Adam Pascal (born October 25, 1970) is an American actor, singer, and musician, known for his performance as Roger Davis in the original cast of Jonathan Larson's musical Rent on Broadway 1996, the 2005 movie version of the musical, and the Broadway Tour of Rent in 2009. He is also known for originating the role of Radames in Elton John and Tim Rice's Aida and for playing the Emcee from the 1998 revival of Cabaret and most recently appeared as Huey Calhoun in the Broadway Company of Memphis.
I always wanted to play music and have my music be the focus of my career. The only thing that's changed is the direction my career and life took, into the musical theater world. It's an added huge bonus into my life. I'm so lucky and honored to be able to do it. But I'm not a big fan of it.I would never want to be in a traditional revival. Rocky Horror is one thing, but I'd never want to do The Music Man or Kiss Me, Kate. That's not the kind of musical theater I enjoy. That's not my thing.
2
Billy Joel is one of my hugest idols.
3
Of course, I was like most people saying, 'Oh, that's crazy,' and to a certain extent it is crazy. But where it's true is that music effects you on a spiritual level. You're either going to convey positively or negatively when it comes to that. If your message is a dark message, no, you're not responsible for somebody killing themselves, that's ridiculous, but you should take responsibility for the spiritual connection that your music is going to make with somebody and whether it's going to make a positive or dark spiritual connection. [on whether Marilyn Manson's music has a dark influence on teenagers' lives]
4
Ignorance is bliss. I wish I still had some.
5
"When I was doing the play, it was hard for me to understand why people reacted so strongly to it. I thought it was great, but I didn't understand until I left why it had such a visceral impact. Now I know that when you watch it, whatever your individual issues are, you feel like a little bit of something has been lifted off your shoulders. And that's so rare." (About his experiences in Rent)
6
Rent'll allow me to get my own apartment. I've always mooched off of girlfriends.
7
I am definitely less green than I was back then. What I meant by that was that I wasn't an actor and really at that point had no intention of continuing to pursue acting. What I did in "Rent" was just very natural. From day one I just connected to the role and the music and I think that's why I was successful in it.
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Fact
1
His parents were both from Jewish families (from Romania, Russia, Austria, and Poland).
2
Playing the role of the Emcee in the current Broadway revival of Cabaret from October, 2003 up to the show's closing date in January of 2004. [November 2003]
3
Getting ready to record his new album and reprise his role of Roger in Rent on Broadway for six weeks (beginning July 2007). [May 2007]
4
Extended his return to Rent with Anthony Rapp for an extra four weeks (through September). New CD to be released October 2007. [September 2007]
5
His new CD, working title of Me And Larry, is still in production and should be releasing in January 2008. [September 2007]
6
He created the role of Radames in the 2000 Original Broadway Cast of Elton John and Tim Rice's Aida with Heather Headley. He later returned June 28, 2004 to reprise the role through, September 5, 2004 when Aida played its final performance, ending its triumphant four and a half year run. [2000]
7
About to start filming "Rent" movie in San Francisco as Roger Davis. [2005]
8
School of Rock (2003) with Jack Black, as Theo [October 2003]
9
Playing music from his new album, Civilian, around New York City. [October 2004]
10
Is touring with piano player Larry Edoff to promote new CD "Blinding Light" on Sh-K-Boom Records, set to release on April 30, 2008. [February 2008]
11
On tour across the Northeast with Larry Edoff. [2006]
12
Adam and Larry are currently working on a new CD of Broadway songs set to be released some time 2010. [2010]
13
CD released with collaborator Larry Edoff, on BlindingLightLLC. Titled Blinding Light, Adam sings lead on 11 out of the 12 tracks. [May 2008]
14
Graduated from Syosset High School, along with Natalie Portman, Idina Menzel, and Judd Apatow.
15
His character from Rent, Roger, is modeled after the poet Rodolfo, from Puccini's La Boheme.
16
When he was first cast in Rent, producers had just one problem: he always sang with his eyes closed. They brought it to his attention; he's never done it since.
