J. Harrison Ghee

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J. Harrison Ghee
Ghee at the 76th Tony Awards in 2023
Born (1989-06-16) June 16, 1989 (age 34)
Fayetteville, North Carolina
EducationAmerican Musical and Dramatic Academy
Known forActing

J. Harrison Ghee (born June 16, 1989)[1] is an American actor, singer, and dancer, best known for their work on Broadway.[2] They[a] first received recognition for their performance as Lola in Kinky Boots. In December 2022, they originated the role of Jerry/Daphne in Some Like It Hot, a stage musical based on the 1959 film of the same name.[3] They won the 2023 Tony Award for Best Leading Actor in a Musical for their performance, and Ghee, along with Alex Newell, became the first openly nonbinary performers to win Tony Awards. In 2024, they won the Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album. [4]

They originated the role of Andre Mayem in Mrs. Doubtfire, a role they also played in the 5th Avenue Theatre at an out of town engagement in 2019.[5]

Early life[edit]

Ghee grew up the child of a Southern Baptist pastor and an educator in Fayetteville, North Carolina.[6][7] They began playing cello in elementary school, later switching to play the bass. Ghee then learned to play trombone, so that they could be in the E. E. Smith High School marching band. After graduating high school in 2007, Ghee attended the American Musical and Dramatic Academy.[6] Ghee first tried drag in college when they played a female wrestler.[8]

Theatrical career[edit]

Ghee began working professionally at Tokyo Disneyland and on cruise ships.[9] While in Tokyo, Ghee began creating their drag persona, Crystal Demure.[6] When Ghee went to audition for Motown, they took the opportunity to share with the casting directors, who also worked on Kinky Boots, their story and connection with the Kinky Boots character Lola and were eventually cast as Lola in their Broadway debut.[8] Ghee was the first established drag performer to take on the role. Ghee eventually joined the national touring production of the show.[10]

Ghee joined the cast of Mrs. Doubtfire,[11] and began previews before the 2020 closing of Broadway. In 2021, Ghee performed as Velma Kelly in The Muny's production of Chicago, before originating the role of Andre when Mrs. Doubtfire opened.

In 2022, Ghee joined the cast of Some Like It Hot. They are playing Jerry/Daphne, the role played by Jack Lemmon in the film.[12][13]

In 2023, Ghee and Alex Newell became the first openly non-binary actors to be nominated for and win Tony Awards.[13][14][15]

In 2023, they were named as one of OUT Magazine's Out 100.[16]

In 2024, it was announced they would lead as Lady Chablis in Jason Robert Brown and Taylor Mac's production of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. [17]

Personal life[edit]

Ghee is non-binary and pansexual,[18][19][20] and uses he/she/they pronouns.[19][21]

Filmography[edit]

Year Title Role Notes
2018 High Maintenance Carl Episode: "Globo"
2019 "Heather Mae: Be Not Afraid" Dancer Music Video
2019 Raising Dion Kwame 7 episodes
2021 Over My Dead Body Jackée Short Film
2023 Accused Robyn Episode: "Robyn's Story"

Awards and nominations[edit]

Year Award Category Work Result Ref
2023 Tony Award Best Actor in a Musical Some Like It Hot Won [22]
Drama Desk Award Outstanding Lead Performance in a Musical Won [23]
Drama League Award Distinguished Performance Nominated [24]
Outer Critics Circle Award Outstanding Lead Performer in a Broadway Musical Won [25]
Chita Rivera Award Outstanding Dancer in a Broadway Show Nominated [26]
2024 Grammy Awards Best Musical Theater Album Won

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ Ghee uses she/her, he/him, and they/them pronouns. This article uses they/them pronouns for consistency.

