Lewis was featured as Agwe in the Gateway Playhouse (Bellport, New York) production of Once on This Island in 1992.[11]

Lewis made his Broadway debut in The Who's Tommy (1993).[12] He was a replacement in Miss Saigon as John. In 1997, he originated the role of Jake in Side Show. He also appeared in Michael John LaChiusa's Broadway musical The Wild Party as Eddie. Lewis was in Michel Legrand's short-lived musical Amour in 2002, which also featured Melissa Errico, Malcolm Gets, and Lewis Cleale. He played the racketeer Eddie Satin in the New York City Center Encores! staged concert of Golden Boy in March 2002.[13] He played Billy Flynn in the Broadway revival of Chicago in February 2004 and March 2004.[14] He performed in several benefit concerts, including Dreamgirls (2001), Chess (2003), and Hair.[14]

In 2005, Lewis starred in the Public Theater's Shakespeare in the Park revival of a musical version of Two Gentlemen of Verona.[15] He played the role of Nathan in the Lincoln Center 2005 production of Dessa Rose.[16]

2006–2013: Les Misérables, The Little Mermaid, and Tony nomination

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Lewis has played Javert in the musical Les Misérables several times. He first starred in the role in the 2006 Broadway revival, making him the first African American actor to play the role in a professional English-language production. He later reprised it in the West End production. At London's O2 Arena, he sang the role in the 25th anniversary concert of the show. Lewis again reprised the role opposite Hugh Panaro as Valjean in The Muny, St. Louis production from July 15–21, 2013.[6][17]

In 2007, he originated the role of King Triton in the Broadway production of The Little Mermaid.[18] He went on to sing as King Triton on the original Broadway cast recording.

In regional theatre, he played the title role in Sweeney Todd, the musical by Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler, at the Casa Mañana Theatre, Fort Worth, Texas, beginning November 10, 2009. He had previously played this role at the Signature Theatre in 1999.[19]

Lewis was featured in the musical revue Sondheim on Sondheim, which premiered in the Roundabout Theatre's Studio 54 in 2010. The production, conceived and directed by James Lapine, also featured Barbara Cook and Vanessa L. Williams.[20] His rendition of "Being Alive" was one of the evening's outstanding highlights.[21][22]

Lewis appeared in a revised version of Porgy and Bess, as Porgy, first at the Loeb Drama Center (Cambridge, Massachusetts) in August through September 2011 and then on Broadway at the Richard Rodgers Theatre starting in previews on December 12, 2011. This American Repertory Theater production was "re-imagined by Suzan-Lori Parks and Diedre Murray as a musical for contemporary audiences."[23] He was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical[24] and the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actor in a Musical for his performance.[25]

Lewis released his first solo album, This Is the Life! in 2008 under the Seahorse Productions label.[26] His other notable recordings include the cast recordings of Side Show, The Who's Tommy, and the 1998 cast recording of A New Brain as Roger Delli-Bovi, for Scott Alan's Keys and for the 2001 New York cast recording of Elegies for Angels, Punks and Raging Queens in aid of the Momentum Aids Project.

In 2012, Lewis joined the cast of the ABC political thriller television series Scandal, in the role of Senator Edison Davis.[27][28]

In 2013, Lewis starred as Prospero in the Public Theater's PublicWorks Shakespeare in the Park production of The Tempest at the Delacorte Theater. He was one of five professional actors heading a cast of 200 community participants.[29][30]

He is an investor in the company Lolly Clothing, which was created by his good friend and fellow Broadway actor Chad Kimball.[31][32]

He appeared in the Stephen Sondheim-Wynton Marsalis staged concert for Encores! titled A Bed and a Chair: A New York Love Affair, at New York City Center, from November 13 to November 17, 2013. The concert was directed by John Doyle and also featured Bernadette Peters, Jeremy Jordan, and Cyrille Aimée.[33][34]

2014–present: The Phantom of the Opera and further success

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On May 12, 2014, Lewis assumed the role of the titular Phantom in The Phantom of the Opera on Broadway. This made him the first black actor to play the role on Broadway and the third worldwide.[35] He succeeded Hugh Panaro and joined fellow returning cast member Sierra Boggess, who returned as Christine on the same date. On February 7, 2015, Lewis ended his tenure as the Phantom with a performance at the Majestic Theatre. Coverage in Playbill credited him for his "impressive Broadway resumé". Being succeeded by actor James Barbour, Lewis remarked that he had been a fan of the musical for many years and felt that obtaining the part finally had been akin to winning the lottery.[4]

Lewis is a recipient of the 2014 AUDELCO Special Achievement Award.[36]

In 2016, Lewis reprised his role of King Triton for a live Hollywood Bowl concert production of The Little Mermaid. He also began playing Agwe in Once on this Island on January 8, 2018, at the Circle in the Square Theatre and played the role until March that same year.[37]

Lewis reprised his role of Sweeney Todd in 2017 in the Off-Broadway production of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street receiving an AUDELCO Award for his performance.[38]

Lewis portrayed Caiaphas in the live televised concert production of Jesus Christ Superstar on April 1, 2018, Easter Sunday.

