JAMES BARBOUR, Cherry Hill (New Jersey) 1966

His Broadway debut was in 1994, when he was a member of the ensemble of CYRANO – THE MUSICAL.

Other theatre credits include Billy Bigelow in CAROUSEL, The Beast in Disney´s BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, Rochester in JANE EYRE and Leon Czolgosz in the revival of Stephen Sondheim´s Tony award winning musical ASSASSINS. Barbour has also spent a significant amount of time performing in Los Angeles. On the west coast stage, he has been Lancelot to Jeremy Irons´ King Arthur in CAMELOT at the Hollywood Bowl, as well as originating such critically acclaimed roles as Callahan in the new musical LIZARD at The NoHo Arts Center. In late 2007, he performed the role of Sydney Carton in a world premiere pre-Broadway musical adaptation of Charles Dickens´ A Tale of Two Cities at the historic Asolo Repertory Theatre in Sarasota, Florida. He reprised this role in Broadway last Fall.

Currently he is performing his solo ‘Love Songs’ concerts in Sardi’s Restaurant.

- The first musical you saw and/or most impressed you: OLIVER! Saw the movie version and was hooked.

- You would like to make a duet with: Bono or Elton.

- London or New York? London (sorry NYC).

- Do you keep the brochures of the musicals you watch? No.

- The worst moment you’ve live on the stage was: (as a performer and/or as a spectator) My face peeled off in BEAUTY & THE BEAST during my song at the end of the first act… the make-up that is.

- An unforgettable moment: (as a performer and/or as a spectator) The first time I sang ‘Soliloquy’ onstage in CAROUSEL. There was a huge ovation and I began to cry. I was overwhelmed.

- Some superstition before the opening night? None really. I just like to be quiet.

- A musical character that you would like to BE (not perform): Willy Wonka.

- A musical movie: OLIVER!

- The last CD/DVD related to Musicals that you have bought is: Well, I bought the Ronald Coleman version of A TALE OF TWO CITIES... It’s not a musical but related to my work on the musical Version of Tale for Broadway.

- A sentence of a musical: “You can’t be wicked and happy, triumphant perhaps, but not happy.” (CAMELOT)

- Agree or disagree with TV Shows finding new Musical Stars: There is no denying that the entertainment industry is getting more competitive everyday and today’s markets are difficult so I understand the need to raise awareness about a project and TV can do that. I do however; disagree with some of the negativity surrounding the critiquing of the contestants on air. My goal has always been to nurture people and help them to guide themselves on a path they choose in a positive way. Uplift rather than degrade.

- You feel proud of: My daughter.

- Of these moment you’re living as an actor, the most important to you is: Creating something new and encouraging others who want to pursue this craft.

- Projects: Well, I’m writing a book, I’m working on the new CD, Concert Tours, and hopefully THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO sometime this summer.