Steve Blanchard
Encyclopedia
Steve Blanchard is a stage actor best known for his musical theatre
roles, being most closely associated with the role of Beast in the musical Beauty and the Beast
, which he played both on Broadway and on tour for eleven years. In recent years, he has played the role of "Pa" in several regional theatre productions of the musical version of Little House on the Prairie
. He also guest stars in television roles.
.
After college, Blanchard performed in dinner theatre. In 1981, he played the title role in Hans Christian Andersen in New York City. After this, he appeared in productions in The Threepenny Opera
in Boston
at the Charles Playhouse; in Sleep of Reason at Baltimore
's Center stage; in Godspell
and Hot Mikado
at the Ford's Theatre in Washington, DC; in The Robber Bridegroom
at the West End in Virginia; and in Jesus Christ Superstar
at Candlewood. He understudied Brent Spiner
as Aramis
in the 1984 Broadway
revival of The Three Musketeers
, but the show closed after a week, and Blanchard did not get the opportunity to perform the role.
and subsequent national tour. He then starred in the musical Beauty and the Beast
as Gaston and the Beast, playing the latter role, both on Broadway and on tour for eleven years, ending in 2007. Blanchard toured in the U.S. National companies of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
in 1987, Ken Hill
's Phantom of the Opera in 1989 (in which he performed for almost three years), and Camelot in 1992.
Off-Broadway
, Blanchard played the role of Johnny in the musical version of Johnny Guitar
at the Century Center for the Performing Arts in March 2004. He appeared in the off-Broadway musical Frankenstein, a New Musical, in 2007. He also appeared in An Oak Tree off-Broadway.
In regional theatre, he appeared in the musical Chess
at the Paper Mill Playhouse
, Millburn, New Jersey
in 1992. In the mid-1990s, he appeared St. Louis Rep's Esmeralda, Westbury's Annie Get Your Gun
and Atlanta's South Pacific
. In 1995, he played the roles of "Fred" and the "Headless Ghost" in Alan Menken
's version of A Christmas Carol at the Madison Square Garden
theatre. He has performed the role of "Pa" in productions of the stage musical version of Little House on the Prairie
in regional theatres starting at the Guthrie Theatre, Minneapolis, Minnesota
in 2008 and then the Paper Mill Playhouse, from September 2009-October 2009. He portrayed Julian Marsh in 42nd Street
at the TUTS
, Houston, Texas
in July 2009.
On television, Blanchard has made guest appearances on prime-time shows such as Law & Order
and Third Watch
and in daytime dramas. He also sang the title role in the original recording of the new musical, Sundown, based on the Legend of Doc Holliday
. He has a solo CD, Northbound Train, on which he sings songs from shows that he has been in.
Musical theatre
Musical theatre is a form of theatre combining songs, spoken dialogue, acting, and dance. The emotional content of the piece – humor, pathos, love, anger – as well as the story itself, is communicated through the words, music, movement and technical aspects of the entertainment as an...
roles, being most closely associated with the role of Beast in the musical Beauty and the Beast
Beauty and the Beast (musical)
Beauty and the Beast is a musical with music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice and a book by Linda Woolverton, based on the 1991 Disney film of the same name. Seven new songs were written for the stage musical...
, which he played both on Broadway and on tour for eleven years. In recent years, he has played the role of "Pa" in several regional theatre productions of the musical version of Little House on the Prairie
Little House on the Prairie (musical)
Little House on the Prairie is a book musical adapted from the children's books, Little House on the Prairie, by Laura Ingalls Wilder. The creative team includes Rachel Sheinkin , Rachel Portman , Donna di Novelli , and Francesca Zambello...
. He also guest stars in television roles.
Early life and career
Blanchard was born in Baltimore, Maryland, according to Broadwayworld. He attended the University of MarylandUniversity of Maryland
When the term "University of Maryland" is used without any qualification, it generally refers to the University of Maryland, College Park.University of Maryland may refer to the following:...
.
