Adam Pascal

Infobox actor
name = Adam Pascal

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birthdate = birth date and age|1970|10|25|mf=y
birthplace = The Bronx, New York, United States
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spouse = Cybele Chivian
(1998–present) 2 children
website =
awards =

Adam Pascal (born October 25, 1970) is an American actor and singer, best known for his Tony-nominated performance as Roger Davis in the original cast of Jonathan Larson's musical "Rent" on Broadway. He is also known for originating the role of Radames in Elton John and Tim Rice's "Aida".

Career

Pascal was born to a Jewish family in The Bronx, New York, but raised in Syosset, New York. Before he started being interested in music, he was a personal trainer. Although he started as a rock musician playing in a number of bands (such as Mute) he formed with his schoolmates, Pascal became drawn to the musical theater. A friend of his former high school, who at the time was dating fellow Syosset graduate Idina Menzel, mentioned "Rent" to him. On a whim, he auditioned for the role of the HIV positive rock guitarist Roger Davis in "Rent" and was cast. His powerful tenor voice and his performance in "Rent" earned him a Tony nomination, a Theater World award, and an Obie Award. He left the show on November 2nd, 1997, but went on to play Roger when "Rent" went to London.

The role helped Pascal gain fame on Broadway, and he was cast in the Elton John and Tim Rice musical "Aida" as the Egyptian general Radames (original and final cast), and Kander and Ebb's "Cabaret", closing the show as the Emcee (closing cast). He also participated in several charity performances, including "Hair" (singing "I Got Life"), "Chess" (playing the American, Freddie), and the "24 Hour Plays" in 2005. However, Pascal felt that he was looked upon solely as a Broadway singer, and he returned to his roots with a solo recording contract on Sh-K-Boom Records, which was founded by his "Aida" costar, Sherie Rene Scott and her husband Kurt Deutsch. He has released two solo rock albums, "Model Prisoner" (2000) and "Civilian" (2004). He also contributed a cover of Billy Joel's "New York State of Mind" to the CD "Broadway Cares: Home for the Holidays".

He made his film debut in "SLC Punk!" (1999), and also appeared in "School of Rock" (2003) and "Temptation" (2004). The audio for "Temptation", a musical, was recorded live on set during filming. In late 2005, he, along with many of the principal cast, reprised their roles in the film version of "Rent", directed by Chris Columbus. Singer Justin Timberlake also is reported to have campaigned heavily to both Lee and Columbus for the role of Roger. [cite news|url= http://broadwayworld.com/viewcolumn.cfm?colid=6090|title=Rent Film Success Bodes Well for Future Movie Musicals|publisher=Broadway World|date=2007-11-28|accessdate=2008-02-06] , but many of the original cast members returned at the insistence of Columbus. The film was released on November 23, 2005.

Most recently, Pascal had a guest role as "Dennis Hofferman", a murder victim, on an episode of "Cold Case", which co-starred Tracie Thoms, his co-star from the film version of "Rent". The episode, called "Willkommen", was aired on April 2, 2006, and revolved around an amateur production of "Cabaret". On July 4th, Adam took part in the Macy's Fourth of July Celebration by singing while fireworks were displayed, as part of the tradition. He also took part in both the fifth and tenth anniversary celebrations of Rent on Broadway.

In the independent movie "Goyband", Pascal stars as a former boy-band icon who is booked to play a show at a Kosher hotel, but ends up shocking the guests with his sexy show. Fans were invited to participate in the movie as extras for the concert scenes. His co-stars in "Goyband" are Amy Davidson, Cris Judd, Tovah Feldshuh, Dean Edwards,Tibor Feldman and Natasha Lyonne.

Pascal has also completed filming for another independent movie, "American Primitive", about a gay couple who try to hide their relationship from family and neighbors, a few years following the Stonewall Riots.

Along with original Broadway "RENT" cast member Anthony Rapp (Mark Cohen), Pascal returned to Broadway to star as Roger Davis in Rent from July 30 to October 7, 2007.

He reprized the role of Freddie, The American in the London concert version of "Chess" at the Royal Albert Hall on the 12th and 13th May 2008. His "Rent" co-star, Idina Menzel played the role of Florence. This performance was recorded and will be televised on American and British television in the Spring of 2009, after which, a DVD will become available.

Pascal formed the band, "Me and Larry (Edoff)" in 2006. The two musicians began composing and performing original material and reworked Broadway songs in small venues throughout the US. Pascal won the 2007-2008 Golden Icon Award for Best Small Venue Concert. The band's first CD,"Blinding Light", was released in May 2008 on Pascal's own label. The CD is available at concerts and through the band's website [http://www.meandlarry.com/] (where a direct digital download is available).

In 2008, Adam recorded a ballad entitled "Eva' Wanted" with Broadway veteran and recording artist Maya Days. Adam and Maya were in "Aida" on Broadway in 2000. Maya Days is also a veteran of "Rent" on Broadway and in the UK, as well as the first National Tour (playing Mimi.)

Beginning in January 2009, he will join his long-time friend and co-star, Anthony Rapp (as Mark) in a US national tour of "Rent".

The Backyardigans

Adam provided the narration and sang a song in the double-length episode "Tale of the Mighty Knights" for the show "The Backyardigans". The song is called "I'm Not an Egg Anymore", and is the final song of the episode.

Personal Life

Pascal married cook, writer, and Playwright Cybele (Chivian) Pascal on December 19, 1998. They have two sons, Lennon Jay (born October 2001) and Montgomery Lovell (born February 2004), who are huge fans of The Backyardigans.

Due to their children's food allergies, Cybele created nutritious, enjoyable, safe recipes, which she included in her book "The Whole Foods Allergy Cookbook: Two Hundred Gourmet & Homestyle Recipes for the Food Allergic Family".

tage Work

* "Rent" (Original cast and London) - Roger Davis (1994-1997)
* "Cabaret" - Emcee (1998)
* "Aida" - Radames (1998-2000)
* "Aida" - Radames (2004)
* "Hair" (2005)
* "Chess" - Freddie (2005)
* "24 Hour Plays" (2005)
* "Rent" - Roger Davis (2007)
* "Chess" (London) - Freddie (2008)
* "Rent" (US national tour) - Roger Davis (2009)

Filmography

References

External links

* [http://adampascalmusic.com/ The Official Adam Pascal Website]
* [http://www.meandlarry.com/ Adam Pascal and Larry Edoff: Me and Larry Website]
* [http://sh-k-boom.com/ Sh-K-Boom Records]
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* [http://www.myspace.com/adampascal Adam Pascal Official MySpace]
* [http://patrickhickeyjr.tripod.com/adam_pascal_interview.html Adam Pascal Interview]
* [http://www.broadway.com/gen/Buzz_Story.aspx?ci=1828 Ask Adam Pascal]
* [http://www.broadway.com/gen/Buzz_Star_File.aspx?ci=17731 Adam Pascal: Star File]