Jim Walton | |
|---|---|
| Born | |
| Education | University of Cincinnati – College-Conservatory of Music |
| Occupation | Actor |
Jim Walton is an American actor, most notable for his leading performance in the original production ofStephen Sondheim'sMerrily We Roll Along as Franklin Shephard.
Walton was born inTachikawa,Japan, and grew up inMarion,Indiana.[2]
He graduated with a musical theatre degree from theCollege-Conservatory of Music at theUniversity of Cincinnati[3] and moved to New York City in 1979, the year in which he was inBig Bad Burlesque and "Scrambled Feet". In November 1980, he made his Broadway debut inPerfectly Frank, a revue ofFrank Loesser's songs.[4]
In December 1980, at auditions forMerrily, directorHarold Prince asked him how old he was. At that time, he was 25, and he decided to tell the truth about his age. He was sure he would be cut because they were looking for people closer to 18. He was relieved when they announced to the room that this was the cast ofMerrily, but would have to wait nine months because Sondheim had not finished the score at this time.[5] Jim Weissenbach was originally cast as Franklin Shepard, but was let go during previews and Walton was chosen as his replacement.[6]Merrily only lasted for 16 performances.
In the fall of 1982, he went on tour with42nd Street, in which he later appeared on Broadway.
He was next in the 1987 musical revueStardust, a musical ofMitchell Parish's songs. He next starred as Anthony Hope in the 1989 revival ofSweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, withBob Gunton as the title character.[4] In 1990, he was in the musical revueCloser Than Ever.[7]
He was in the 1991 original Off-Broadway cast ofAnd the World Goes 'Round.[7]
He starred in the 1998 American premiere ofThe Fix at theSignature Theatre as Reed Chandler. He was also in the 2000 revival ofThe Music Man.[4]
In 2003, he starred as Eliot Rosewater in a concert production ofHoward Ashman's andAlan Menken's musicalKurt Vonnegut's God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater alongsideCarolee Carmello andDavid Pittu.[8]
He was in the 2004 Off-Broadway musicalChef's Theater: A Musical Feast.[9] AtNorth Shore Music Theatre in 2008, he played Frank inShow Boat.[10]
He returned to Broadway in 2009 as Harry the Horse and an understudy for Nicely-Nicely Johnson inGuys and Dolls and as Charles F. Maude inBye Bye Birdie, as well as the 2011 production ofCompany.[11]
He was also in the 2011 limited engagement of the new musical byMaury Yeston,Death Takes a Holiday.[4]
He has been in three PBS performances. He performed in the 1985 Philharmonic concert of Sondheim'sFollies as Young Buddy, withMandy Patinkin portraying the older Buddy. The two-day concert was recorded and released on CD. He was also inCrazy for You andThe All Night Strut.[1]
He played the role of Manfred in the 2017 Broadway revival ofSunset Boulevard, withGlenn Close starring as Norma Desmond.
He joined the Broadway company ofCome from Away on November 13, 2018, in the role of Nick/Doug and others,[12] and stayed with the production until it closed in 2022, including performing in the2021 film alongside his niece, Emily Walton.
Walton and his brother Bob wroteMy Brother's Keeper,Double Trouble, andMidlife! The Crisis Musical, the latter of which premiered at the Chanhassen Dinner Theaters and is licensed through R&H Theatricals.
He is brother to actor Bob Walton and brother-in-law to actress Laurie Walton.[4]He is the father of Tyler (Walton) Zeller.
Faculty, Resident Artists, and Alumni ... Alumni continue to hold key positions in the performing and media arts. Numbered among them are ... musical theatre stars Faith Prince, Lee Roy Reams, Michele Pawk, Jason Graae, Jim Walton, Vicki Lewis, and Ashley Brown.
