Cris Groenendaal is a retired American musical theatre actor. He performed in the original Broadway productions of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, Sunday in the Park with George, The Phantom of the Opera and Passion, as well as appearing in the original cast of the 1996 Broadway revival of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.Cris Groenendaal PlaybillCris Groenendaal Ovrtur
Training He is a trained operatic tenor. He was trained by fellow tenor Frederick Jagel.FROM MUSICALS TO OPERA (AND BACK)
Career Known for his work in Stephen Sondheim's musicals, he made his Broadway debut in the original cast of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street as an ensemble member and understudy for the role of Anthony. He would later replace Victor Garber in the role of Anthony.Sweeney Todd casting history He was also in the original cast of the first national tour of Sweeney Todd reprising his role of Anthony. He appeared in the 1982 televised recording of the touring production.Sweeney Todd, With Angela Lansbury and George Hearn, Rejoins BroadwayHD Lineup
Groenendaal was also in the original Broadway cast of Sunday in the Park with George originating the roles of Billy Webster and Louis while understudying many roles including the titular role. He replaced Robert Westenberg in the roles of a Soldier/Alex and later played the titular roles of Georges Seurat/George for 5 days.Sunday in the Park with George ReplacementsDid They Finish the Hat? Where Are the Stars of Sunday in the Park with George Now?
Groenendaal originated the role of Monsieur Gilles André in the original Broadway cast of The Phantom of the Opera also understudying the role of Raoul, Vicomte de Chagny. He would later take over the role of The Phantom from Timothy Nolen in March 1989 on Broadway and was the third principal actor to play the Phantom on Broadway. He was replaced in the role in March 1990 by the original Broadway and West End Raoul, Steve Barton. Groenendaal would later reprise the role of the Phantom in the Canadian production replacing Colm Wilkinson and for two stints in the Canadian tour.There's a small club of actors who play Phantom in "Phantom of the Opera." 3 will perform togetherSee 20 Masked Men of Broadway’s Phantom of the OperaEvery Actor Who's Played the Angel of Music and Christine in Phantom of the Opera on Broadway
In 1994 and 1996 he would play roles in two Sondheim musicals, the Broadway revival of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum and the original Broadway production of Passion, playing Miles Gloriosus and Major Rizzolli respectively.
In 1998, he appears in the first US tour of Ragtime as the Father. This would be his last production before his retirement. However, he made an exception in 2002 to perform in the Sondheim celebration at the Kennedy Center in a production of Sunday in the Park with George as Jules and Bob Greenberg.
Personal life Groenendaal met his eventual wife, Broadway music director Sue Anderson, when she was performing with the improvisation group Broadway Local. The two moved to Croton-on-Hudson, New York, in 1987, married in 1989, and had two children."Sue Anderson", Obituaries, The Inter-County Leader, June 23, 2025 The two recorded three albums together.Hall, Margaret. "Broadway Conductor Sue Anderson Has Died at 70", Playbill, June 25, 2025
Acting credits Theatre Source:Groenendaal AboutTheArtists Year(s)ProductionRoleNotes19761776Roger ShermanRegionalMy Fair LadyJamie / EnsembleA Little Night MusicFrid1977FolliesMax Deems / EnsembleThe Wizard of OzThe Tin Man / HickoryFiddler on the RoofEnsemble1979Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet StreetEnsembleu/s Anthony HopeOriginal Broadway Production1979-1980Anthony Hope1980South PacificLt. Joseph Cable, USMCRegional1980-1981Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet StreetAnthony HopeUS National Tour1984Houston Grand OperaNew York City OperaSunday in the Park with GeorgeBilly Webster / Louis / A Man Lying on the Bank u/s A Soldier / Alexu/s Franz / DennisOriginal Broadway Production1984-1985A Soldier / Alex u/s Georges Seurat / George1985Georges Seurat / GeorgeA Soldier / Alex u/s Georges Seurat / George1987South PacificLt. Joseph Cable, USMC (Alternate)New York City OperaSweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet StreetAnthony Hope1988The Phantom of the OperaMonsieur Gilles André u/s Raoul, Vicomte de ChagnyOriginal Broadway Production1988-1989Monsieur Gilles André u/s The Phantom of the Operau/s Raoul, Vicomte de Chagny1989-1990The Phantom of the Opera1992Canadian National TourCarouselEnoch SnowRegional1993-1994The Phantom of the OperaThe Phantom of the OperaCanadian National Tour1994PassionMajor RizzolliOriginal Broadway Production1994-1995The Phantom of the OperaThe Phantom of the OperaCanadian Production1996-1998A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the ForumMiles GloriosusSecond Broadway Revival1998-1999RagtimeFatherUS National Tour2002Sunday in the Park with GeorgeJules / Bob GreenbergKennedy Center
Filmography Year(s)ProductionRoleNotes1980 The Doctors Dr. Harrow3 episodes1982 Great Performances Anthony Hope Episode: Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street1986 American Playhouse Louis / Billy Webster Episode: Sunday in the Park with George1995 PocahontasChorusAnimated film
References