Andy Karl

Karl was born on August 28, 1974 in Baltimore, Maryland, to Walter Cesewski and Susan Weisman. He attended Towson High School, where he was on the football team and performed in theater. In high school, he played Jud Fry in Oklahoma! and General Bullmoose in Li'l Abner.{{cite web |url=http://www.broadwayspace.com/page/broadway-star-photos-andy |title=Broadway Star Photos - Andy Karl |website=BroadwaySpace |access-date=June 9, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100528104539/http://www.broadwayspace.com/page/broadway-star-photos-andy |archive-date=May 28, 2010}} At age 16 he performed as the title role in Aladdin at the White Marsh Dinner Theatre.{{citation needed|date=September 2022}} After high school, he attended Towson University, where he studied voice and music.{{cite web |url=http://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Karl-Drennan-and-LoSchiavo-Star-In-Limited-Run-Of-Hunka-Hunka-Burnin-Love-at-AU-BAR-20051213 |title=Karl, Drennan and LoSchiavo Star In Limited Run Of 'Hunka Hunka Burnin' Love' at AU BAR |date=December 13, 2005 |website=Broadway World |access-date=June 10, 2010 }} Karl originally planned on becoming a voice teacher until the director of a show he was in at college told him he had what it took to be a professional actor. Karl continued to perform in shows while in college.

He changed his name to Karl to honor his late great-grandfather, Andrew Karl, a Baltimore fireman.{{cite web |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/1998/06/29/andy-karls-hiding-under-the-makeup-cast-a-baltimore-native-plays-the-rock-em-sock-em-rum-tum-tugger-role-in-cats-tonight-at-the-lyric-theater/ |title=Andy Karl's hiding under the makeup Cast: A Baltimore native plays the 'rock 'em, sock 'em' Rum Tum Tugger role in 'Cats,' tonight at the Lyric. |last=Rousuck |first=J. Wynn |date=June 29, 1998 |work=The Baltimore Sun |access-date=November 22, 2016 }} In Winter 1993–1994, he played the 9-foot dragon in the children's musical The Reluctant Dragon at Toby's Dinner Theatre in Columbia, Maryland.{{cite web |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/1993/12/26/dragon-tale-teaches-children-about-stereotypes/ |title=Dragon tale teaches children about stereotypes |last=Hirsch |first=Rona |date=December 26, 1993 |work=The Baltimore Sun |access-date=June 10, 2010 }}

Karl moved to New York in 1994. He was an understudy in the touring cast of The Who's Tommy and in 1998 played Rum Tum Tugger in the touring cast of Cats. In February 2000 Karl was an understudy in the New York premiere of Stephen Sondheim's Saturday Night at the Second Stage Theatre.{{cite web |url=http://www.sondheimguide.com/saturday.html |title=Saturday Night |website=The Stephen Sondheim Reference Guide |access-date=June 10, 2010 }} He made his Broadway debut in 2000 as the replacement for Joey in Saturday Night Fever.{{cite web |url=https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-cast-staff/andy-karl-119088 |title=Andy Karl |website=Internet Broadway Database |access-date=June 9, 2010 }} He continued with the production, this time in the role of Tony Manero, in its first national tour. In 2001 he performed in the musical stage production Me and Mrs. Jones at the Prince Music Theater in Philadelphia.{{cite web |url=http://www.bmi.com/news/entry/233265 |title=Sophisticated Soul Sounds Score for Thom Bell |last=Britt |first=Bruce |date=April 30, 2002 |website=BMI |access-date=June 10, 2010 }}

Karl was next seen as Dino Del Canto in the world premiere of the musical Romeo and Bernadette at the Coconut Grove Playhouse in Miami, Florida. The show, which ran in January 2003,{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2003/legit/reviews/romeo-bernadette-1200543677/ |title=Review: 'Romeo & Bernadette' |last=Zink |first=Jack |date=February 2, 2003 |work=Variety |access-date=June 10, 2010 }} garnered Karl a Carbonell Award for Best Actor in a musical.{{cite web |url=http://msaltzman.com/romeobernadette.html |title=Romeo and Bernadette |website=Official Website of Writer Mark Saltzman |access-date=June 10, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121118015523/http://msaltzman.com/romeobernadette.html |archive-date=November 18, 2012}} He reprised the role at the Paper Mill Playhouse in Millburn, New Jersey in February and March, 2003.{{cite web |url=http://www.curtainup.com/romeoandbernadette.html |title=Romeo and Bernadette, a CurtainUp review |last=Weiss |first=Dorrie |website=CurtainUp.com |access-date=June 9, 2010 }}

