Joshua Henry

Joshua Anthony Charlton Henry (born September 2, 1984) is a Canadian-American actor and singer of stage and screen.

He is best known for starring as Billy Bigelow in the third Broadway revival of ''Carousel'' and as Haywood Patterson in Kander and Ebb's '' The Scottsboro Boys'', both of which earned him Tony Award nominations. He has also received a Tony Award nomination for his role of Flick in '' Violet''.

Henry starred in the lead role of Aaron Burr in the first United States national tour of ''Hamilton'', previously playing the role in the Chicago production in 2016.
His other notable performances include Dr. Jim Pomatter in the Broadway restaging of ''Waitress'', Rapunzel’s Prince in the second Broadway revival of ''Into the Woods'', Gaston in '' Beauty and the Beast: A 30th Celebration'', and Coalhouse Walker Jr. in New York City Center’s ''Ragtime''. He also portrayed Jake in the 2011 Broadway production of ''Porgy and Bess'' and Noble Sissle in the original Broadway cast of '' Shuffle Along'' .

Early life and education

Henry was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada to Zadoc Henry (a teacher at Calvary Christian Academy), and raised in Miami. He originally wanted to be an accountant, like his mother. However, he was cast as Harold Hill in his high school (Florida Bible Christian School) production of ''The Music Man'' and with the experience he changed his mind.

Henry studied theatre at the University of Miami, where he graduated in 2006.

Career

Theatre

2006-2010: Early career and Broadway debut

Henry made his acting debut when he co-starred as Judas/John the Baptist in the Paper Mill Playhouse ( Milburn, New Jersey) production of ''Godspell'' in 2006. He was set to star in a 2008 Broadway transfer opposite Gavin Creel as Jesus and Diana DeGarmo, but the project was cancelled.

In 2007, Henry appeared in the ensemble of the Off-Broadway musical ''In the Heights'', re-joining the cast for the show's Broadway production. For ''In the Heights'', the entire cast won a Drama Desk Award, and Henry and the ensemble won an ACCA Award for Outstanding Broadway Chorus from Actors' Equity Association.

Henry starred in ''Serenade'', which played off-Broadway from December 9, 2007, to December 15, 2007. In June 2009, Henry contributed original music to the off-Broadway musical ''Shafrika, The White Girl'' at the Vineyard Theatre.

In 2009, he also starred in ''The Wiz'' as The Tin Man at New York City Center as a part of their Encores! series.

From March 24, 2010 to July 20, 2010 he played "Favorite Son" in the original Broadway cast of the Green Day musical ''American Idiot''. From March 15, 2011 until the show's closing on April 24, 2011 he returned to the role of "Favorite Son" in ''American Idiot''.

2010-2011: ''The Scottsboro Boys'' and first Tony nomination

Henry then joined the Broadway cast of '' The Scottsboro Boys'', directed and choreographed by Susan Stroman with a score by John Kander and Fred Ebb. He portrayed Haywood Patterson, for which he achieved critical praise. ''The Star Tribune'' wrote of his performance, "Joshua Henry ... ignites the role of Haywood Patterson as the lightning rod for our identification with the men." Charles Isherwood in ''The New York Times'' asserted that Henry "gives a performance of keen intensity as Haywood Patterson, an illiterate young man who becomes the focus of our sympathy as he steadfastly refuses to sign his name to a lie in order to obtain parole. Mr. Henry performs Haywood’s ballad of hopeless yearning, "Go Back Home," with a powerful simplicity that slashes through the evening's artifice." Despite these positive reviews, ''The Scottsboro Boys'' closed within a month. For his performance, Henry was nominated for the 2011 Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical, but lost to Norbert Leo Butz in ''Catch Me If You Can''.

On January 22, he was among the performers in the ''Broadway Memories'' concert performance in New York, in which he performed selections from ''The Scottsboro Boys''. On March 2, 2011, he performed with ''The Scottsboro Boys original Broadway cast in ''Stro!'', a gala celebration honoring Susan Stroman.

Henry attended and performed at a MCC Miscast Gala in New York, held on March 15, 2011. The performance showcases "Broadway's hottest stars performing songs from roles in which they would never be cast." On April 10, 2011, he returned to the University of Miami to perform in their ''Broadway Unplugged'' concert. In addition, Henry and the cast of ''The Scottsboro Boys'' performed in the May 16, 2011, performance of ''Broadway Sensation'' in New York City.

2011-2016: ''Violet'', concerts and more leading roles on Broadway

Henry performed the role of Jake in the American Repertory Theater's production of ''Porgy and Bess'', which began previews August 17, 2011, at the Loeb Drama Center in Cambridge, Massachusetts. It officially opened on August 31 and ran through September 30, 2011. It transferred to the Richard Rodgers Theatre on Broadway where it played from January 12 until September 23, 2012.

In May and June 2013, he reprised his Tony nominated role in '' The Scottsboro Boys'' at the Ahmanson Theatre.

Henry performed the role of Flick in the Roundabout Theatre production of '' Violet'' which began in April, 2014. On April 29, 2014, he was nominated for a Tony in the category of Best Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical.

Henry performed in a one-night concert performance of ''Parade'' at the Lincoln Center. He starred as Jim Conley opposite Jeremy Jordan as Leo Frank, Ramin Karimloo as Tom Watson, and Laura Benanti as Lucille Frank.

He appeared in the role of Noble Sissle in the 2016 production of '' Shuffle Along, or, the Making of the Musical Sensation of 1921 and All That Followed'' at the Music Box Theatre on Broadway.

