Hubbry Logo
Josh YoungJosh YoungMain
Open search
Josh Young
Community hub
Josh Young
logo
8 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Josh Young
Josh Young
Josh Young
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

Josh Young is an American actor best known for appearing on Broadway in the revival of Jesus Christ Superstar as Judas and Amazing Grace, originating the role of John Newton.

Key Information

Early life and education

[edit]

Young was raised in a Conservative Jewish family in Wallingford, Pennsylvania.[1] He trained at the Pennsylvania Governors School for the Arts and holds a B.F.A. in Musical Theatre from Syracuse University.[2]

Career

[edit]

In 2003, Young played Marius in the US national tour of Les Misérables.[3] Afterwards, he starred as Tony in the European and Asian tour of West Side Story.[4][5][6]

From 2011 to 2012, Young played Judas in the Broadway revival of Jesus Christ Superstar, for which he was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical[7] and won the 2012 Theatre World Award for outstanding Broadway debut performance.[8]

In late 2012, he reprised his role of Che in Evita for the United States revival tour.[9]

In March 2013, Young performed "Bring On the Men" from the Broadway musical Jekyll & Hyde at Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS fundraising concert Broadway Backwards.[10] In the summer of that same year he played Lt. Cable in The Muny production of South Pacific.[11]

In 2015, he created the role of John Newton in the musical Amazing Grace on Broadway;[12] the cast recording was released in February 2016.[13] He won a Broadway World Award for this role in the Chicago Premiere at Bank of America Theatre.[14]

Young appeared as Dr. Neville Craven in the 2016 and 2017 Shakespeare Theatre Company, 5th Avenue Theatre and Hobby Center for the Performing Arts productions of The Secret Garden.[15] He was also in the 25th anniversary concert of The Secret Garden at the Lincoln Center in early 2016, appearing as Captain Albert Lennox.[16][17]

He performed in several shows in the Stratford Festival, including The Grapes of Wrath (Connie), Evita (Che), and Kiss Me Kate (Paul).[18] For his role as Che in Evita, he won the Broadway World Toronto Award for Best Actor in a Musical.[14]

Young joined the faculty of Oakland University in 2019,[19] and the faculty of Missouri State University in 2023.

In June 2022, he co-starred with Emily Padgett in Sunday in the Park with George at Shea's 710 Theatre, playing the title role.[20]

Personal life

[edit]

On January 12, 2017, Young got engaged to actress Emily Padgett;[21] they were married on June 3, 2018.[22][23] The couple welcomed their first child, a daughter, in February 2019,[24] and a son in November 2020.[25]

Discography

[edit]
  • Amazing Grace: The Musical: Original Broadway Cast Recording[13]
  • Where the Sky Ends: The Songs of Michael Mott (Track: "Her Embrace" from Faustus)[26]
  • Still Dreaming of Paradise (solo album)[27]
  • Josh Young (self titled debut album)[28]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Josh Young

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Josh Young (born May 10, 1980) is an American actor, singer, and musical theater educator renowned for his Tony Award-nominated portrayal of in the 2012 Broadway revival of . Young's Broadway debut came with the role of Judas, which earned him a 2012 Theatre World for his outstanding performance. He later originated the lead role of in the 2015 Broadway production of , a musical about the abolitionist who penned the famed hymn. Prior to Broadway, Young gained acclaim for his interpretations of characters such as Marius in and Che in the North American tour of Evita, the latter earning him a BroadwayWorld for . His regional theater work includes a standout performance as Tateh in at Ogunquit Playhouse, for which he received an IRNE for in 2017. In addition to his performing career, Young has performed on global tours, including the 50th anniversary production of , and headlined self-written solo shows on ' "Crystal on Broadway" voyages. He holds a B.F.A. in from and an M.Ed. in Higher Education Leadership from . Currently, Young serves as the Coordinator of at , where he leads the program following a tenure directing musical theater at .

Early life and education

Early years

Josh Young was born on May 10, 1980, in Wallingford, . He was raised in a Jewish family in the area, with parents Russell and Judy Young, alongside siblings Dena and Doug. As a rambunctious child who often got into trouble at school, Young struggled socially during his early years, prompting his parents to enroll him in theater classes as a constructive outlet for his energy and creativity. This decision sparked his enduring passion for the . Young's initial exposure to theater came through local productions and school activities in . He attended , where he starred in a production of , and participated in programs such as the Upper Darby Summer Stage and the Young People’s Theater Workshop at . These experiences, beginning at an early age, built his confidence and honed his skills in acting and voice, with additional training at the Media Theatre and the Voice Foundation of . The supportive environment of these community-based initiatives, rooted in his suburban upbringing, laid the foundation for his professional pursuits. During high school, at age 17, Young received a pivotal opportunity through the Governors School for the Arts, a prestigious summer program where he studied voice and theater. This intensive training marked a turning point, transforming his youthful interests into a committed path toward a career in musical theater.

