A Brief History

EARLEY START-

This is where it all began for me. (I'm the little one 

in the front row.) When mom (Dyanne) brought 4 boys into this world, what better way to show them off than with a family singing group?

She handmade these red white and blue jackets, added red turtle necks, white pants, white shoes and styrofoam straw hats.

She called us MAMA'S BOYS and we sang songs like: You're a Grand Old Flag, Harrigan and I'm a Yankee Doodle Dandy. 

PROFESSIONAL START-

I love to sing more than anything, and I got my first chance professionally when I was 10 years old in THE SOUND OF MUSIC at The Marriott Theater. Director David Bell said I was hired because of my "blond hair, blue eyes and sweet voice". Fun fact: I fell into the pit on the side of the stage one night and landed on the timpani. (Thanks Joe for picking me up)  

Three years later, David Bell and the Marriott  would also cast me in SHENANDOAH as the "The Boy" Robert. Two amazing experiences I will never forget.  (I managed to avoid the pit during this production.)

HIGH SCHOOL-

While at Mundelein High School I played Curly in OKLAHOMA!, Mercutio in ROMEO AND JULIET, Leading Player in PIPPIN, and The Wiz in THE WIZ. (Those last two are still a mystery.)  I also got to share the stage with my brother Dave. This picture is Dave and me at our finest. We made the local paper with our subtle acting style and nuanced performances. :)

COLLEGE YEARS-

I proudly attended Webster Conservatory in St.Louis, where I encountered my multi-talented wife Julie Ann Emery. We have shared the stage many times in and out of College, including playing opposite each other in THE ROBBER BRIDEGROOM and LA CAGE AUX FOLLES (one of my favorites).

 Julie Ann and I also have an award winning web series Then We Got Help!.  Julie Ann wrote, directed, produced and stars. I produced, played key grip, starred in and wrote all the music. Producing and creating new projects is a dream we both share.

CHICAGO TO BROADWAY-

While working in Chicago theaters like Drury Lane South, Oakbrook, Marriott, and Apple Tree, I was also auditioning for Broadway shows on the side. After 7 attempts,  I was offered the role of Legolas in the  Broadway Company of LES MISERABLES. I had two weeks to pack up and move from the Windy City to the Big Apple. 

In the New York company of Les Miz, I would also understudy the role of Enjolras. The role I would, one year later, take over on the US National Tour. The delightful "Marius Company" took me in and I remained on the road for a full year, traveling all around America. Finally landing in Los Angeles and making a coast to coast change of location. 

Left: David Zippel, Larry Gelbart, and Cy Colman.                 Right: Me, David Zippel, Tammy Tappin,  Larry Gelbart and Director Joe Leonardo.

CITY OF ANGELS-

When your wife spends a lot of time on television, you spend a lot of time in Los Angeles.  I have loved my time in the LA theater community working at companies like Reprise!, Musical Theater West, CLO South Bay, La Mirada, Laguna Playhouse, The Colony, Ford Amphitheater and The Kirk Douglas Theater on shows such as SIDE SHOW, CAROUSEL, SLEEPING BEAUTY WAKES, TITANIC, APPLAUSE, 1776, MOST HAPPY FELLA and CHESS to name a few.

My Los Angeles Concert work includes solo concerts at Disney Hall with The California Philharmonic, and Performing at the The Hollywood Bowl with the LA Philharmonic in CAMELOT, THE MUSIC MAN, and as Freddie in MY FAIR LADY. 

I also had the great fortune to play Jimmy Powers in CITY OF ANGELS two times on the West Coast.  Working directly with David Zipple and the late greats Larry Gelbart and Cy Colman. Directed by Joe Leonardo and performed at the McCallum Theatre in Palm Springs and Reprise! in Los Angeles. 

While working in LA I was also fortunate to receive a few Nominations and Awards.

THE BIG APPLE-

When I was in Los Angeles, Broadway's THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE was searching for a new Trevor Graydon. Wouldn't you know it, I was happy to go. I would play opposite both Sutton Foster and Susan Egan (Right). A couple of years later, a new musical out of Asolo Florida was making its way to Broadway and A TALE OF TWO CITIES. This show would again take me back to NYC. 

After TALE closed I got an offer to stand by for "Death" in DEATH TAKES A HOLIDAY for the Roundabout Theater Company. When I took the (non-performing) understudy job for "Death" I had no idea that 2 days before Opening Night "Death" would get sick and I would  be going on with 4 hours notice and almost no rehearsal. Subsequent events would lead me to perform on Opening Night, eventually take over the role and joyfully end up on the Original Cast Recording. A wild ride to be sure. 

My concert and cabaret work in New York has included Town Hall, Feinstein's, The Metropolitan Room, 54 Below, NY City Ballet, 92Y, The Kennedy Center in DC and  Carnegie Hall (Zankle Theater) with Michael Feinstein. 

2016 was a Gem of a Year

Kevin finished 2016 with 3 leading roles in 3 amazing new musicals. EMPIRE (The Musical) at La Mirada Theater in California, JOSEPHINE at ASOLO in Florida and CHASING RAINBOWS at Goodspeed Musicals in Connecticut. All three included; the architect of the worlds tallest building; Ms, Bakers band conductor, arranger and 4th and last husband; the troubled father of the great Judy Garland.

Ending the Decade.

Continuing to work in regional theaters across the country, Kevin ended the decade performing in EMMA (The Musical), WAIT UNITL DARK, GUYS AND DOLLS, SECRET GARDEN and BRIGADOON at the Goodman in Chicago. 

On a related NEW adventure, Kevin has started directing. Please visit his DIRECTING page on this site for more info. Shows including THE FANTASTICS, THE GLASS MENAGERIE, THE WONDER and come up in 2021, THE WHIPPING MAN. 

This is a small sample of all the Show Posters, CD Covers and Sheet Music Jackets I have done over the years.