Welcome to the official website of RODNEY HICKS
I am an artist, husband, meditator, friend, and an attuned level 3 reiki energy healer. My life has been lived to Be Here Now with kindness, compassion, peace, joy, breath, love, and heArt.
Pema Chödrön’s book ‘The Compassion Book’ teachings for awakening the heart, is a profound read. You can order it through Shambhala publications. www.shambhala.com
Amanda Gilbert’s book ‘Kindness Now’ is a powerful read and workbook. You can order it via Amazon.
Yung Pueblo’s book ‘The Way Forward’ is extraordinary. Like a warm cup of tea that leaves you sipping and savoring each page. You can order it via Amazon.
“We are all just walking each other Home.” - Ram Dass
i am grateful.
Instagram: @Rodneyhickshere; Linkedin: Rodney Hicks
Looking forward to being a part of this year’s 121 Project concert happening at The Lucille Lortel Theatre in NYC. The concert features excerpts from five new musicals.
I will be singing the song, ‘It Ain’t Lost on Me’, from the new musical, HART ISLAND, by Danny Haengil Larsen and Michelle Elliott.
Please visit boxoffice.lortel.org for tickets.
gratitude💛✨
This picture was taken on January 15, 2025. After three months of training with Steveendurance Fitness. I am grateful and look forward to this next chapter.
Hi.
Thursday morning December 5, 2024. Colorado. Village Inn. Avacado and chicken breast kind of morning. Keep Going! 💛✨
i completed a new revision of inhale-EXHALE on November 18th.
actor
FORGIVENESS by Mark St. Germain | directed by Ron Lagomarsino at Barrington Stage Company through August 25, 2024. We have been extended for 5 performances now through August 29, 2024.
Cast: Joey Collins, Darlene Hope, Rodney Hicks, and Peggy Pharr Wilson
TV: *Upcoming–Forever (Uncle Charlie; NETFLIX, May 2025); Leverage (Eldon Marris; TNT); GRIMM (co-star; NBC); Hope & Faith (Perry; ABC); Student Affairs (P. Phat Daddy; WB Pilot); Law & Order: CI (Jerome Davis; NBC); NYPD Blue (Delay Williams; ABC); Dance Party USA (USA Network).
FILM: Rodney can be seen as Dr. Brookman in Disney’s The Slumber Party (Disney +/Imagine Entertainment; directed by Veronica Rodriguez); He can also be seen in the supporting lead role of Dwayne Biggs in the Paramount Pictures film, Mighty Oak (Apple TV+, Amazon, Paramount+; directed by Sean McNamara); Benjamin Coffin III in RENT: Filmed live on Broadway (Apple TV+, Amazon).
BROADWAY actor credits: Original Cast of COME FROM AWAY "Bob & Others” Directed by Tony Award Winner Christopher Ashley, Musical Staging by Olivier Award Winner Kelly Devine; Original Cast of THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS "Clarence Norris" Directed and Choreographed by Tony Award Winner Susan Stroman; 2000 revival JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR "Peter" Directed by Gale Edwards, Choreographed by Tony Award nominee Anthony Van Laast; Original and Closing Casts of the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning musical RENT Directed by Tony Award Nominee Michael Greif, choreographed by Tony Award Nominee Marlies Yearby.
NYC/REGIONAL: Grateful to have 30 years of NYC/regional/international theatre actor credits to his name, from originating roles, to stepping into newly envisioned ones. Rodney received a 2003 Audelco Award nomination for Outstanding Leading Actor in a musical for his work in Lee Summers’ Off-Broadway musical, ‘FROM MY HOMETOWN’, in which he originated the role of Philly. Directed by Kevin Ramsey. Choreographed by Leslie Dockery. In 2011, Rodney had the distinct honor of being the first Black ‘Curly’ in a professional production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s OKLAHOMA! at Portland Center Stage in Portland, OR. Directed by Chris Coleman, it was also the first all Black production of the show. Rodney received the 2012 Barrymore Award for Outstanding Actor in a Leading Role in The Philadelphia Theatre Company’s production (Regional Premiere) of ‘THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS’, portraying Haywood Patterson. Susan Stroman’s original Broadway direction was re-created by Jeff Whiting. Rodney received a 2017 Helen Hayes Award nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a musical for originating the role of ‘Bob and others’ in COME FROM AWAY at the Ford’s Theatre in Washington, D.C. Gypsy Rose Lee nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Musical (Seattle Rep). Directed by Christopher Ashley.