In February 2019, Lewis played Harold Hill in the Kennedy Center production of The Music Man. When asked about appearing in the show, Lewis said "It’s one of those fun shows that is an American musical theatre classic, and I just think it is a good fit for me."[39]

Lewis was in the 2022 to 2023 North American tour of A Soldier’s Play as Captain Richard Davenport.

In 2023, he reprised the role of the Phantom in the sequel to The Phantom of the Opera, Love Never Dies, in London's West End.[5]

Theatre credits

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List of stage performances
Year Title Role Theater Notes
1989 Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat Those Canaan Days / Butler Candlewood Playhouse Regional
1990 A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum Protean Harrah's Atlantic City
Pippin The Leading Player Shawnee Playhouse
1992 Once on This Island Agwe Gateway Playhouse
1993–1995 The Who's Tommy Specialist St. James Theatre Broadway
1994–1996 Miss Saigon John Thomas Princess of Wales Theatre Toronto
Broadway Theatre Broadway
- US National tour
1997 Side Show Jake Richard Rodgers Theatre Broadway
1998 A New Brain Roger Delli-Bovi Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater Off-Broadway
1999 Company Robert Helen Hayes Performing Arts Center Regional
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street Sweeney Todd Signature Theatre[40]
2000 The Wild Party Eddie Virginia Theatre Broadway
2001 Dreamgirls Curtis Taylor Jr. New York Actors Fund concert
2002 Amour Various Music Box Theatre
Golden Boy Eddie Satin New York City Center Encores!
2003 Chess Molokov New York Actors Fund concert Broadway
Children of Eden The Father The York Theatre Company Benefit Concert
2004 Chicago Billy Flynn Ambassador Theatre Broadway
Ragtime Coalhouse Walker, Jr. North Carolina Theatre Regional
Hair Tribe New York Actors Fund Concert Broadway
2005 Two Gentlemen of Verona Valentine Delacorte Theatre Central Park
Dessa Rose Nathan Mitzi E. Newhouse Theatre Broadway
2006–2007 Les Misérables Inspector Javert Broadhurst Theatre
2007 The Little Mermaid King Triton Denver Center for the Performing Arts Regional
2007–2009 Lunt-Fontanne Theatre Broadway
2009 Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street Sweeney Todd Casa Manana Theatre Regional
First You Dream: The Music of Kander & Ebb[41] Performer Signature Theatre
2010 Sondheim on Sondheim Performer Roundabout Theatre Broadway
2010–2011 Les Misérables Inspector Javert Queen's Theatre West End
2010 The O2 Arena 25th Anniversary Concert
2011 Dracula, the Musical Abraham Van Helsing / John Seward - Studio Cast Recording
The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess Porgy Loeb Drama Center Regional
2011–2012 Richard Rodgers Theatre Broadway
2012 First You Dream: The Music of Kander & Ebb Performer Kennedy Center Washington DC
2013 Ragtime Coalhouse Walker, Jr. Avery Fisher Hall Lincoln Center
The Pirates of Penzance Samuel Delacorte Theatre Concert
Les Misérables Inspector Javert The Muny Regional
The Tempest Prospero The Public Theatre Off-Broadway
A Bed and a Chair: A New York Love Affair Performer New York City Center Encores!
2014 The Phantom of the Opera The Phantom of the Opera Majestic Theatre[42] Broadway
Show Boat Joe Avery Fisher Hall Lincoln Center
2014–2015 The Phantom of the Opera The Phantom of the Opera Majestic Theatre Broadway
2016 The Little Mermaid King Triton Hollywood Bowl Concert
2017 Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street Sweeney Todd Barrow Street Theatre Off-Broadway
2018 Once on This Island Agwe Circle in the Square Theatre Broadway
Jesus Christ Superstar Caiaphas Marcy Avenue Armory TV Special
2019 The Music Man Professor Harold Hill Kennedy Center Washington DC
The Scarlet Pimpernel Chauvelin David Geffen Hall Lincoln Center
The Who's Tommy Specialist La Jolla Playhouse Regional
2021 Chicken & Biscuits Reginald Mabry Circle in the Square Theatre Broadway
2022–2023 A Soldier’s Play Captain Richard Davenport North American tour
2023 Love Never Dies The Phantom of the Opera Theatre Royal Drury Lane West End
2024 Children of Eden The Father David Geffen Hall Lincoln Center[43]
Follies Performer Carnegie Hall Concert

Sources: Lortel.org;[44] PlayBillVault[8]

