In brief: Kevin, 43, plays Inspector Javert in Aurora Theatre’s staging of Les Misérables, running — and selling out — through Sept. 8. Harry describes his Javert as “stoic,” “spiritual” and “persistent.” Others have commented that this is the first time they’ve seen a Javert who can really sing. Details, tickets HERE.
Hometown: Grew up primarily at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland. Later, he was a beach bum.
Why Atlanta: “I wanted to move to a city where I could do the things I wanted to do and not be a starving artist,” he says. (So long, L.A. and New York.) He relocated just after the 1996 Olympics to chase a recording career. Has worked as a professional singer at private events for the past 15 years and started dabbling in theater. “It scared the living daylights out of me, but I loved it.”
Lives now: In West Midtown with his wife, Michele, a marketing director for a commercial real estate company, and their rescue dogs Miko and Kai. Their names are a tribute of sorts to his adoptive mother, who was Japanese.
Where you’ve seen him: As Coalhouse Walker Jr. in Ragtime and Tom Collins in Rent at Atlanta Lyric Theatre. In The Boys in the Band, and doing improv at Whole World Theatre. And way back, in Company at Actor’s Express. His first big stage role was as Sweeney in Sweeney Todd at what is now Georgia Perimeter College.
Day job: Corporate trainer for Veredus Corp., a technology staffing company. “It’s a fun gig. A lot of what I do as a trainer segues well into the theatrical world.”
First time onstage: In choir. “We didn’t really grow up with the arts. I did a school play once or twice. My father kind of pushed me toward sports. I was drawn more to the performing arts. I grew up watching TV shows like ‘Fame,’ so it was inevitable.” His favorite character, for those of you who remember the ’80s: dancing man Leroy Johnson.
Why theater: “I really love the intimacy and the immediate reaction of the crowd. I grew up as a real introvert, and it wasn’t until I got involved with performing and theater and music that I felt myself coming out of my shell. I found a place where I was accepted – it didn’t matter where I came from, what I looked like. I love the ability to take on challenges, to take on characters and present them in a way that is creative.”
Dream role: He’s played two — Javert, and Rent‘s Tom Collins. Also on his list: Mufasa in The Lion King.
Hello, casting directors: He also does non-musicals and would like to do more of them.
Next: He’s writing a one-man show based on his life and family, in the John Leguizamo style. And tapping into some filmmaking. He also blogs HERE. Follow his acting and singing career HERE.
