Adam Pascal

Pascal was born in The Bronx, New York, and grew up in Woodbury, Nassau County, New York, with his mother, Wendy (née Frishman), and stepfather, Mel Seamon.{{Cite news|last=Green|first=Blake|date=2000-03-17|title=THEATER / A Star Is Torn / Though he's playing the lead in a second Broadway musical, Adam Pascal remains a rocker at heart|work=Newsday|url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/newsday/access/51232837.html?dids=51232837:51232837&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Mar+17%2C+2000&author=Blake+Green.+STAFF+WRITER&pub=Newsday+(Combined+editions)&desc=THEATER+%2F+A+Star+Is+Torn+%2F+Though+he's+playing+the+lead+in+a+second+Broadway+musical%2C+Adam+Pascal+remains+a+rocker+at+heart&pqatl=google|access-date=2009-12-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306213201/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/newsday/doc/279298689.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS%3AFT&type=current&date=Mar%2017%2C%202000&author=Blake%20Green.%20STAFF%20WRITER&pub=Newsday%20%28Combined%20editions%29&edition=&startpage=&desc=THEATER%20%2F%20A%20Star%20Is%20Torn%20%2F%20Though%20he%27s%20playing%20the%20lead%20in%20a%20second%20Broadway%20musical%2C%20Adam%20Pascal%20remains%20a%20rocker%20at%20heart|archive-date=2016-03-06|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MEYrAQAAIAAJ&q=Theater+week,+Volume+9,+Issues+48-52|title=Theater Week|date=14 June 1996|publisher=That New Magazine, Incorporated|via=Google Books}} He was raised Jewish.{{Cite news|last=Elkin|first=Michael|date=2009-02-05|title='Rent' Control|work=Jewish Exponent|url=http://www.jewishexponent.com/%27rent%27-control|access-date=2016-06-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160810202554/http://www.jewishexponent.com/'rent'-control|archive-date=August 10, 2016}} He attended Stagedoor Manor summer camp and graduated from Syosset High School.{{cite web|last=Wiener|first=Iris|date=11 June 2011|title='Rent' Star Adam Pascal Revisits Roots|url=http://syosset.patch.com/articles/rent-star-adam-pascal-revisits-roots|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111004042556/http://syosset.patch.com/articles/rent-star-adam-pascal-revisits-roots|archive-date=October 4, 2011|website=Syosset Patch}}{{Cite web |title= |url=https://playbill.com/article/broadways-beanie-feldstein-adam-pascal-adam-kantor-and-more-share-their-theatre-camp-memories}} He then graduated from New York Institute of Technology.{{cite web|last=Prock|first=Jay|date=August 22, 2014|title=BWW Interviews: Adam Pascal Hosts Master Class on the Basics of Auditioning in Musical Theatre|url=http://www.broadwayworld.com/dallas/article/BWW-Interviews-Adam-Pascal-Hosts-Master-Class-on-the-Basics-of-Auditioning-in-Musical-Theatre-20140822|website=BroadwayWorld}} Before his interest in music, he was a personal trainer. Although he began as a rock musician playing in a number of bands (such as Mute) formed with his schoolmates, Pascal became drawn to musical theater.