Discography

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Film credits

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List of film performances
Year Title Role
2001 Confidences (short) Reggie
2005 Preaching to the Choir Reverend Tucker
2010 Sex and the City 2 Reginald
2010 Les Misérables in Concert: The 25th Anniversary Javert
2011 Pizza Verdi (short) Reggie
2014 Winter's Tale Custodian
2016 Magnum Opus Charlie Lutwidge
2018 Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert Caiaphas
2019 Just Mercy Newscaster (voice)
2020 Da 5 Bloods Eddie
2023 The Good Mother Jim[45]

Television credits

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List of television performances
Year Title Role Notes
1998 All My Children Keith McLean 9 episodes
2001 Strong Medicine Mr. Phillips 1 episode
2007 Mystery Woman: In the Shadows Doctor TV movie
2012–15 Scandal Senator Edison Davis 12 episodes
2014 Hustling Senator Bailey 2 episodes
2014 Blue Bloods DA James Campbell 1 episode
2014 The Blacklist J.P. Laskin 1 episode
2015 Gotham Deputy Mayor Harrison Kane 1 episode
2015 Kern & Hammerstein's Show Boat Joe filmed stage production
2015 First You Dream: The Music of Kander & Ebb Performer TV movie
2016 Chicago Med Bobby 1 episode
2017 Daytime Divas William Tomas
2019 Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt Rumbleshanks
2019 Better Things Himself
2019 Bull Medical Examiner Henson
2020 Mrs. America Ron Dellums
2021 Pose Pastor Vernon Jackson
2022 Law & Order Henry King Episode: "The Right Thing"

Awards and nominations

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List of awards and nominations received by Norm Lewis
Year Award Category Nominated Work Result
2000 Helen Hayes Award Outstanding Lead Actor in a Resident Musical Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street Nominated
2005 Drama Desk Award Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical Dessa Rose Nominated
2012 Tony Award Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical Porgy and Bess Nominated
Drama Desk Award Outstanding Actor in a Musical Nominated
Drama League Award Distinguished Performance Nominated
Outer Critics Circle Award Outstanding Actor in a Musical Nominated
2013 Grammy Award Best Musical Theater Album Nominated
2017 AUDELCO Award Lead Musical Actor Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street Won
2019 Grammy Award Best Musical Theater Album Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert Nominated
2021 Screen Actors Guild Award Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture Da 5 Bloods Nominated

