William Swenson
Will Swenson (Stacee Jaxx, Rock of Ages) first row, left
Born	William Swenson October 26, 1973 (1973-10-26) (age 36) Provo, Utah U.S.A.
Occupation	screenwriter film director film producer actor

William Swenson (born October 26, 1973 in Provo, Utah) is an American Tony Award-nominated actor, writer and film director best known for his work in musical theatre. He also has developed a cult film career, primarily in Mormon cinema. He is well known amongst Utahn Mormons, particularly for his role as Jonathan Jordan in the LDS Cinema movie The Singles Ward (2002) and in the Singles Ward sequel, The Singles 2nd Ward (2007).^[1] Swenson also co-wrote, directed and acted in the LDS Cinema movie Sons of Provo (2004).

A grandson of Ruth Hale,^[2] Swenson was born to a theatre-loving Mormon family in Utah and moved around a lot throughout the United States during his childhood. He attended Brigham Young University and later served as an LDS missionary in Ecuador. However, he is no longer a practicing Mormon.^[3]

Swenson has appeared on Broadway in Lestat, 110 in the Shade and Brooklyn. He created the role of Stacee Jaxx in the musical Rock of Ages but did not go on to perform the role on Broadway because he was offered the starring role of Berger in the Broadway revival of Hair. He also played Sir Sagramore in Camelot at Lincoln Center and Chris in the 2nd National Tour of Miss Saigon.

Swenson played the role of Berger in the Off-Broadway 40th Anniversary Concert of Hair opposite Karen Olivo. In 2008, Swenson was again cast as Berger in the The Public Theatre's revival of the show in Central Park. He then went on to reprise the role when the production moved to Broadway in March 2009.^[4] Swenson received critical acclaim for his performance on Broadway and was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical.

On October 8 2009, Swenson appeared as in the guest cameo slot for the extension performance of Katie Thompson's R.R.R.E.D.: A Secret Musical, as part of the 2009 New York Musical Theatre Festival. Those to Previously appear in that role include Kate Shindle and Tovah Feldshuh.^{[citation needed]}

Recently^[when?] divorced, Swenson has two young sons and is now dating Broadway star Audra McDonald.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] Filmography

• The Singles Ward - Jonathan Jordon (2002)
• The R.M. - Kori Swenson (2003)
• Dear John - Tyson (2004)
• Sons of Provo - Will Jensen (2004)
• The Singles 2nd Ward - Jonathan Jordon (2007)

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Will Swenson at the Internet Movie Database
• Will Swenson at the Internet Broadway Database