Paul Alexander Nolan
{{short description|Canadian actor}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2025}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Paul Alexander Nolan
| image =
| caption =
| birth_name =
| birth_date = {{Birth year and age|1978}}
| birth_place = Rouleau, Saskatchewan, Canada
| death_date =
| death_place =
| education =
| occupation = Actor, singer
| years_active = 2001–present
| spouse = Keely Hutton ({{abbr|m.|married}} 2014)
| website = {{URL|https://paulalexandernolan.com/}}
}}
Paul Alexander Nolan is a Canadian actor and singer, who has appeared in several musical theatre productions across Canada and the United States.
In Canada, Nolan appeared in 9 Stratford Festival productions, including starring as Jesus in their 2011 production of Jesus Christ Superstar. In 2012, he made his Broadway debut when that same production transferred to Broadway. Since then, he has originated the roles of Jimmy Ray Dobbs in Bright Star, Tully in Escape to Margaritaville, and Jim in Slave Play. He has also played Billy Flynn in Chicago and Hugh Dorsey in the 2023 Broadway revival of Parade. He most recently appeared on Broadway in Water for Elephants, where he originated the role of August Rackinger / Charlie O'Brien.
Early life
Nolan was born and raised in Rouleau, Saskatchewan, which is a small farming community.{{cite web |last1=DeDekker |first1=Jeff |title=Paul Nolan heading back to Broadway via Margaritaville |url=https://leaderpost.com/entertainment/local-arts/paul-nolan-heading-back-to-broadway-via-margaritaville |website=Regina Leader-Post |access-date=July 11, 2024 |date=August 8, 2017}} Growing up, he developed an interest in music by listening to folk, opera, show tunes, and classical music.{{Cite news |last=Hoffman |first=Barbara |date=May 8, 2018 |title=How a pale Canadian opera-lover wound up in 'Margaritaville' |url=https://nypost.com/2018/05/08/how-a-pale-canadian-opera-lover-wound-up-in-margaritaville/ |access-date=January 14, 2021 |newspaper=New York Post |language=en-US}} He attended Rouleau School, where he performed in several musicals and received vocal lessons.
He attended the Randolph College for the Performing Arts.{{Cite web |last1=Willett |first1=Edward |date=May 2, 2017 |title=Paul Alexander Nolan: From small-town Saskatchewan to Broadway's bright lights |url=https://edwardwillett.com/2017/05/paul-alexander-nolan-from-small-town-saskatchewan-to-broadways-bright-lights/ |access-date=January 14, 2021 |website=Edward Willett |language=en-US}} Following college, he worked with Disney Cruise Line as a performer.
Career
In 2001, Nolan made his professional stage debut when he appeared in the ensemble for the Canadian production of Mamma Mia!, which played at the Royal Alexandra Theatre in Toronto.
Nolan made his debut with the Stratford Festival during its 2007 season, where he appeared as Slim in a production of Oklahoma!.{{cite web |last1=Hoile |first1=Christopher |title=Review: Oklahoma! at Stratford Festival |url=https://www.stage-door.com/Theatre/2007/Entries/2007/6/18_Oklahoma!.html |website=Stage-Door |access-date=July 10, 2024 |date=June 18, 2007}} Following this, he starred as Tony in Stratford's 2009 production of West Side Story.{{cite web |last1=Nestruck |first1=J. Kelly |title=A stunning West Side Story |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/a-stunning-west-side-story/article787633/ |website=The Globe and Mail |access-date=July 10, 2024 |date=June 7, 2009}} He also played Orlando in their 2010 production of As You Like It.
In 2011, Nolan starred as Jesus in the Stratford Festival's production of Jesus Christ Superstar.{{cite web |last1=Hetrick |first1=Adam |title="Heaven On Their Minds": Rock Hit Jesus Christ Superstar Resurrected on Broadway March 1 |url=https://playbill.com/article/heaven-on-their-minds-rock-hit-jesus-christ-superstar-resurrected-on-broadway-march-1-com-187952 |website=Playbill |access-date=July 10, 2024 |date=March 1, 2012}} The musical then had a pre-Broadway engagement at the La Jolla Playhouse in San Diego. Nolan then made his Broadway debut in 2012 when he reprised his role of Jesus in the revival of Jesus Christ Superstar, where it played at the Neil Simon Theatre.