17
Received the 1996 Theatre World and Obie Awards, as well as nominations for the 1996 Tony and Drama Desk awards for Best Actor in a Musical. [1996]
18
Released his second solo album on Sh-K-boom records, "Civilian", on November 2nd 2004, the day of the presidential election
19
Was nominated for Broadway's 1996 Tony Award as Best Actor (Musical) for "Rent," but lost to Nathan Lane in "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum."
20
His second son, Montgomery Lovell Pascal, was born on February 6, 2004.
21
Was on the cover of Newsweek with his "Rent" co-star Daphne Rubin Vega, who played opposite him as 'Mimi Marquez' in the original Broadway cast.
22
Solo album, "Model Prisoner", released on Sh-K-Boom Records in 2000.
23
His son, Lennon Jay Pascal, was born on October 19, 2001.
The Dentist (segment "The Night Billy Raised Hell")
Submissions Only
2012
TV Series
Brent Jarvis
Great Performances
2009
TV Series
Frederick Trumper
Wild About Harry
2009
Theo
Goyband
2008
Bobby
The Backyardigans
2008
TV Series
Cold Case
2006
TV Series
Dennis Hofferman
Rent
2005
Roger Davis
Temptation
2004
Nicholi
School of Rock
2003
Theo
SLC Punk!
1998
Eddie
Soundtrack
Title
Year
Status
Character
Alleluia! The Devil's Carnival
2016
performer: "Down At The Midnight Rectory", "Fair Game", "Songs Of Old"
Great Performances
2001-2009
TV Series performer - 2 episodes
The 62nd Annual Tony Awards
2008
TV Special performer: "Seasons of Love"
Rent
2005
performer: "Seasons of Love", "Rent", "You'll See", "One Song Glory", "Light My Candle", "Another Day/No Day But Today reprise", "Will I?", "Santa Fe", "La Vie Boheme", "I Should Tell You", "Without You", "Goodbye Love", "What You Own", "Finale A", "Your Eyes", "Finale B/No Day But Today", "Seasons of Love B Reprise", "La Vie Boheme B Reprise", "I'll Cover You Reprise/Seasons Of Love"
Noel
2004
performer: "Winter Light"
Composer
Title
Year
Status
Character
Single Drop of You
2009
Short
Self
Title
Year
Status
Character
Broadway: The Next Generation
2018
Documentary filming
Himself
A Better Life: An Exploration of Joy & Meaning in a World Without God
2015
Documentary
Himself
Spotlight on Broadway
2013
TV Series
Himself
The Broadway.com Show
2013
TV Series
Himself
Big Morning Buzz Live
2012
TV Series
Himself
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
2011
TV Movie
Himself
Show People with Paul Wontorek
2011
TV Series
Himself
Single Drop of You
2009
Short
Himself
Good Morning America
2008
TV Series
Himself
PIX 11 Morning News
2008
TV Series
Himself
The 62nd Annual Tony Awards
2008
TV Special
Himself - Performer
11th Annual Ribbon of Hope Celebration
2008
TV Movie
Himself
No Day But Today: The Story of 'Rent'
2006
Video documentary
Himself
The Tony Danza Show
2005
TV Series
Himself
The View
2005
TV Series
Himself
Ellen: The Ellen DeGeneres Show
2005
TV Series
Himself
Today
2005
TV Series
Himself
Live with Kelly and Michael
2005
TV Series
Himself
Saturday Early Show
2005
TV Series
Himself - Singer
Broadway's Best
2002
TV Movie
Himself
Great Performances
2001
TV Series
Himself
Working in the Theatre
1996-2000
TV Series documentary
Himself
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
1996
TV Movie
Himself
The Rosie O'Donnell Show
1996
TV Series
Himself / Himself - Cast of Rent
The 50th Annual Tony Awards
1996
TV Special
Himself - Performer & Nominee: Best Leading Actor in a Musical
$14 Million
