 |
Ali Momen | |
|---|---|
| Alma mater | Sheridan College |
| Occupation(s) | Actor, singer |
| Years active | 2008–present |
Ali Momen is an Iranian-Canadian actor and singer. He starred in the 2015 film Beeba Boys , and has appeared in several television shows including recurring roles on Star Trek: Discovery , Workin' Moms , and Transplant . Momen also originated the role of Kevin J./Ali and others in the Canadian production of Come from Away .
Momen was born in Iran, but moved to Canada with his family when he was three years old. [1] He grew up in Thornhill, Ontario, where he attended Thornlea Secondary School. [2] Momen originally enrolled at and attended York University to pursue law, but dropped out after two years. He enrolled in the musical theatre program at Sheridan College, where he graduated in 2006. [2]
In 2008, Momen had his first film role when he portrayed a suicide bomber in the film Traitor , which starred Don Cheadle. In a later interview, Momen appreciated the opportunity but admitted that he regrets taking the role because of how it contributes to the over-representation of Muslims as violent and as perpetrators of terrorism. [3] Since then, Momen has starred in various television and film roles, including recurring roles on Star Trek: Discovery , the CBC comedy Workin' Moms , and the CTV drama Transplant .
In 2020, Momen stated that he was writing a film based on the Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art. [4]
In 2014, Momen starred as Prakash in a production of Sultans of the Street presented by Young People's Theatre in Toronto. For his performance, Momen was nominated for a Dora Award for Outstanding Individual Performance in the Theatre for Young Audiences division. [5]
Momen starred as Abe in the Canadian premiere production of Disgraced , which played at the Panasonic Theatre between April 3 and 24, 2016. The drama set a box office record for the theatre, having been seen by over 10,000 patrons during its run. [6] Momen then transferred with the play to the Citadel Theatre, where it played between January 21 and February 12, 2017. [7] Momen later reprised his role when Disgraced returned to the Pansaonic Theatre in November 2017 due to popular demand. [7]
In 2017, Momen appeared in the world premiere production of Monsoon Wedding. [8] The musical, produced by Berkeley Repertory Theatre, was performed between May 5 and June 25, 2017. [8]
Beginning in 2018, Momen portrayed the role of Kevin J., Ali and others in the Canadian production of Come from Away . [9] The musical opened at the Royal Alexandra Theatre in February 2018, and he remained with the production until performances were suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He returned to the show when performances resumed in December 2021, until Mirvish Productions announced they were forced to permanently close the show because of the lack of government support for the arts industry following the lockdowns. [10] After this, Momen reprised his role of Kevin J., Ali, and others during the North American tour of Come from Away in 2022, as well as at a special concert staging of the musical in Gander. [11]
Momen will reprise his role of Kevin J., Ali and others in the Canadian revival production of Come from Away. [12] The musical will play at the Babs Asper Theatre in Ottawa between August 14 and September 1, 2024, before transferring to the Royal Alexandra Theatre where it will begin performances on September 22, 2024. [12]
Momen co-founded the dating app Bokay, which was officially launched in March 2024. [13] Loosely inspired by the premise of Love Is Blind , Bokay users are instead required to get to know each other through a series of personality-revealing prompts before finally seeing photos of each other. [13] In June 2024, "Juno" was launched as part of the app, which is an AI relationship coach that supports users on Bokay. [14]
In 2020, Momen began advocating for an "Arts New Deal", an initiative aimed at revitalizing the arts sector in Canada that has been severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. [15] Inspired by how President Franklin D. Roosevelt supported arts and culture workers during the Great Depression, Momen advocates for the Canadian government to pay artists to produce various types of work. [4] [16] Momen advocates for embedding art into all aspects of Canadian society, with a goal of promoting cultural growth and economic recovery through a more integrated and supported arts community. [4] [17]
In 2021, Momen announced that he would be seeking the Liberal nomination in the provincial riding of Toronto-St. Paul's. However, he lost the nomination race to Dr. Nathan Stall. [18]
| Year | Show | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | The Border | Ahmed | Episode S1.E8: "Enemy Contact" |
| 2010 | How to Be Indie | Baldev | Episode S1.E16: "How to Make the Most Out of Being a Host" |
| 2011 | Combat Hospital | Khan Saour | Episode S1.E5: "Hells Bells" |
| 2012 | The L.A. Complex | Navid | 4 episodes |
