Copyright © 2019 Edward Watts
February 19th, 2019
Sarah and I had an amazing time at The Old Globe this past holiday season, and while our "working honeymoon" was fun, we're hoping for a real one soon. However, she is now fully immersed in rehearsals for the Broadway revival of KISS ME KATE! I have also kept busy with a couple of projects in this new year. At the end of January, I braved the frigid temperatures (-22!) of the polar vortex and was thrilled to sing with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra over a long weekend. The program was the songs of Jerome Kern, and the second act was an abridged version of SHOWBOAT in which I sang the role of Ravenal. Upon my return to NY, I immediately started rehearsals for a workshop/reading of a new musical called BLACK NO MORE, based on the 1931 satiric novel. John Ridley (Academy Award winner for 12 Years A Slave) wrote the book and Tariq “Black Thought” Trotter of The Roots was the composer. We had our presentation last week and it was very enthusiastically received. I'm excited to see what the future of the project will be!
Now I'm gearing up to start rehearsals next month for THE MUSIC MAN! I'm very excited to be returning to the role after the brief visit I had with it last July with the Lexington Theatre Company . This time it will be for several months at Goodspeed Opera in CT where I last played Trevor Graydon in THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLE back in 2017. Hope you can come see me play one of my favorite roles!
______________________________________________________________________________
September 17th, 2018
As I am getting ready to watch the talented, beautiful, funny and smart Sarah Meahl walk down the aisle toward me and say "I Do" next month, I am also preparing once again to revisit DR. SEUSS' HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS at The Old Globe this upcoming holiday season. I am thrilled to be asked back to play the iconic role at such a wonderful institution, and I'm especially delighted that for the first time since we met, Sarah and I will be performing together! A working honeymoon! Can't thank director James Vasquez and the entire production staff at The Old Globe enough for making this brilliant casting choice! Come see this lovely show and get in the holiday mood! Shows begin in early November and we play through December 29th.
______________________________________________________________________________
July 5th, 2018
Quick update! I will be taking over the role of Harold Hill in the Lexington Theatre Company production of THE MUSIC MAN! I just got the call yesterday and flew to Lexington today. I join rehearsals already in progress and we have a designer run-through the day after tomorrow! This will be a whirlwind experience as the run of the show is only July 12th to the 15th. My good friend Mark Madama is directing and my trusty sidekick Marcellus is being played by my trusty old friend Justin "Squigs" Robertson. Good thing I did this show...7 years ago! Strap in!
______________________________________________________________________________
May 27th, 2018
Hi every one! It's been a pretty quiet start to the year, but I now have a couple of dates to share for some upcoming work. I'll be out in Sacramento from mid-June to early July at California Music Theatre (Music Circus) playing one of my favorite roles - Adam Pontipee in 7 BRIDES FOR 7 BROTHERS. I'll be working with some lovely friends - Eric Sciotto, Patti Colombo, Karl Warden, Dennis Castellano & Glenn Casale - as well as a new lovely friend, Paige Faure! Following that, I will be back at an old favorite, Music Theatre of Wichita, for my 7th show, THE LITTLE MERMAID, and will reprise the role I played on tour back in 2013 - King Triton. If you are near either of those venues, please come out and support your local theater!
______________________________________________________________________________
December 4th, 2017
This holiday season finds me in San Diego at The Old Globe having the time of my life playing The Grinch in DR. SEUSS'S HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS! It really is amazing how doing a "Christmas" show just puts me in the mood and fills me with holiday spirit! I'm thrilled to be playing this titular role on the 20th anniversary of the show. This is a holiday staple for San Diego and the audiences have been amazing! Can't thank our director James, and the production staff at The Old Globe, enough for inviting me here to lead their production. I am honored!
Happy Holiday's every one!
______________________________________________________________________________
SEPTEMBER 12th, 2017
Long overdue update!
BOOK OF MORMON tour was amazing - I spent a year with the Jumamosi company! I got back home to NY in late fall of 2016 and had a great holiday season. 2017 saw me going up to Goodspeed Opera in CT to play Trevor Graydon in THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE, and then some time in the summer in Pittsburgh playing Joseph Pulitzer in NEWSIES. My bigger news though, is that I just completed filming on an episode of NCIS:New Orleans! I got to spend a week down in the Big Easy working with Scott Bakula and the other wonderful cast and crew of the series. They truly were a lovely, professional team, and I had a blast and was treated like a member of the famly. Scott is one of the nicest, most genuine and lovely people you could meet; so busy yet always has a smile, and a moment to chat. I don't know the air date of the episode, but will try to remember to update once I get it!
