Rodney Hicks is back on Broadway as Bob (and others, including a sexy pilot) in the acclaimed and moving new musical Come From Away
. Bob is just one of the many characters who learns about the kindness and generosity of Newfies (people from Newfoundland) during 9/11.Scroll on as Rodney shares with BroadwayBox his Broadway scrapbook—filled with fun, rare photos and awesome behind-the-scenes stories from his acclaimed stage career.
King Lear at Denver Theatre Center (Edmund), 2007
Pictured here with my dear friend, Sharon Washington, as Goneril and me as the Bastard Edmund. What a time we had. Sharon and I would later work together again in The Scottsboro Boys.
Rent (Paul in the OBC, Benny in the closing cast), 1996 & 2008
Will Chase and I having a fun moment backstage at Rent. What a time we all had closing this extraordinary show. Lifelong friends.
A candid of my longtime friends, Kristen Lee Kelly, Jesse Martin, and Toby Parker. This was from our tenth anniversary concert of Rent.
Oklahoma! at Portland Center Stage (Curly), 2011
Where I met my husband, Chris Coleman, who directed the first ever all Black production of this classic. I loved every minute of this experience.
Having the opportunity to step into the role of Curly and to sing a score and portray a character I never thought I’d have the opportunity to take on was such a wonderful moment. Who knows, maybe I’ll have the chance to do it again...
The Scottsboro Boys (Clarence Norris/Preacher), 2010
Pictured with our show’s director and choreographer, Susan Stroman. I just love her. She taught me how to dance. First day of rehearsal when we were shown the opening dance number and I saw that she wanted me to be one of the men doing double pirouette’s and other dance terminology I did not know at the time, I said to her that she must have made a mistake. She looked at me, smiled, and confidently said, “No mistake, you’re learning it.” And that was the last time I said I can’t to Stro.
The other picture is with one of my idols, Denzel Washington. It was a pleasure having the opportunity to meet him after the show. So gracious, kind and gave such great words of wisdom.
Two Gentlemen of Verona at Baltimore's Center Stage (Valentine), 2005
Pictured here with my dear friend, Angela Robinson. You may know Angela from the TV show, The Haves and the Have Nots. She is simply wonderful. Our friendship goes all the way back to 1997 when we did a production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat that Gordon Greenberg directed. Fun fact: Andrew Lippa re-arranged the song, "One More Angel in Heaven" as a Gospel number for me to sing. What a time we had putting that together.
Jesus Christ Superstar (Peter), 2000
The short-lived 2000 Broadway revival of Jesus Christ Superstar. This was my first principal credit on Broadway. I played Peter. What a cast of extraordinary talent, including Christian Borle, Merle Dandridge, Tony Vincent, Lana Gordon, Shayna Steel, David St. Louis, Eric Millegan , Deidre Goodwin and so many more great people. We all had a great time together.
Dance Party USA (Himself), 1991
My first professional job. 17. A senior in High School. I was a regular on the teen TV show, Dance Party USA. This pic is of Layla, Matt, and I going over a dance routine we were slated to perform on air that episode. We filmed from 7 AM -7 PM every Saturday. We had a blast.
Come From Away (Bob & Others), 2014-2017
This show—and everyone who I have been blessed to work with on it—has been a true life changer for me in so many ways and for so many reasons. This picture is from the developmental lab in the summer of 2014. Two of our producers, Kenny and Marleen Alhadeff invited us to their home for a BBQ. Pictured are Irene Sankoff, David Hein, their daughter Molly, Marleen and Rich Gray.
Sharing one of many tender moments with my beautiful friend and cast mate, Jenn Colella, at our 2016 Christmas Eve party in Toronto.
Having a great post-show conversation with one of my best friends, Joshua Henry, after our invited dress of Come From Away on Broadway. What a night that was. My husband took this picture. I’m going to hang it in my home here in New York.
When you remove the mask and all that you have is You. Keep Standing. Keep Breathing. Keep Listening. Keep Learning. Knowing that you will make it through. The mask is an Illusion.
You are Enough.
So very grateful about all that this present moment of Come From Away has brought and is bringing. Standing with these beautiful brilliant men, Glynn Turman and Ben Vereen, meant everything.
Grateful for all of these memories.
Head over to Broadway's Schoenfeld Theatre to see Rodney Hicks in 'Come From Away'.