After college, Blanchard performed in dinner theatre. In 1981, he played the title role in Hans Christian Andersen in New York City. After this, he appeared in productions in The Threepenny Opera
The Threepenny Opera
The Threepenny Opera is a musical by German dramatist Bertolt Brecht and composer Kurt Weill, in collaboration with translator Elisabeth Hauptmann and set designer Caspar Neher. It was adapted from an 18th-century English ballad opera, John Gay's The Beggar's Opera, and offers a Marxist critique...
in Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
at the Charles Playhouse; in Sleep of Reason at Baltimore
Baltimore
Baltimore is the largest independent city in the United States and the largest city and cultural center of the US state of Maryland. The city is located in central Maryland along the tidal portion of the Patapsco River, an arm of the Chesapeake Bay. Baltimore is sometimes referred to as Baltimore...
's Center stage; in Godspell
Godspell
Godspell is a musical by Stephen Schwartz and John-Michael Tebelak. It opened off Broadway on May 17, 1971, and has played in various touring companies and revivals many times since, including a 2011 revival now playing on Broadway...
and Hot Mikado
Hot Mikado
Hot Mikado is a musical comedy, based on Gilbert and Sullivan's The Mikado, adapted by David H. Bell and Rob Bowman...
at the Ford's Theatre in Washington, DC; in The Robber Bridegroom
The Robber Bridegroom
For other uses, see The Robber Bridegroom The Robber Bridegroom is a 1942 novella by Eudora Welty.The story, inspired by and loosely based on the Grimm fairy tale The Robber Bridegroom, is a Southern folk tale set in Mississippi. At the opening of the novella, the legendary Mike Fink meets...
at the West End in Virginia; and in Jesus Christ Superstar
Jesus Christ Superstar
Jesus Christ Superstar is a rock opera by Andrew Lloyd Webber, with lyrics by Tim Rice. The musical started off as a rock opera concept recording before its first staging on Broadway in 1971...
at Candlewood. He understudied Brent Spiner
Brent Spiner
Brent Jay Spiner is an American actor, best known for his portrayal of the android Lieutenant Commander Data in the television series Star Trek: The Next Generation and four subsequent films. His portrayal of Data in Star Trek: First Contact and of Dr...
as Aramis
Aramis
C. René d'Aramis de Vannes is a fictional character in the novels The Three Musketeers, Twenty Years After and The Vicomte de Bragelonne by Alexandre Dumas, père...
in the 1984 Broadway
Broadway theatre
Broadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
revival of The Three Musketeers
The Three Musketeers (musical)
The Three Musketeers is a musical with a book by William Anthony McGuire, lyrics by Clifford Grey and P. G. Wodehouse, and music by Rudolf Friml. It is based on the classic 1844 novel by Alexandre Dumas, père....
, but the show closed after a week, and Blanchard did not get the opportunity to perform the role.
Broadway and later roles
Blanchard's first Broadway appearance was in the role of Lancelot Du Lac in the 1993 revival of CamelotCamelot (musical)
Camelot is a musical by Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe . It is based on the King Arthur legend as adapted from the T. H. White tetralogy novel The Once and Future King....
and subsequent national tour. He then starred in the musical Beauty and the Beast
Beauty and the Beast (musical)
Beauty and the Beast is a musical with music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice and a book by Linda Woolverton, based on the 1991 Disney film of the same name. Seven new songs were written for the stage musical...
as Gaston and the Beast, playing the latter role, both on Broadway and on tour for eleven years, ending in 2007. Blanchard toured in the U.S. National companies of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum is a musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart....
in 1987, Ken Hill
Ken Hill
Ken Hill was a critically acclaimed English playwright, and theatre director.He was a protege of Joan Littlewood at Theatre Workshop...
's Phantom of the Opera in 1989 (in which he performed for almost three years), and Camelot in 1992.
Off-Broadway
Off-Broadway
Off-Broadway theater is a term for a professional venue in New York City with a seating capacity between 100 and 499, and for a specific production of a play, musical or revue that appears in such a venue, and which adheres to related trade union and other contracts...
, Blanchard played the role of Johnny in the musical version of Johnny Guitar
Johnny Guitar
Johnny Guitar is a 1954 Republic Pictures Western film starring Joan Crawford, Sterling Hayden, Mercedes McCambridge, and Scott Brady.The screenplay was based upon a novel by Roy Chanslor. Though credited to Philip Yordan, he was merely a front for the actual screenwriter, blacklistee Ben Maddow. ...
at the Century Center for the Performing Arts in March 2004. He appeared in the off-Broadway musical Frankenstein, a New Musical, in 2007. He also appeared in An Oak Tree off-Broadway.
