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Jay Donnell

Birth Place: Paterson, New Jersey

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Jay Donnell BIO

Jay has been acting most of his life. He trained at Western Michigan Univeristy in Kalamazoo, MI majoring in their BFA Musical Theatre Performance program. After college, he moved to New York City, where he booked his first National Tour with Cameron Mackintosh's Miss Saigon. He traveled the country for nearly 2 years performing in the ensemble and covering the principle role of John.

After the road, Jay moved to Los Angeles. Since that move, he has appeared in commercial ads for Allstate Insurance, Bud Light, International products, and a t.v. series for the Discovery Channel. Recently, Jay had a supporting role in Joshua Tree 1951: A Portrait of James Dean for Iconoclastic Features.

Jay has been seen in critically acclaimed and L.A. Ovation Award-Winning productions at The Pasadena Playhouse, La Mirada Theatre of the Performing Arts, South Bay CLO, PCPA, San Diego Music Theatre, Phoenix Theatre, Music Theatre West, Red Mountain Theatre Company, The Hollywood Bowl and more. He's had the pleasure to work with some great directors such as David Lee, Sheldon Epps, Mark Brokaw and Jason Alexander while singing and acting alongside some of the best such as Reba McEntire, Michael McKean, Wayne Brady (understudied and performed as Fred/Petruchio in "Kiss Me, Kate" at the Pasadena Playhouse in 2014), Merle Dandridge, Vanessa Williams, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Adam Pascal, Kristin Bell and many others!

Jay Donnell Photos

Jay Donnell STAGE CREDITS

[US Tour]
Revival National Tour, 2019
Performer

[Milburn, NJ (Regional)]
Paper Mill Playhouse World Premiere, 2019
Ensemble


Jay Donnell Videos

Jay Donnell News


Listen: Hear the ROGERS: THE MUSICAL Cast Album


The 12-track album will feature fan-favorite songs “Save The City” from the Disney+ series “Hawkeye” (written by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman) and “Star Spangled Man” from the film “Captain America: The First Avenger” (written by Alan Menken and David Zippel). Find out what other songs will be included now!

Review: THE INHERITANCE PARTS 1 & 2 at Geffen Playhouse


THE INHERITANCE is designed to make an audience feel quite a few different kinds of emotions: sadness certainly over lives lost and squandered; seething bitterness over a country adrift; humor over the many creative ways in which smart people cope and endure; and perhaps even a strong inclination to read or stream E.M. Forster’s HOWARDS END.

Video: Watch the Trailer for THE INHERITANCE at Geffen Playhouse Starring Adam Kantor & More


The Inheritance is now playing at Geffen Playhouse. In contemporary Manhattan, Eric and Toby are 30-somethings who seem to be very much in love and thriving. But on the cusp of their engagement, they meet an older man haunted by the past, and a younger man hungry for a future. Watch the trailer here!

Interview: With One Life to Live Tuc Watkins Makes the Most of His INHERITANCE


The Geffen Playhouse west coast premieres the Stephen Daldry production of four-time Tony Award winner The Heritance October 16, 2022 (already in previews). Mike Donahue directs the all-out cast of Bill Brochtrup, Tantoo Cardinal, Juan Castano, Jay Donnell, Israel Erron Ford, August Gray Gall, Adam Kantor, Eddie Lopez, Kasey Mahaffy, Miguel Pinzon, Avi Roque, Bradley James Tejeda and Tuc Watkins. Tuc carved out some time from his rehearsals to chat about this Matthew López production, as well as, some of his career highlights.

Nic Ashe, Bill Brochtrup, Tantoo Cardinal and More Will Lead THE INHERITANCE at Geffen Playhouse


Geffen Playhouse announced the full cast for its West Coast premiere of the Stephen Daldry production of four-time Tony Award winner The Inheritance, written by Matthew López and directed by Mike Donahue.

Photo/Video: First Look At BRUCE At Seattle Rep


Bruce, the new musical based on Carl Gottlieb's The Jaws Log, a novel about the making of the iconic film, officially opened on June 8 at Seattle Rep,and played its final performance June 26th. Get a first look at photos and video from the production.

BWW Review: BRUCE at The Seattle Rep


Dear Readers, I need to ask you a question. Have you seen the movie “Jaws”? The original and first big summer blockbuster from 1975. Read our review. 

