Alex Brightman

Alexander Michael "Alex" Brightman (born February 5, 1987) is an American stage actor, best known for originating the role of Dewey Finn in School of Rock on Broadway.^[2]

Early life

Brightman grew up in Saratoga, California. His father founded Apple's Worldwide Disabilities Solutions Group, and his mother worked at a dialysis clinic.^[3]

Career

Broadway

Brightman first worked on Broadway in 2008, as an understudy in the ill-fated production of Glory Days, which ended after its first non-preview performance. Brightman never performed in the show. Thereafter, Brightman was cast as the munchkin Boq and made his Broadway debut in Wicked. He stayed with the show for two years. He obtained his next Broadway role in 2013 in Big Fish as an ensemble member and an understudy for a main role. Later in 2013, Brightman was cast as Michael Wormwood in Matilda the Musical.^[4]

In 2015, Brightman joined the newest musical endeavor of Andrew Lloyd Webber', School of Rock, adapted from the 2003 film of the same name. Initially, Brightman played various roles that were meant to be played by child actors but were performed by adults for the workshops. Brightman was cast in the starring role of Dewey, first, in the show's concert performances, and then, in his first starring role, in the Broadway production. Brightman performed as Dewey Finn at the Winter Garden Theatre on Broadway.^[5] For this performance, Brightman received a nomination for the 2016 Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical.^[6] Brightman played his final performance as Dewey on November 6, 2016.

Other Work

Brightman is a member of the comedy group, The (M)orons, along with fellow Broadway actors/writers, Andrew Kober, F. Michael Haynie, and Drew Gasparini. Brightman is currently developing a new musical entitled The Whipping Boy, with Gasparini, for which Brightman co-wrote the lyrics.

Stage credits

Broadway

Awards and nominations

References