John Bolton (born December 29, 1965) is an American actor and Broadway regular. Bolton is most notable for originating the role of "The Old Man" (Mr. Parker) in the Broadway show A Christmas Story: The Musical. He created the role of Vlad Popov in the Broadway musical Anastasia.
Career Bolton originated the role of "The Old Man" (Mr. Parker) in A Christmas Story: The Musical on Broadway, running from November 19, 2012, to December 30, 2012,A Christmas Story: The Musical Playbill (vault), retrieved 13, 2017 and repeated this starring role in Boston, Hartford and in December 2013 at Madison Square Garden.Gordon, David. " 'A Christmas Story, The Musical' Returns to New York at Madison Square Garden" theatermania.com, December 13, 2013
He appeared in the Broadway revival of Dames at Sea, starring as The Captain/Hennesey. The musical ran from October 22, 2015, to January 3, 2016.Gans, Andrew. "Broadway's 'Dames at Sea' Sails Away Today" Playbill, January 3, 2016
His other theatre credits include many Broadway musicals that have won the Tony Award including original productions of Curtains with David Hyde Pierce; Spamalot with Tim Curry, David Hyde Pierce, and Sara Ramirez, directed by Mike Nichols; Contact directed by Susan Stroman; and Titanic; and revivals of Damn Yankees and How to Succeed in Business with Matthew Broderick, with Bolton eventually playing the role of Finch opposite Sarah Jessica Parker.
A sought-after cabaret performer, Bolton has also appeared in many concert performances including Downton Abbey at 54 Below (2013),Hetrick, Adam. "THE SCREENING ROOM: 'Downton Abbey' Goes Broadway With Jeremy Jordan, Laura Osnes, Colin Mochrie and More (Video)" Playbill, April 23, 2013 Titanic reunion at Lincoln Center Avery Fisher Hall (2014),Suskin, Steven. "Michael Cerveris, Brian d'Arcy James and More Offer a 'Titanic' Night at Lincoln Center" Playbill, February 18, 2014 and Guys and Dolls (2014) and the Family Holiday Concert with the New York Pops at Carnegie Hall. The New York Times called his performance in Guys and Dolls a "stand-out." Bolton is a regular soloist with the New York Pops, and he has headlined three sold-out concerts at Carnegie Hall. He performed in the concert series "Broadway in the Boros" at the Queens' Socrates Sculpture Park on July 21, 2017.Gans, Andrew. " 'Anastasia' ’s John Bolton and Caroline O’Connor Are Part of Free Broadway in the Boros Concert July 21" Playbill, July 21, 2017
He has performed in television shows and many TV commercials. Most recently he was seen on Elementary, Madam Secretary and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. He played the recurring character D.A. John Summerhill on the soap opera All My Children in 2006. He also appeared in "Loose Lips", a 2014 episode of Blue Bloods, and "Vacancy", a 2006 episode of Law & Order: Criminal Intent; and he played Bruce Caplan on the television series Gossip Girl. Bolton has also made guest star appearances as Carl Switzer on the HBO television series Boardwalk Empire, and as Jason Doyle on the television series The Good Wife. He also appeared in the third season of Submissions Only and the short Russian Broadway Shut Down.
He is an adjunct professor at Pace University, teaching acting.Gioia, Michael. "THE LEADING MEN: John Bolton Receives a Major Award on Broadway in 'A Christmas Story, The Musical' " Playbill, December 1, 2012
Personal life He was born in Rochester, New York and grew up in LeRoy, New York.
Major theatre credits
Broadway Sources: Broadwayworld,"John Bolton Credits" broadwayworld.com, retrieved November 13, 2017 IBDB"John Bolton Broadway" ibdb.com, retrieved November 13, 2017
Anastasia, Broadhurst Theatre 2017-2019 as Vlad Popov Dames at Sea, Helen Hayes Theatre 2015 as the Captain/Hennesey A Christmas Story: The Musical, 2012 as the Old Man Curtains, 2007-2008 as Daryl Grady Spamalot, 2005–2006 (Tony Award for Best Musical) as King Arthur Contact, 2000–2002 (Tony Award for Best Musical) as Michael Wiley Titanic, 1997–1999 (Tony Award for Best Musical) as Charles Clarke How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, 1995–1996 as J. Pierrepont Finch Damn Yankees, 1994–1995 as Lo-Tone/Announcer/Ozzie
Touring Wicked (2022–2023), US National Tour as the Wizard of Oz Hello, Dolly! (2019–2020), US National Tour as Horace Vandergelder
Off-Broadway Source: Broadwayworld Pageant: The Musical, 2014Stewart, Zachary. Pageant — The Musical theatermania.com, July 14, 2014 The Last Smoker in America, 2012Probst, Andy. "Review. 'The Last Smoker in America'" theatermania.com, August 2, 2012 Five Course Love, 2005Stasio, Marilyn. "Review. 'Five Course Love' " Variety, October 16, 2005