Preston Truman Boyd, David Benoit & More Announced for World Premiere of BRUCE at Seattle Rep


Seattle Rep today announced complete casting of its world-premiere production of Bruce, the new musical is based on Carl Gottlieb’s The Jaws Log, a novel about the making of the iconic film. Bruce will perform on the Bagley Wright stage from May 27-June 26, 2022, and will celebrate its official opening night on June 8.

Lauren Zakrin, John Battagliese & More to Take Part in BROADWAY AT THE BOURBON ROOM


'Broadway at The Bourbon Room' is a new, monthly musical cabaret in Hollywood showcasing Broadway’s best talent and celebrating the songs, stories, and stars of Broadway. Each month will feature a different musical theme for Broadway at the Bourbon Room.

VIDEO: Watch Kyle Taylor Parker and Jay Donnell Sing RENT with the NJSO


Earlier this month, the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra kicked off a virtual celebration of Pride Month, featuring works by LGBTQ+ composers and a performance of Rent's 'I'll Cover You' in collaboration with Paper Mill Playhouse.

New Jersey Symphony Orchestra Announces Virtual Pride Celebration


The celebration features works by LGBTQ+ composers, an interview with Laura Kaminsky about her chamber opera As One, a performance of Rent’s “I’ll Cover You” in collaboration with Paper Mill Playhouse and a free Zoom event presented in partnership with SAGE, a national advocacy and services organization for LGBT elders.

Wake Up With BWW 3/11: ROCK OF AGES Reunion Concert Announced, and More!


Today's top stories: Rock of Ages reunion concert announced, Sara Bareilles delivers Waitress 'turn off your phone' message in Japanese, and more!

VIDEO: Wilson Jermaine Heredia, Constantine Maroulis and More Sing 'Seasons of Love' With Pandemic-Inspired Lyrics


A talented group of theater performers have come together virtually to perform 'Seasons of Love' with pandemic inspired lyrics, including 'Five hundred twenty five thousand six hundred TikToks.'

Lythgoe Family Panto's CAROLS FOR KIDS Virtual Concert Benefits CHLA


Lythgoe Family Panto (LFP), presents a virtual at home sing-along concert CAROLS FOR KIDS, benefiting Children's Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA), and featuring stars from a decade of Lythgoe Family productions.

BWW Review: ONCE ON THIS ISLAND at ASU GAMMAGE. The Jewel of the Antilles becomes The Jewel of the East Valley.


If I could just write a?oeThis show was perfect. The enda?? for this production, I would. It would be the simple truth for a show so breathtaking, that trying to put words on this page is near impossible. There are no words that I could type that would truly encompass what is the Magnificence of ONCE ON THIS ISLAND at ASU GAMMAGE. It is truly one of the must-see shows in the valley right now.

Broadway's ONCE ON THIS ISLAND Now On Sale At The 5th Avenue Theatre


Tickets for the Seattle engagement of the national tour of the Tony Award-Winning Broadway revival of ONCE ON THIS ISLAND are on sale now.

ONCE ON THIS ISLAND Tour Comes to Houston in February 2020


The North American Tour of the Tony Award-winning revival of Once On This Island appears at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts from Feb. 18 to March 1. For ticketing information, visit TUTS.com.

Exclusive: Get A First Look At ONCE ON THIS ISLAND On Tour


The National tour of Once On This Island is now officially on the road across the country! Once On This Island will play over 25 cities in its first year on tour. Get a first look at all new production photos!

BWW Review: ONCE ON THIS ISLAND Launches Stunning National Tour at Nashville's Tennessee Performing Arts Center


Visually stunning. Inventively staged. Compellingly acted. Beautifully told. Utterly delightful. Heartrendingly poignant. What more can be said about Once On This Island, the Lynn Ahrens-Stephen Flaherty musical which launched its national tour in Nashville last night with a remarkable opening performance before a capacity crowd in Andrew Jackson Hall? The critical raves, audience adulation and awards for the recent Broadway revival of the Caribbean-influenced musical were enough to attract ticket-buyers, to be certain, but the sheer artistry of the production and its amazingly talented cast will be more than enough to propel the company forward on their cross-country tour where, we suspect, the accolades will continue to be bestowed upon the heartfelt and authentic story.

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