Phillip Boykin (sometimes credited as Phillip Lamar Boykin) (born November 2, 1968) is an American Tony Award nominated actor and bass-baritone singer. He is most well known for portraying Hades in the Broadway production of Hadestown from September 2023 to January 2025 and rejoined the company in April 2025 for a run set through August 2025. He later reprised the role in the West End production, performing alongside the original Broadway stars from February 11 until March 9, 2025.
Early life One of ten children, Boykin grew up in Greenville, South Carolina." 'Porgy and Bess' Phillip Boykin on Finding Inspiration From Audra, Suzan-Lori and Mom | Tony Awards 2012". Broadway.com (2012-01-12). Retrieved on 2012-07-25. He started studies in Opera Performance at South Carolina State College before transferring to the North Carolina School of the Arts. He left NCSA in 1990UNCSA alumni receive Tony Award nominations JournalNow.com. Retrieved on 2012-07-25. and moved to the Hartt School of the University of Hartford where he received his Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance in 1995."Hartt Graduates Phillip Boykin, Christopher Jahnke and More Nominated for 2012 Tony Awards" broadwayworld.com, May 2, 2012. Retrieved on 2012-07-25. He later studied toward a Master's degree in Opera and Jazz Vocals from Howard University.
He received the 2015 Hartt Alumni Award from The Hartt School."Student News, May 7, 2015" westhartfordnews.com, May 6, 2015
Career Boykin portrayed Joe in the 1999 to 2001 non-equity tour of Show Boat. He reprised the role in the 2008 North Shore Music Theatre production (which won him an IRNE Award), the 2009 Media Theatre production, and the 2013 Wells Fargo Pavilion production. He also played Caiaphas in the North Shore Music Theatre production of Jesus Christ Superstar in 2006.Phillip Boykin AboutTheArtists
He was nominated for the Tony Award, as well as the Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical for his role as Crown in the Broadway revival of Porgy and Bess (2012). He was awarded the Theater World Award for his Outstanding Broadway debut. He reprised the role in 2014 at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre.Porgy and Bess ibdb.com, retrieved December 19, 2017
Boykin portrayed Booker T. Washington in Ragtime at Avery Fisher Hall in 2013. He was also featured in On the Town which ran on Broadway at the Lyric Theatre in 2014-2015.On the Town ibdb.com, retrieved December 19, 2017 In 2015, he starred as the Pirate King in New York City Center’s The Pirates of Penzance. In 2017 he was featured in the Broadway revival of Sunday in the Park with George. He made Broadway history as the first African-American Boatman/Lee Randolph in the production, which reopened Broadway's newest and oldest theater at the time, the Hudson Theatre, which played its last Broadway show in 1968.Gioia, Michael. "Complete Cast Announced for Broadway Revival of 'Sunday in the Park With George'" Playbill, January 23, Boykin played the role of Tonton Julian in the Revival of Once on This Island, which opened on Broadway at the Circle in the Square Theatre on December 3, 2017 and closed on January 6, 2019.Lefkowitz, Andy. " 'Once on This Island' Revival Begins Performances on Broadway" broadway.com, November 9, 2017 In 2022, he was featured in the Hugh Jackman led Broadway revival of The Music Man as Olin Britt and a Traveling Salesman.
He is the founder and director of "The NYGospel Brothers", a gospel quartet that travels around the world spreading the good news.
He was seen in the films Freedom (2014) starring Cuba Gooding Jr., Top Five (2014) starring Chris Rock, and Easter Mysteries an oratorio-musical written by John O’Boyle.Easter Mysteries christianfilmdatabase.com
In 2019, he was inducted into the South Carolina Theatre Association Hall of Fame following a performance of the Once on this Island tour in his hometown of Greenville, South Carolina.
In September 2023, he started starring in the Broadway production of Hadestown as Hades.Betty Who and Phillip Boykin to Join Hadestown on Broadway He performed his final Broadway performance on January 12, 2025 opposite Jordan Fisher as Orpheus.Jordan Fisher, Maia Reficco, Phillip Boykin Extend Runs in Broadway's Hadestown Not long after he left the Broadway production, Phillip made his West End debut after he joined the cast of the West End production in February 2025 to fill in for Patrick Page, after he got injured during rehearsals. Phillip only got three days notice before performing his first performance in London.Patrick Page to miss West End Hadestown performances due to injuryHadestown latest: Patrick Page gives update to West End fans After Phillip was originally slated to play Hades for at least a week, it was later announced that due to Page’s achilles injury, Phillip would be performing in all shows (except the filming dates, where Page would be performing) until March 9, 2025. Boykin rejoined the Broadway cast on April 22 for a limited engagement through August 31, 2025.TheArtsShelf Phillip Boykin and KC Dela Cruz Step Into ‘Hadestown’ on Broadway Tonight April 22, 2025
Stage credits Year(s)ProductionRoleNotes1999-2001Show BoatJoeUS Tour2004Show Palace2006Jesus Christ SuperstarCaiaphasNorth Shore Music Theatre2008Show BoatJoe2009Media Theatre2011Porgy and BessCrownAmerican Repertory Theatre2011-2012Broadway debut2013RagtimeBooker T. WashingtonAvery Fisher HallShow BoatJoeWells Fargo Pavilion2014Porgy and BessCrownRegent's Park Open Air Theatre2014-2015On the TownWorkman / Turnstiles' Announcer / Dream Coney Island Master of Ceremonies / Rajah Bimmy u/s Judge PitkinBroadway2015Big RiverJimWells Fargo PavilionThe Pirates of PenzanceThe Pirate KingOff-BroadwayEncores!2016SamuelBarrington Stage CompanySunday in the Park with GeorgeBoatman / Lee RandolphOff-BroadwayEncores!2017Broadway2017-2019Once on This IslandTonton Julian2019The WizThe Cowardly LionWells Fargo Pavilion2019-2020Once on This IslandTonton JulianUS Tour2021-2023The Music ManOlin Britt / Barbershop Quartet / Traveling SalesmanBroadway2023IolanthePrivate WillisCarnegie HallThe Music ManOlin BrittBroadway Sacramento2023-2025HadestownHadesBroadway2025West End debutBroadway2026Jesus Christ SuperstarCaiaphasWells Fargo Pavilion Man of La Mancha The Governor / The Barber Broadway Concert
Awards and nominations Year Award Category Nominated work Result 2012 Tony Award Best Featured Actor in a MusicalPorgy and Bess Drama Desk Award Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical Theatre World Award 2019 Grammy Award Best Musical Theater Album Once on This Island
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