A friend of his from high school (Idina Menzel's boyfriend at the time) mentioned Rent to him. On a whim, he auditioned and was cast as the HIV-positive rock guitarist Roger Davis. 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 2, 1997, but went on to reprise Roger when Rent opened in 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 with the original and final casts{{Cite web|last=Molnar|first=Joseph|date=June 26, 2000|title=Sound Advice: Aida, Adam Pascal and Sherie Rene Scott|url=https://www.talkinbroadway.com/page/sound/jun26.html|access-date=September 6, 2011|website=Talkin' Broadway}} (former Rent castmate Idina Menzel would co-star as Amneris in 2001), and Kander and Ebb's Cabaret, appearing in the show as the Emcee (closing cast).{{Cite web|title=Adam Pascal|url=http://www.adampascalmusic.com/fr_aboutadam.cfm|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110903072140/http://www.adampascalmusic.com/fr_aboutadam.cfm|archive-date=September 3, 2011|website=adampascalmusic.com}} He also participated in several charity performances, including Chess in 2003 (playing the American, Freddie Trumper),[http://www.ibdb.com/production.php?id=13503 "'Chess', The 3rd Annual Benefit Concert, 9/22/2003"] InternetBroadwayDatabase, accessed September 6, 2011 Hair in 2004 (singing "I Got Life"),[http://www.ibdb.com/production.php?id=390384 "'Hair" Special Benefit, 9/20/2004"] InternetBroadwayDatabase, accessed September 6, 2011 and the 24 Hour Plays in 2005.[http://www.ibdb.com/production.php?id=407333 "'24 Hour Plays' 10/24/2005 Special Benefit, 10/24/20"] InternetBroadwayDatabase, accessed September 6, 2011 He returned to Aida in 2004 to close the run of the show as Radames.[http://www.ibdb.com/production.php?id=12485 "'Aida'"] InternetBroadwayDatabase, accessed September 6, 2011{{Cite web|last=Gans|first=Andrew|date=May 5, 2004|title=Adam Pascal to Return to Aida in June; New Solo Album in Works|url=http://www.playbill.com/article/adam-pascal-to-return-to-aida-in-june-new-solo-album-in-works-com-119518|access-date=August 1, 2021|website=Playbill}}

Along with original Broadway Rent cast member Anthony Rapp (Mark Cohen), Pascal returned to Broadway to star as Roger in Rent from July 30 to October 7, 2007.{{Cite web|date=May 3, 2007|title=Adam Pascal, Anthony Rapp Will Return for Summer Rent Stint|url=https://www.broadway.com/buzz/96479/adam-pascal-anthony-rapp-will-return-for-summer-rent-stint/|website=Broadway.com}} In January 2009, he and Rapp reprised their originating (and film) roles as Roger and Mark in Rent: The Broadway Tour, which played in many cities in North America, as well as stops in Japan and South Korea. At the tour's Detroit, Michigan stop in February, Pascal suffered two herniated discs in his neck and was on medical leave for a week. His role was filled in by Cary Shields, who had played "Roger" in the Broadway, Canadian, "Benny" National Tour productions. Pascal made a full recovery and finished up the tour in early 2010. This tour closed on February 7, 2010.{{Cite web|last=Jones|first=Kenneth|date=January 21, 2010|title=Rent Tour, With Pascal, Rapp and Stewart, Will End Feb. 7|url=http://www.playbill.com/article/rent-tour-with-pascal-rapp-and-stewart-will-end-feb-7-com-165139|access-date=August 1, 2021|website=Playbill}}

Pascal reprised the role of Frederick Trumper, aka "Freddie, The American" in the London concert version of Chess at the Royal Albert Hall on May 12–13, 2008. His Rent and Aida co-star Idina Menzel played Florence.{{Cite web|title=Information|url=http://www.hughwooldridge.com/chessinconcert/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160413190429/http://www.chessinconcert.com/information.html|archive-date=April 13, 2016|access-date=September 6, 2011|website=chessinconcert.com}} This performance was recorded; it has been televised, first on American and British television on June 17, 2009, and repeatedly in America on PBS stations as part of that network's "Great Performances" series; and has been released on DVD.{{Cite web|date=April 30, 2009|title=CHESS in Concert CD and DVD release dates|url=http://www.icethesite.com/default.aspx?articleID=328|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090422143848/http://www.icethesite.com/default.aspx?articleID=328|archive-date=April 22, 2009|access-date=September 6, 2011|website=icethesite.com}}

Pascal joined the Broadway cast of Memphis on October 25, 2011, as Huey Calhoun. He replaced original cast member Chad Kimball in the role. He remained in the Memphis cast until the show's closure on August 5, 2012.{{cite web|last=Hetrick|first=Adam|date=September 6, 2011|title=Rent Star Adam Pascal Will Step Into Broadway's Memphis|url=https://www.playbill.com/article/rent-star-adam-pascal-will-step-into-broadways-memphis-com-182330|access-date=August 1, 2021|website=Playbill}}

