David Harris (Australian actor)
{{short description|Australian Broadway actor and singer (born 9 August 1975)}}
{{about-otherpeople|the Australian Broadway performer||David Harris (disambiguation)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2020}}
{{Use Australian English|date=June 2012}}
{{Infobox person
| name = David Harris
| image = David Harris (8520275061).jpg
| caption = Harris in 2013
| birth_name =
| alias =
| birth_date = {{birth year and age|1975}}
| birth_place = New South Wales, Australia
| origin =
| death_date =
| death_place =
| occupation = Actor, singer
| instrument =
| years_active = 1995–present
| label =
| associated_acts =
| website = {{URL|http://www.davidharrisofficial.com}}
}}
David Harris (born 1975) is an Australian actor and singer. In Australia, he is best known for his performances as Chris in Miss Saigon, Fiyero in Wicked and Emmett in Legally Blonde having received Helpmann Award nominations for all three leading roles.{{Cite news | url =http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/arts/sydneys-blonde-led-recovery/story-fn9d31nx-1226290231241 | title = Legally Blonde | last1 = Wilson |first1 = Ashleigh| newspaper = The Australian | publisher = News Limited | date = 6 March 2012 |accessdate = 18 June 2012 }} Harris also starred as the Baker in Victorian Opera's production of Into the Woods{{cite news|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/arts/stage/into-the-woods-where-inner-darkness-lurks/news-story/dad168eae0135d9dd78f419d2de971ea?=|title=Into the woods, where inner darkness lurks| last1 = Burch |first1 = Peter | newspaper = The Australian |publisher = News Limited | date = 22 July 2014 |accessdate = 27 February 2016 }} and, in America, as Jean Valjean in Les Misérables opposite Terrence Mann in 2015.{{cite web | url=http://crt.uconn.edu/les-miserables-complete-cast-announced/|title=Les Misérables Complete Cast Announced | publisher=Connecticut Repertory Theatre | accessdate=27 February 2016}} He has released two solo albums. Since early 2023, he has played the role of The Duke of Monroth in the Broadway theater production of Moulin Rouge! The Musical.
Theatre
Harris made his professional theatre debut in 1998 as an original cast and workshop cast member of the world premiere production of The Boy from Oz directed by Gale Edwards with Todd McKenney as Peter Allen, where he also performed in the role of Greg as an understudy.{{Cite news | title = Enter Stage Left| last1 = Longworth|first1 = Ken| newspaper = The Newcastle Herald (includes the Central Coast Herald) | publisher = Fairfax | date = 21 July 2007}} This was quickly followed by another ensemble role in the Australian premiere production of Mamma Mia! with Anne Wood, where he also understudied as Sky.{{Cite news | title = All the right moves| newspaper =The Newcastle Herald (includes the Central Coast Herald) | publisher = Fairfax | date = 5 June 2001}}
He starred as Malcolm in The Full Monty with Paul Mercurio and Matt Hetherington,{{cite web|url=http://www.ausstage.edu.au/pages/event/61561 |title=Full Monty |publisher=AusStage |accessdate=14 October 2013}} with other notable roles including the revolutionary student Perchik in the Fiddler on the Roof with Topol,{{cite news|url=https://www.smh.com.au/news/review/fiddler-on-the-roof/2005/09/26/1127586773652.html | title = Fiddler on the Roof | last1 = Hallett | first1 = Bryce | newspaper = The Sydney Morning Herald | publisher = Fairfax | date = 27 September 2005 | accessdate = 28 February 2016}} and originating the role of Bud in the Australian premiere production of the comedy Gutenberg! The Musical! with James Millar in 2009.{{cite web|title=History!|url=http://gutenbergthemusical.com/#/history/4534635017|publisher=Gutenberg! The Musical!|accessdate=28 February 2016}}
File:Cameron Daddo & Lucy Durack & David Harris & Erika Heynatz 2012.jpg, Lucy Durack, and Erika Heynatz in Legally Blonde: The Musical in 2012.]]