Other Hairspray at The Muny (2026) as Wilbur Turnblad Elf the Musical at Bucks County Playhouse (2025–2026) as Walter Hobbs Come from Away at The Muny (2025) as Nick Anastasia at David Geffen Hall (2025) as Vlad Popov Young Frankenstein at the Ogunquit Playhouse (2021) as Frederick Frankenstein How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying at the Kennedy Center (2018) as Mr. Bert BrattHow to Succeed in Business at Kennedy Center Anastasia at Hartford Stage (2016) as Vlad Popov Show Boat at the San Francisco Opera directed by Francesca Zambello with Bill Irwin, Harriet Harris, and Patricia Racette (2014)Bowgen, Philippe. "Bill Irwin, Harriet Harris, John Bolton Board a 'Show Boat' in San Francisco Tonight" Playbill, June 1, 2014 Guys and Dolls at Carnegie Hall (2014) as Angie the Ox Young Frankenstein at the Ogunquit Playhouse (2013) as Frederick FrankensteinMoreau, Scott. "BWW Reviews: 'Young Frankenstein' at The Ogunquit Playhouse: Bring Your Tissues; You Will Laugh Until You Cry" broadwayworld.com, July 14, 2013 Anywhere I Wander: The Frank Loesser Songbook, 2012 concert debut with the New York PhilharmonicHolden, Stephen. "Overlooked Songwriter Finally Gets His Due" The New York Times, March 27, 2012 Same Time, Next Year with Eve Plumb, September 2011 at the Surflight Theatre, Beach Haven, NJ A Christmas Story: The Musical, Seattle, 5th Avenue Theatre (2010); 5 City National Tour (2011) The Music Man, May - June 2011, Geva Theatre Center, Rochester, New York as Harold HillRoss, Debra. "Review of 'The Music Man' at Geva Theatre Center" rochester.kidsoutandabout.com, 2011, retrieved November 13, 2017 Einstein's Dreams, 2009, Benefit Concert, Symphony Space, New York CityHetrick, Adam. " 'Einstein's Dreams' Concert, with Bolton, Fraser, Shindle and Egan, Presented Feb. 23" Playbill, February 23, 2009 It's Only Life, revue by John Bucchino, Samuel Beckett Theatre, New York City, July to August 2004Graham, Doug. "John Bucchino... 'It's Only Life'" broadwayworld.com, July 16, 2004 Señor Discretion Himself, April - May, 2004, Arena Stage (Washington, DC)"Regional Review" Talkin' Broadway, retrieved November 13, 2017" 'Señor Discretion Himself' Arena Stage" arenastage.org, retrieved November 13, 2017 The Opposite of Sex, October 2004, Magic Theatre, San FranciscoHernandez, Ernio. " 'Gypsy' Star Replaces Morrison in 'The Opposite of Sex' Musical Debut" Playbill, August 26, 2004Jones, Chad. "Review. 'The Opposite of Sex' " theatermania.com, October 8, 2004
Filmography Source: TV Guide"John Bolton Credits" TV Guide, retrieved November 13, 2017
Chicken HouseChicken House 2025 (short film): Frank Madam Secretary 2017 (TV series): Attorney General Nolan, episode "Convergence" Elementary 2017 (TV series): Mr. Charles, episode "Be My Guest" Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt 2015 (TV series): Bus DriverPatterson, Richard. "Pinot Noir, Broadway Star! Get to Know the Theatre Folk Behind 'Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt Playbill, March 17, 2015 Blue Bloods 2014 (TV series): Tom Pincus, episode "Loose Lips" The Good Wife 2011 (TV series): Jason Doyle, episode "Get a Room" Boardwalk Empire (2011) (TV series): Carl Switzer Gossip Girl (2012) (TV series): Bruce Caplan, episodes "Where the Vile Things Are" and "Con Heir" The Savages (2007 film): Man in Mall Lot Law & Order: Criminal Intent (2006) (TV series), episode: "Vacancy" All My Children (2006 season): D.A. John Summerhill As the World Turns (1996) (TV series): Malcolm Twist
Awards 2017 Outer Critics Circle Award Best Featured Actor in a Musical (Anastasia) (nominee)Cox, Gordon. "Outer Critics Circle Nominations: ‘Anastasia,’ ‘Hello, Dolly!’ Lead the Pack (Full List)" Variety, April 25, 2017 2017 Rivera Award (formerly Astaire Award) Outstanding Male Dancer in a Broadway Show (Anastasia) (nominee)McPhee, Ryan. " 'Bandstand', 'Sweet Charity', and More Earn Chita Rivera Award Nominations" Playbill, May 1, 2017 2016 Astaire Award nomination, Outstanding Ensemble In A Broadway Show Dames at SeaViagas, Robert; Clement, Olivia. "Savion Glover and Jane Krakowski Among 2016 Astaire Award Winners" Playbill, May 16, 2016 2016 Connecticut Critics Circle nomination - Best Featured Actor in a Musical Anastasia"2016 CT Critics Circle Award Winners" ctcritics.org, retrieved November 13, 2017 2014 IRNE Award (Independent Reviewers of New England) nomination for Best Visiting Performer in A Christmas Story: The Musical Named one of The Boston Globe Top Ten Performance of the year for A Christmas Story: The Musical 58th Annual Drama Desk (2013) Nomination for Best Featured Actor in A Christmas Story: The Musical"2013 Awards" dramadesk.org, retrieved November 13, 2017 2012 Footlight Award for Best Actor from the Seattle Times for A Christmas Story: The Musical 2008 City Spirit Award in Rochester, New York 2004 BAT (Bay Area Theatre) nomination for The Opposite of Sex
References
External links
Photos of John Bolton at Broadway World Video interview about Curtains at theatre.com Interview in Theater Mania Article by Bolton on theater previews