Will Swenson Biography

William "Will" Swenson (born October 26, 1973, Provo, Utah) is an American actor, writer and film director best known for his work in musical theatre. He also has developed a film career, primarily in Mormon cinema.

Career

Swenson is best known among Mormons for his role as Jonathan Jordan in the LDS Cinema movie The Singles Ward (2002) and its sequel, The Singles 2nd Ward (2007). Swenson co-wrote, directed and acted in the LDS Cinema feature film, Sons of Provo (2004).

A grandson of Nathan and Ruth Hale, a playwright and actress, Will Swenson was born in Utah and moved around a lot throughout the United States during his childhood. He attended Brigham Young University and later served as a Mormon missionary in Ecuador. However, he is no longer a practicing Mormon.

Swenson appeared on Broadway in Lestat, 110 in the Shade and Brooklyn. He created the role of Stacee Jaxx in the musical Rock of Ages but did not go on to perform the role on Broadway because he was offered the starring role of Berger in the Broadway revival of Hair. He played Sir Sagramore in Camelot at Lincoln Center and Chris in the second national tour of Miss Saigon.

He played the role of Berger in the Off-Broadway 40th Anniversary Concert of Hair opposite Karen Olivo. In 2008, Swenson was again cast as Berger in The Public Theater's revival of the show in Central Park. He went on to reprise the role when the production moved to Broadway in March 2009. He received critical acclaim for his performance on Broadway and was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical. He played the role of Berger again in the West End revival of Hair which began performances on April 1, 2010, and ended his limited engagement on May 29, 2010. Audra McDonald and Swenson reprised their roles in 110 in the Shade in the Hale Center Theater Orem's production.

Tony Sheldon and Swenson (who will play "Tick"/"Mitzi") will lead the cast of the pre-Broadway North American company of Priscilla: Queen of the Desert beginning in Toronto, Canada on 26 October 2010. On October 8, 2009, Swenson appeared as in the guest cameo slot for the extension performance of Katie Thompson's R.R.R.E.D.: A Secret Musical, as part of the 2009 New York Musical Theatre Festival.

Family

Swenson met his former wife, Amy (née Westerby) while they were both in one of his grandmother's comedies, Hopsville Holiday. The couple has two young sons, Bridger and Sawyer, but have since divorced. Swenson and Audra McDonald became engaged in January 2012.

Audra McDonald and Will Swenson were married on Saturday, October 6, 2012. This the second marriage for each which will include a blended family of three children combined from previous marriages.

Filmography

• The Singles Ward - Jonathan Jordon (2002)
• The R.M. - Kori Swenson (2003)
• Dear John - Tyson (2004)
• Sons of Provo - Will Jensen (2004)
• The Singles 2nd Ward - Jonathan Jordon (2007)
• Runnin That Trany Train (2010)