Beginning April 8, 2013, Pascal starred as Billy Flynn in the long-running Broadway revival of Chicago. His last performance as Billy was June 16, 2013.{{cite web|date=June 4, 2013|title=Chicago: Alexander Gemignani and Paul C. Vogt|url=http://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/news/je13/chicago557978.htm|website=www.newyorktheatreguide.com}}

On November 7, 2016, Pascal joined the Broadway company of Something Rotten! as William Shakespeare in the show's closing cast.{{Cite web|last=Gans|first=Andrew|date=November 7, 2016|title=Adam Pascal Joins Cast of Broadway's Something Rotten! Tonight|url=http://www.playbill.com/article/adam-pascal-joins-cast-of-broadways-something-rotten-tonight|access-date=August 1, 2021|website=Playbill}} He also played the same role for the entirety of the show's first national tour alongside Rob McClure, Josh Grisetti, and Leah Hofmann, who were also in the closing cast of the show.{{Cite web|last=Gordon|first=David|date=November 17, 2016|title=Rob McClure, Adam Pascal, Josh Grisetti to Lead Something Rotten! Tour|url=https://www.theatermania.com/broadway/news/something-rotten-tour-casting_79159.html|website=TheaterMania}}

In late 2021, Pascal began performances as Edward Lewis in the U.S national tour of Pretty Woman: The Musical, a role which he had played on Broadway from January 15 to 20, 2019.

Pascal was cast as Ryuk in the English premiere of Death Note: the Musical for its concert run at the London Palladium{{Cite web |date=2023-07-24 |title=Death Note The Musical – final casting revealed |url=https://www.whatsonstage.com/news/death-note-the-musical-final-casting-revealed_1513857/ |access-date=2023-08-26 |language=en-US}} in August 2023. Pascal directed a production of Rent for Long Island's From Stage to Screen, performances ran from July 28 to July 30, 2023.{{Cite web |last=Wild |first=Stephi |title=Adam Pascal Will Direct RENT in Long Island This Summer |url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Adam-Pascal-Will-Direct-RENT-in-Long-Island-This-Summer-20230524 |access-date=2024-08-27 |website=BroadwayWorld.com |language=en}} Pascal was set to direct Something Rotten! at Stage to Screen on Long Island but it was ultimately cancelled.{{Cite web |last=Wright |first=Joshua |title=Adam Pascal Directed SOMETHING ROTTEN! Canceled on Long Island |url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Adam-Pascal-Directed-SOMETHING-ROTTEN-Canceled-on-Long-Island-20240702 |access-date=2024-08-27 |website=BroadwayWorld.com |language=en}}

On November 4, 2024, it was announced that Pascal will be joining the off-Broadway musical, Drag: The Musical as the token straight man, Tom Hutchinson.{{Cite web |date=2024-11-04 |title=Adam Pascal set to join Drag:The Musical |url=https://playbill.com/article/adam-pascal-will-be-drag-the-musicals-token-straight}}

