Michael Ball(I)
- Music Artist
- Actor
- Soundtrack
Michael Ball has enjoyed a very successful and varied career over the
last 20 years, both in the West End and on the Concert Stage, working
with some of the 20th century's most prolific musical theatre
composers.
After graduating from the Guildford School of Acting, his professional
debut was in "Godspell," playing the role of John the Baptist/Judas.
His big break came when he appeared in Gilbert and Sullivan's "Pirates
of Penzance" in the role of Frederick. In London's West End, he
originated the roles of Marius in "Les Miserables" (his West End Debut)
and Alex in "Aspects of Love" - a role he later recreated on Broadway.
Michael also played Raoul in "Phantom of the Opera," and Giorgio in
Stephen Sondheim's "Passion." In 2001 he appeared on the stage at
London's Donmar Warehouse in a one-man show titled "Alone Together."
The premise of the show was to tell the story of the life of a
performer through song. No props, no orchestra, it was simply Michael
alone on the stage with only a pianist accompanying him. The
performance was recorded and released on DVD in 2002. He followed his
Donmar success by originating the role of Caractacus Potts in the stage
adaptation of the popular film "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang."
In May 1992 he represented the United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song
Contest, with the song "One Step Out Of Time." He finished in second
place. Following his success in Eurovision, Michael embarked on a
recording career, releasing 18 albums in the last 13 years. He also did
several tours throughout the United Kingdom. Four of his concerts were
released on DVD, "Musicals and More," "Live At the Royal Albert Hall,"
"This Time It's Personal," and "Live in London."
He returned to "Les Miserables" twice - in 1995 to re-create his role
of Marius for the 10th Anniversary Concert Performance at Royal Albert
Hall, and again in 2004 when he was asked to play Jean Valjean in a
special performance for Queen Elizabeth II and French President Jacques
Chirac at Windsor Castle.
In 2004, Michael traveled to Australia, where he did five sold-out
concerts. He followed that tour with his first concerts in the U.S., in
Salt Lake City Utah. In October of 2004 he reprised his "Alone
Together" show in the Theatre Royal, Haymarket, as part of their
"Singular Sensations" series.
2005 has been an interesting, active year for him. In February, he
unexpectedly returned to the London stage in Andrew Lloyd Webber's new
musical "The Woman in White." He stepped into the role of Count Fosco
when Michael Crawford, who originated the role, fell ill. After a
month-long concert tour throughout the UK in early summer, Michael went
into the recording studio to record his 19th CD, titled Music. In
September, he made his New York City Opera Debut in their production of
Gilbert and Sullivan's "Patience" at Lincoln Center, playing Reginald
Bunthorne. In November, he returned to Broadway after a 15-year
absence, playing Count Fosco in the Broadway production of The Woman in
White.
last 20 years, both in the West End and on the Concert Stage, working
with some of the 20th century's most prolific musical theatre
composers.
After graduating from the Guildford School of Acting, his professional
debut was in "Godspell," playing the role of John the Baptist/Judas.
His big break came when he appeared in Gilbert and Sullivan's "Pirates
of Penzance" in the role of Frederick. In London's West End, he
originated the roles of Marius in "Les Miserables" (his West End Debut)
and Alex in "Aspects of Love" - a role he later recreated on Broadway.
Michael also played Raoul in "Phantom of the Opera," and Giorgio in
Stephen Sondheim's "Passion." In 2001 he appeared on the stage at
London's Donmar Warehouse in a one-man show titled "Alone Together."
The premise of the show was to tell the story of the life of a
performer through song. No props, no orchestra, it was simply Michael
alone on the stage with only a pianist accompanying him. The
performance was recorded and released on DVD in 2002. He followed his
Donmar success by originating the role of Caractacus Potts in the stage
adaptation of the popular film "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang."
In May 1992 he represented the United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song
Contest, with the song "One Step Out Of Time." He finished in second
place. Following his success in Eurovision, Michael embarked on a
recording career, releasing 18 albums in the last 13 years. He also did
several tours throughout the United Kingdom. Four of his concerts were
released on DVD, "Musicals and More," "Live At the Royal Albert Hall,"
"This Time It's Personal," and "Live in London."
He returned to "Les Miserables" twice - in 1995 to re-create his role
of Marius for the 10th Anniversary Concert Performance at Royal Albert
Hall, and again in 2004 when he was asked to play Jean Valjean in a
special performance for Queen Elizabeth II and French President Jacques
Chirac at Windsor Castle.
In 2004, Michael traveled to Australia, where he did five sold-out
concerts. He followed that tour with his first concerts in the U.S., in
Salt Lake City Utah. In October of 2004 he reprised his "Alone
Together" show in the Theatre Royal, Haymarket, as part of their
"Singular Sensations" series.
2005 has been an interesting, active year for him. In February, he
unexpectedly returned to the London stage in Andrew Lloyd Webber's new
musical "The Woman in White." He stepped into the role of Count Fosco
when Michael Crawford, who originated the role, fell ill. After a
month-long concert tour throughout the UK in early summer, Michael went
into the recording studio to record his 19th CD, titled Music. In
September, he made his New York City Opera Debut in their production of
Gilbert and Sullivan's "Patience" at Lincoln Center, playing Reginald
Bunthorne. In November, he returned to Broadway after a 15-year
absence, playing Count Fosco in the Broadway production of The Woman in
White.