Robert Westenberg (born October 26, 1953) is an American stage actor and singer, acting teacher, and professor. He received a Tony Award nomination for his performance in the original Broadway cast of Into the Woods.
He appeared on Broadway in Sunday in the Park with George (as the title role), Les Misérables (as Inspector Javert), Into the Woods (as The Big Bad Wolf and Cinderella’s Prince), The Secret Garden (as Dr. Neville Craven), as well as several other musicals. In 2024, he returned to the stage performing as a part of the United States national tour of A Beautiful Noise.
He was the musical theatre coordinator and associate professor in the theatre and dance department at Missouri State University and now serves as a lecturer of Musical Theatre at the University of Colorado Boulder.
Early life and education Born in Miami Beach, Florida, but raised in Fresno, California, with his six siblings. Westenberg graduated Bullard High School in 1971, where he was active in sports, specifically football. He then attended California State University, Fresno.Rawson, Christopher. "Stage Preview: 'Medea' brings top-class, hard-working actor to the bad-guy role of Jason" post-gazette.com, September 28, 2001
Westenberg received a master's degree from Denver’s National Theatre Conservatory.
Career Broadway He made his Broadway debut in the 1983 revival of Zorba as Nikos, for which he won the Theatre World Award." Zorba, Broadway 1983" Playbill (vault), accessed July 27, 2016
He played the dual role of a Soldier/Alex and understudied Mandy Patinkin in Stephen Sondheim's Sunday in the Park with George which opened in May 1984. He later took over Patinkin's leading roles of Georges Seurat/George where he played opposite Bernadette Peters in September of that year and played the role until April 1985." Sunday in the Park with George Broadway 1984" Playbill (vault), accessed July 27, 2016
He received a Tony Award nomination and won a Drama Desk Award for his performance as Cinderella's Prince and the Wolf in Sondheim's Into the Woods (1987)." Into the Woods Broadway 1987" Playbill (vault), accessed July 27, 2016 It was during this show where he met his wife, Kim Crosby, who played Cinderella.Culwell, Logan. "Did They Finish the Hat? Where Are the Stars of 'Sunday in the Park with George' Now?" Playbill, May 12, 2015
In 1990, he starred as Inspector Javert in Les Misérables opposite Craig Schulman as Jean Valjean.
In 1991, he starred as Dr. Neville Craven in the original Broadway production of The Secret Garden playing opposite Patinkin again along with Daisy Eagan, Alison Fraser and Rebecca Luker." The Secret Garden Broadway 1991" Playbill (vault), accessed July 27, 2016 In 2020, Westenberg directed the same production at Missouri State University, where he served as the head of the Musical Theatre department until joining the Musical Theatre faculty at the University of Colorado Boulder in 2023. CU Boulder College of Music Faculty
In 1995, he was featured as Harry in the Broadway revival of Company. Two years later he portrayed Lyman Hall in the revival of 1776.
Other
In 1981, Westenberg played Norman Mushari in Kurt Vonnegut’s God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater at Arena Stage.
In 1994 and 2001, Westenberg starred as Scrooge’s nephew Fred in the musical adaptation of A Christmas Carol in Madison Square Garden.
In 1996, Westenberg was in the US National tour of Funny Girl as Nick Arnstein opposite Debbie Gibson as Fanny Brice. It ended prematurely in November 1996 in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
In 2002, Westenberg was in the US and Japan tour of The Full Monty.Ehren, Christine. " 'Full Monty' 's Westenberg, Woods Bare All for Boston, DC, San Fran, Japan", Playbill, March 22, 2002
Westenberg has been in several MUNY (St. Louis) productions. He played Henry Higgins in My Fair Lady in 2001 opposite his wife, Kim Crosby, as Eliza Doolittle."2002 Interview with Robert Westenberg" talkinbroadway.com
He played the roles of both Mr. Darling and Captain Hook in the July 2007 St. Louis MUNY production of Peter Pan.Gans, Andrew. "He's Flying: Francis Jue Is 'Peter Pan' at the Muny Beginning July 16" Playbill, July 16, 2007 He reprised these roles in a 2009 production in Branson, Missouri, with Cathy Rigby as Peter Pan.Cantrell, Rachel. "Cathy Rigby as Peter Pan" branson.com, May 15, 2009 In 2012, he directed a production of Les Misérables at Springfield Little Theatre.
Westenberg is currently starring as the older Neil Diamond in the 2024 national tour of A Beautiful Noise.
Television and film Westenberg's film credits include Mr. and Mrs. Bridge and The Ice Storm. He has made guest appearances on Third Watch, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, and the short-lived series Aliens in the Family. He played Prince Raymond on the soap opera, One Life to Live from 1989-90.
He reprised his roles of a Soldier/Alex and the Wolf/Cinderella’s Prince in the American Playhouse episodes of Sunday in the Park with George and Into the Woods.