| 2012 | Mayday | Saudi Air Traffic Controller | Episode S11.E9: "Under Pressure" |
| 2013 | Cracked | Rick Carga | Episode S1.E9: "Cherry Blossoms" |
| 2013 | Satisfaction | Douchebag #1 | Episode S1.E7: "Janet" |
| 2014 | Space Riders: Division Earth | Pardeep | Recurring role: 3 episodes |
| 2014 | The Strain | Dr. William Lester | 2 episodes: S1.E2: "The Box"; S1.E3: "Gone Smooth" |
| 2016 | Houdini & Doyle | Rustom Avari | Episode S1.E9: "Necromanteion" |
| 2016 | Kim's Convenience | Handsome Customer | Episode S1.E13: "Family Singing Contest" |
| 2017 | Incorporated | Mr. Tahan | Episode S1.E8: "Operational Realignment" |
| 2017 | Save Me | Plaid Shirt #2 | Episode S1.E7: "Injuries Due to Distracted Walking" |
| 2017 | Played | Matthew | Episode S1.E7: "Ghosts" |
| 2017–2019 | Star Trek: Discovery | Specialist Kamran Gant | Recurring role: 5 episodes |
| 2021 | Coroner | Yash | Episode S3.E5: "Back to the Future" |
| 2021 | Nurses | Raja Khanna | Episode S2.E8: "Best Day Ever" |
| 2021–2024 | Hudson & Rex | David Aziz | 2 episodes: S4.E5: "Rex to Riches"; S6.E8: "Doghouse" |
| 2022–2023 | Workin' Moms | Walker | Recurring role: 8 episodes |
| 2022–2024 | Transplant | Dr. Karim Esfahani | Recurring role: 9 episodes |
| 2023 | Accused | Principal Sam Canosa | Episode S1.E1: "Scott's Story" |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Traitor | Suicide Bomber #3 | |
| 2013 | The Animal Project | Shaun | Uncredited |
| 2015 | Drift | Nadim | Short film |
| 2015 | Beeba Boys | Nep | |
| 2021 | PAW Patrol: The Movie | Additional voices | Voice role |
| 2022 | This Place | Behrooz | |
| Year | Production | Role | Location | Category | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Wonderful Town | Greenwich Villager / Cadet | Festival Theatre | Regional / Shaw Festival | |
| 2010 | An Ideal Husband | Viscount de Nanjac | Festival Theatre | Regional / Shaw Festival | |
| 2010 | Serious Money | Zackerman | Studio Theatre | Regional / Shaw Festival | |
| 2012 | A Midsummer Night's Dream | Demetrius | High Park Amphitheatre | Regional / Canadian Stage Company | |
| 2014 | Sultans of the Street | Prakash | Susan Rubes Theatre | Regional / Young People's Theatre | |
| 2016 | Disgraced | Abe | Panasonic Theatre | Mirvish Productions | |
| 2017 | Citadel Theatre | Regional / Hope and Hell Theatre Company | |||
| CAA Theatre | Mirvish Productions | ||||
| 2017 | Monsoon Wedding | Vikram | Berkeley Repertory Theatre | World premiere | [8] |
| 2018 | Come from Away | Kevin Jung, Ali, and others | Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre | Pre-Toronto engagement | [19] |
| 2018-2020, 2021 | Royal Alexandra Theatre | Canadian production / Mirvish Productions | [19] [20] | ||
| 2022 | First National Tour | [21] | |||
| Steele Community Centre | Concert staging: Gander | [11] | |||
| 2024 | Babs Asper Theatre | Pre-Toronto engagement: Ottawa | [12] | ||
| 2024–2025 | Royal Alexandra Theatre | Canadian production / Mirvish Productions | |||
Yehuda Edwin "Honest Ed" Mirvish, was an American-Canadian businessman, philanthropist and theatrical impresario who lived in Toronto, Ontario. He is known for his flagship business, Honest Ed's, a landmark discount store in downtown Toronto, and as a patron of the arts, instrumental in revitalizing the theatre scene in Toronto.
The Royal Alexandra Theatre, commonly known as the Royal Alex, is an historic performing arts theatre in Toronto, Ontario. The theatre is located at 260 King Street West, in the downtown Toronto Entertainment District. Owned and operated by Mirvish Productions, the theatre has approximately 1,244 seats across three levels. Built in 1907, the Royal Alexandra Theatre is the oldest continuously operating legitimate theatre in North America.
The Princess of Wales Theatre is a 2,000-seat live theatre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is located on King Street West, in Toronto's downtown Entertainment District. The theatre's name has a triple meaning: it honours Diana, Princess of Wales, with whose consent the theatre was named; it links the building to its sister theatre, the Royal Alexandra, one block to the east, also named – with Royal assent – for a former Princess of Wales; and it recalls the Princess Theatre, Toronto's first "first-class legitimate" playhouse, that stood three blocks to the east until 1931.
The Ed Mirvish Theatre is a historic performing arts theatre in Toronto, Ontario, located near Yonge–Dundas Square. Owned and operated by Mirvish Productions, the theatre has approximately 2,300 seats across two levels. There are two entrances to the theatre, located at 263 Yonge Street and 244 Victoria Street.
Aaron John Walpole is a Canadian actor and singer, who placed third on the third season of Canadian Idol. He is best known for playing the role of Lonnie in the 2010 Toronto run of Rock of Ages and Annas in the 2012 Broadway run of Jesus Christ Superstar. He appeared in the 2014 Broadway revival of Les Misérables, as a part of the ensemble.