Education and training

Josh Young pursued formal training in musical theatre beginning with his acceptance into the prestigious Pennsylvania Governor's School for the Arts at age 17, a selective summer program that provided intensive instruction in voice and theater, marking a pivotal transition in his artistic development. Young earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) in Musical Theatre from Syracuse University's College of Visual and Performing Arts in 2003, where the rigorous curriculum equipped him with essential acting techniques and performance skills. During his studies, he benefited from the high expectations of VPA faculty, participated in university productions to hone his stage presence, and audited drama classes in New York City through the Tepper Semester program, a senior-year opportunity that immersed students in professional environments. These experiences, including master classes and a focus on building a versatile "acting toolbelt," prepared him for the demands of professional auditions by emphasizing practical application over theory. Following graduation, Young continued refining his technique through targeted , though specific workshops are not extensively documented in ; his Syracuse foundation directly facilitated early career breakthroughs by providing the competitive edge needed for high-profile auditions in .

Theatre career

Early and touring roles

Josh Young's professional theatre career began in 2003 when, fresh out of Syracuse University's musical theatre program, he landed his first major role as in the third U.S. national tour of . The production, produced by , toured approximately 20 cities across the over 1.5 years, allowing Young to perform the romantic revolutionary student leader opposite established actors and refine his vocal and dramatic skills in high-stakes ensemble numbers like "." This debut opportunity, secured through his BFA training, marked a pivotal entry into professional and built his early reputation for emotional depth in youthful roles. Following the tour, Young continued building experience through additional touring and regional work in the mid-2000s. In 2007, he took on the lead role of Tony in the 50th anniversary international tour of , performing Leonard Bernstein's score across and , including stops in , the , , , , , and Korea. This global production demanded versatility in dance-heavy choreography and bilingual audience engagement, further honing his stage presence. By 2008, he returned to regional stages, reprising Marius in a production at Philadelphia's and originating the role of Link Larkin in Hairspray at the same venue, where the fast-paced score and constant movement presented unique physical and vocal challenges. These mid-decade engagements provided steady work while allowing Young to experiment with comedic timing and ensemble dynamics in smaller-scale settings. Young's touring phase expanded into Canada with two seasons at the starting in 2009. There, he played Paul in (2009), Che in Evita (2010)—earning a BroadwayWorld Toronto Award for Best Actor in a Musical—and Connie Rivers in (2010–2011), and in (2011), which later transferred to Broadway. These roles at the prestigious festival bridged his touring background with more intimate repertory work, emphasizing character-driven narratives over spectacle. In late 2012, following his Broadway debut, Young reprised Che in the U.S. national tour of the Evita revival, originating from the 2012 Broadway production and touring major cities like and through 2013–2014. The rigors of these early touring productions significantly shaped Young's growth, as the constant travel—spanning continents and dozens of venues—tested endurance and adaptability while fostering professional maturation. For instance, the international scope of the tour exposed him to diverse cultural audiences, enhancing his interpretive range, though it strained personal schedules with long separations from home. Similarly, the and Evita tours demanded consistent high-energy performances amid logistical demands, contributing to his evolution from a promising newcomer to a versatile leading man capable of handling both romantic leads and narratorial antagonists.

Broadway breakthrough

Josh Young's Broadway debut came in the 2012 revival of at the , where he portrayed from March 1 (previews) to July 1, 2012. His performance earned widespread acclaim for its intensity and vocal prowess, with critics highlighting his ability to convey Judas's inner turmoil through dynamic renditions like "Heaven on Their Minds" and "." Co-starring with Paul Nolan as and Chilina Kennedy as , Young collaborated closely in ensemble numbers that amplified the production's rock-opera energy, establishing him as a commanding presence capable of blending raw emotion with theatrical flair. For this role, he received a 2012 Tony Award nomination for Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical and won the Theatre World Award for Outstanding Broadway Debut. In 2015, Young took on the lead role of in the Broadway premiere of at the , running from July to October. As the historical figure who penned the titular hymn after a life-altering transformation from slave trader to abolitionist, Young's portrayal was noted for its earnest tenor and emotional depth, particularly in songs exploring redemption like "I Would Be Free." He shared the stage with as Mary Catlett, his character's love interest, and Tom Hewitt as Captain Newton, fostering poignant duets that underscored themes of and reform. Though the musical received mixed reviews overall, Young's performance was praised for its sincerity and vocal clarity, reinforcing his reputation for inhabiting complex, morally conflicted characters. Young continued to build on his Broadway momentum with the role of Dr. Neville Craven in major productions of during 2016 and 2017. In the 2016 revival at Washington, D.C.'s , and the 2017 staging at Houston's Theatre Under the Stars, he brought nuance to the reclusive physician and brother to the estate's master, emphasizing Neville's quiet longing and protective instincts. Collaborating with as Archibald Craven, Young delivered a standout performance in the duet "Lily's Eyes," a haunting reflection on lost love that critics lauded for its soaring harmonies and emotional resonance. These roles solidified Young's on-stage persona as a versatile baritone-tenor adept at portraying introspective anti-heroes, blending vulnerability with vocal power to drive narrative introspection in .