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Norm Lewis website:Bio Archived June 11, 2010, at the Wayback Machine Retrieved November 6, 2009.
  2. ^ "Norm Lewis". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
  3. ^ "Music" Archived July 14, 2011, at the Wayback Machine Norm Lewis website, Retrieved November 6, 2009.
  4. ^ a b c Hetrick, Adam and Daniels, Karu F. "Norm Lewis Ends History-Making Engagement in Broadway's 'Phantom of the Opera'". Playbill. February 7, 2015.
  5. ^ a b Norm Lewis Will Lead LOVE NEVER DIES IN CONCERT at Theatre Royal Drury Lane This Summer
  6. ^ a b "Cast of St. Louis Muny 'Les Miserables'". Playbill. Archived June 6, 2013, at the Wayback Machine
  7. ^ PHOTO CALL: Norm Lewis in London Les Miz
  8. ^ a b "Norm Lewis Broadway". Playbill. Retrieved March 4, 2016.
  9. ^ Palm, Matthew J. (April 12, 2014). "Norm Lewis inducted into Edgewater High Hall of Fame in Orlando". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved April 21, 2023. Lewis, [...] was a graduate of the Edgewater class of 1981.
  10. ^ Pal, Matthew J."Norm Lewis Interview". Orlando Sentinel. August 27, 2010.
  11. ^ "Playbill, 'Once On This Island'". Gateway Playhouse. Retrieved June 30, 2011.
  12. ^ "Norm Lewis". Broadway.com.
  13. ^ Gans, Andrew, Robert Simonson and Christine Ehren (March 21, 2002). "Encores! 'Golden Boy' Begin to Shine March 21". Playbill.
  14. ^ a b "Norm Lewis Broadway credits". Internet Broadway Database. Retrieved June 30, 2011.
  15. ^ Brantley, Ben (August 29, 2005). "Shakespeare in the Park Review; Enter 'Two Gentlemen' For a Sexy Sip of Sangría". The New York Times.
  16. ^ Simonson, Robert (March 21, 2005). "La Chanze and Rachel York Bloom in Antebellum 'Dessa Rose', Opening March 21". Archived October 12, 2012, at the Wayback Machine Playbill.
  17. ^ "BWW Exclusive: 'Les Miserables' at The MUNY Summer 2013 Scrapbook!". Broadwayworld. July 31, 2013.
  18. ^ Gans, Andrew (November 29, 2007). "Mermaid Will Resume Nov. 29 and Will Officially Flip Her Fins Jan. 10". Playbill.
  19. ^ Hetrick, Adam (October 23, 2009). "Lewis Will Attend the Tale of 'Sweeney Todd' at Casa Mañana". Playbill.
  20. ^ Jones, Kenneth (March 19, 2010). "'Sondheim on Sondheim', a New Musical Reflection of a Life in Art, Begins on Broadway". Archived March 1, 2014, at the Wayback Machine. Playbill.
  21. ^ Suskin, Steven (April 23, 2010). "Review: 'Sondheim on Sondheim'". Variety. Retrieved May 20, 2017.
  22. ^ "Sondheim on Sondheim". Entertainment Weekly. April 22, 2010. Retrieved May 20, 2017.
  23. ^ Gans, Andrew, and Hetrick, Adam (June 29, 2011). "Norm Lewis-Audra McDonald Porgy and Bess Will Play Broadway's Richard Rodgers Theatre". Playbill.
  24. ^ Jones, Kenneth and Hetrick, Adam (May 1, 2012). 2012 "Tony Awards Nominations Announced; Once Earns 11 Nominations". Archived May 7, 2012, at the Wayback Machine. Playbill.
  25. ^ Gans, Andrew (June 3, 2012). "'Once', 'Tribes', 'Follies', 'Salesman', Audra McDonald, Danny Burstein and More Are Drama Desk Winners". Archived June 6, 2012, at the Wayback Machine Playbill.
  26. ^ Listing. Archived July 14, 2011, at the Wayback Machine, normlewis.com. Retrieved June 27, 2010.
  27. ^ Gioia, Michael (August 17, 2012). "'Porgy and Bess' Tony Nominee Norm Lewis Lands Role on ABC's 'Scandal'", Playbill. Retrieved January 20, 2013.
  28. ^ Furlong, Maggie (August 16, 2012). "'Scandal' Season 2 Casting: A 'Grey's Anatomy' Alum And A Broadway Star – Plus A 'West Wing' Reunion?". Huffington Post. Retrieved January 20, 2013.
  29. ^ Hetrick, Adam (September 6, 2013). "'The Tempest' Featuring Laura Benanti Norm Lewis and Todd Almond Sweeps Into Central Park". Playbill. Retrieved August 25, 2022.
  30. ^ "PublicWorks 'The Tempest'". Public Theater. Retrieved March 4, 2016.
  31. ^ "Norm Lewis", broadway.com.
  32. ^ "Show People With Paul Wontorek: Norm Lewis On YouTube-ing Himself & the Ladies of B'way". YouTube.
  33. ^ Gans, Andrew (October 11, 2013). "Norm Lewis and Jeremy Jordan Will Join Bernadette Peters in Stephen Sondheim and Wynton Marsalis' A Bed and a Chair'". Playbill.
  34. ^ Fullerton, Krissie (November 13, 2013). "Bernadette Peters, Norm Lewis and Jeremy Jordan Debut Stephen Sondheim and Wynton Marsalis' 'A Bed and a Chair'". Archived March 2, 2014, at the Wayback Machine Playbill.
  35. ^ [1] tumblr.com
  36. ^ "Andre De Shields to Receive Audelco Special Achievement Award at 42nd Annual Gala, 11/17". Broadwayworld. November 13, 2014.
  37. ^ Hetrick, Adam (December 19, 2017). "Norm Lewis and Tamyra Gray Joining Broadway’s 'Once on This Island'". Playbill.
  38. ^ See Norm Lewis and Carolee Carmello Take Over in Sweeney Todd
  39. ^ Why The Music Man’s Harold Hill Has Always Been Norm Lewis’ Dream Role—And How He Hopes to Bring It to Broadway
  40. ^ Jones, Kenneth (July 27, 1999). "Norm Lewis Will Wield the Razor in Signature’s 'Sweeney Todd' Sept. 7-Oct. 31". Playbill. Retrieved March 4, 2016.
  41. ^ Jones, Kenneth (July 24, 2009). "Murney, Blickenstaff, Lewis and More Will Sing Kander & Ebb in Arlington". Playbill. Retrieved March 4, 2016.
  42. ^ Hetrick, Adam; Daniels, Karu F. (May 12, 2014). "Norm Lewis and Sierra Boggess Join Broadway Cast of The Phantom of the Opera May 12". Playbill. Retrieved February 15, 2018.
  43. ^ Children of Eden Manhattan Concert
  44. ^ "Norm Lewis Off-Broadway", lortel.org. Retrieved March 4, 2016.
  45. ^ Grobar, Matt (June 28, 2023). "Vertical Acquires Crime Thriller Mother's Milk Starring Hilary Swank, Olivia Cooke & Jack Reynor". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
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