Joshua Henry

Henry was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada^[8] to Zadoc Henry (a teacher at Calvary Christian Academy), and raised in Miami, Florida, United States. He currently resides in Harlem, New York City.^[9] He had 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, graduating in 2006.^[9] He married his college sweetheart, Cathryn Stringer, in October 2012.^[10]

Theatre edit

2006-2010: Early career and Broadway debut edit

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.^{[11] [12]}

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.^[13] 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.^[14]

Henry starred in Serenade, which played off-Broadway from December 9, 2007, to December 15, 2007.^[15] In June 2009, Henry contributed original music to the off-Broadway musical Shafrika, The White Girl at the Vineyard Theatre.^[16]

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.^[17][18] From March 15, 2011 until the show's closing on April 24, 2011 he returned to the role of "Favorite Son" in American Idiot.^[19][20]

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

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.^[21] He portrayed Haywood Patterson, for which he achieved critical praise.^[22] 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."^[23] 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."^[24] Despite these positive reviews, The Scottsboro Boys closed within a month.^[25] 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.^[26][27]

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.^[28] On March 2, 2011, he performed with The Scottsboro Boys' original Broadway cast in Stro!, a gala celebration honoring Susan Stroman.^[29]

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."^[30] On April 10, 2011, he returned to the University of Miami to perform in their Broadway Unplugged concert.^[31] In addition, Henry and the cast of The Scottsboro Boys performed in the May 16, 2011, performance of Broadway Sensation in New York City.^[32]

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

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.^[33]

In May and June 2013, he reprised his Tony nominated role in The Scottsboro Boys at the Ahmanson Theatre.^[34]

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.^[35]

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.^[36]

2016-present: Hamilton, Waitress and Broadway revivals edit

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.^[37] 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.^[4] 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.^[38]

In 2018, Henry starred as Billy Bigelow alongside Jessie Mueller in the third revival of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Carousel, for which he received a Tony Award nomination.^[39]

In 2021, Henry became the first African-American actor to play Dr. Pomatter in Waitress.^[40] He starred alongside Ciara Renèe as Jenna in the Broadway production.^[41]

In May 2022, it was announced Henry would star as Rapunzel’s Prince in the Broadway revival of Into the Woods that would open in June of that year.^[42] He left the production on October 9 for the filming of Beauty and the Beast: A 30th Celebration and was replaced by Andy Karl.^[43] Henry returned to the production after Karl’s extended run^[44] 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.^[45]

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.^[46]

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 is set to open October 30 of that same year for a two week engagement.^[47]

Film and television edit

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.^[48]

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.^[49]

Music edit

On September 23, 2008, Henry performed in a concert performance titled Party Worth Crashing in New York City.^[50]

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.^[51]

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.^[52]

Henry performed in the 92nd Street Y's Lyrics & Lyricists event, honoring Burton Lane, on February 14, 2011.^[53]

On February 12, 2021, Henry released his EP Guarantee.^[54]

On September 10, 2021, Henry released his debut album Grow.^[55]

On December 13, 2022 Henry released his single Can't Nobody Tell Us Nothin'.^[56]

• Joshua Henry's official website
• Joshua Henry at the Internet Broadway Database
• Lortel Archives profile
• Joshua Henry at IMDb