Henry starred as Jamie alongside Cynthia Erivo in a one-night benefit concert performance of Jason Robert Brown's '' The Last Five Years'' on September 12, 2016. Proceeds from the performance went to the Brady Center, a national gun violence organization.

2016-present: ''Carousel'', ''Ragtime'' and more Broadway revivals, ''Hamilton'', ''Waitress''

Henry originated the roles of Hercules Mulligan, James Madison, and King George III in the 2013 Vassar College workshop of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s ''Hamilton''. In 2016 and 2017, Henry starred in the lead role of Aaron Burr in the Chicago production of ''Hamilton: An American Musical'' at the CIBC Theatre. He reprised the role in the first United States national tour in San Francisco and Los Angeles. On November 18, 2020, it was announced Henry would reprise his role of Burr in a special performance with the cast of ''Hamilton'' for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

In 2018, Henry starred and gained wide-spread acclaim as Billy Bigelow alongside Jessie Mueller in the third Broadway revival of Rodgers and Hammerstein's ''Carousel'', for which he received a Tony Award nomination. Performances began on February 28 before officially opening on April 12. The show closed on September 16 after 181 performances.

In 2021, Henry became the first African-American actor to play Dr. Pomatter in ''Waitress''. He joined the Broadway cast on November 29 and stayed until it closed due to COVID-19 cases in the cast on December 20. He starred alongside Ciara Renèe as Jenna in the restaged production. He received a Broadway.com Audience Choice Award for his portrayal.

In May 2022, it was announced Henry would star as Rapunzel’s Prince in the second Broadway revival of ''Into the Woods'' that would open in June of that year. He left the production on October 9 for the filming of '' Beauty and the Beast: A 30th Celebration'' and was replaced by Andy Karl. Henry returned to the production after Karl’s extended run ended December 2. Henry would stay with the production until its final performance on January 8, 2023. During the run he would star opposite Gavin Creel, Cheyenne Jackson, Karl, Sara Bareilles, Brian d'Arcy James, Patina Miller, Stephanie J. Block, Montego Glover, Joaquina Kalukango, Sebastian Arcelus, Phillipa Soo, and Krysta Rodriguez.

In 2023, Henry co-wrote and co-starred in ''The Conversation'' opposite Julia Harriman at Power Station at BerkleeNYC. The production was directed by Lear DeBessonet and music directed by Alex Lacamoire.

In May 2024, it was announced Henry would star as Coalhouse Walker Jr. in a production of ''Ragtime'' at New York City Center opposite Caissie Levy and Brandon Uranowitz. The production opened on October 30 of that same year for a two week engagement. Henry received rave reviews for his performance. He’s set to reprise the role in a Broadway revival at the Vivian Beaumont Theatre with performances set to begin in September 2025.Paulson, Michae
‘Ragtime’ Is Returning to Broadway
New York Times, May 6, 2025

Film and television

Henry appeared in the first ''Sex and the City'' film in 2008.

Henry has also appeared on the television series '' Kings'' and '' Nip/Tuck'', as well as the 2010 short film ''Once Upon a Time in Australia''.

Henry also appeared in the role of Corporal Quincy Montclair on season 7 of the Lifetime series ''Army Wives''.

Henry also starred in the film adaptation of the musical '' tick, tick... BOOM!'' as Roger Bart. He starred alongside Andrew Garfield, Alexandra Shipp, Robin de Jesús, Vanessa Hudgens. It was released in November 2021. Henry received a Black Reel Award nomination for his performance.

In December 2022, Henry starred as Gaston in '' Beauty and the Beast: A 30th Celebration''. He starred alongside H.E.R., Josh Groban, Martin Short, David Alan Grier, Shania Twain, Rizwan Manji, and Rita Moreno.

Music

On September 23, 2008, Henry performed in a concert performance titled ''Party Worth Crashing'' in New York City.

Henry, along with Corbin Bleu and Andréa Burns, was featured on "Dare to Go Beyond: The Album", by the nonprofit organization R.Evolución Latina. It was released on December 13, 2010, produced by Luis Salgado.

On January 16, 2011, Henry, Laura Osnes, and Natalie Weiss were featured performers in Kait Kerrigan and Bree Lowdermilk's ''You Made This Tour'' concert at the Laurie Beechman Theatre.

Henry performed in the 92nd Street Y's ''Lyrics & Lyricists'' event, honoring Burton Lane, on February 14, 2011.

On February 12, 2021, Henry released his EP ''Guarantee''.

On September 10, 2021, Henry released his debut album ''Grow''.

On December 13, 2022 Henry released his single ''Can't Nobody Tell Us Nothin.

In October 2024, he appeared on Eisa Davis and Lin-Manuel Miranda's musical concept album ''Warriors''. He sang the role of Wanya of The Bizzies.

Personal life

In October 2012, he married his college sweetheart, Cathryn Stringer. He currently resides in Harlem, New York City.

Stage credits

Film and television credits

Awards and nominations

References

External links

Joshua Henry's official website
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Lortel Archives profile
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Henry, Joshua
1984 births
Living people
African-American male actors
Male actors from Florida
Male actors from Winnipeg
American male stage actors
American male film actors
American male musical theatre actors
American male television actors
American male voice actors
University of Miami alumni
Black Canadian male actors
Canadian male stage actors
Canadian people of African-American descent
Canadian male musical theatre actors
Canadian male film actors
Canadian male television actors
Canadian male voice actors
Canadian expatriate male actors in the United States
20th-century African-American male singers
20th-century American male singers
20th-century American singers
21st-century African-American people
21st-century American male singers
21st-century American singers