Stage credits +ShowRole(s)Year(s)ProductionBye Bye BirdieConrad Birdie1975Good Company PlayersMinnie's BoysHerbert “Zeppo” MarxCarouselBilly Bigelow1976Sweet CharityVittorio Vidal1977God Bless You, Mr. RosewaterNorman Mushari1981Arena StageHenry IV, Part 1Vintner / Vernon / EnsembleDelacorte Theatre in Central ParkThe Death of Von Richthofen As Witnessed From EarthR. Raymond-Barker u/s Manfred Von Richthofen1982Off-BroadwayHamletLaertes1982-1983ZorbaNikos1983National tourOriginal Broadway Revival castSunday in the Park with George A Soldier / Alex u/s Georges Seurat / George1984Original Broadway castGeorges Seurat / George 1984-1985Broadway replacement Into the WoodsThe Wolf / Cinderella's Prince1987-1989Original Broadway castShe Loves MeGeorg Nowack1990Berkshire Theatre FestivalLes MisérablesInspector JavertBroadway replacement The Secret GardenDr. Neville Craven1991-1992Original Broadway castGay DivorceGuy1993ConcertAbe Lincoln in IllinoisNinian Edwards1993-1994Original Broadway Revival castThree Birds Alighting on a FieldAuctioneer / David / Constantin / Ahmet1994Off-BroadwayThe King and IThe King of SiamThe MunyA Christmas CarolFred AndersonThe Theater at Madison Square GardenI Sent a Letter to My LoveStan1995Off-BroadwayCompanyHarryOriginal Broadway Revival castFunny GirlNick Arnstein1996US National tourVioletPreacher / Bus Driver 1 / Radio Singer / Bus Driver 41997Off-Broadway1776Dr. Lyman HallOriginal Broadway Revival castMacbethMacduff1998Denver Center Theatre CompanyTravels with My AuntHenry Pulling / Wordsworth / Col. Hakim, HattyA Christmas CarolCharles Dickens / Ghost of Christmas PastAmerican Conservatory Theater1776John Adams1999The MunyThe Sound of MusicCaptain Georg von Trapp2000A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum Marcus LycusArt Marc2001 Old Globe TheatreMy Fair LadyProfessor Henry Higgins The MunyA Christmas CarolFred AndersonThe Theater at Madison Square GardenThe Full MontyHarold Nichols2002-2004International tourThe Sound of MusicCaptain Georg von Trapp2005The MunyOliver!Mr. Brownlow2006Peter PanCaptain Hook / Mr. Darling2007My Fair LadyProfessor Henry Higgins2008Peter PanCaptain Hook / Mr. Darling2009Branson, MissouriLes MisérablesDirector2012Springfield Little TheatreA Little Night Music2017Missouri State UniversityPippinAmélie2018The Secret Garden2020Brigadoon2021Titanic2024University of Colorado BoulderA Beautiful NoiseNeil Diamond (Now)2024-2026US National Tour
Filmography
Film YearTitleRoleNotes1984Bearskin, or The Man Who Didn't Wash for Seven YearsBearskinShort film1990Mr. & Mrs. Bridge Ruth's Boyfriend1995The Stars Fell on Henrietta Mr. Rumsfelk1996Before and After Journalist #11997The Ice Storm Rob Halford
Television YearTitleRoleNotes1986American Playhouse A Soldier / AlexEpisode: "Sunday in the Park With George"1989-1990One Life to LivePrince Raymond HohensteinRecurring role1991American PlayhouseThe Wolf / Cinderella's PrinceEpisode: "Into the Woods"1996Swift JusticeLeoEpisode: "Where Were You in '72?"C.P.W.Episode: "Out On Bail"Aliens in the FamilyHigh Elder PrissyEpisode: "Respect Your Elders"2001Third WatchDr. GambettiEpisode: "Unfinished Business"Law & Order: Special Victims UnitCol. MarsdenEpisode: "Manhunt"
Personal life He married actress and singer Kim Crosby on June 19, 1991, and the couple now have three children, Emily, Katie, and Joel.
Westenberg and Crosby currently reside in Longmont, Colorado, where Westenberg serves as a lecturer in Musical Theatre in the College of Music at the University of Colorado Boulder. He was previously the chair of the theatre program at Drury University and coordinator of the musical theatre program at Missouri State University."Award-winning actor to lead MSU’s musical theatre program" missouristate.edu, February 1, 2016" 'INTO THE WOODS' Tony Nominee Robert Westenberg Joins MSU Faculty" broadwayworld.com, February 2, 2016Gordon, David. "5 Facts We Learned About 'Into the Woods' During the Original-Cast Reunion" theatermania.com, June 22, 2015"Robert Westenberg Bio" masterworksbroadway.com, accessed July 2016
Awards and nominations YearWorkAward CategoryResult1984ZorbaTheatre World Award1988Into the WoodsTony AwardBest Featured Actor In A MusicalDrama Desk AwardOutstanding Featured Actor In A Musical
References
External links