Max von Essen (born January 11, 1974) is an American actor and singer. His Broadway credits include roles in An American in Paris (of which he was nominated for a Tony Award for), Anastasia, Evita, and Chicago. He also starred as Marvin in the United States national tour of Falsettos.
Life and career Raised on Long Island, von Essen is a graduate of South Side High School in Rockville Centre, New York. He attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and after graduation toured with Liza Minnelli.Weiner, Iris (January 22, 2016). "From Rockville Centre To Paris". Long Island Pulse Magazine. He is a member of the Von Essen family, who are part of the German and Swedish nobility. A son of Rita and Thomas Von Essen, who was the New York City Fire Commissioner during the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, he is the youngest of four children."Broadway Buzz". He is openly gay.
He toured Europe in West Side Story and was a cast member of the U.S. national tour of Chicago. He made his Broadway debut in Jesus Christ Superstar in 2000 as Disciple and Jesus of Nazareth understudy. He appeared in Les Misérables on Broadway as the replacement for Fauchelevent and other roles, and starred in Dance of the Vampires alongside Michael Crawford in 2002. He played the role of student revolutionary leader Enjolras (replacement) in the Les Misérables Broadway revival in 2006 at the Broadhurst Theater.
In 2006, he was a soloist at the biggest Andrew Lloyd Webber musical gala to date, held in Tallinn, Estonia. He performed in the national tour of Xanadu as "Sonny" in 2008Gans, Andrew (September 22, 2008). "Broadway's Stanley and Von Essen Will Head Cast of 'Xanadu' Tour". Playbill. and in the Roundabout Theater Company Off-Broadway production of Maury Yeston's Death Takes a Holiday at the Laura Pels Theatre in 2011.Isherwood, Charles (July 21, 2011). "Set Aside That Scythe, and Let's Put on a Show". The New York Times. In 2015, von Essen played the role of Parisian aristocrat Henri in the Broadway production of An American in Paris, for which he received a Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical nomination.
Film and television YearTitleRoleNotes2005Brooklyn LobsterPiano Player2009The Beautiful Life: TBLScott1 episode2010Sex and the City 2Wedding Chorus2011-14Submissions OnlyCameron DanteNetflix series, 14 episodes2012Gossip GirlFather Smythe2 episodesRoyal PainsHair1 episode2013-14The Good WifeStephen Delaney2 episodes2014BlondeManShortSeven LoversDan2015The InternBusinessman at Starbucks #12022Family GuyCruise Director, Waiter (voices)2 episodes2024Law & OrderRhett RichardsEpisode: "Family Ties"2025Dexter: ResurrectionKeith Bauer / The Canton ClubberEpisode: "Camera Shy"
Theatre credits Broadway Source: Internet Broadway Database
Year(s)ProductionRoleLocation 2000 Jesus Christ Superstar Disciple;u/s Jesus Christ Ford Center for the Performing Arts 2002 Dance of the Vampires Alfred Minskoff Theatre 2003Les Misérables Fauchelevent / Jean Prouvaire / Ensemble; u/s Marius Pontmercy Imperial Theatre 2007–2008 Enjolras Broadhurst Theatre2012Evita Agustin Magaldi;u/s CheMarquis Theatre Che 2012–2013 Agustin Magaldi;u/s Che 2015–2016 An American in Paris Henri Baurel Palace Theatre 2017–2018 Anastasia Gleb Vaganov Broadhurst Theatre 2023–2024ChicagoBilly Flynn Ambassador Theatre 2024–2025 2026
National and international tours Year(s)ProductionRole1997Liza Minnelli in ConcertEnsemble1998West Side Story (European tour)Tony1999ChicagoMary Sunshine2008XanaduGans, Andrew (September 22, 2008). "Broadway's Stanley and Von Essen Will Head Cast of Xanadu Tour". Playbill.Sonny2019FalsettosGans, Andrew (March 20, 2019). "National Tour of Falsettos, Starring Max von Essen, Nick Adams, Eden Espinosa, Opens March 20 in San Francisco". Playbill.Marvin