Original Cast Recordings: COME FROM AWAY, The Scottsboro Boys, 2006 Off-Broadway Cast Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris, The New Picasso (concept recording) and RENT.
me
Om Shanti–peace
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playwright
Four tour guides must fulfill their contract after a mysterious door opens leading them underground to finish their Understanding America tour. Through a series of vignettes, they take us through today, yesterday, and tomorrow, uncovering a town of people in need of connection in everywhere America.
#inhaleexhale #newamericanplay #comedy
playwright
For more info please visit www.1968themusical.com
On March 27, 2023, a draft of the first part of my latest play, inhale-EXHALE, received a private NYC industry reading presentation of its first half–with a powerhouse cast of 4 beautiful and brilliant transformational actors–for an invited audience of 60– at The Producers Club-Crowne Theatre starring Tony Award nominee Jenn Colella (Come From Away), Tony Award nominee Crystal Lucas-Perry (Ain’t No Mo’), Christopher J. Hanke (How to Succeed in Business…), and Michael James Scott (Aladdin). Stage Manager: Benjamin A. Vigil, Assistant Stage Manager: Nikki Wen. Lights/Sound, Adrian Yuen. I am incredibly grateful and look forward to the play’s future.
FLAME BROILED. or the ugly play received its world premiere production at Local Theater Company (Pesha Rudnick, Artistic Director) in Boulder, CO in 2019. The cast featured four dynamic Denver and Pacific Northwest actors–Ilasiea Gray, Emma Messenger, Gary Norman, and Saxton Walker. FLAME BROILED. or the ugly play was well received critically and awarded the 2019 Eulipions Fund on behalf of The Denver Foundation. In the fall of 2020, the play received an exclusive Zoom reading. The cast included: Tony Award nominees Jenn Colella (Come From Away), Forrest McClendon (The Scottsboro Boys), Rob McClure (Mrs. Doubtfire), and Emmy Award nominee Tracie Thoms (Falsettos).
JUST PRESS SAVE
Over the years this play has been through many incarnations and several title changes. This piece has had over six years of developmental readings. On June 20, 2020, JUST PRESS SAVE had a workshop presentation as part of the Pride Plays Festival of New Plays. Directed by Michael Greif. We were incredibly fortunate to have in our cast six brilliant young artists who were outstanding. Wyatt Gray, Tony Award nominee Hailey Kilgore, Rafael Molina, Kenny Tran, Taylor Trensch, and Rocky Vega. Each artist in every reading was extraordinary. I am incredibly grateful.
JUST PRESS SAVE is a queer coming-of-age ensemble play set in the fictitious town of Willow Peak, PA. The intensity of the world is swirling around them as Gustavo, Maynor, Damon, Curtis, Jocelyn, and Bolin navigate their post-pandemic lives to survive, thrive, and graduate as part of the class of today.
MS. PEARL’S CABARET a semi-autobiographical play–with a drag twist and music, had a successful reading via Zoom in February 2021, produced by Rhymes over Beats Theatre Collective. A not-for-profit theatre company based out of Washington, DC. The cast included: Jennifer Fouché (White Girl in Danger), T. Oliver Reid (Hadestown), and J. Cameron Barnett (POSE) as Ms. Pearl.
JUST PRESS SAVE and MS. PEARL'S CABARET were Semi-Finalists in the Eugene O’Neill Theater Conference.
Don’t worry–I have both of my legs. I am standing in a yoga tree pose. ✌🏾©2022
Magazine Article. photo by: Douglas Cohen ©2017
With Tina Fey and her husband Jeff Richmond after a performance of COME FROM AWAY on Broadway. selfie photo by Tina Fey ©2017
Rodney Hicks and Tony Nominee Hailey Kilgore (Currently starring as “Jukebox” in ‘POWER’ Raising Kanan on STARZ; She also stars as “Cinnamon” in the feature film CINNAMON on TUBI) at the Premiere of Disney’s Freaky Friday film release. ©2018
w/ the remarkable Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning playwright, Paula Vogel, after her Master Class as part of the Dramatists Guild Playwright Conference/NYC. In the room where FLAME BROILED. or the ugly play and inhale-EXHALE began their life thanks to Paula’s prompt and fierce encouragement. I have so much Gratitude and love for this Extraordinary Artist, teacher, and human being in our world. ©2018
RUNAWAYS in concert. pictured l to r: Eric Svejcar (New arrangements), Rodney Hicks (Reworked book/Director), Elizabeth Swados (Original Book, Music & Lyrics), and Jamie McGonnigal (Concert Producer). A portion of the proceeds went to benefit The Joey DiPaolo AIDS Foundation. I will always be grateful to Jaime for being such a fabulous producer and friend. Collaborating with music extraordinaire, Eric Svejcar, was a brilliant and magnificent time. Working with the cast was absolutely beautiful. The cast included Alex Brightman, Ezra Miller, Max Jenkins, Karla Mosley, Eric Nelsen, Idara Victor, Karen DiConcetto, Shaun Taylor-Corbett, Alexis Sims, Garrett Zuercher, Eric Anthony, Paul Wyatt, Aryana Rodriguez, Juliana Rose Mauriello. It was an immense honor to have Liz there and give her permission to present this special concert at Joe’s Pub/The Public Theater. ©2007
Jeremy Gumbs as Eugene Williams, Joshua Henry as Haywood Patterson and Christian Dante White as Charlie Weems on the playbill cover of our Broadway Production of The Scottsboro Boys. ©2010
Original Off-Broadway cast of FROM MY HOMETOWN. l to r: Kevin R. Free as Memphis, Rodney Hicks as Philly and Andre Garner as Detroit. ©2004
TheatreWorks Silicon Valley production of August Wilson’s GEM OF THE OCEAN. Directed by Tim Bond. l to r: Rodney Hicks as Caesar Wilks, Porscha Shaw as Black Mary, and Edward Ewell as Citizen Barlow. ©2022
Original poster art for the 2006 Off-Broadway Revival of Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris.