I also recently signed with a manager (who used to be with my agency) and am looking forward to working with Josh Pultz at Amplified Entertainment and expanding my career and challenging myself with new pursuits! His
And for a break in the usual actor's life news, and on a far more personal note, I got engaged last month! I proposed to my beautiful, talented girlfriend Sarah Meahl, and happily got a "Yes!"
Here's to major life events!
______________________________________________________________________________
NOVEMBER 5th, 2015
It's been quite awhile since I've written some news here. But I have a good excuse...I've recently joined the 2nd National Tour of BOOK OF MORMON! It's a phenomenal show and I've made some good friends already. We just opened in Baltimore last night and the audiences are loving the show - as they seem to everywhere! I'm adjusting to life on the road and learning the ins and outs of hotel living. Send me an email if you have any life-hacks for living on the road!
I'll be out with the tour for at least a year, and we are generally staying east of the Mississippi river until the end of next summer. At that point, the 1st National Tour will have closed and we may be coming to a city near you, so check the schedule every once in a while for updates (see the link on my home page.)
Until next time, enjoy the fall and the upcoming holiday season!
Cheers!
______________________________________________________________________________
JUNE 30th, 2015
Shout-out to the west coast! I'll will be flying to San Francisco in a few days to prepare for a 4th of July concert by the San Francisco Symphony! It's a wonderful program with patriotic arrangements, music from the great John Williams, as well as a selections from THE SOUND OF MUSIC which I'll be singing with Ashley Brown!
_______________________________________________________________________________
MAY 10th, 2015
Tomorrow will be the first day of rehearsals for another very exciting project that I get to be part of. Remember the cartoon Hazel and the subsequent tv series in the 60s? Well a musical has been made about her entitled, you guessed it, HAZEL! I get to play the conservative head-of-household George Baxter opposite Klea Blackhurst as Hazel, and Kerri Butler as my wife Dorothy. The script is by Lissa Levin (Mad About You, Cheers) with music by Ron Abel (Composer/Arranger for Lily Tomlin, Bea Arthur, & Carol Burnett) and lyrics by Chuck Steffan, and I think it's wonderful. And we'll be directed by the daughter of tv royalty and a wonderful actress in her own right, Lucie Arnaz! Chet Walker will choreograph. Unfortunately there are no public performances as of yet - this is just a workshop at this point, but hopefully we'll see a fully produced version soon!
_______________________________________________________________________________
APRIL 24th, 2015
THE FANTASTICKS IS SAVED!! Just got word from our producer that two investors have stepped forward to keep our show up and running! And so the Longest Running Musical in the World keeps right on going - as it should!
_______________________________________________________________________________
MARCH 25th, 2015
CLOSING NOTICE: THE FANTASTICKS
Well everyone, it's the end of an era - again. We got our closing notice last night. THE FANTASTICKS will play it's last show on May 3rd - the 55th anniversary of its debut. I'm certainly sad, but also feeling very grateful to have gotten to play El Gallo on and off for 5 years. It's been a privilege to sing Harvey's beautiful songs and speak Tom's immortal words each night, and touch the hearts of those who sit in our little theater.
_______________________________________________________________________________
FEBRUARY 23rd, 2015
I started rehearsals today for a workshop of a new musical called TABLE. The music is written by the legendary David Shire (of Maltby & Shire) so I'm sure it will be a wonderful, collaberative project. I am playing a celebrity chef who comes back to NY to help an old friend save his restaurant. And this will reteam me with Graham Rowat who played the Beast to my Gaston many years ago in BEAUTY AND THE BEAST in Las Vegas!
_______________________________________________________________________________
NOVEMBER 5th, 2014
Opening Night of SHOW BOAT! It's an amazing cast and I'm sure it will be a hit! I just found out that my amazing brother and sister will be flying in to see this production - Love you guys and thanks for the support!
