Andrew Polec (born 28 January 1989) is an actor on both stage and TV, singer and songwriter, best known for originating the role of Strat in Jim Steinman's Bat Out Of Hell: The Musical from 2016 to 2019, right from the show's workshop through performing in the UK and North America. He is the son of 6ABC reporter Don Polec.[1]
Andrew Polec | |
|---|---|
| Born | January 28, 1989 Philadelphia, USA |
| Genres | Musical theatre, Rock music |
| Occupations |
|
| Website | www |
Career
editTheatre
edit| Year | Show | Role | Theatre | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | The Fantasticks | Matt | The Theater Center | Off-Broadway[2] |
| 2017 | Bat Out of Hell: The Musical | Strat | Manchester Opera House | Manchester[3] |
| 2017 | London Coliseum | West End[4] | ||
| 2017-18 | Ed Mirvish Theatre | Toronto[5] | ||
| 2018 | Dominion Theatre | West End | ||
| 2018 | Ed Mirvish Theatre | Toronto[6] | ||
| 2019 | New York City Center | New York[7] | ||
| 2019 | The Dream Engine | Baal | Kirby Theater | Amherst College[8] |
| 2021 | Hair | Berger | The Old Globe | San Diego[9] |
| 2021 | Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical | Grinch | The Old Globe | San Diego[10] |
Note: In 2018, Polec left the London West End cast of the show,[11] only to join the International Touring Cast of the same show. The 2018 Toronto run was originally intended as a tour of North America, but this tour was halted by the show's producers after the first venue.
Discography
editPolec's recording debut was as a member of the University of Rochester's a cappella ensemble - the Midnight Ramblers - on their album Ben Folds Presents: University A Cappella!, in 2009.[12] In 2012, he released the album Welcome to Khat House as the lead singer of the band Khat House. The cast recording for Bat Out Of Hell: The Musical, released in 2017, features several songs which he sings in his lead role as Strat. He appears on the season 1 soundtrack of the Katy Keene TV series, alongside Ashleigh Murray, singing City Of Lights.
Television
editIn 2017 - 2018, Polec performed on various TV shows with the cast of Bat Out Of Hell The Musical, including Tonight at the London Palladium, Britain's Got Talent and This Morning in the UK, and the Today show in the US.
In 2020 - 2021, he acted in two US TV dramas; Katy Keene and Prodigal Son.
Awards and nominations
editPolec won "Best West End Debut" at the inaugural Stage Debut Awards in 2017 for his role as Strat in Bat Out Of Hell The Musical.[13] [14] For this same role, he was also nominated WhatsOnStage Award for Best Actor In A Musical in 2018, shortlisted for Best Actor in a New Production of a Musical in the BroadwayWorld UK's awards,[15] and nominated "Rising Star" in the 2017 West End Wilma Awards.[16]
Polec won the Kurt Weill Foundation for Music's 23rd Annual Lotte Lenya Competition in 2021.[17]
References
edit- ^ McCutcheon, Lauren (2019-08-03). "Don Polec's kid has the starring role in the big new 'Bat Out of Hell' musical". www.inquirer.com. Retrieved 2022-03-05.
- ^ "To See or Not to See: The Fantasticks". Pop-Culturalist.com. 2016-08-30. Retrieved 2022-03-05.
- ^ Bourne, Dianne (2017-03-15). "Review: Bat Out of Hell The Musical at Manchester Opera House". men. Retrieved 2020-02-18.
- ^ "Andrew Polec & Christina Bennington Will Star in Jim Steinman's Bat Out of Hell—The Musical Next Year in London". Broadway.com. Retrieved 2020-02-20.
- ^ Média, Bell. "Bat Out Of Hell Interview". www.iheartradio.ca. Retrieved 2020-02-18.
- ^ "Andrew Polec to Star in Bat Out of Hell North American Tour". Playbill. Retrieved 2022-03-05.
- ^ BWW News Desk. "Andrew Polec, Christina Bennington, and More Set For BAT OUT OF HELL at City Center". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2020-02-20.
- ^ "Turn Around, Bright Eyes: The Original | Amherst Creates | Amherst College". www.amherst.edu. Retrieved 2022-03-05.
- ^ "The Globe Returns To Live Performances With 'Hair'". KPBS Public Media. 2021-08-10. Retrieved 2022-03-05.
- ^ "Review: Rock 'n' roll-trained actor brings Old Globe's 'Grinch' roaring back to life". Del Mar Times. 2021-11-19. Retrieved 2022-03-05.
- ^ "Andrew Polec to leave Bat Out of Hell - The Musical". The Stage. Retrieved 2022-03-05.
- ^ "From Homer in the classroom to Meat Loaf on stage". NewsCenter. 2017-09-29. Retrieved 2022-03-05.
- ^ "The Stage Debut Awards: Meet theatre's hottest new stars". BBC News. 2017-09-18. Retrieved 2022-03-05.
- ^ "The Stage Debut Awards". The Stage. Retrieved 2022-12-02.
- ^ Swain, Marianka. "Shortlist Announced For The 2017 BroadwayWorld UK Awards; Voting Now Open!". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2022-03-05.
- ^ "Last Chance To Vote For The Wilma Awards 2017". West End Wilma. 2017-09-29. Retrieved 2022-03-05.
- ^ Cristi, A. A. "Andrew Polec Wins The International Lotte Lenya Competition – Theatrical/Voice". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2022-03-05.