During the 2013 Stratford Festival season, Nolan appeared in two productions. He played Fyedka in a production of Fiddler on the Roof, and then played Cousin Kevin in a production of The Who's Tommy.{{cite web |last1=Hetrick |first1=Adam |last2=Jones |first2=Kenneth |title=Des McAnuff's New Tommy, Starring Jeremy Kushnier and Paul Nolan, Opens May 30 at Stratford Fest |url=https://playbill.com/article/des-mcanuffs-new-tommy-starring-jeremy-kushnier-and-paul-nolan-opens-may-30-at-stratford-fest-com-205921 |website=Playbill |access-date=July 10, 2024 |date=May 30, 2013}}
In December 2013, Nolan joined the cast of Once, playing Guy.{{cite web |last1=Peterson |first1=Tyler |title=Photo Flash: First Look - Paul Alexander Nolan Joins Cast of Broadway's ONCE as 'Guy' |url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Photo-Flash-First-Look-Paul-Alexander-Nolan-Joins-Cast-of-Broadways-ONCE-as-Guy-20131216 |website=BroadwayWorld |access-date=July 10, 2024 |date=December 16, 2013}} He continued with the show until it closed in January 2015.{{cite web |last1=Cox |first1=Gordon |title=Broadway Musical ‘Once’ to Close in January |url=https://variety.com/2014/legit/news/once-closing-broadway-musical-1201324122/ |website=Variety |access-date=July 10, 2024 |date=October 7, 2014}} He also played Pasha Antipov in the original Broadway production of Doctor Zhivago, which only played at the Broadway Theatre for just over a month of performances.{{cite web |last1=Blank |first1=Matthew |title=Cue & A: Doctor Zhivago Star Paul Alexander Nolan on Theatre Faves, Idols and Brent Carver |url=https://playbill.com/article/cue-a-doctor-zhivago-star-paul-alexander-nolan-on-theatre-faves-idols-and-brent-carver-com-348271 |website=Playbill |access-date=July 10, 2024 |date=May 5, 2015}}{{cite web |last1=Cox |first1=Gordon |title=Broadway’s ‘Doctor Zhivago’ to Close After Tony Shutout |url=https://variety.com/2015/legit/news/doctor-zhivago-closing-broadway-1201487321/ |website=Variety |access-date=July 10, 2024 |date=May 4, 2015}}
He also originated the role of Jimmy Ray Dobbs in the musical Bright Star, which had a pre-Broadway engagement at the Kennedy Center. The musical transferred to Broadway, where it played at the Cort Theatre for four months, closing on June 26, 2016.{{cite web |last1=DeDekker |first1=Jeff |title=Final curtain falls on Bright Star and Paul Nolan |url=https://leaderpost.com/entertainment/local-arts/final-curtain-falls-on-bright-star-and-paul-nolan |website=Regina Leader-Post |access-date=July 10, 2024 |date=June 27, 2016}} After this closed, he played Billy Flynn in Chicago for several weeks.{{cite web |last1=Sullivan |first1=Lindsay |title=Suit Up! Paul Alexander Nolan Is Chicago's New Sizzling Billy Flynn |url=https://www.broadway.com/buzz/186488/suit-up-paul-alexander-nolan-is-chicagos-new-sizzling-billy-flynn/ |website=Broadway.com |access-date=July 10, 2024 |date=October 26, 2016}}
Nolan starred as Tully in the world premiere production of Escape to Margaritaville, a jukebox musical based on the songs of Jimmy Buffett, which played at the La Jolla Playhouse in 2017.{{cite web |last1=Vine |first1=Hannah |title=First Look at the World Premiere of Escape to Margaritaville |url=https://playbill.com/article/first-look-at-the-world-premiere-of-escape-to-margaritaville |website=Playbill |access-date=July 11, 2024 |date=May 30, 2017}} He then reprised his role at subsequent pre-Broadway engagements of the musical in New Orleans, Houston, and Chicago. Nolan also reprised his role when the musical transferred to Broadway, where it opened at the Marquis Theatre.{{cite web |last1=Savoia |first1=Courtney |title=Paul Alexander Nolan Reflects on Escape to Margaritaville & Navigating the Journey of Life |url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/BWW-Interview-Last-Call-Paul-Alexander-Nolan-Reflects-on-ESCAPE-TO-MARGARITAVILLE-Navigating-the-Journey-of-Life-20180622 |website=BroadwayWorld |access-date=July 11, 2024 |date=June 22, 2018}}