Off-Broadway Year(s)ProductionRoleLocation1999The FantasticksSommer, Elyse (October 14, 1999). "A CurtainUp Review. 'Fantasticks'". CurtainUp.MattSullivan Street Playhouse2001John & PaulNew Victory Theater2004Finian's RainbowJones, Kenneth (March 11, 2004). "Von Essen to Sing "Old Devil Moon," Freeman Is Finian in Irish Rep Rainbow Adaptation". Playbill.Woody MahoneyIrish Repertory Theatre2011Death Takes a HolidayDeath Takes a Holiday. Lortel Theatre. Retrieved November 27, 2017.Death Takes a Holiday. New York Theatre Guide. Retrieved November 27, 2017.Corrado MontelliLaura Pels Theatre Hello AgainJones, Kenneth (March 20, 2011). "Fleshly 'Hello Again', With Alan Campbell, Elizabeth Stanley, Max von Essen, Opens Off-Broadway". Playbill.The SoldierTransport Group2016The Secret GardenDr. Neville CravenLucille Lortel Theatre2017Yours UnfaithfullyGans, Andrew (January 26, 2017). "Max Von Essen Stars in Off-Broadway's 'Yours Unfaithfully', Opening Jan. 26". Playbill.Stephen MeredithBeckett Theatre
Regional Year(s)ProductionRoleLocation1997A Christmas CarolMill Mountain Theatre1999Jesus Christ SuperstarConnecticut Repertory Theatre2001Blood BrothersBlood Brothers. TotalTheater.com. Retrieved November 27, 2017.EddieDowntown Cabaret Theatre HairClaudeBay Street Theatre2002My Fair LadyFreddy Eynsford-HillPaper Mill PlayhouseLohrey, David. "Review". CurtainUp. June 7, 2002.2003Pittsburgh Civic Light OperaRawson, Christopher (July 9, 2003). "Stage Review: CLO's 'Fair Lady' is truly fine fare". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor DreamcoatJosephSacramento Music Circus Children of Eden Abel/Ham The York Theatre Company2004Auntie MameBay Street TheatreSimonson, Robert (July 14, 2004). "Charles Busch 'Auntie Mame' Makes Second Summer Stop, at Bay Street Theatre, July 14". Playbill.Ogunquit PlayhouseRizzo, Frank (July 1, 2004). "Review. 'Auntie Mame'". Variety.Jesus Christ SuperstarGans, Andrew (June 15, 2004). "Norm Lewis, Max von Essen, Sarah Uriarte Berry and More Featured in Sacramento Music Circus Summer Season". Playbill.Jesus ChristSacramento Music CircusDorianHirschhorn, Joel (November 2, 2004). "Reviews. Dorian " Variety.DorianNoHo Arts Center 2005CabaretGans, Andrew (March 2, 2005). "Von Essen to Star in Kander and Ebb's 'Cabaret'". Playbill.The EmceeSacramento Music CircusThe Baker's WifeGans, Andrew (April 13, 2005). " 'The Baker's Wife' Begins Performances at Paper Mill Playhouse April 13". Playbill.DominiquePaper Mill PlayhouseThe Secret GardenCaptain Albert LennoxManhattan Center2006MameSimonson, Robert; Gans, Andrew (May 27, 2006). "New 'Mame', Starring Christine Baranski, Begins at Kennedy Center May 27". Playbill.PatrickThe Kennedy CenterWest Side StoryTonyTheatre Under the StarsGans, Andrew (October 24, 2006). "TUTS' 'West Side Story', with Max von Essen, Begins Oct. 24". Playbill.2008Pittsburgh Civic Light OperaHetrick, Adam (August 5, 2008). " 'West Side Story' Dances Into Pittsburgh CLO Aug. 5". Playbill.Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet StreetLipton, Brian Scott (July 21, 2008). "Jacoby, Murray, von Essen, et al. Set for Sacramento Music Circus' 'Sweeney Todd'". TheaterMania.Anthony HopeSacramento Music Circus2010Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor DreamcoatJoseph2013My Fair LadyFreddy Eynsford-HillKennedy Center2014An American in ParisHenri BaurelThéâtre du Châtelet2022The Secret Garden Archibald Craven UC Davis Health Pavilion42nd StreetJulian MarshGoodspeed Musicals2025An American in ParisHenri BaurelGrand Théâtre de Genève2026BrigadoonTommy AlbrightPasadena Playhouse
Awards and nominations Source: IBDB"Von Essen Awards". IBDB. Retrieved November 26, 2017. YearAward CeremonyCategoryShowResult2015Tony AwardBest Featured Actor in a MusicalAn American in ParisDrama Desk AwardOutstanding Featured Actor in a MusicalOuter Critics Circle AwardOutstanding Featured Actor in a MusicalBroadway.com Audience Choice AwardFavorite Featured Actor in a Musical
References
External links Official website BroadwayWorld: "Max Von Essen – High-Notes in High-Heels" BroadwayWorld: interview with Max von Essen, December 7, 2007 Max von Essen photos Max von Essen on Floormic.com
Max von Essen at Internet off-Broadway Database