In regional theatre, he appeared in the musical Chess
Chess (musical)
Chess is a musical with music by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, formerly of ABBA, and with lyrics by Tim Rice. The story involves a romantic triangle between two top players, an American and a Russian, in a world chess championship, and a woman who manages one and falls in love with the other;...
at the Paper Mill Playhouse
Paper Mill Playhouse
Paper Mill Playhouse is a regional theatre with approximately 1200 seats, located in Millburn, New Jersey, less than 25 miles from Manhattan. Due to its location, it can draw from the pool of actors who live in New York City. Its location, as well as its focus on producing large-scale shows, makes...
, Millburn, New Jersey
Millburn, New Jersey
Millburn is a township in Essex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township population was 20,149.Millburn Township was created as a township by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 20, 1857, from portions of Springfield Township.Millburn also...
in 1992. In the mid-1990s, he appeared St. Louis Rep's Esmeralda, Westbury's Annie Get Your Gun
Annie Get Your Gun
Annie Get Your Gun may refer to:*Annie Get Your Gun , a 1946 musical play*Annie Get Your Gun , a 1950 film version of the 1946 musical*Annie Get Your Gun , 1946, with Ethel Merman and Ray Middleton...
and Atlanta's South Pacific
South Pacific (musical)
South Pacific is a musical with music by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II and book by Hammerstein and Joshua Logan. The story draws from James A. Michener's Pulitzer Prize-winning 1947 book Tales of the South Pacific, weaving together characters and elements from several of its...
. In 1995, he played the roles of "Fred" and the "Headless Ghost" in Alan Menken
Alan Menken
Alan Menken is an American musical theatre and film composer and pianist.Menken is best known for his numerous scores for films produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios. His scores for The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, and Pocahontas have each won him two Academy Awards...
's version of A Christmas Carol at the Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden, often abbreviated as MSG and known colloquially as The Garden, is a multi-purpose indoor arena in the New York City borough of Manhattan and located at 8th Avenue, between 31st and 33rd Streets, situated on top of Pennsylvania Station.Opened on February 11, 1968, it is the...
theatre. He has performed the role of "Pa" in productions of the stage musical version of Little House on the Prairie
Little House on the Prairie (musical)
Little House on the Prairie is a book musical adapted from the children's books, Little House on the Prairie, by Laura Ingalls Wilder. The creative team includes Rachel Sheinkin , Rachel Portman , Donna di Novelli , and Francesca Zambello...
in regional theatres starting at the Guthrie Theatre, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Minnesota
Minnesota is a U.S. state located in the Midwestern United States. The twelfth largest state of the U.S., it is the twenty-first most populous, with 5.3 million residents. Minnesota was carved out of the eastern half of the Minnesota Territory and admitted to the Union as the thirty-second state...
in 2008 and then the Paper Mill Playhouse, from September 2009-October 2009. He portrayed Julian Marsh in 42nd Street
42nd Street (musical)
42nd Street is a musical with a book by Michael Stewart and Mark Bramble, lyrics by Al Dubin, and music by Harry Warren. The 1980 Broadway production, directed by an ailing Gower Champion and orchestrated by Philip J. Lang, won the Tony Award for Best Musical and became a long-running hit...
at the TUTS
Theatre Under The Stars (Houston)
Theatre Under the Stars is a year-round, professional, non-profit musical theatre production company. It is located in Houston, Texas, performing mostly at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts. Theatre Under The Stars’ season generally includes both self-produced shows as well as national...
, Houston, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
in July 2009.
On television, Blanchard has made guest appearances on prime-time shows such as Law & Order
Law & Order
Law & Order is an American police procedural and legal drama television series, created by Dick Wolf and part of the Law & Order franchise. It aired on NBC, and in syndication on various cable networks. Law & Order premiered on September 13, 1990, and completed its 20th and final season on May 24,...
and Third Watch
Third Watch
Third Watch is an American television drama series which first aired on NBC from 1999 to 2005 for a total of 132 episodes, broadcast in 6 seasons of 22 episodes each....
and in daytime dramas. He also sang the title role in the original recording of the new musical, Sundown, based on the Legend of Doc Holliday
Doc Holliday
John Henry "Doc" Holliday was an American gambler, gunfighter and dentist of the American Old West, who is usually remembered for his friendship with Wyatt Earp and his involvement in the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral...
. He has a solo CD, Northbound Train, on which he sings songs from shows that he has been in.