Pascal believed he was looked upon solely as a Broadway singer, and thus returned to his rock and roll 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.[http://americantheatrewing.org/biography/detail/kurt_deutsch "Kury Deutsch Biography"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928142430/http://americantheatrewing.org/biography/detail/kurt_deutsch |date=2011-09-28 }} americantheatrewing.org, as of December, 2010, accessed September 6, 2011 He has released two solo rock albums, Model Prisoner (2000){{Cite web|last=Ehren|first=Christine|date=May 9, 2000|title=Aida On Record: Scott Has Men; Pascal Is Model Prisoner|url=http://www.playbill.com/article/aida-on-record-scott-has-men-pascal-is-model-prisoner-com-89078|access-date=August 1, 2021|website=Playbill}} and Civilian (2004),{{Cite web|date=November 5, 2009|title=Adam Pascal – Civilian|url=http://trusttommy.com/2009/11/05/adam-pascal-civilian/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717105252/http://trusttommy.com/2009/11/05/adam-pascal-civilian/|archive-date=July 17, 2011|website=Trust Tommy}} as well as a collaborative rock album Blinding Light (2008) with pianist Larry Edoff.{{Cite web|last=Hetrick|first=Adam|date=July 31, 2008|title=Rent{{'}}s Pascal Offers New Album 'Blinding Light'|url=http://www.playbill.com/article/rents-pascal-offers-new-album-blinding-light-com-152066|access-date=August 1, 2021|website=Playbill}} He also contributed a cover of Billy Joel's "New York State of Mind" to the CD Broadway Cares: Home for the Holidays (2001);{{Cite web|last=Banks|first=Richard|date=2002|title=Broadway Cares: Home for the Holidays|url=http://www.christmasreviews.com/wbroadwaycares.shtml|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090926144451/http://www.christmasreviews.com/wbroadwaycares.shtml|archive-date=September 26, 2009|access-date=September 6, 2011|website=christmasreviews.com}} the end credits song, "Winter Light", from the movie Noel (2004);[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0383534/soundtrack "Soundtrack for 'Noel' (2004)"] InternetMovieDatabase, accessed September 6, 2011 and the song "Perfect Place" on the album Listen which showcases songs written by adolescents who stutter (2009).{{Cite web|date=2009|title=LISTEN - A Musical CD For Children Who Stutter|url=http://www.pediastaff.com/resources-listen--a-musical-cd-for-children-who-stutter|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110715061629/http://www.pediastaff.com/resources-listen--a-musical-cd-for-children-who-stutter|archive-date=July 15, 2011|access-date=September 6, 2011|website=PediaStaff}} In School of Rock, he played Theo, lead singer of the band No Vacancy, and sang on two songs on the soundtrack.

On July 4, 2006, Pascal took part in the Macy's 4th of July Fireworks and sang during the traditional fireworks display. He also performed in both the fifth- and tenth-anniversary celebrations of Rent on Broadway, in 2000 and 2005, respectively.

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 Amazon[https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001FBSI3O "'Blinding Light' Listing"] amazon.com, accessed September 6, 2011 and the band's website{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20080517045805/http://www.meandlarry.com/ "Me and Larry"]}} meandlarry.com, accessed September 6, 2011 (where a direct digital download is available).

{{As of|2009|post= and later,}} Pascal is developing a theatrical stage version of the classic 1988 concept album, Operation: Mindcrime by the progressive metal band, Queensrÿche. The band is one of Pascal's musical influences, and has fully endorsed his efforts.Reesman, Bryan.[http://www.bryanreesman.com/blog/tag/adam-pascal-queensryche// "His Own Brand of Insania, Part 2 (Interview with Geoff Tate"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110810041614/http://www.bryanreesman.com/blog/tag/adam-pascal-queensryche/ |date=August 10, 2011 }} bryanreesman.com, February 24, 2010

Pascal 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 five others of the principal cast, reprised their roles in the film version of Rent, directed by Chris Columbus. Pop idol Justin Timberlake was considered for the role of Roger,{{Cite web|date=November 28, 2005|title='Rent' Film Success Bodes Well for Future Movie Musicals|url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Rent-Film-Success-Bodes-Well-for-Future-Movie-Musicals-20051128|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080228202256/http://www.broadwayworld.com/viewcolumn.cfm?colid=6090|archive-date=February 28, 2008|access-date=February 6, 2008|website=BroadwayWorld}} but Columbus decided to stick with the original cast members. The film released on November 23, 2005.