Recent productions and academia

In 2022, Young starred as George Seurat in a staged concert production of Sunday in the Park with George presented by Starring Buffalo at Shea's 710 Theatre in , opposite Emily Padgett as Dot/Marie. On November 16, 2024, he performed alongside Padgett in Carousel in Concert with the Springfield Symphony Orchestra at Juanita K. Hammons Hall in , incorporating performers from State University's musical theatre program. Young has continued his association with Starring Buffalo through cabaret events, serving as a guest artist in their Broadway at the Brewery series at Wayland Brewing Company in . In 2019, Young joined as an of theatre in the School of Music, Theatre and Dance, where he led the program and developed inclusive online courses during the that improved student engagement and accessibility. For his contributions, he received 's Faculty Recognition Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2022. In 2023, Young transitioned to as associate professor and Coordinator of the BFA Program in the Department of and , focusing on mentoring emerging performers through professional development opportunities.

Music career

Cast recordings

Josh Young's most prominent contribution to cast recordings is his featured role on the Amazing Grace original Broadway cast album, where he performs as John Newton, the protagonist whose journey inspires the titular . Released on February 26, 2016, by DMI Soundtracks, the 22-track album captures the score by Christopher Smith, with orchestrations by Kenny Seymour and musical direction by Joseph Church. Young delivers powerful solos including "The Slave Auction," "Testimony," and the climactic title song "Amazing Grace," alongside duets such as "Truly Alive" with Tom Hewitt and "I Still Believe" with Erin Mackey. The recording session took place on November 2, 2015, at MSR Studios in New York City, reuniting the original cast just days after the production's closure on October 25, 2015, following 116 performances at the Nederlander Theatre. This post-closing effort ensured the preservation of the ensemble's live energy, with producer Bruce Kopytek overseeing the process to maintain the musical's dramatic intensity in audio form. Critics lauded the album as a robust of the short-lived show, particularly highlighting Young's commanding vocal presence, which conveys Newton's transformation from slave trader to abolitionist with emotional depth and theatrical flair. Reviewers noted how his performance anchors the recording, providing solid support to co-stars like Mackey's poignant Mary Catlett and Cooper's resonant Pakuteh, while the score's blend of folk, , and classical elements shines through the full orchestration. By documenting Young's nuanced portrayal—rooted in his originating Broadway role—the cast recording extended the production's impact beyond its limited run, allowing audiences to experience the musical's themes of redemption and through accessible streaming and physical formats, thus broadening its cultural reach. Young also appears on the 2017 Angels (Original Studio Cast Recording), released by Broadway Records, where he performs alongside and others in songs from the new musical. Additionally, he contributed the track "Her Embrace" to the 2014 album Where the Sky Ends: The Songs of Michael Mott.

Solo albums and releases

Josh Young's debut solo album, titled Josh Young, was released in 2005 and featured a blend of Broadway standards and contemporary pop songs, showcasing his early in his career. The album included tracks such as "How to Not Be With You" by Brian Lowdermilk, "Flight" by Craig Carnelia, and "Run Away With Me" by Kara Leo, with guest appearances by Broadway performers Kate Shindle, Felicia Finley, and . Produced collaboratively, it highlighted Young's emerging style influenced by his theatre vocal training, emphasizing emotional delivery in intimate arrangements. His sophomore effort, Still Dreaming of Paradise, arrived on August 26, 2011, and delved into a more personal collection of inspirational and reflective songs, drawing from musical theatre, film, and original compositions. Key tracks included covers like "Memory" from Cats, "When She Loved Me" from Toy Story 2, and "It Feels Like Home" from A New Brain, alongside originals such as "Heaven Bound" and "Not a Love Story," which explored themes of hope, loss, and resilience. Collaborators on the album featured contributions from songwriters like John Bucchino and Kenny Ascher, allowing Young to expand beyond theatre-centric material into broader pop and folk influences. These releases marked Young's evolution as a recording artist outside of cast albums, shifting from ensemble-driven Broadway interpretations to solo projects that prioritized introspective songwriting and versatile genre exploration, with no notable chart performance but growing recognition within musical theatre circles.

