A ‘Wicked’ Good Performer This Way Comes: Stage and ‘Nashville’ Star Kyle Dean Massey to be Broadway Concert Series Guest Artist
Posted On January 4, 2017
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Musical theatre and television star Kyle Dean Massey, best known for his work on Broadway in the title role of the 2013 revival of “Pippin” and as Kevin Bicks in the television hit musical drama series “Nashville,” will be the next University of Findlay Broadway Concert Series guest artist.
His public concert will be held Sunday, Jan. 22 at 7:30 p.m. in Winebrenner Theological Seminary’s TLB Auditorium. Tickets (which include processing fees) are $28 for adults, $23 for senior citizens and $11 for non-UF students. They can be purchased at the Marathon Performing Arts Center’s box office at 200 W. Main Cross St., or online at www.marathoncenterarts.org. Admission will be free for UF students, faculty and staff with a valid University ID.
Massey will be accompanied on piano by Broadway musical director Phil Reno.
Massey’s prolific career, showcased in a variety of entertainment mediums, illustrates the breadth of his talent and diversity. His other notable Broadway roles have included “Next to Normal” (Gabriel “Gabe” Goodman), “Wicked” (Fiyero), and “Xanadu” (Thalia). He has had leading roles in Off-Broadway’s “Altar Boyz” and “Lucky Guy.” He landed his “Nashville” role when the program began on ABC; it has since moved to CMT. Massey also performed the tenor lead (Billy Lawlor) in the U.S. National and Japanese tours of “Forty Second Street.” Additionally, his regional credits include Tony in “West Side Story” at The Muny in St. Louis and Frederic in “The Pirates of Penzance” for Barrington Stage Company in Massachusetts.
Massey was raised in Jonesboro, Arkansas, a town 60 miles northwest of Memphis, Tennessee. He started taking dance classes at age six and spent his adolescence singing in school choirs and studying the piano. After discovering musical theatre in high school he went on to receive a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre from Missouri State University.
In addition to his stage work, Massey has been seen on the screen in “Nashville” (ABC), “The Good Wife” (CBS), “Inside Amy Schumer” (CC), “High Maintenance,” “Up All Night” (NBC), “Hart of Dixie” (CW), “Cupid” (ABC), “Sex and the City 2” (HBO Films) and “Contest.” He has also performed on “Good Morning America,” “The CBS Early Show,” “Regis & Kelly,” and “The 62nd Annual Tony Awards,” and he has lent his voice as a voice-over artist for many popular cartoon shows. While starring in “Next to Normal,” Massey was the star of his own popular web-blog series, “Normal Life,” on Broadway.com. Five years later he hosted another series, “Fresh Prince,” while starring in the title role of “Pippin.”
As a vocalist, Massey has performed across the country in pops concerts with symphony orchestras and in more intimate cabaret settings with his one man show. He also tours with his concert group The Broadway Tenors.
Massey serves as a master class instructor and panel contributor for several different teaching organizations including Camp Broadway, Broadway Artists Alliance, Broadway Connection, VIP Tours of New York, the Missouri Fine Arts Academy, Stagelighter and Broadway Triple Threat. He also serves as a private acting and voice coach to students all over the country.
As one who makes it a priority to give back, Massey is a passionate supporter of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, The Trevor Project and various human rights groups. He frequently performs in charity concerts at various venues across New York City including Joe’s Pub, Ars Nova, the Laurie Beechman Theatre, and 54 Below.
For more information on Kyle Dean Massey, visit www.kyledeanmassey.com.
Reno, originally from Tiffin, Ohio, was the musical director and vocal arranger for the smash hit, “Something Rotten!,” a Tony Award-nominated musical comedy that opened on Broadway in March 2015, closed on January 1 after 742 performances, and enjoyed great attendance and media success. Reno received his second Grammy nomination for his work on the “Something Rotten!” cast recording. His first Grammy nomination was for the cast recording of “The Drowsy Chaperone.” Reno’s other previous Broadway work has included “The Producers,” the 2010 Broadway revival of “Promises, Promises,” “The Drowsy Chaperone,” “Thou Shalt Not,” “Cats,” and “Dame Edna: The Royal Tour.” He also has contributed orchestrations for the television show “Broadway Under the Stars” and the film adaptation of “The Producers.”
The Donnell Broadway Concert Series enables notable Broadway artists to visit campus each academic year in the fall and spring. The series provides in-concert entertainment for students and community members, as well as opportunities for UF musical theatre students to learn from accomplished professionals in master classes.
The series is produced by Micheal Anders, Ph.D., UF emeritus professor of music. Anders, who played an integral role in launching the series, assists with coordinating artist selection, itinerary planning and guest artist hosting.
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