2006 Off-Broadway Revival Cast of Jacques Brel… l to r: Bob Cuccioli, Gay Marshall, me, Natascia Diaz.
as “Curly McLain” in Oklahoma! at Portland Center Stage. ©2011 *first African American actor to portray this role in the American theatre. Directed by Chris Coleman; Choreographed by Joel Ferrell; photo by: Patrick Weishampel
October 2022, on set in Decatur, GA filming the Disney Plus/Imagine Entertainment feature film, ‘The Slumber Party’, in the supporting role of Dr. Conrad Brookman. Directed by Veronica Rodriguez. Photo by Veronica Rodriguez.
Adrian Yuen (lighting/sound), Benjamin A. Vigil (stage manager), Jenn Colella (Betty Ann Clayton & others), Michael James Scott (Gil Hart & others), Christopher J. Hanke (Will Hart & others), Crystal Lucas-Perry (Geneva Brown & others), Nikki Wen (assistant stage manager) - The Company of the March 27, 2023 reading presentation of the first act of inhale-EXHALE. The Producers Club-Crowne Theatre, NYC. ©2023
Original Broadway Cast poster art of Irene Sankoff & David Hein’s COME FROM AWAY. ©2017
Original Broadway Cast of COME FROM AWAY as featured in VANITY FAIR magazine. photo: Mark Seliger ©February 2017 issue
Sharon Wheatley, Rodney Hicks, Geno Carr and the Original Broadway Cast of COME FROM AWAY publicity shot. photo by: Matthew Murphy ©2017
Our COME FROM AWAY Original Broadway company in Gander, NF ©2016
The end of our COME FROM AWAY One night only concert in Gander, NF where the show takes place. ©2016
In Gander, New Foundland with ‘Come From Away’. ©2016
Original Poster Art for the La Jolla Production of COME FROM AWAY. ©2015
Original Poster Art for the Seattle Rep production of COME FROM AWAY. ©2015
Original Off-Broadway NYTW program. ©1996
Original Broadway playbill of RENT
Outside NYTW with our Original Company of RENT, including our friend, Jonathan Larson. ©1996 Photo by: Joan Marcus
publicity photo of the 2006 Off-Broadway revival cast of ‘Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris’ at the now gone, Zipper Theatre in NYC. Bob Cuccioli, Gay Marshall, Rodney Hicks, Natascia Diaz. ©2006
Opening night of the 2006 Off-Broadway revival of ‘Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris’. Bob Cuccioli, Gay Marshall, Natascia Diaz, Rodney Hicks, Eric Svejcar (musical director/new arrangements). ©2006
The Scottsboro Boys on Broadway outside the Lyceum Theatre. ©2010
Our original Off-Broadway poster of The Scottsboro Boys at The Vineyard Theater. ©2010
As Clarence Norris w/ Brandon Victor Dixon as Haywood Patterson and our Off Broadway cast of The Scottsboro Boys at The Vineyard Theatre, NYC. ©2010 photo by: Carol Rosegg.
Glenn Carter as Jesus on the playbill cover of our 2000 Broadway revival of Jesus Christ Superstar.
Show promo card. Original 2000 Revival cast of Jesus Christ Superstar. Simon Zealots. photo: Ivan Kyncl. ©2000
Show promo card. Original 2000 Revival Cast of Jesus Christ Superstar. The Last Supper. photo: Ivan Kyncl. ©2000
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