In 2007 he starred as Chris in Sir Cameron Mackintosh's Miss Saigon with Laurie Cadevida as Kim.{{Cite news | url =https://www.variety.com/review/VE1117933287 | title = Miss Saigon is fine tuned| last1 = Kemp |first1 = Peter H.| newspaper = Variety | date = 4 April 2007|accessdate = 21 March 2012 }} Harris received his first nomination for Best Actor in a Musical at the Helpmann Awards as Chris, alongside other nominees including Hugh Jackman and the eventual winner iOTA. He also received a nomination in the Sydney Theatre Awards for this role.
In 2008 he starred as the "perfect, muscular, golden boy" Joe Hardy{{Cite news | title = Damn Fine Yankees| last1 = Herbert |first1 =Kate| newspaper = Herald Sun | publisher = News Australia | date = 22 August 2008 }} in Damn Yankees for The Production Company. He also starred as Greg in their season of The Boy from Oz, directed by Nancye Hayes AM, with Todd McKenney reprising his role as Peter Allen.{{cite news|title=McKenney back in Boy from Oz|url=https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/musicals/mckenney-back-in-boy-from-oz-20100312-q2tu.html|accessdate=28 February 2016|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|publisher=Fairfax|date=10 March 2010}}
Between 2011 and 2013 Harris performed as Fiyero in Wicked "one of the most successful musicals ever staged in Australia"{{Cite news | title = Riding the Broomstick| last1 = Longworth|first1 = Ken| newspaper = The Newcastle Herald (includes the Central Coast Herald) | publisher = Fairfax | date = 3 October 2011 }} and was then reunited with his Wicked co-star Lucy Durack as Emmett in Legally Blonde, directed by Jerry Mitchell. Harris earned a second Helpmann Award nomination for Fiyero and a third nomination for Emmett. He was also awarded a Green Room Award for Emmett{{Cite news | title = King Kong gatecrashes Helpmann Awards| last1 = Bennett |first1 =Sally| newspaper = Herald Sun | publisher = News Australia | date = 24 June 2013 | url = http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/king-kong-gatecrashes-helpmann-awards-picking-up-eight-nominations-and-special-outstanding-achievement-award/story-fni0fit3-1226668974262 }} and his second nomination in the Sydney Theatre Awards.
In September 2013 Harris starred in the Australian professional premiere of a Stephen Schwartz's Children of Eden where he played the dual role of Noah and Adam.{{cite web|url=http://simonparrismaninchair.com/2013/09/24/magnormos-children-of-eden-review/|last1= Parris| first1= Simon|title=Magnormos: Children of Eden Review|accessdate=7 December 2013}} This was followed by the demanding role of The Baker in Stephen Sondheim's Into The Woods with the Victorian Opera{{Cite news | url =http://www.theage.com.au/entertainment/musicals/sondheim-musical-stalls-in-second-half-20140720-zuylh.html| title = Sondheim Musical Stalls in Second Half| last1 = Zwartz|first1 = Barney| newspaper = The Age| publisher = Fairfax | date = 21 July 2014 |accessdate = 22 July 2014}} and starring as The Beast in Disney's Beauty and the Beast in Melbourne.{{cite web|url=http://artsreview.com.au/on-the-couch-with-david-harris/|title=On the Couch|publisher=Australian Arts Review|accessdate=27 February 2016|date=16 July 2014}}
After relocating to the United States, Harris starred as Jean Valjean with the Connecticut Repertory Theatre, in their production of Les Misérables opposite Terrence Mann in 2015. This production was also directed by Terrence Mann.
Concerts
- 2010 Adelaide Cabaret Festival – Stephen Schwartz and Friends{{Cite news | title = Cabaret Festival Stephen Schwartz and Friends| last1 = Burdon|first1 = Peter| newspaper = The Advertiser| publisher = News Australia | date = 25 June 2010 }}
- 2010 Adelaide Cabaret Festival – Til the Night is Gone{{Cite news | url= https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/movies/director-adds-more-flesh-to-adelaide-cabaret-festival-20100414-se7k.html | title = Director Adds More Flesh to Cabaret Festival | last1 = Hallett |first1 = Bryce| newspaper = The Sydney Morning Herald| publisher = Fairfax | date = 15 April 2010 |accessdate = 16 September 2013 }}
- 2010 David Harris in concert – Civic Theatre Newcastle with special guest Elise McCann
- 2010 duet partner for Lea Salonga in Concert in Hanoi, Vietnam{{cite web |url=http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/entertainment/entertainment/view/20101208-307804/Hello-Vietnam |title=Hello, Vietnam! |publisher=Showbizandstyle.inquirer.net |accessdate=14 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021043727/http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/entertainment/entertainment/view/20101208-307804/Hello-Vietnam |archive-date=21 October 2013 |url-status=dead }}
- 2011 Harris performed in TDP Graduation Concert.