Later in 2018, Nolan starred as Jim in the world premiere of Slave Play, a three-act play by Jeremy O. Harris. It premiered off-Broadway at the New York Theatre Workshop. He reprised the role of Jim when the play premiered on Broadway at the John Golden Theatre for a limited engagement between October 6, 2019, and January 19, 2020.{{cite web |last1=Wild |first1=Stephi |title=Slave Play Announces Full Cast Including Paul Alexander Nolan, Ato Blankson-Wood, James Cusati-Moyer, and More! |url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/SLAVE-PLAY-Announces-Full-Cast-Including-Paul-Alexander-Nolan-Ato-Blankson-Wood-James-Cusati-Moyer-and-More-20190813 |website=BroadwayWorld |access-date=July 11, 2024 |date=August 13, 2019}} Nolan again reprised his role when the play was later remounted on Broadway at the August Wilson Theatre in 2021, as well as in Los Angeles at the Mark Taper Forum in 2022.{{cite web |last1=Meyer |first1=Dan |last2=Putnam |first2=Leah |title=Slave Play Los Angeles Premiere Begins February 9 |url=https://playbill.com/article/slave-play-los-angeles-premiere-begins-february-9 |website=Playbill |access-date=July 11, 2024 |date=February 9, 2022}}
In 2022, he starred in the world premiere of the musical Knoxville.{{cite web |last1=Brunner |first1=Raven |title=Jason Danieley, Hannah Elless, Paul Alexander Nolan to Lead World Premiere of Ahrens and Flaherty Musical Knoxville |url=https://playbill.com/article/jason-danieley-hannah-elless-paul-alexander-nolan-to-lead-world-premiere-of-ahrens-and-flaherty-musical-knoxville |website=Playbill |access-date=July 10, 2024 |date=March 2, 2022}} Later in 2022, Nolan starred as Frank Carter in the musical Life After, which played at the Goodman Theatre between June 11 and July 17, 2022.{{cite web |last1=Putnam |first1=Leah |title=Life After Completes Run at Chicago's Goodman Theatre July 17 |url=https://playbill.com/article/life-after-completes-run-at-chicagos-goodman-theatre-july-17 |website=Playbill |access-date=May 30, 2024 |date=July 17, 2022}}
Nolan played Hugh Dorsey in the New York City Center's production of Parade. He then reprised his role when the production transferred to Broadway, where it played at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre for a limited engagement run between February 22, 2023, and August 6, 2023.{{Cite web|url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Howard-McGillin-Jay-Armstrong-Johnson-and-More-Join-PARADE-Full-Casting-Announced-20230130|title=Howard McGillin, Jay Armstrong Johnson, and More Join Parade; Full Casting Announced!| first=Stephi|last=Wild|work=BroadwayWorld|date=January 30, 2023|accessdate=January 30, 2023}}
He also participated in a staged industry reading of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, based on the novel of the same name.{{cite web |last1=Culwell-Block |first1=Logan |title=J. Harrison Ghee, Steven Pasquale, Amber Gray, More to Lead Industry Readings of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil Musical |url=https://playbill.com/article/j-harrison-ghee-steven-pasquale-amber-gray-more-to-lead-industry-readings-of-midnight-in-the-garden-of-good-and-evil-musical |website=Playbill |access-date=July 10, 2024 |date=July 31, 2023}}
In 2024, Nolan originated the role of August Rackinger / Charlie O'Brien in the musical adaptation of Water for Elephants.{{cite web |last1=Higgins |first1=Molly |title=Full Casting Announced for Broadway's Water for Elephants |url=https://playbill.com/article/full-casting-announced-for-broadways-water-for-elephants |website=Playbill |access-date=July 10, 2024 |date=December 13, 2023}} The musical opened on Broadway at the Imperial Theatre in previews on February 24, 2024, ahead of an official opening on March 21, 2024.
Personal life
In 2014, Nolan married Canadian actress Keely Hutton, who he met while performing at the Stratford Festival.
