Kenneth Page (January 20, 1954 – September 30, 2024) was an American actor and cabaret singer who created the part of Ken in the original Broadway production of Ain't Misbehavin' and played Old Deuteronomy in the original Broadway and filmed stage adaptation of Cats. He voiced Oogie Boogie in The Nightmare Before Christmas and Kingdom Hearts franchises, and played in the original Broadway production of The Wiz as The Lion and the first Broadway revival of Guys and Dolls as Nicely-Nicely Johnson.
Early life Kenneth Page was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri on January 20, 1954. He was raised Catholic by his mother, Gloria, and his step-father, Garvin Gilstrap. He attended St. Bridget of Erin and St. Nicholas elementary schools. While attending St. Nicholas, he was inspired by a teacher and an older cousin to pursue theatre. He subsequently graduated from Bishop DuBourg High School in 1972. From there he attended Fontbonne College in Clayton, Missouri, on a full scholarship and majored in theatre.Ken Page Biography. The History Makers. April 4, 2008. Retrieved January 23, 2019
Career
Page began his career in the chorus of the Muny outdoor theater in St. Louis. After making his Broadway debut in The Wiz, he played Nicely-Nicely Johnson in the all-black revival of Guys and Dolls (Theatre World Award). He was then featured in the original cast of the Fats Waller musical revue, Ain't Misbehavin' (Drama Desk Award), a role he reprised in the 1982 television broadcast. He also returned to the show in its 1988 Broadway revival.
In 1982, Page played Old Deuteronomy in Cats, returning to the part in the 1998 video release. He also played God twice, in Randy Newman's Faust at La Jolla Playhouse and Goodman Theatre and in Stephen Schwartz's Children of Eden (West End). He frequently acted in shows at The Muny, with appearances including Jesus Christ Superstar, Aida, The Wizard of Oz, Les Misérables, My One and Only, and Little Shop of Horrors.
Besides The Nightmare Before Christmas, Page's major film credits included All Dogs Go to Heaven and Torch Song Trilogy, as well as Dreamgirls. His TV credits included guest roles on shows such as Charmed and Touched by an Angel, as well as various films and specials.
In later years, Page developed and performed his cabaret-singer show, Page by Page, and directed various regional and touring productions. He was the voice of the notorious talking plant Audrey II in the Muny's production of Little Shop of Horrors. He also reprised the role of Old Deuteronomy in the Lubbock Moonlight Musicals production of Cats in Lubbock, Texas.
Page regularly reprised his role as Oogie Boogie in several other Disney productions such as the fireworks display HalloWishes at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom, its sister show, Halloween Screams at Disneyland, the Haunted Mansion Holiday (also at Disneyland), the Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular (at Magic Kingdom) and subsequent video games including The Nightmare Before Christmas: The Pumpkin King, The Nightmare Before Christmas: Oogie's Revenge and the Kingdom Hearts series.
Personal life In September 2012, Page explained to the St. Louis Magazine: "I'm not closeted, never have been to my knowledge. But 'gay' means so many different things to people." He advised others: "Be careful. I understand, believe me – because I fought for your label. But don't define yourself by the label you put on yourself."
Death Ken Page died in his sleep on September 30, 2024, at the age of 70, at his home in St. Louis.
Filmography Source:
Film Year Title Role Notes 1988 Torch Song Trilogy Murray 1989 All Dogs Go to Heaven King Gator Voice 1993 The Nightmare Before Christmas Oogie Boogie 1994 I'll Do Anything Hair Person 1998 Cats Old Deuteronomy Direct-to-video 2003 Shortcut to Happiness Clerk 2006 Dreamgirls Max Washington
Television Year Title Role Notes 1984 Gimme a Break! Kenneth Wilson Episode: "Class of '84" 1987–1988 Sable Joe "Cheesecake" Tyson 6 episodes 1989 Polly Mayor Warren Television film Teen Angel Returns Chubby 1990 Family Matters Darnell Watkins Episode: "The Big Reunion" Capital News Episode: "Finished? Not Dunne" Polly: Comin' Home! Mayor Warren Television film 1993–1994 Adventures in Wonderland The Walrus 7 episodes 1994 Duckman Additional Voices Episode: "American Dicks" South Central Dr. Raymond McHenry 3 episodes 1995 Touched by an Angel Ox Episode: "There But for the Grace of God" 1998–2005 Great Performances Old Deuteronomy 2 episodes 2000 Welcome to New York Chef Andre Episode: "Tickets" 2005 All Grown Up! Narrator, Man Voice, episode: "Blind Man's Bluff" 2007 State of Mind Florian
Video games Year Title Role Notes 2002 Kingdom Hearts Oogie Boogie 2004 The Nightmare Before Christmas: Oogie's Revenge 2005 The Nightmare Before Christmas: The Pumpkin King 2006 Kingdom Hearts II 2007 Kingdom Hearts II: Final Mix+ 2013 Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 Remix Archive footage 2014 Kingdom Hearts HD 2.5 Remix 2024 Disney Speedstorm Posthumous update release
Theatre
Broadway
Off Broadway
Regional
The Muny-St. Louis
Hollywood Bowl 2009: Guys and Dolls in Concert as Nicely-Nicely Johnson 2018: The Nightmare Before Christmas in Concert as Oogie Boogie 2019: The Little Mermaid: An Immersive Live-to-Film Concert Experience as Sebastian
Other 1979: Ain't Misbehavin' as Performer 4 (US Tour) 1991: Children of Eden as Father/God (West End) 1995: Anyone Can Whistle as Police Chief Magruder (Carnegie Hall) 1997: A Christmas Carol as Ghost of Christmas Present/Sandwichboard Man (Madison Square Garden) 2021: The Nightmare Before Christmas in Concert as Oogie Boogie (BMO Stadium) 2022: The Nightmare Before Christmas in Concert as Oogie Boogie (Wembley Arena)
Discography Singles "Page by Page" (2008)
Soundtrack Year Artist / Writer Song Role Film 1989 Charles Strouse & T.J. Kuenster "Let's Make Music Together" King Gator All Dogs Go to Heaven 1993 Danny Elfman "Oogie Boogie's Song" Oogie Boogie The Nightmare Before Christmas 1997 Charles Strouse & T.J. Kuenster "Let's Make Music Together" King Gator MGM Sing-Alongs: Being Happy 1998 Andrew Lloyd Webber & T.S. Eliot "Jellicle Songs for Jellicle Cats""Old Deuteronomy""The Awful Battle of the Pekes and the Pollicles""The Jellicle Ball""The Moments of Happiness""Skimbleshanks: The Railway Cat""The Ad-dressing of Cats" Old Deuteronomy Cats 2004 Danny Elfman "Oogie's Song""Casino Clash""A Filthy Finale" Oogie Boogie The Nightmare Before Christmas: Oogie's Revenge
Awards and nominations Year Award Category Play Result 1976 Theatre World Award Best Actor Ain't Misbehavin 1978 Drama Desk Award Outstanding Actor in a Musical Guys and Dolls
Notes
References
External links