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Richard H. Blake (born May 17, 1975 as Richard Harrison Thomas[1]) is an American actor and singer best known for his work in musical theatre.

Blake made his Broadway debut in Teddy & Alice, starring Len Cariou at the Minskoff Theatre in 1987.[2] The following year he appeared as Boy McDuff in Macbeth, starring Christopher Plummer and Glenda Jackson, on Broadway at the Mark Hellinger Theatre.[3]

Blake then starred as the title character in the 1989 Broadway musical Prince of Central Park, becoming (at 14) the youngest Broadway performer to have his name above the title of the show.[4] However, the show closed after only 4 performances.[5]

In 1990, he appeared on Star Search, beating future Tony-winner Sutton Foster.[6]

Back on Broadway, he took over the role of Roger Davis in Rent and originated the role of Gus in the 1999 musical Saturday Night Fever; he also joined the national tour as Tony Manero.[7] He also took over the role Link Larkin in the Broadway production of Hairspray.

Blake originated the role of Glen Guglia in the 2006 Broadway version of The Wedding Singer at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre. He then starred in the Legally Blonde musical at the Palace Theatre, originating the role of Warner Huntington III alongside Laura Bell Bundy and Christian Borle. He can be heard on both The Wedding Singer and Legally Blonde cast recordings.

Blake had a lengthy run as Fiyero on the First National tour of Wicked after replacing Cliffton Hall on November 18, 2008. He toured North America with the show until February 13, 2011. He then replaced Kyle Dean Massey as Fiyero on Broadway beginning March 29, 2011.[8] He exited the Broadway company on July 29, 2012, and was replaced by Massey.[9] Blake subsequently joined his third production of Wicked, this time in Asia, replacing David Harris as Fiyero beginning August 7 in Seoul, South Korea.

After leaving Wicked, Blake joined the Broadway cast of Matilda the Musical in the roles of the Escapologist, Sergei, and the Party Entertainer.[10] He then took over the role of Tommy DeVito in the Broadway production of Jersey Boys beginning January 9, 2014.[11]

Blake starred as Lorenzo in the musical adaptation of A Bronx Tale on Broadway at the Longacre Theatre. The musical opened officially on December 1, 2016 and closed on August 5, 2018.[12]

References

  1. ^ Show People with Paul Wontorek (2016-11-30). "A Bronx Tale Star Richard H. Blake on Migrating from Jersey to the Bronx, Being Italian by Marriage & 'Ruining' Sutton Foster's Career". broadway.com.
  2. ^ Teddy & Alice ibdb, retrieved January 11, 2019
  3. ^ Macbeth ibdb, retrieved January 11, 2019
  4. ^ Nondorf, Tom (2007-03-06). "The Leading Men: Blake, Borle and Turner". playbill.com
  5. ^ Prince of Central Park ibdb, retrieved January 11, 2019
  6. ^ "Sutton Foster on Star Search Defeat by A Bronx Tale's Richard H. Blake: 'I Give Him Squinty Eyes'" broadway.com (2017-07-27)
  7. ^ McMurtrie, John (2001-04-08). "Stayin' Alive After All These Years". San Francisco Chronicle. Hearst Communications. Retrieved 2008-06-11.
  8. ^ Gans, Andrew (2011-03-29). "Richard H. Blake Joins Cast of Broadway's Wicked March 29". playbill.com.
  9. ^ "Kyle Dean Massey to Return to WICKED as 'Fiyero' July 31; Richard Blake to Depart July 29" broadwayworld.com (2012-07-25).
  10. ^ Richard H. Blake @ Playbill Vault
  11. ^ Gans, Andrew. "Richard H. Blake Will Succeed Andy Karl in Broadway's 'Jersey Boys'", Playbill, November 26, 2013, accessed December 1, 2016
  12. ^ Viagas, Robert. "These Streets: Broadway’s 'A Bronx Tale' Musical Opens Tonight" Playbill, December 1, 2016

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