In the independent movie Falling Star (formerly titled 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 are Amy Davidson, Cris Judd, Tovah Feldshuh, Dean Edwards, Tibor Feldman, and Natasha Lyonne. Goyband originally premiered at the Jerusalem Films Festival in December 2008. Its North American premiere was July 2009, on Long Island. The movie was bought by distributor MarVista Entertainment, which retitled it Falling Star.[http://www.marvista.net/programing-catalog.php?id=177&cat=3 "Falling Star'"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120321080528/http://www.marvista.net/programing-catalog.php?id=177&cat=3 |date=2012-03-21 }} marvista.net, accessed September 6, 2011

Pascal also filmed another independent movie, Wild About Harry, about a gay couple who try to hide their relationship from family and neighbors in 1973, a few years following the Stonewall Riots.[https://web.archive.org/web/20070819152428/http://www.americanprimitivemovie.com/ "Film Listing"] American Primitive.com, accessed September 6, 2011

Pascal reprised his role from SLC Punk! in the 2015 sequel, Punk's Dead.

In 2015, Pascal starred in Alleluia! The Devil's Carnival as The Agent, one of God's top generals in Heaven.

Pascal had a guest role as Dennis Hofferman, a murder victim, on an episode of Cold Case, with Tracie Thoms, his co-star from the film version of Rent, and Laura Bell Bundy, another Broadway star who originated the role of Elle Woods in Legally Blonde. The episode, called "Willkommen", originally aired on April 2, 2006, and revolved around a regional theatre production of Cabaret.[http://www.tv.com/cold-case/willkommen/episode/648550/summary.html "'Willkommen', Season 3, Episode 18"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100608060015/http://www.tv.com/cold-case/willkommen/episode/648550/summary.html |date=2010-06-08 }} tv.com, accessed September 6, 2011

Pascal provided the narration and sang a song, "I'm Not an Egg Anymore", in the double-length episode "Tale of the Mighty Knights" for the show The Backyardigans.{{cite web|date=20 April 2007|title=Adam Pascal + Backyardigans = So Much Soccer Mom Tail It's Not Even Funny|url=http://www.mamapop.com/mamapop/2008/01/adam-pascal-bac.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20070420031040/http://www.mamapop.com/mamapop/2008/01/adam-pascal-bac.html|archive-date=20 April 2007|website=mamapop.com}}

On December 19, 1998,[http://www.tv.com/adam-pascal/person/85078/biography.html "Pascal Biography"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081008015252/http://www.tv.com/adam-pascal/person/85078/biography.html |date=2008-10-08 }} tv.com, accessed September 6, 2011 Pascal married Cybele Chivian, the daughter of Eric S. Chivian, M.D., Director of the Center for Health and the Global Environment at Harvard Medical School, and the granddaughter of writer Joseph Jay Deiss. The couple has two sons.{{cite web|url=http://www.foodallergy.org/page/cybele-and-adam-pascal-become-faan-ambassadors |title=Cybele and Adam Pascal Team Up With FAAN to Raise Awareness About Food Allergies |website=foodallergy.org |date=September 10, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111016215517/http://www.foodallergy.org/page/cybele-and-adam-pascal-become-faan-ambassadors |archive-date=2011-10-16}} Pascal and Chivian separated in 2021.{{cite web | url=https://apple.news/A0WDpWN5iRJWa8jkjSe6GpA | title='Rent' alum Adam Pascal takes 'Pretty Woman: The Musical' on the road — the Washington Post }}

• Mute – {{circa|1994}}
• Model Prisoner – 2000
• Civilian – 2004
• Blinding Light (with Larry Edoff) – 2008
• The New Standards (with Larry Edoff) – 2015

{{Reflist}}

• {{IBDB name}}
• {{IMDb name|664238}}
• {{Iobdb name|2266|Adam Pascal}}
• [https://www.youtube.com/user/AdamPascalVideo Adam Pascal Official YouTube Channel]
• [http://patrickhickeyjr.tripod.com/adam_pascal_interview.html Adam Pascal Interview]

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Category:1970 births

Category:American male musical theatre actors

Category:American rock singers

Category:American tenors

Category:Living people

Category:Singers from New York (state)

Category:Entertainers from the Bronx

Category:People from Woodbury, Nassau County, New York

Category:People from Syosset, New York

Category:New York Institute of Technology alumni

Category:American rock musicians

Category:Syosset High School alumni

Category:Theatre World Award winners