Starring at Lincoln Center as Emile De Becque in the landmark revival of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s SOUTH PACIFIC, Broadway and concert star WILLIAM MICHALS made his Broadway debut as “The Beast” in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, performing opposite Andrea McArdle, Deborah Gibson and Toni Braxton, and later returned to play Gaston in the same production. His career has continued in such roles as Javert in Les Misérables, Billy Flynn in CHICAGO, Don Quixote in Man of La Mancha, Harold Hill in The Music Man, Captain von Trapp in The Sound Of Music and the title role in Phantom and most recently appearing in Bright Star on Broadway. A recipient of the prestigious Anselmo Award, he also earned recognition by Chicago’s “Jeff” and the National STAR awards for his portrayal of Chauvelin in the national company of The Scarlet Pimpernel.
Not only has Michals played the great houses of the nation, from Broadway’s fabled Palace Theatre to LA’s Ahmanson and D.C.’s Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, but he’s also entertained in New York’s finest rooms, including the Rainbow Room, The Four Seasons, The Metropolitan Room, 54 Below and the Grand Ballroom of The Plaza. Casino dates, like the recent concert at the Foxwoods Resort, will continue to be a part of his calendar. Michals regularly appears with the country’s leading orchestras and conductors, including the San Diego, Utah, and Hartford Symphonies, Michael Tilson Thomas and his New World Symphony, and a recent return to Peter Nero and the Philly Pops for another sold-out evening of “Broadway Showstoppers”.
He has sung The National Anthem for major league sporting events from coast to coast, and enjoys the rare distinction of performing for the joint leadership of the House and Senate inside The United States Capitol. Symphonic performances of “The House I Live In” and John Williams’ “America, The Dream Goes On” have garnered the praise and admiration of many D.C. notables, especially Sen. Orrin Hatch (himself an accomplished songwriter). Mayor Rudy Giuliani personally called upon William to open the December 11, 2001 memorial service at Ground Zero with a solo, a capella rendition of “Let There Be Peace On Earth”, which has been rebroadcast worldwide over network TV, CNN, National Public Radio, and the Internet. William’s credits extend into the classical world, in New York, Boston, and in recitals at the Aspen and Tanglewood Music Festivals. Operatic roles include Figaro and the Count in Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro, Escamillo in Bizet’s Carmen, Marcello in Puccini’s La Bohème, and the dark Hunding in Wagner’s Die Walküre. In spring 2005 he’ll star as Danilo in the upcoming Opera Memphis production of Lehár’s The Merry Widow.
TV appearances include; “Blue Bloods”, “Law and Order”, “All My Children” and “Guiding Light.”
Following the success of his live CD, william michals broadway in concert, William is now collaborating with some of the extraordinary creative talents behind Sarah Brightman, Josh Groban, and Charlotte Church, fusing the myriad of musical styles with which he has been associated, and providing the true baritone sound the “crossover” market has so far lacked. His growing fan club counts members from Europe, Canada and the United States.
With a varied career on stage, in concert, and in the studio, William Michals continues to live up to the moniker “America’s Baritone”.