Jeff Keller is an American musical theatre actor. He is best known for being in the original Broadway cast of The Phantom of the Opera and later taking over the roles of Monsieur André and Firmin, as well as the title role.
Some of his other Broadway credits include roles in Dance a Little Closer, Fiddler on the Roof, and Sunday in the Park with George, as well as several others.AboutTheArtistsPlaybillIBDB
Career Keller made his Broadway debut in the cast of Candide in 1974. In 1976, Keller played the role of Perchik in the touring cast of Fiddler on the Roof. Later that year, he played the role in the Broadway revival. He was a replacement actor in the 1978 production of On the Twentieth Century. He originated roles in The 1940's Radio Hour, The Roast, and Dance a Little Closer. In 1984, Keller joined the original Broadway cast of Sunday in the Park with George understudying the title role. He would later take over several supporting roles while still understudying the title role. He played the roles of Billy and Louis ten years later in the Broadway Anniversary Concert.
In 1986, Keller started a 19-year stint in the Broadway company of The Phantom of the Opera. In the original cast, he was an ensemble member and understudied the Phantom. In 1989, he took over the role of Monsieur André when Cris Groenendaal was promoted to Phantom. In November 1990, he stepped into the title role for a month in between the stints of Steve Barton and Kevin Gray.See 20 Masked Men of Broadway’s Phantom of the Opera In 1994, Keller again substituted in the title role for 3 months in between Marcus Lovett and Davis Gaines. He also played the role of Jacob Marley in the annual production of A Christmas Carol at The Theater at Madison Square Garden. In 2001, Keller switched roles with George Lee Andrews, "to keep things fresh", portraying Monsieur Firmin in Phantom.Old and Ghostly but Still a Hoot, The New York Times, July 1, 2005
Stage credits Source: Year(s)ProductionRoleNotes1973The Roar of the Greasepaint – The Smell of the CrowdSirRegional1974–1976Candide2nd Recruiting Officer / Rich Jew / Judge / Man In Black / Cartagenian / Pirate / German Botanist / GuestBroadway1976Fiddler on the RoofPerchikNational tour1976–1977Broadway1977CamelotSir Lancelot du LacRegional1978–1979On the Twentieth CenturyMax JacobsBroadway1979–1980The 1940's Radio HourJohnny Cantone1980The Roast s/b Charles Brownings/b Danny1983Dance a Little CloserEdward Dunlop1983–1984The Music ManHarold HillAlliance Theatre1984Sunday in the Park with Georgeu/s Georges Seurat / GeorgeBroadway1984–1985Billy Webster / Louis / A Man Lying on the Bank u/s Georges Seurat / Georgeu/s Franz / Dennisu/s A Soldier / Alexu/s Jules / Bob Greenberg1985A Soldier / Alex u/s Georges Seurat / George1985–1986PersonalsSam1986Anything GoesBilly CrockerRegional1986–1987Sunday in the Park with GeorgeGeorges Seurat / George1988–1989The Phantom of the OperaMarksman / Porter u/s The Phantom of the OperaBroadway1989–1990Monsieur Gilles André u/s The Phantom of the Opera1990The Phantom of the Opera1990–1994Monsieur Gilles André u/s The Phantom of the Opera1994The Phantom of the OperaSunday in the Park with GeorgeBilly Webster / LouisBroadway 10th Anniversary ConcertA Christmas CarolJacob MarleyThe Theater at Madison Square Garden1994–2001The Phantom of the OperaMonsieur Gilles André u/s The Phantom of the OperaBroadway2001–2005Monsieur Richard Firmin u/s The Phantom of the Opera2012A Letter to Harvey MilkHarry WeinbergNew York Musical Theatre Festival
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