Karl was also seen at the Paper Mill Playhouse in June and July of that year, when he performed as Danny Zuko in Grease. In January 2004 he performed in the musical revue Nights on Broadway II at Caesar's Palace in Atlantic City, New Jersey.{{cite web |url=http://www.broadway.com/photos/atlantic-city-gets-broadway-on-the-beach/31443/nights-on-broadway-ii-andy-karl-jessica-schiffren/ |title=Atlantic City Gets Broadway on the Beach |website=Broadway.com |access-date=June 10, 2010 }} In September 2004, Karl played Luke in the premiere of Altar Boyz at the New York Musical Theatre Festival. He then left the New York area to tour in the original company of Disney's On the Record. Karl returned to New York to play Luke in the Off-Broadway production of Altar Boyz, which opened on March 1, 2005 at Stage 4 of Dodger Stages (now New World Stages).{{cite web |url=http://www.altarboyz.com/about-the-show.html |title=About the Show |website=Altar Boyz |access-date=June 9, 2010 }}

On September 26, 2005, Karl performed in the Actor's Fund Concert production of On the Twentieth Century.{{cite web |url=https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-production/on-the-twentieth-century-409414 |title=On the Twentieth Century – Broadway Musical – 2005 Revival |website=Internet Broadway Database |access-date=June 10, 2010 }} Karl's next role was the title character Adam Patterson in the Off-Broadway musical Slut at the American Theatre of Actors in Fall 2005.{{cite web |url=http://www.curtainup.com/slut.html |title=Slut, a CurtainUp review |last=Beckson |first=Eric |website=CurtainUp.com |access-date=June 9, 2010 }} In January 2006 Karl was in the three-person cast of Hunka Hunka Burnin' Love, a celebration of the music of Elvis Presley, at the now-closed Au Bar. In June and July of that year, he starred as Tad in the musical Bright Lights, Big City at the Prince Music Theater in Philadelphia.{{cite web |url=http://www.broadway.com/buzz/95608/kushnier-karl-orfeh-set-for-bright-lights-big-city-at-the-prince-arima-to-direct/ |title=Kushnier, Karl & Orfeh Set for Bright Lights, Big City at the Prince; Arima to Direct |date=May 20, 2006 |website=Broadway.com |access-date=June 10, 2010 }} He then joined the Broadway cast of The Wedding Singer at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre, where he played the roles of Drunk Dave and Bad Haircut Guy until the show closed at the end of 2006.

Karl's next role was in Legally Blonde, where he played Kyle "the UPS guy", Dewey, and Grandmaster Chad at the Golden Gate Theatre in San Francisco, where the musical had its pre-Broadway tryout from January 23 to February 24, 2007.{{cite web |url=http://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Borle-Rupert-Shindle-Etc-Complete-Legally-Blonde-Cast-20061114 |title=Borle, Rupert, Shindle, Etc. Complete Legally Blonde Cast |date=November 14, 2006 |website=BroadwayWorld.com |access-date=June 10, 2010 }} He reprised his roles in the Broadway production, which started previews on April 3 and opened on April 29, 2007, at the Palace Theatre. He was also an understudy to Emmett and Professor Callahan. He left the show on July 20, 2008.

