Darren Ritchie (actor)
Encyclopedia
Career
He is perhaps best known for originating the role of Jonathan Harker in Frank WildhornFrank Wildhorn
Frank Wildhorn is an American composer known for both his musicals and popular songs. He is most known for his musical Jekyll & Hyde, which ran four years on Broadway, and for writing the #1 International Hit song "Where Do Broken Hearts Go?" for Whitney Houston.-Early years:Wildhorn was born in...
's Broadway
Broadway theatre
Broadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
production of Dracula, the musical
Dracula, The Musical
Dracula, the Musical is a musical based on the original Victorian novel by Bram Stoker. The score is by Frank Wildhorn, with lyrics and book by Don Black and Christopher Hampton....
in 2004. He has also appeared in featured roles in the Broadway revivals of The Little Shop of Horrors
The Little Shop of Horrors
The Little Shop of Horrors is a 1960 American comedy film directed by Roger Corman. Written by Charles B. Griffith, the film is a farce about an inadequate young florist's assistant who cultivates a plant that feeds on human flesh and blood. The film's concept is thought to be based on a 1932...
, 2003, and Bells are Ringing
Bells Are Ringing (musical)
Bells Are Ringing is a musical with a book and lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green and music by Jule Styne. The story revolves around Ella, who works at an answering service and the characters that she meets there. The main character was based on Mary Printz, who worked for Green's answering...
, 2001, (as Blake Barton). He appeared in the world premiere of Wildhorn's Camille Claudel
Camille Claudel (musical)
Camille Claudel is a musical with a book and lyrics by Nan Knighton and music by Frank Wildhorn, their second musical. It is based on the life of the real-life French sculptor and graphic artist of the same name. The show was believed to be "sculpted" around Mr. Wildhorn's ex-wife, Linda Eder, who...
, at the Goodspeed Opera House, Norma Terris Theatre, in 2003, understudying the role of Paul Claudel.
He appeared in the regional premiere of Ace
Ace (musical)
ACE is a musical with a book and lyrics by Robert Taylor and Richard Oberacker, and music by Oberacker. The story is about a boy, separated from his mother, who discovers his past and himself through a series of dreams about a flying ace...
at the Old Globe Theatre
Old Globe Theatre
The Old Globe is a professional theatre company located in Balboa Park in San Diego, California. It produces about 15 plays and musicals annually in summer and winter seasons...
, San Diego, California, in January 2007. He has also appeared in several films and television shows, most notably Stroller Wars.
In 2009, he originated the role of the White Knight/Jack in Wildhorn's Wonderland: Alice's New Musical Adventure
Wonderland: Alice's New Musical Adventure
Wonderland: A New Alice, formerly called Wonderland: Alice's New Musical Adventure, is a musical with a book by Jack Murphy and Gregory Boyd, lyrics by Murphy, and music by Frank Wildhorn...
for its Tampa, Florida world premiere production. He reprised the role for the show's Broadway run in spring 2011.
Personal life
He is engaged to actress Janet DacalJanet Dacal
Janet Dacal is a Cuban-American actress, singer, and performer in musical theatre. She received the Drama Desk Award for her performance in the Broadway musical In the Heights.- Early life :...
. He proposed to her on May 15, 2011, during the curtain call
Curtain call
A curtain call occurs at the end of a performance when individuals return to the stage to be recognized by the audience for their performance. In musical theater, the performers typically recognize the orchestra and its conductor at the end of the curtain call...
of the final Broadway performance of Wonderland: "In the audience, there were tears of joy mixed with the sadness for the show closing."