Personal life

Family and marriage

Josh Young married Broadway actress and singer Emily Padgett on June 3, 2018, in a ceremony attended by family and close friends. The couple welcomed their first child, daughter Adele May Young, on February 3, 2019. Their second child, son Leo Elliot Young, was born on November 11, 2020. Young and Padgett-Young, both faculty members at in , where they reside with their children, balance family life with occasional joint professional engagements that allow them to perform together near home. For instance, in November 2024, they co-starred as Billy Bigelow and Julie Jordan in a concert production of with the Springfield Symphony Orchestra and performers. This arrangement supports their family stability while integrating their shared career paths. The couple maintains a degree of privacy regarding their , sharing public announcements of major milestones such as births and anniversaries through professional channels, while limiting detailed personal disclosures. They have made select public appearances as a unit during career-related events, including cultural programs that align with their Jewish heritage.

Community involvement

Josh Young has engaged in various philanthropic activities focused on supporting vulnerable youth and advancing arts education. In September 2025, he performed at the "A Night of Broadway Stars" benefit concert for Covenant House Texas in Houston, an organization dedicated to aiding homeless and at-risk young people through shelter, education, and support services. Young has participated in charity cabarets to raise funds for important causes, notably performing "Bring On the Men" from Jekyll & Hyde at the 2013 Broadway Backwards event, which supported Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center while celebrating LGBTQ+ themes through reimagined Broadway songs. In support of arts education initiatives connected to his professional background, Young co-founded Cutting-Edge Composers, a series and platform that showcases emerging musical theater creators and provides opportunities for new works to reach audiences. He has also contributed to youth development in the Jewish community by serving as the Musical Theater Arts Mentor at the Union for Reform Judaism's 6 Points Creative Arts Academy during its 2024 summer sessions, guiding young participants in theater skills and creative expression at the camp designed for Jewish teens. These efforts reflect his ongoing commitment to fostering the next generation of artists and supporting community programs for youth.