- Harris joined Michael Ball, Lea Salonga, Amanda Harrison, and Marie Zamora for Enda Markey Presents Do You Hear The People Sing at Shanghai Grand Theatre from 27 November until 1 December 2013{{cite web |author=Jacqueline Bublitz |author-link=Jacqueline Bublitz |date=17 September 2013 |title=Michael Ball and Lea Salonga Headline Do You Hear the People Sing? in Shanghai, 11/27 |url=http://www.broadwayworld.com/westend/article/Michael-Ball-and-Lea-Salonga-Headline-DO-YOU-HEAR-THE-PEOPLE-SING-in-Shanghai-1127-20130917 |accessdate=17 September 2013 |publisher=Broadwayworld.com}} which coincided with the 15th anniversary of the Shanghai Grand Theatre and celebrated the work of Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg.
- Salonga, Harris and Zamora reunited for a benefit concert on 29 and 30 January 2014 in Manila{{cite web|title=A Heart Full of Cause - Lea Salonga to Headline a Special Do You Hear The People Sing? Benefit Concert in Manila|url=http://www.broadwayworld.com/australia-melbourne/article/A-Heart-Full-of-Cause-Lea-Salonga-to-Headline-a-Special-Do-You-Hear-The-People-Sing-Benefit-Concert-in-Manila-20131229|publisher=Broadway World.com|accessdate=30 December 2013|author=Jacqueline Bublitz|date=29 December 2013}} to aid the victims of Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) which devastated the region in November 2013.
- Harris joined Lucy Durack, this time for a concert "Wickedly Broadway" on 14 March 2014 Twilight at Taronga Zoo, Sydney.{{cite web|url=http://premier.ticketek.com.au/shows/Show.aspx?sh=NORESTFO14|title= Wickedly Broadway|accessdate=7 December 2013}}
Harris has also regularly performed at the Rob Guest Endowment, Light the Night and Hats Off Concerts.{{citation needed|date=October 2023}}
Film and television
Harris appears as Dreamy Solo in the 2001 made-for-television movie of South Pacific starring Glenn Close and Harry Connick Jr.{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0242898/fullcredits#cast|title=South Pacific (2001 TV Movie) : Full Cast & Crew|publisher=IMDb.com|accessdate=14 October 2013}}
Harris's other television credits include Rescue: Special Ops, Blue Heelers and Neighbours.
In December 2012, Harris joined his Legally Blonde co-stars to perform at Carols in the Domain which is broadcast on the Channel 7 network.
Discography
- 1998 The Boy From Oz (Original Australian Cast recording)
- 2009
'Til The Night Is Gone. Debut album{{Cite news | title = Harris alters pace for his debut solo| last1 = Hallett|first1 = Bryce | newspaper = The Sydney Morning Herald| publisher = Fairfax| date =11 November 2009}} - 2010 LoveBites. Cast Recording.{{cite web|title=LoveBites cast recording released|url=http://aussietheatre.com.au/news/lovebites-cast-recording-released|publisher=Aussie Theatre|accessdate=25 October 2013|author=Troy Dodds|date=25 February 2010}}
- 2011 Breast Wishes. Australian Cast Recording
- 2011 At This Stage. Featuring duets with Lucy Durack, Jemma Rix and Kellie Rode
Awards
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website|http://www.davidharrisofficial.com}}
- {{IMDb name|2792746}}
- [http://www.talentdevelopmentproject.org.au/?page_id=370/ Talent Development Project Graduate Success Stories]
{{Commons category|David Harris (Australian actor)|David Harris}}
{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Harris, David}}
Category:Australian male stage actors