Karl briefly left Legally Blonde in June 2007 to work on 9 to 5 in its week-long workshop.{{cite web |url=http://www.playbill.com/article/a-cup-of-ambition-9-to-5-musical-takes-next-step-in-nyc-reading-with-neuwirth-janney-block-com-141645 |title=A Cup of Ambition: 9 to 5 Musical Takes Next Step in NYC Reading with Neuwirth, Janney, Block |last=Jones |first=Kenneth |date=June 20, 2007 |work=Playbill |access-date=June 10, 2010 }} After leaving Legally Blonde, Karl continued working on the musical 9 to 5. He played Joe, the love interest of Allison Janney's character, in the pre-Broadway tryout in Los Angeles. The show played at the Ahmanson Theatre from September 3 to October 19, 2008.{{cite web |url=http://www.centertheatregroup.org/uploadedFiles/Plays_and_Tickets/Productions/2008/9_to_5/files/9to5Program.pdf |title=Ahmanson Theatre |publisher=Centre Theatre Group |access-date=June 10, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719135526/http://www.centertheatregroup.org/uploadedFiles/Plays_and_Tickets/Productions/2008/9_to_5/files/9to5Program.pdf |archive-date=July 19, 2011}} The show opened on Broadway on April 30, 2009, at the Marquis Theatre, and closed on September 6, 2009.{{cite web |url=http://www.playbill.com/article/punching-out-9-to-5-will-close-sept-6-tour-will-launch-in-nashville-com-163143 |title=Punching Out: 9 to 5 Will Close Sept. 6; Tour Will Launch in Nashville |last=Jones |first=Kenneth |date=July 29, 2009 |work=Playbill |access-date=June 10, 2010 }}

Karl took over the role of Fiyero from Kevin Kern in the Broadway production of Wicked on February 2, 2010{{cite web |url=http://www.playbill.com/article/andy-karl-is-wickeds-new-fiyero-beginning-feb-2-com-165462 |title=Andy Karl Is Wicked{{'}}s New Fiyero Beginning Feb. 2 |last=Gans |first=Andrew |date=February 2, 2010 |work=Playbill |access-date=June 9, 2010 }} and played the role until January 2, 2011.{{cite web |url=http://www.playbill.com/person/detail/35311/andy-karl |title=Andy Karl |website=Playbill |access-date=April 22, 2014 }} He took over the role Tommy Devito in the Broadway production of Jersey Boys on October 11, 2011.{{cite web |url=http://www.playbill.com/article/andy-karl-and-quinn-vanantwerp-will-be-jersey-boys-on-broadway-com-182642 |title=Andy Karl and Quinn VanAntwerp Will Be Jersey Boys On Broadway |last=Gans |first=Andrew |date=September 14, 2011 |publisher=Playbill |access-date=September 14, 2011 }}

Karl played Neville Landless in the Broadway revival of The Mystery of Edwin Drood which opened on November 29, 2012, at Studio 54.{{cite web|url=http://broadwayworld.com/article/TV-Roundabout-Announces-THE-MYSTERY-OF-EDWIN-DROOD-Cast-with-Video-Promo-Block-Chase-Edelman-Rivera-Karl-Mueller-Norton-More-20120628#ixzz1z80jFD6i|title=TV: Roundabout Announces THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD Cast with Video Promo - Block, Chase, Edelman, Rivera, Karl, Mueller, Norton & More!|author=Stage Tube|date=30 June 2012|work=BroadwayWorld.com|access-date=20 June 2012}} For this performance, he was nominated for the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical.{{cite web |url=http://www.playbill.com/article/nominations-announced-for-58th-annual-drama-desk-awards-giant-and-hands-on-a-hardbody-lead-the-pack-com-204869 |title=Nominations Announced for 58th Annual Drama Desk Awards; Giant and Hands on a Hardbody Lead the Pack |last=Gans |first=Andrew |date=April 29, 2013 |publisher=Playbill |access-date=November 26, 2013 }}

Karl and Margo Seibert were featured as Rocky Balboa and Adrian in the new Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty musical Rocky the Musical, which opened on Broadway in February 2014.{{cite web |url=http://www.playbill.com/article/andy-karl-and-margo-seibert-will-star-in-rocky-musical-on-broadway-com-209307 |title=Andy Karl and Margo Seibert Will Star in Rocky Musical on Broadway |last=Hetrick |first=Adam |date=September 9, 2013 |publisher=Playbill |access-date=September 10, 2013 }} In order to get into shape to play Rocky Balboa, Karl put on 12 pounds of muscle and worked with a trainer to get to a heavyweight fighter's weight.{{cite web|url=http://www.broadwaybox.com/daily-scoop/five-burning-questions-jersey-boys-star-andy-karl/|title=Five Burning Questions with Jersey Boys & Rocky Star Andy Karl - The Daily Scoop|first=Josh|last=Ferri|date=2 December 2013|work=BroadwayBox.com|access-date=March 3, 2016}} Karl received a nomination for the Tony Award for Best Leading Actor in a Musical for this performance.{{cite web |url=http://www.broadwayworld.com/article/2014-Tony-Award-Nominations-The-Complete-List-20140429 |title=2014 Tony Award Nominations - The Complete List; A GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE Leads With 10! |date=April 29, 2014 |website=Broadway World |access-date=April 30, 2014 }}