References

  1. https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-cast-staff/josh-young-491466
  2. https://musicaltheatre.missouristate.edu/profile-display.aspx?p=JoshuaYoung
  3. https://www.jewishexponent.com/tony-nominated-actor-returns-to-area-to-work-at-camp/
  4. https://www.stlmag.com/culture/A-Conversation-with-Actor-Josh-Young-Evitas-Che/
  5. https://www.phillyburbs.com/story/entertainment/local/2015/08/11/josh-young-is-grace-under/18081642007/
  6. https://www.walnutstreettheatre.org/about/news.php?id=84
  7. https://www.broadwayworld.com/philadelphia/article/Tony-Award-Nominee-Josh-Young-to-Mentor-Students-at-Union-for-Reform-Judaism-Camp-This-Summer-20240618
  8. https://www.broadway.com/buzz/161960/jesus-christ-superstars-josh-young-on-his-bad-kid-past-tony-nominated-present-blissfully-wedded-future/
  9. https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/story/entertainment/local/2015/08/11/josh-young-is-grace-under/18081642007/
  10. https://surface.syr.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2306&context=sumagazine
  11. https://www.delcotimes.com/2008/11/16/wallingfords-young-takes-link-to-stage/
  12. https://theatreanddance.missouristate.edu/profile-display.aspx?p=JoshuaYoung
  13. https://playbill.com/article/casting-announced-for-stratfords-kiss-me-kate-and-evita-john-doyle-and-gary-griffin-direct-com-165769
  14. https://playbill.com/article/the-screening-room-performances-from-evita-tour-stars-caroline-bowman-josh-young-and-sean-maclaughlin-com-207635
  15. https://playbill.com/article/for-jesus-christ-superstars-josh-young-2012-tony-nomination-has-special-meaning-com-193396
  16. http://www.curtainup.com/jesuschrist12.html
  17. https://playbill.com/article/josh-young-out-of-jesus-christ-superstar-due-to-illness-com-192606
  18. https://www.dso.org/events-and-tickets/artists/josh-young
  19. https://playbill.com/production/amazing-grace-nederlander-theatre-vault-0000014118
  20. https://variety.com/2015/legit/reviews/amazing-grace-review-broadway-musical-1201538916/
  21. https://www.broadway.com/buzz/181475/once-lost-now-found-on-broadway-amazing-grace-starring-josh-young-opens-officially/
  22. https://dctheaterarts.org/2015/07/24/review-amazing-grace-at-the-nederlander-theatre-in-new-york-city/
  23. https://dctheaterarts.org/2016/11/22/review-2-secret-garden-stc-pj-mcmahon/
  24. https://playbill.com/article/daisy-eagan-josh-young-michael-xavier-cast-in-secret-garden
  25. https://playbill.com/article/emily-padgett-and-josh-young-star-in-sunday-in-the-park-with-george-in-buffalo-june-10-11
  26. https://www.broadwayworld.com/buffalo/article/Josh-Young-And-Emily-Padgett-to-Lead-Starring-Buffalos-SUNDAY-IN-THE-PARK-WITH-GEORGE-20220324
  27. https://www.springfieldmosymphony.org/concert/lullaby-of-broadway/
  28. https://www.broadwayworld.com/st-louis/article/Missouri-State-University-Springfield-Symphony-to-Present-CAROUSEL-Staged-Concerts-20241022
  29. https://blogs.missouristate.edu/reynolds/2024/10/31/msu-theatre-and-dance-collaborates-with-springfield-symphony-orchestra-in-carousel/
  30. https://www.broadwayworld.com/buffalo/article/Starring-Buffalo-to-Present-BROADWAY-AT-THE-BREWERY-Cabaret-at-Wayland-Brewing-Co-20250620
  31. https://oakland.edu/oumagazine/news/smtd/music-theatre-and-dance-news-may-2019
  32. https://oaklandpostonline.com/27841/features/tony-nominated-actor-josh-young-joins-school-of-music-theatre-and-dance-faculty/
  33. https://ern.oakland.edu/erac/university-awards/faculty/all-faculty/outstanding-teaching-honors.html
  34. https://blogs.missouristate.edu/theatreanddance/2023/04/10/josh-young-announced-as-new-coordinator-of-musical-theatre-program/
  35. https://www.linkedin.com/in/josh-young-690742239
  36. https://music.apple.com/us/album/amazing-grace-original-broadway-cast-recording/1084073182
  37. https://www.amazon.com/Amazing-Grace-Original-Broadway-Recording/dp/B01AYSSYWI
  38. https://www.kennyseymour.com/amazinggrace
  39. https://genius.com/albums/Christopher-smith/Amazing-grace-original-broadway-cast-recording
  40. https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/AMAZING-GRACE-Cast-Will-Reunite-in-November-to-Record-Cast-Album-Hits-Shelves-in-January-20151023
  41. https://www.theatermania.com/news/broadways-amazing-grace-to-record-cast-album_74706/
  42. https://www.talkinbroadway.com/page/sound/march2516.html
  43. https://playbill.com/article/broadways-amazing-grace-releases-cast-album-today-com-385714
  44. https://playbill.com/article/laura-osnes-josh-young-and-more-sing-on-studio-cast-album-of-new-broadway-aimed-musical
  45. https://music.apple.com/us/album/where-the-sky-ends-the-songs-of-michael-mott/905653944
  46. https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Josh-Young-Solo-Album-Released-Shindle-Finley-and-Chase-Guest-Star-20050903
  47. https://www.amazon.ca/Josh-Young/dp/B000BGQTF8
  48. https://www.amazon.com/Still-Dreaming-Paradise-Josh-Young/dp/B005JOH4HO
  49. https://music.apple.com/us/album/still-dreaming-of-paradise/460619100
  50. https://castalbums.org/recordings/Still-Dreaming-of-Paradise-2011-Josh-Young/24731
  51. https://playbill.com/article/solo-recording-from-superstars-josh-young-including-heaven-on-their-minds-now-available-com-195156
  52. https://playbill.com/article/broadways-emily-padgett-and-josh-young-now-married
  53. https://www.broadway.com/buzz/192337/broadways-emily-padgett-josh-young-tie-the-knot/
  54. https://www.broadway.com/buzz/194915/emily-padgett-josh-young-welcome-baby-girl-adele-may/
  55. https://playbill.com/article/tony-nominee-josh-young-and-emily-padgett-welcome-second-child
  56. https://www.instagram.com/p/DOjd9WOgYD6/
  57. https://playbill.com/article/the-screening-room-josh-young-sings-bring-on-the-men-a-broadway-backwards-preview-com-203500
  58. https://www.tkafinearts.net/staff/artists-in-residence/102-conservatory/staff/artists-in-residence/372-josh-young.html
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.