He is a fan of the Toronto Maple Leafs.{{Cite web |date=March 16, 2016 |first=Josh |last=Ferri |title=Five Burning Questions with Bright Star's Paul Alexander Nolan |url=https://www.broadwaybox.com/daily-scoop/five-burning-questions-with-bright-stars-paul-alexander-nolan/ |access-date=January 13, 2021 |website=BroadwayBox.com |language=en}}
Stage credits
class="wikitable"
!Year !Title !Role !Location !Notes ! {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference(s)}} |
2001-2002
| Ensemble |
2002
|Robin Hood: The Merry Family Musical |Will Scarlet |rowspan="2"| Elgin Theatre |rowspan="2"|Regional: Ross Petty Productions | |
2003
|Cinderella: The Sparkling Family Musical |Ensemble | |
2006
|colspan="2"|Regional: Stage West Calgary | |
rowspan="3"| 2007
|Ensemble |rowspan="2"| Festival Theatre |rowspan="2"| Stratford Festival | |
Oklahoma!
|Slim | |
Beauty and the Beast
|colspan="2"| Regional: Persephone Theatre | |
2008
| Cabaret | Bobby | Avon Theatre |rowspan="6"| Stratford Festival | |
2009
|Tony |rowspan="3"| Festival Theatre |
2009
|Vicomte de Valvert | |
2010
|Orlando |
2010
|Ensemble | Tom Patterson Theatre | |
rowspan="2"|2011
|rowspan="3"| Jesus Christ Superstar |rowspan="3"| Jesus | Avon Theatre |
La Jolla Playhouse
| Pre-Broadway engagement |
2012
| Broadway |
2012
| Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots | Ben | World premiere |
rowspan=2|2013
|Fyedka |Festival Theatre |rowspan=2|Stratford Festival | |
The Who's Tommy
|Cousin Kevin |Avon Theatre |
2013-2015
|Once |Guy | Broadway (Replacement) | |
rowspan=2 | 2015
|Pasha Antipov | Broadway | |
Daddy Long Legs
|Jervis Pendleton |Davenport Theatre |Off-Broadway, Original |
rowspan=4 | 2016
| rowspan=2 | Bright Star |rowspan=2 | Jimmy Ray Dobbs |Pre-Broadway engagement |
Cort Theatre
| Broadway (Original) |
My Fair Lady
|Professor Henry Higgins | Bay Street Theatre | Regional | |
Chicago
| Billy Flynn | Broadway (Replacement) |
rowspan=4 | 2017
|rowspan=5 | Escape to Margaritaville |rowspan=5 | Tully | La Jolla Playhouse | Pre-Broadway engagement: World premiere |
Saenger Theatre
|rowspan=3 | Pre-Broadway engagement |
Hobby Center |
Ford Center |
2018
| Broadway (Original) |
2018-2019
|rowspan=2 | Slave Play |rowspan=2 | Jim | Off-Broadway: World premiere |
rowspan=2 | 2019
| Broadway (Original) |
The Who's Tommy
|Cousin Kevin | La Jolla Playhouse | Concert staging | |
2021-2022
|rowspan=2 | Slave Play |rowspan=2 | Jim | Broadway |
rowspan=4 | 2022 |
Knoxville
|Jay Follett | World premiere | |
Life After
|Frank Carter | Regional |
rowspan=2 |Parade
|rowspan=2 | Hugh Dorsey | Off-Broadway |
rowspan=2 | 2023
| Broadway |
Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil
| Joe Odom |colspan="2"| Staged industry reading |
2024
| August Rackinger / Charlie O'Brien | Broadway (Original) |
Filmography
=Television=
class="wikitable"
!Year !Title !Role !Notes |
1997
|Uncle | |Short film |
1998
|Charles Schumacher |Film |
1999
|Alex |Film |
2003
|The Visual Bible: The Gospel of John |Bridegrom |Film |
2003
|The Root |Donovan Kinder |Short film |
2018
|Captain David Paley |S5.E4: "Requiem" |
2019
|Jonathan James |S2.E1: "Stay Gold" |
2019
|Major Daniel Arcineaux |S1.E12: "Legit Bad Day" |
2020
|The Scottish Play |Lucas |Film |
2021
|Ron Craw |S3.E8: "Sleeping Beauty" |
2024
|The Broadway Show with Tamsen Fadal |Himself |S3.E26 |
2025
|Alfred Merrick |Season 3 |
Awards and nominations
class="wikitable""
! Year ! Award ! Category ! Nominated work ! Result ! {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference(s)}} |
2015
|Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical |{{nom}} |
2016
| Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical |{{nom}} |
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{IMDb name|nm0634340}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Nolan, Paul Alexander}}
Category:20th-century Canadian male actors
Category:21st-century Canadian male actors
Category:Canadian male film actors
Category:Canadian male stage actors
Category:Canadian male television actors
Category:Male actors from Saskatchewan