Karl played the role of Bruce Granit in the 2015 Broadway revival of On the Twentieth Century{{cite web |url=http://www.playbill.com/article/andy-karl-mark-linnbaker-michael-mcgrath-mary-louise-wilson-board-on-the-twentieth-century-revival-com-333585 |title=Andy Karl, Mark Linn-Baker, Michael McGrath, Mary Louise Wilson Board On the Twentieth Century Revival |last1=Hetrick |first1=Adam |last2=Gioia |first2=Michael |date=October 20, 2014 |work=Playbill |access-date=March 13, 2015 }} alongside Kristin Chenoweth in the role of Lily Garland/Mildred Plotka. He received a nomination for the Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical for his performance. In 2015, Karl joined the recurring cast of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit as the unit's new sergeant, Mike Dodds, who is the son of Peter Gallagher's Chief William Dodds. The role reunites Karl and Gallagher after working together on On the Twentieth Century. He left his role on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, when his character died.

On January 28, 2016, it was announced that Karl would be playing the starring role of Phil in the musical adaptation of Groundhog Day, the role played in the 1993 movie by Bill Murray.{{cite web |url=http://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Breaking-Andy-Karl-to-Star-in-Broadway-Bound-GROUNDHOG-DAY-20160128 |title=Breaking: Andy Karl to Star in Broadway-Bound GROUNDHOG DAY |date=January 28, 2016 |website=Broadway World |access-date=January 29, 2016 }} The musical ran at The Old Vic in London from Monday 11 July 2016 until Saturday 17 September 2016. Karl then reprised the role in the Broadway production of Groundhog Day, which opened on April 17, 2017.{{cite web |url=http://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Confirmed-Andy-Karl-Will-Star-in-GROUNDHOG-DAY-on-Broadway-Tickets-Now-Available-20161019 |title=Confirmed: Andy Karl Will Star in GROUNDHOG DAY on Broadway; Tickets Now Available! |date=October 19, 2016 |website=Broadway World |access-date=October 20, 2016 }} For his performance in Groundhog Day in London, he received the 2017 Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical. On August 15, 2017, the producers of Groundhog Day announced it would end its Broadway run on September 17, 2017, but that a national tour and a possible return to London would follow.{{Cite web |url=http://www.playbill.com/article/groundhog-day-sets-broadway-closing-date |title=Groundhog Day Plays Final Broadway Performance September 17 |last1=Hetrick |first1=Adam |last2=McPhee |first2=Ryan |date=September 17, 2017 |work=Playbill |access-date=September 8, 2017 }}

In May 2018, it was announced that Karl would star as Edward Lewis in the Broadway production of Pretty Woman: The Musical, following Steve Kazee's departure.{{Cite web|url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Breaking-Andy-Karl-Will-Replace-Steve-Kazee-as-Star-of-PRETTY-WOMAN-on-Broadway-20180523|title=Breaking: Andy Karl Will Replace Steve Kazee as Star of PRETTY WOMAN on Broadway|website=Broadway World|language=en|access-date=May 28, 2018}} In February 2020, he was in an Off-Broadway 50th anniversary concert version of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat as Potiphar, he played opposite his wife Orfeh as Potiphar's Wife.[https://www.theatermania.com/news/andy-karl-and-orfeh-join-joseph-and-the-amazing-technicolor-dreamcoat-concert_90471/ Andy Karl and Orfeh Join Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat Concert]

In 2021, he reprised his Jersey Boys role in a ProShot taping of the musical opposite Nick Jonas.[https://playbill.com/article/photo-nick-jonas-poses-with-his-jersey-boys-co-stars-including-andy-karl-matt-bogart PHOTO: Nick Jonas Poses With His Jersey Boys Co-Stars, Including Andy Karl, Matt Bogart]

