Matthew Dickens (October 19, 1961 – January 8, 2013) was an American writer, producer, actor and director.
Early life Matthew Dickens was born in an ambulance on a highway on the outskirts of Nancy, France. Matthew's early training as an actor began at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in DC, mentored by the late founder, director/choreographer/educator Mike Malone, who he later joined as a company member of the Equity Theater Company at Karamu House in Cleveland, Ohio. Other notable teachers were Kenneth Daugherty (acting), Glenda Dickerson (acting), Donal Leace (theater history), Tony Booker (voice), and Quay Barnes Truitt (costumes and make-up)
Matthew's early training as a dancer included classes at The School of the Cleveland Ballet. In New York, he had a short stay at The Ailey School and studied with David Howard, Finis Jhung, and Frank Hatchett. While performing in New York, he met Debbie Allen. The two went on to work together on numerous projects, including A Different World, Fame, Polly, Carrie, and The Academy Awards.
Films Year Title Role Notes1990Polly Dancer Television Film1990Polly: Comin’ Home! Onlooker #1 Television Film2005Confessions of an Action StarAgent #2Released January 20, 20092005Their Eyes Were Watching God Principal Dancer Released March 5, 20052005Rent Bohemian2006Dreamgirls Jimmy's Band
Year Title Position Notes2004The Aviator Choreographer2005Sailing for Madagascar Choreographer2011Leave It On The Floor Dance Production Supervisor2011The War Zone 3D Writer, Producer, Director
Television TV appearances include "Fame," guest starring roles on "A Different World", "Quantum Leap," and several commercials. In 1991 Matthew performed in the ABC special “American Dance Honors”, which received an American Emmy Award nomination for the choreography.Lester Wilson Matthew appeared on The Debbie Allen Special in 1989 which was nominated for 2 Primetime Emmys and co-starred in the opening number of the 63rd Academy Awards with Jasmine Guy and Steve LaChance.Debbie Allen Special
Year Title Role Notes1990 In Living Color Himself1991 63rd Academy Awards Performer1992Fame Television series1992 A Different World Guest Star 1993 The Arsenio Hall Show Himself 2000 The West Wing Man #32003The Wayne Brady Show Himself
Year Title Position Notes2000 Euro 2000 Choreographer 2002 Het Nationale Huwelijksfeest Choreographer The Wedding Event for Prins Willem and Maxima of Argentina Amsterdam Arena 2004 NFL Kickoff Assistant Choreographer 2004 NFL Thanksgiving Day Assistant Choreographer2005 ESPY Awards Assistant Choreographer2008 The Mole 2009 I Am... Yours WriterAired November 26, 2009 on ABC
Stage Matthew was in the original Broadway cast of Sunset Boulevard starring Glenn Close (and later with Betty Buckley and Elaine Paige) having initially appeared in the original Los Angeles production. Matthew returned to the Broadway company of Miss Saigon directly from the Netherlands production, where he played the role of John entirely in Dutch.Miss Saigon (Dutch) Other Broadway credits include playing both Chris and John (at different times) in Miss Saigon, C.C. White in Dreamgirls and Stephen King's Carrie. He also co-starred in the original Australian cast of Smokey Joe's Cafe.
Broadway Year Title Role Notes1987Dreamgirls Understudy CC White Ambassador Theatre1988 Carrie Matthew, Tommy Virginia Theatre1991-2001Miss Saigon Chris, JohnBroadway Theatre1994-1997 Sunset Boulevard Artie Green, Understudy Joe Gillis Minskoff Theatre
Other Theater Year Title Role/Position Notes 1991 & 1992 Phylicia Rashad & Co Featured Performer Opening Act for Bill Cosby Las Vegas Hilton 1996 Smokey Joe's Café (Australia) 1997:nl:Miss Saigon (Netherlands) John Fortis Circustheater 1999 The Royal Netherlands Air Force Orchestra Director, Choreographer, Performer 2002Pearl Ringmaster/Dr. DrewdyGeffen Playhouse Kennedy CenterVariety Reviews NAACP Image Award Nomination 2003 A Merry Mancini Christmas Associate Director Walt Disney Concert Hall December 23, 2003 2005Stephen Sondheim's 75th EnsembleHollywood Bowl July 8, 2005
Death Matthew died of prostate cancer on January 8, 2013.PostHope - Matthew Dickens
References
External links Matthew Dickens The War Zone 3D Movies Planet Posthope website