A. J. Holmes

Last updated

A. J. Holmes
Born
Andrew James Holmes

(1988-11-14) November 14, 1988 (age 35)
California, U.S.
Alma mater University of Michigan
Occupation(s)Actor, singer, composer

Andrew James Holmes (born November 14, 1988, in California) is an American actor, singer and composer working in musical theater, and a member of StarKid Productions.

Contents

He is known primarily for playing the role of Elder Cunningham in The Book of Mormon on Broadway, the US tour, the West End, Melbourne and Sydney. Holmes is also a member of StarKid Productions, having composed music for four of the theatre company's shows and acted in four of them. He was the sole composer of Twisted , leading him to be most closely identified with that musical. [1]

Early life

Holmes grew up in Southern California and graduated from University of Michigan in 2011.

Career

While still in college, Holmes was a founding member of StarKid Productions, co-composing the music for their first show in 2009, A Very Potter Musical , where he also was credited as the music director and played the piano in the pit orchestra. [2] Holmes then reprised his role as co-composer, music director, and pianist for Me and My Dick later that year, as well as playing the acting role of Joey's Heart. [3]

After graduating, Holmes was cast as Frederick Frankenstein in the US national tour of Young Frankenstein . Holmes played this role from September 30, 2011, to May 31, 2012.

In 2012, Holmes returned to StarKid for A Very Potter Senior Year . He served as co-composer, musical director, and keyboard 1 in the pit orchestra, as well as playing the role of Gilderoy Lockhart. [4]

In 2013, Holmes was the standby for Elder Cunningham on The Book of Mormon in the Chicago, Illinois production. He also composed the music for StarKid's Twisted alongside Kaley McMahon, who wrote the lyrics. [5]

In 2013–2014, Holmes played Cunningham on the first national tour of The Book of Mormon. [6] [7] [ non-primary source needed ]

In 2014, Holmes transferred to the Broadway production of The Book of Mormon as a standby for Cunningham from January 14, 2014, to June 29, 2014. From July 28, 2014, to January 31, 2015, he played the role in the West End production of the show, replacing Jared Gertner. [8] [9] [ non-primary source needed ]

In 2015–2016, Holmes embarked on the second national tour of The Book of Mormon, again reprising his role as Elder Cunningham. He played this role from February 13, 2015, to May 1, 2016. [10] [ non-primary source needed ]

In 2017–2018, Holmes continued playing Elder Cunningham in The Book of Mormon. He originated the role in Melbourne from its opening on January 17, 2017, until his departure on June 25, 2017. [11] [12] Holmes returned to the role when the production moved to the Sydney Lyric theater on February 28, 2018. [13] Holmes departed the production on September 9, 2018.

Credits

Actor

YearTitleRoleCategory
2009 Me and My Dick Joey's Heart University of Michigan
2011 Starship Starship Captain (cameo)Chicago
2011–2012 Young Frankenstein Frederick FrankensteinU.S. tour
2012 A Very Potter Senior Year Gilderoy Lockhart LeakyCon
2013 The Book of Mormon Elder Cunningham (standby)Chicago
2013–2014Elder CunninghamFirst U.S. national tour
2014Elder Cunningham (standby) Broadway
2014–2015Elder Cunningham West End
2015–2016Second U.S. national tour
2017–2018Australia national tour
2016Bubble BoyJimmy
2020 Spies Are Forever The Deadliest Man Alive / Richard Big / Ensemble Feinstein's/54 Below concert; cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic
A VHS Christmas Carol Fezziwig Livestreamed performance
2021VHS Christmas Carol Live! Los Angeles
2022 Young Frankenstein Frederick FrankensteinLa Mirada Theatre, CA
Spies Are Forever Susan / Ensemble / Vanger BorschtitFeinstein's/54 Below Concert; reschedule of cancelled 2020 show

Music

YearTitleContribution
2009 A Very Potter Musical Composer, music director, piano
Me and My Dick Composer, music director, piano
2012 A Very Potter Senior Year Composer, music director, keyboard 1
2013 Twisted Composer

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References

  1. "Team StarKid performs 'Twisted' in concert: Recap, review". March 18, 2014.
  2. StarKid Productions (July 5, 2009). "A Very Potter Musical: Act 2, Part 9" . Retrieved January 4, 2013 via YouTube.
  3. StarKid Productions (November 13, 2009). "Me and My Dick: Act 2, Part 10" . Retrieved January 4, 2013 via YouTube.
  4. StarKid Productions (March 15, 2013). "A Very Potter Senior Year: Act 2, Part 7" . Retrieved March 15, 2013 via YouTube.
  5. StarKid Productions (November 27, 2013). "Twisted: The Untold Story of a Royal Vizier" . Retrieved February 15, 2015 via YouTube.
  6. "Team StarKid Member A.J. Holmes Joins The Book of Mormon Tour as Elder Cunningham". broadway.com. Retrieved April 28, 2017.
  7. "AJ Holmes". facebook.com. Retrieved April 28, 2017.
  8. BWW News Desk. "Tighe and Holmes Lead West End's THE BOOK OF MORMON, July 28". broadwayworld.com. Retrieved April 28, 2017.
  9. "AJ Holmes on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved April 28, 2017.
  10. "AJ Holmes on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved April 28, 2017.
  11. "Cast – The Book of Mormon Musical – Melbourne – Official Website". bookofmormonmusical.com.au. Retrieved April 28, 2017.
  12. "AJ Holmes 🦦 on Instagram: "8 more Man Ups to go. My final show is the evening of June 25th. Here we go! @bookofmormonau #ManUpMelbourne"". Instagram. Retrieved February 13, 2021.
  13. Cooper, Nathanael (September 4, 2017). "The Mormons are coming: The Book of Mormon announces Sydney season in 2018". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved February 10, 2018.