_______________________________________________________________________________
OCTOBER 27th, 2014
Started rehearsals today for my next exciting project - SHOW BOAT at Lincoln Center! I'm very excited about this show, as it will mark my return to Lincoln Center where I last performed the role of Joe in MOST HAPPY FELLA at the New York City Opera back in 2006. I will be playing Steve Baker opposite Vanessa Williams as Julie, and will be sharing the stage with my friends Norm Lewis, Chris Fitzgerald and Alli Mauzey, along with some other amazing performers such as Julian Ovenden as Ravenal and Lauren Worsham as Magnolia. There will be 5 performances only from November 5th to the 8th, so get your tickets now! Also please note: I will not be performing in THE FANTASTICKS the week of November 3rd, but will return on Monday the 10th.
_______________________________________________________________________________
OCTOBER 17th, 2014
I will be performing in concert at Husson University in Bangor, Maine! Broadway Pops International will present the concert OH WHAT A NIGHT! - Billboard hits from the 60s. I, along with my friends Kevin Vortman and Jesse Nagar will be singing tunes from The Four Seasons, Tom Jones, Ray Charles and Bobby Darin, among others. If you're in Bangor, come have a great time and sing along to some of your favorites!
_______________________________________________________________________________
SEPTEMBER 8th, 2014
I had a wonderful time in Dallas, but now I am happy to announce that I will be returning to one of my favorite roles - El Gallo in THE FANTASTICKS at the Jerry Orbach theater off-Broadway! This will be the third time reprising this role and I look forward to joining my lovely friends MacIntyre Dixon (Henry), Michael Nostrand (Mortimer) and a bunch of new people that I'm sure I'll come to love as well. Get tickets at the box office, TKTS, or through the website http://www.fantasticksonbroadway.com/
_______________________________________________________________________________
MAY 25th to AUGUST 17th, 2014
I will be at the Dallas Theater Center performing the role of Javert in LES MISERABLES! It a role I've wanted to play for quite awhile now and I'm excited to finally tackle it. It will be directed by a very sought after directer - Leisl Tommy - and I'll be co-starring with Nehal Joshi as Valjean. I believe they've already extended the production so get your tickets now - it's apparently very popular!
Sarah and I had an amazing time at The Old Globe this past holiday season, and while our "working honeymoon" was fun, we're hoping for a real one soon. However, she is now fully immersed in rehearsals for the Broadway revival of KISS ME KATE! I have also kept busy with a couple of projects in this new year. At the end of January, I braved the frigid temperatures (-22!) of the polar vortex and was thrilled to sing with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra over a long weekend. The program was the songs of Jerome Kern, and the second act was an abridged version of SHOWBOAT in which I sang the role of Ravenal. Upon my return to NY, I immediately started rehearsals for a workshop/reading of a new musical called BLACK NO MORE, based on the 1931 satiric novel. John Ridley (Academy Award winner for 12 Years A Slave) wrote the book and Tariq “Black Thought” Trotter of The Roots was the composer. We had our presentation last week and it was very enthusiastically received. I'm excited to see what the future of the project will be!
Now I'm gearing up to start rehearsals next month for THE MUSIC MAN! I'm very excited to be returning to the role after the brief visit I had with it last July with the Lexington Theatre Company . This time it will be for several months at Goodspeed Opera in CT where I last played Trevor Graydon in THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLE back in 2017. Hope you can come see me play one of my favorite roles!
______________________________________________________________________________
September 17th, 2018
As I am getting ready to watch the talented, beautiful, funny and smart Sarah Meahl walk down the aisle toward me and say "I Do" next month, I am also preparing once again to revisit DR. SEUSS' HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS at The Old Globe this upcoming holiday season. I am thrilled to be asked back to play the iconic role at such a wonderful institution, and I'm especially delighted that for the first time since we met, Sarah and I will be performing together! A working honeymoon! Can't thank director James Vasquez and the entire production staff at The Old Globe enough for making this brilliant casting choice! Come see this lovely show and get in the holiday mood! Shows begin in early November and we play through December 29th.