References[edit]

  1. ^ "J. Harrison Ghee – Broadway Cast & Staff | IBDB". www.ibdb.com. Retrieved July 11, 2023.
  2. ^ "J. Harrison Ghee, Inside the Playbill". Retrieved April 20, 2022.
  3. ^ Culwell-Block, Logan (April 20, 2022). "Christian Borle, J. Harrison Ghee, Adrianna Hicks to Star in Some Like It Hot on Broadway". Playbill.
  4. ^ Paulson, Michael (June 12, 2023). "In Historic Night for Nonbinary Performers, J. Harrison Ghee and Alex Newell Win Tony Awards". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved June 12, 2023.
  5. ^ "J. Harrison Ghee Full Biography". www.broadwayworld.com. Broadway World. Retrieved April 20, 2022.
  6. ^ a b c Kyles, Akira. "'Drag really helped me live out loud:' 'Kinky Boots' star and Fayetteville native hopes to inspire others". The Fayetteville Observer. Retrieved December 9, 2022.
  7. ^ "AMDA - AMDA News - Kinky Boots National Tour Takes on J. Harrison Ghee as Leading Lola". www.amda.edu. Retrieved December 9, 2022.
  8. ^ a b McPhee, Ryan (June 25, 2017). "How a Real-Life Lola Became the Star of Kinky Boots on Broadway".
  9. ^ Cox, Gordon. 2022. “The Great White Way’s Bright New Talent.” Variety 357 (14): 110–15.
  10. ^ Shulman, Randy (June 30, 2016). "Exclusive Interview: "Kinky Boots" star J. Harrison Ghee on the power of drag". Metro Weekly. Retrieved June 8, 2023.
  11. ^ Maude, Samuel (February 14, 2023). "J. Harrison Ghee Is Bringing Queer, Black Joy to Broadway's Some Like It Hot". Elle. Retrieved June 8, 2023.
  12. ^ Pogrebin, Robin (May 10, 2023). "In 'Some Like It Hot,' J. Harrison Ghee Brings Their Whole Self". The New York Times. Retrieved June 8, 2023.
  13. ^ a b Zornosa, Laura (May 31, 2023). "J. Harrison Ghee and Alex Newell on Making Tony History Together". Time. Retrieved June 8, 2023.
  14. ^ Huston, Caitlin (May 2, 2023). "J. Harrison Ghee, Alex Newell Break Down Gender Barriers as Nonbinary Tony Acting Nominees". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved June 8, 2023.
  15. ^ Lee, Benjamin (June 12, 2023). "Tony awards 2023: Leopoldstadt and Kimberly Akimbo win big in historic night for non-binary actors". The Guardian. Retrieved June 11, 2023.
  16. ^ "Fayetteville's J. Harrison Ghee named LGBTQ+ trailblazer by Out Magazine". The Fayetteville Observer. October 28, 2023. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
  17. ^ "Full Casting Set for Jason Robert Brown and Taylor Mac's Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil - TheaterMania.com". April 17, 2024. Retrieved April 17, 2024.
  18. ^ "J. Harrison Ghee Brings His Heat to Broadway's 'Some Like It Hot'". EDGE Media Network. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
  19. ^ a b Kumar, Naveen (January 24, 2023). "Broadway Star J Harrison Ghee: 'Drag Is Such a Tool of Freedom'". The Daily Beast. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
  20. ^ "My name is J. Harrison Ghee". Facebook. December 29, 2021. Retrieved February 4, 2023. As a nonbinary pansexual black artist, I hope that in my daily life I can be an example of freedom and fabulousity and inspire someone else to walk in their truth.
  21. ^ "J. Harrison Ghee • Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved May 22, 2023.
  22. ^ Sherman, Rachel; Cohn, Gabe (May 2, 2023). "Tony Awards Nominations 2023: The Complete List". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved May 2, 2023.
  23. ^ "And The Winners of The 2023 Drama Desk Awards Are ……… - Times Square Chronicles". t2conline.com. May 31, 2023. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
  24. ^ Evans, Greg (May 19, 2023). "Broadway's 'Leopoldstadt' And 'Some Like It Hot' Take Drama League Awards For Outstanding Play & Musical". Deadline. Retrieved May 22, 2023.
  25. ^ Culwell-Block, Logan (April 26, 2023). "New York, New York, Some Like It Hot Lead 2023 Outer Critics Circle Award Nominations".
  26. ^ Cristi, A. A. "A BEAUTIFUL NOISE, DANCIN', NEW YORK, NEW YORK and More Win 2023 Chita Rivera Awards". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved May 24, 2023.

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