Russell Garrett - Actor. Director. Choreographer.
PHOTO BY NILE SCOTT STUDIOS
Russell Garrett has spent 40 years working professionally as an actor, director, choreographer, and regional theatre artistic director.
He made his professional debut in a touring stage production of SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS, working with legends Jane Powell and Howard Keel re-creating their iconic film roles. A later production of the same show starring Debby Boone brought him to New York City, making his Broadway debut. Subsequent New York work includes joining the original company of 42nd STREET, all four (!) versions of THE SCARLET PIMPERNEL, the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, and several off-off Broadway productions including the Holocaust-set drama BENT and the original productions of ELEGIES FOR ANGELS, PUNKS AND RAGING QUEENS. He is best remembered for creating the role of Miss Texas in the hilarious Off-Broadway hit PAGEANT. His many American, Canadian, European, and Japanese touring productions include Hal Prince’s production of SHOW BOAT, 42nd STREET, MY FAIR LADY, THE SCARLET PIMPERNEL, and several tours of duty with A CHORUS LINE. Regionally, he has appeared with many great theater companies including Actors Theatre Louisville, The Old Globe Theatre in San Diego, Papermill Playhouse in New Jersey, The Ogunquit Playhouse in Maine, North Shore Music Theatre in Massachusetts, and Theatre Under The Stars in Houston. Russell’s many regional and stock appearances have included such varied roles as Harold Hill in THE MUSIC MAN, Henry Higgins in MY FAIR LADY, Emperor Joseph ll in AMADEUS, Julian Marsh in 42ND STREET, Ernst Ludwig in CABARET, Roger Debris in THE PRODUCERS, The Interlocutor in THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS, Lord Evelyn Oakleigh in ANYTHING GOES, Zach in A CHORUS LINE, Phileas Fogg in AROUND THE WORLD IN EIGHTY DAYS, Harry Bright in MAMMA MIA, 18 roles in Marc Wolf’s one-man drama ANOTHER AMERICAN: ASKING AND TELLING, and 9 years playing Bob Cratchit at North Shore Music Theatre. He's had the good fortune to work with theatre luminaries Hal Prince, Susan Stroman, Donna McKechnie, George Grizzard, Cloris Leachman, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Len Cariou, Juliet Prowse, and Brian Stokes Mitchell among others.
He made his professional debut in a touring stage production of SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS, working with legends Jane Powell and Howard Keel re-creating their iconic film roles. A later production of the same show starring Debby Boone brought him to New York City, making his Broadway debut. Subsequent New York work includes joining the original company of 42nd STREET, all four (!) versions of THE SCARLET PIMPERNEL, the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, and several off-off Broadway productions including the Holocaust-set drama BENT and the original productions of ELEGIES FOR ANGELS, PUNKS AND RAGING QUEENS. He is best remembered for creating the role of Miss Texas in the hilarious Off-Broadway hit PAGEANT. His many American, Canadian, European, and Japanese touring productions include Hal Prince’s production of SHOW BOAT, 42nd STREET, MY FAIR LADY, THE SCARLET PIMPERNEL, and several tours of duty with A CHORUS LINE. Regionally, he has appeared with many great theater companies including Actors Theatre Louisville, The Old Globe Theatre in San Diego, Papermill Playhouse in New Jersey, The Ogunquit Playhouse in Maine, North Shore Music Theatre in Massachusetts, and Theatre Under The Stars in Houston. Russell’s many regional and stock appearances have included such varied roles as Harold Hill in THE MUSIC MAN, Henry Higgins in MY FAIR LADY, Emperor Joseph ll in AMADEUS, Julian Marsh in 42ND STREET, Ernst Ludwig in CABARET, Roger Debris in THE PRODUCERS, The Interlocutor in THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS, Lord Evelyn Oakleigh in ANYTHING GOES, Zach in A CHORUS LINE, Phileas Fogg in AROUND THE WORLD IN EIGHTY DAYS, Harry Bright in MAMMA MIA, 18 roles in Marc Wolf’s one-man drama ANOTHER AMERICAN: ASKING AND TELLING, and 9 years playing Bob Cratchit at North Shore Music Theatre. He's had the good fortune to work with theatre luminaries Hal Prince, Susan Stroman, Donna McKechnie, George Grizzard, Cloris Leachman, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Len Cariou, Juliet Prowse, and Brian Stokes Mitchell among others.
Past Productions - Direction and Choreography
As a director and choreographer, Russell has been staging acclaimed productions of musicals and plays in a variety of venues including Skylight Music Theatre in Milwaukee, The Ogunquit Playhouse in Maine, North Shore Music Theatre in Massachusetts, Theatre By The Sea in Rhode Island, The Arts Center Of Coastal Carolina on Hilton Head Island, SC, New London Barn Playhouse in New Hampshire, Sharon Playhouse in Connecticut, Sierra Repertory Theatre in California, and Foothills Theatre Company in Worcester, MA where he served as Artistic Director for four seasons. Past favorites include multiple productions of CHICAGO, ANYTHING GOES, AIN’T MISBEHAVIN’, SMOKEY JOE’S CAFE, CAMELOT, THE LEGEND OF GEORGIA McBRIDE, and BEEHIVE! as well as THE WHO’S TOMMY, HAIRPSPRAY, 9 TO 5, THE FULL MONTY, GUYS AND DOLLS, GYPSY, MARY POPPINS, THE DROWSY CHAPERONE, LEGALLY BLONDE, THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW, FALSETTOS, MOONLIGHT AND MAGNOLIAS, PAGEANT, KISS ME, KATE, SHOUT!, THE 39 STEPS, and A CHORUS LINE.