On August 12, 2022, it was announced Karl would play the roles of the Big Bad Wolf and Cinderella's Prince from September 6-15 in the Broadway revival of Into the Woods filling in for Gavin Creel at the St. James Theatre.{{Cite web|last=Hall|first=Margaret|date=12 August 2022|title=Stephanie J. Block, Sebastian Arcelus, Krysta Rodriguez, Montego Glover, More to Join Broadway's Into the Woods|url=https://www.playbill.com/article/stephanie-j-block-sebastian-arcelus-krysta-rodriguez-more-to-join-into-the-woods|website=Playbill}} On September 22, it was announced he would return to the production for a limited run from October 11-November 23 (a run that was later extended to December 2),{{Cite web|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/ClgjfC_Ob4O/?hl=en|title=Back in the Woods until Friday 12/2!|work=Instagram|first=Andy|last=Karl|date=November 28, 2022|accessdate=December 13, 2022}} this time filling in for Joshua Henry as Rapunzel's Prince.{{Cite web|last=Harms|first=Talaura|date=22 September 2022|title=Brian D'Arcy James and Andy Karl Will Return to Broadway's Into the Woods|url=https://www.playbill.com/article/brian-darcy-james-and-andy-karl-will-return-to-broadways-into-the-woods|website=Playbill}} He reprised the role of Rapunzel's Prince during the opening weekend of the U.S. national tour's engagement in Washington, D.C., at the Kennedy Center this time filling in for Jason Forbach who went on for the Baker in the place of Sebastian Arcelus.{{Cite web|url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Andy-Karl-to-Rejoin-INTO-THE-WOODS-at-the-Kennedy-Center-This-Weekend-20230225|title=Andy Karl to Rejoin INTO THE WOODS at the Kennedy Center This Weekend|last=Ingenthron|first=Blair|work=BroadwayWorld|date=February 25, 2023|access-date=February 25, 2023}}

From May to August 2023, he reprised the role of Phil in Groundhog Day at The Old Vic in London. From January to April 2024, he reprised the role again at the Princess Theatre in Melbourne, Australia.[https://playbill.com/article/groundhog-day-returning-to-london-with-andy-karl Groundhog Day returning to London with Andy Karl][https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Photos-First-Look-At-Andy-Karl-More-In-GROUNDHOG-DAY-Australian-Premiere-20240131#:~:text=Groundhog%20Day%20The%20Musical%20is,limited%20season%20from%20January%202024.&text=See%20brand%2Dnew%20photos%20of,Tony%20Award%2Dnominee%20Andy%20Karl! Photos: First Look At Andy Karl & More In GROUNDHOG DAY Australian Premiere]

From January to July 2025, Karl joined the cast of Moulin Rouge! The Musical as The Duke of Monroth at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre on Broadway.

Karl met his former wife Orfeh while in the musical for Saturday Night Fever. They were married in January 2001 and resided in Manhattan. In addition to Saturday Night Fever, Karl and his former wife have performed together in Me and Mrs. Jones, Nights on Broadway II, Bright Lights, Big City, Legally Blonde, Pretty Woman: The Musical, and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. In May 2024, he announced they had separated after 23 years of marriage.{{cite web |url=https://people.com/broadway-orfeh-andy-karl-separating-after-23-years-of-marriage-8648140 |title=Broadway's Orfeh and Andy Karl Separating After 23 Years of Marriage |last=Quinn |first=Dave |date=May 14, 2024 |website=People |access-date=May 15, 2024}} Shortly after, Karl confirmed his relationship with Groundhog Day co-star Elise McCann.{{Cite web |url=https://www.heraldsun.com.au/entertainment/confidential/were-very-happy-broadway-star-confirms-love-with-aussie-actor/news-story/7d85608c1625cd1ce57a64293d9d16e1 |url-access=subscription |title='We're very happy': Broadway star confirms love with Aussie actor |last=Te Koha |first=Nui |date=July 7, 2024 |work=Herald Sun |publisher=The Herald and Weekly Times |access-date=August 27, 2024 |quote=}}

{{reflist}}

• [http://andykarl.com/ AndyKarl.com]
• {{IMDb name|2803471}}
• [http://www.broadway.com/gen/Buzz_Star_File.aspx?ci=517230 Star File: Andy Karl]
• [http://www.broadway.com/gen/Buzz_Story.aspx?ci=511042 Fresh Face: Andy Karl]
• [http://www.broadway.com/gen/Buzz_Video.aspx?ci=506853 Video Feature: In Rehearsal: Altar Boyz]
• [http://www.broadway.com/gen/Buzz_Story.aspx?ci=511042 Video Feature: Opening Night: Altar Boyz]

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