David Mirvish, is a Canadian theatre producer, impresario, and art collector. He owns and operates Toronto-based theatrical production company Mirvish Productions, which he founded with his father in 1986. He has also produced and presented several productions on Broadway and in London's West End.
Torquil Campbell is the co-lead singer and a songwriter for the Montreal-based indie rock band Stars. In addition to singing, he also plays the melodica, trumpet, synthesizer, and tambourine. Campbell is also an actor and playwright, most recently co-creating and starring in the play True Crime, produced by Crow's Theatre in Toronto.
Stephanie Marie Toscano DiDomenicantonio, also known as Steffi D, is a Canadian singer and actress, who first rose to prominence as a fifth-place finalist on the fourth season of Canadian Idol.
Stark Sands is an American actor. He is known for his role as Tunny in the original Broadway cast of American Idiot, and originating the role of Charlie Price in Kinky Boots on Broadway. He is a two-time Tony Award nominee. He is also known for the roles of Lance Sussman in Die, Mommie, Die! and Lt. Nathaniel Fick in Generation Kill. He starred as Dash Parker in FOX's series Minority Report.
Two Pianos Four Hands, also referred to as 2 Pianos 4 Hands, is a Canadian musical comedy play, written and originally performed by Ted Dykstra and Richard Greenblatt. It follows Ted and Richard, two boys who aspire to become famous classical pianists. The play follows their journey from childhood, and as the boys grow older, their competitions and music auditions. Two Pianos Four Hands premiered at the Tarragon Theatre in Toronto in 1996, and has since been staged on five continents and has been regarded as one of the most successful Canadian plays.
Mirvish Productions, commonly known as Mirvish, is a Canadian theatrical production company, based in Toronto. Founded in 1986 by David Mirvish with his father, Ed Mirvish, it is the largest commercial theatre company in Canada. Mirvish Productions own and operate four theatres in the downtown Toronto area: the Royal Alexandra Theatre, Princess of Wales Theatre, Ed Mirvish Theatre, and the CAA Theatre.
The CAA Theatre, formerly the Panasonic Theatre, is a theatre located at 651 Yonge Street in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is operated by Mirvish Productions. On December 1, 2017, Mirvish Productions announced a marketing partnership with CAA South Central Ontario, which included renaming the venue that was known as the Panasonic Theatre.
Dancap Productions was a Canadian theatrical production company, based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Founded in 2007 by Aubrey Dan, the company presented large-scale musicals and plays in Toronto. The company initially found success with its Canadian production of Jersey Boys, which ran in Toronto for two years. After six years, Dancap Productions closed in July 2012.
Dan Chameroy is a Canadian actor and singer, best known for his work in musical theatre. In 1995, he originated the role of Gaston in the Canadian premiere production of Beauty and the Beast at the Princess of Wales Theatre. Chameroy also originated the role of Miss Trunchbull in the Canadian premiere production of Matilda at the Ed Mirvish Theatre, and reprised the role in the show's first national tour. He has also co-created and performed as the character "Plumbum" at several Ross Petty pantomimes.
Erica Peck is a Canadian actress, singer, and entrepreneur. In 2007, she originated the role of Scaramouche in the Canadian premiere production of We Will Rock You at the Canon Theatre. Peck also appeared in the Canadian premiere production of Kinky Boots, and in the North American tours of We Will Rock You and Kinky Boots.
Come from Away is a musical, with book, music and lyrics by Irene Sankoff and David Hein. It is based on the events in the Newfoundland town of Gander during the week following the September 11 attacks, when 38 planes, carrying approximately 7,000 passengers, were ordered to land unexpectedly at Gander International Airport. The characters in the musical are based on actual Gander residents and stranded travelers they housed and fed.
Evan Buliung is a Canadian actor and singer, who is best known for his work in musical theatre. In 2006, Buliung originated the role of Aragorn in the world premiere production of Lord of the Rings, which played at the Princess of Wales Theatre in Toronto. He also originated the role of Khashoggi in the Canadian premiere production of We Will Rock You in 2007. He also played Bruce Bechdel in a Toronto production of Fun Home, for which he won a Dora Award. In 2019, Buliung originated the role of Larry Murphy in the Canadian premiere production of Dear Evan Hansen, which played at the Royal Alexandra Theatre. In 2023, Buliung also originated the role of Pierre Bezukhov in the Canadian premiere production of Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812.
David Hein is a Canadian librettist, composer-lyricist, musician, and actor best known for co-writing the Broadway musical Come from Away with his writing partner and wife, Irene Sankoff.
Six is a British musical comedy in the style of a pop concert. Its music, book, and lyrics were written by Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss. It is a modern retelling of the lives of the six wives of Henry VIII, presented in the form of a singing competition. In the show, the wives take turns telling their story to determine who suffered the most from their shared husband, but ultimately seek to reclaim their individual identities and rewrite their stories.
Sara Farb is a Canadian actress, playwright, and singer.