Barrett Foa

Infobox Actor

---

name = Barrett Foa
birthdate = birth date and age|1977|9|18
location = New York,New York, U.S.
website = http://www.barrettfoa.com

Barrett Foa (born September 18 1977 in Manhattan) is an American stage actor.

When he was three years old, Foa put together a puzzle in record time, gaining him entry to the prestigious Dalton School. He spent all his remaining school years there. While in high school at Dalton, Foa spent all four summers at Interlochen Arts Camp in upstate Michigan, pursuing his interest in live theater. Later he continued his theatrical studies at the University of Michigan, graduating with honors and earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts in musical theatre performance. Foa also spent a semester around the world studying Shakespeare and acting at The Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London, England.

During the beginning of each summer in college, Foa interned at Johnson-Liff Casting. He also spent time in a number of summer stock theatre groups, including the New London Barn Playhouse, Maine State Music Theatre, Music Theatre of Wichita, and the Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera.

After college, Foa landed his first major role in New York, starring as Jesus in Stephen Schwartz's off-Broadway revival production of "Godspell". Foa can be heard on "Godspell's" 2000 Off-Broadway cast recording. This production received much positive critical attention and helped raise Foa's profile in the New York theatre scene. Foa went on to act in many other productions, and made his Broadway debut in 2001 in the original cast of "Mamma Mia!" After 6 months with the show, Foa left "Mamma Mia!" to accept a three-month job at TheatreWorks in Palo Alto, California, where he created the lead role in a new musical called "Kept" with music by Henry Kreiger, lyrics by Bill Russell, and a book by Stephen Chbosky.

After playing Matt in "The Fantasticks" at the 12,000 seat outdoor St. Louis Muny, Foa was picked to play Claudio in a dual production of "Much Ado About Nothing" at Hartford Stage and The Shakespease Theatre in D.C. Mark Lamos directed.

Foa played the evil Mordred in "Camelot" at Paper Mill Playhouse in NJ, and later was cast in the role of Cupid in the four-person off-Broadway production of "Cupid and Psyche" in New York City.

While still performing as Cupid, Foa began the audition process for Broadway's "Avenue Q". After two months, five auditions, and tons of puppet practice, he became an understudy to the roles of Princeton/Rod in December 2003. After the show had run for about a year, Foa was promoted and began to perform the lead role on February 1, 2005. He continued in the lead role for a year and a half.

While performing in "Avenue Q", Foa was offered the role of Leaf Coneybear in the Broadway musical "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee." For two weeks he rehearsed for "Spelling Bee" during the day and performed "Avenue Q" in the evening. His stint as Leaf Coneybear began on July 11, 2006. He played his final performance on Sunday, April 15, 2007.

He played his last performance as Frederic in "Pirates!" an updated version of "The Pirates of Penzance", on July 8, 2007 again, at Paper Mill Playhouse.

Barrett played Karel in "The Lady In Question" a play by and starring Charles Busch from August 14, through September 2, 2007.

Most recently, he played Eddie in "The Drunken City," a new Adam Bock play at Playwrights HorizonsMarch 13 - April 20, 2008.

And played Tu-Ping in a workshop presenation of "The Nightingale" with music by Duncan Sheik and book and lyrics by Steven Sater at New York Theatre Workshop directed by James Lapine.

In May 2008 he plays Jordy in a workshop of "Giant," a new musical with music and lyrics by Michael John LaChiusa and book by Sybille Pearson, based on the Edna Ferber novel and the movie with Rock Hudson, Elizabeth Taylor and James Dean. Eric Schaffer directs.

Personal life

In addition to various workshops and readings, Foa donates his time and talents to community causes and nonprofit theatre companies and organizations, including Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and The Actors' Fund. He also attended French Woods Festival of the Performing Arts.

External links

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###@@@KEY@@@###succession box
title=Portraying Leaf Coneybear in "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee"
years=2006-2007
before=Jesse Tyler Ferguson
after=Stanley Bahorek