______________________________________________________________________________
July 5th, 2018
Quick update! I will be taking over the role of Harold Hill in the Lexington Theatre Company production of THE MUSIC MAN! I just got the call yesterday and flew to Lexington today. I join rehearsals already in progress and we have a designer run-through the day after tomorrow! This will be a whirlwind experience as the run of the show is only July 12th to the 15th. My good friend Mark Madama is directing and my trusty sidekick Marcellus is being played by my trusty old friend Justin "Squigs" Robertson. Good thing I did this show...7 years ago! Strap in!
______________________________________________________________________________
May 27th, 2018
Hi every one! It's been a pretty quiet start to the year, but I now have a couple of dates to share for some upcoming work. I'll be out in Sacramento from mid-June to early July at California Music Theatre (Music Circus) playing one of my favorite roles - Adam Pontipee in 7 BRIDES FOR 7 BROTHERS. I'll be working with some lovely friends - Eric Sciotto, Patti Colombo, Karl Warden, Dennis Castellano & Glenn Casale - as well as a new lovely friend, Paige Faure! Following that, I will be back at an old favorite, Music Theatre of Wichita, for my 7th show, THE LITTLE MERMAID, and will reprise the role I played on tour back in 2013 - King Triton. If you are near either of those venues, please come out and support your local theater!
______________________________________________________________________________
December 4th, 2017
This holiday season finds me in San Diego at The Old Globe having the time of my life playing The Grinch in DR. SEUSS'S HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS! It really is amazing how doing a "Christmas" show just puts me in the mood and fills me with holiday spirit! I'm thrilled to be playing this titular role on the 20th anniversary of the show. This is a holiday staple for San Diego and the audiences have been amazing! Can't thank our director James, and the production staff at The Old Globe, enough for inviting me here to lead their production. I am honored!
Happy Holiday's every one!
______________________________________________________________________________
SEPTEMBER 12th, 2017
Long overdue update!
BOOK OF MORMON tour was amazing - I spent a year with the Jumamosi company! I got back home to NY in late fall of 2016 and had a great holiday season. 2017 saw me going up to Goodspeed Opera in CT to play Trevor Graydon in THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE, and then some time in the summer in Pittsburgh playing Joseph Pulitzer in NEWSIES. My bigger news though, is that I just completed filming on an episode of NCIS:New Orleans! I got to spend a week down in the Big Easy working with Scott Bakula and the other wonderful cast and crew of the series. They truly were a lovely, professional team, and I had a blast and was treated like a member of the famly. Scott is one of the nicest, most genuine and lovely people you could meet; so busy yet always has a smile, and a moment to chat. I don't know the air date of the episode, but will try to remember to update once I get it!
I also recently signed with a manager (who used to be with my agency) and am looking forward to working with Josh Pultz at Amplified Entertainment and expanding my career and challenging myself with new pursuits! His
And for a break in the usual actor's life news, and on a far more personal note, I got engaged last month! I proposed to my beautiful, talented girlfriend Sarah Meahl, and happily got a "Yes!"
Here's to major life events!
______________________________________________________________________________
NOVEMBER 5th, 2015
It's been quite awhile since I've written some news here. But I have a good excuse...I've recently joined the 2nd National Tour of BOOK OF MORMON! It's a phenomenal show and I've made some good friends already. We just opened in Baltimore last night and the audiences are loving the show - as they seem to everywhere! I'm adjusting to life on the road and learning the ins and outs of hotel living. Send me an email if you have any life-hacks for living on the road!
I'll be out with the tour for at least a year, and we are generally staying east of the Mississippi river until the end of next summer. At that point, the 1st National Tour will have closed and we may be coming to a city near you, so check the schedule every once in a while for updates (see the link on my home page.)
Until next time, enjoy the fall and the upcoming holiday season!
Cheers!
______________________________________________________________________________
JUNE 30th, 2015
Shout-out to the west coast! I'll will be flying to San Francisco in a few days to prepare for a 4th of July concert by the San Francisco Symphony! It's a wonderful program with patriotic arrangements, music from the great John Williams, as well as a selections from THE SOUND OF MUSIC which I'll be singing with Ashley Brown!
_______________________________________________________________________________
MAY 10th, 2015
Tomorrow will be the first day of rehearsals for another very exciting project that I get to be part of. Remember the cartoon Hazel and the subsequent tv series in the 60s? Well a musical has been made about her entitled, you guessed it, HAZEL! I get to play the conservative head-of-household George Baxter opposite Klea Blackhurst as Hazel, and Kerri Butler as my wife Dorothy. The script is by Lissa Levin (Mad About You, Cheers) with music by Ron Abel (Composer/Arranger for Lily Tomlin, Bea Arthur, & Carol Burnett) and lyrics by Chuck Steffan, and I think it's wonderful. And we'll be directed by the daughter of tv royalty and a wonderful actress in her own right, Lucie Arnaz! Chet Walker will choreograph. Unfortunately there are no public performances as of yet - this is just a workshop at this point, but hopefully we'll see a fully produced version soon!
_______________________________________________________________________________
APRIL 24th, 2015
THE FANTASTICKS IS SAVED!! Just got word from our producer that two investors have stepped forward to keep our show up and running! And so the Longest Running Musical in the World keeps right on going - as it should!
_______________________________________________________________________________
MARCH 25th, 2015
CLOSING NOTICE: THE FANTASTICKS
Well everyone, it's the end of an era - again. We got our closing notice last night. THE FANTASTICKS will play it's last show on May 3rd - the 55th anniversary of its debut. I'm certainly sad, but also feeling very grateful to have gotten to play El Gallo on and off for 5 years. It's been a privilege to sing Harvey's beautiful songs and speak Tom's immortal words each night, and touch the hearts of those who sit in our little theater.
_______________________________________________________________________________
FEBRUARY 23rd, 2015
I started rehearsals today for a workshop of a new musical called TABLE. The music is written by the legendary David Shire (of Maltby & Shire) so I'm sure it will be a wonderful, collaberative project. I am playing a celebrity chef who comes back to NY to help an old friend save his restaurant. And this will reteam me with Graham Rowat who played the Beast to my Gaston many years ago in BEAUTY AND THE BEAST in Las Vegas!
_______________________________________________________________________________
NOVEMBER 5th, 2014
Opening Night of SHOW BOAT! It's an amazing cast and I'm sure it will be a hit! I just found out that my amazing brother and sister will be flying in to see this production - Love you guys and thanks for the support!
_______________________________________________________________________________
OCTOBER 27th, 2014
Started rehearsals today for my next exciting project - SHOW BOAT at Lincoln Center! I'm very excited about this show, as it will mark my return to Lincoln Center where I last performed the role of Joe in MOST HAPPY FELLA at the New York City Opera back in 2006. I will be playing Steve Baker opposite Vanessa Williams as Julie, and will be sharing the stage with my friends Norm Lewis, Chris Fitzgerald and Alli Mauzey, along with some other amazing performers such as Julian Ovenden as Ravenal and Lauren Worsham as Magnolia. There will be 5 performances only from November 5th to the 8th, so get your tickets now! Also please note: I will not be performing in THE FANTASTICKS the week of November 3rd, but will return on Monday the 10th.
_______________________________________________________________________________
OCTOBER 17th, 2014
I will be performing in concert at Husson University in Bangor, Maine! Broadway Pops International will present the concert OH WHAT A NIGHT! - Billboard hits from the 60s. I, along with my friends Kevin Vortman and Jesse Nagar will be singing tunes from The Four Seasons, Tom Jones, Ray Charles and Bobby Darin, among others. If you're in Bangor, come have a great time and sing along to some of your favorites!
_______________________________________________________________________________
SEPTEMBER 8th, 2014
I had a wonderful time in Dallas, but now I am happy to announce that I will be returning to one of my favorite roles - El Gallo in THE FANTASTICKS at the Jerry Orbach theater off-Broadway! This will be the third time reprising this role and I look forward to joining my lovely friends MacIntyre Dixon (Henry), Michael Nostrand (Mortimer) and a bunch of new people that I'm sure I'll come to love as well. Get tickets at the box office, TKTS, or through the website http://www.fantasticksonbroadway.com/
_______________________________________________________________________________
MAY 25th to AUGUST 17th, 2014
I will be at the Dallas Theater Center performing the role of Javert in LES MISERABLES! It a role I've wanted to play for quite awhile now and I'm excited to finally tackle it. It will be directed by a very sought after directer - Leisl Tommy - and I'll be co-starring with Nehal Joshi as Valjean. I believe they've already extended the production so get your tickets now - it's apparently very popular!