Eric Kunze (1990)

Broadway actor and singer.[26]

What is Eric Kunze (1990) known for?

Eric Kunze was born on May 22, 1971, in San Diego, California. He showed an early talent for singing, which he nurtured while being part of the choir and theater at Rancho Buena Vista High School. Beginning his active career in 1991, Kunze has been a prominent figure in both the American stage and music industry.

During his junior year at the University of California, Irvine where he was attending theater studies, he traveled to New York for educational workshops. It was in the Big Apple where he landed his first major role as Marius in the Broadway production of Les Misérables at the age of 20.

Beyond his Broadway debut, Kunze built a versatile resume with several other significant roles. He starred as Chris in Miss Saigon and Joe Hardy in Damn Yankees, sharing the stage with Jerry Lewis. His tour de force continued as he played the title character in the US national tour of Jesus Christ Superstar from 2003 to 2005. He later starred as "The Man" in the US national touring company of Whistle Down the Wind.

International Tours have seen him perform in productions of The Fantasticks, The Mikado, and The Pirates of Penzance. Kunze has also delved into regional theatre with shows like Evita and West Side Story. His portrayal in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat earned him a San Diego Critics Circle Nomination.

In 2016, he worked in the first international production of Fun Home, playing Bruce Bechdel alongside his Les Mis co-star Lea Salonga. His more recent performances include roles in Mamma Mia and Next to Normal at various theatres across the USA.

When not touring, Kunze runs a production company called Big City Broadway with his longtime friend Gina Feliccia. His diverse contributions to the entertainment industry have certainly marked him as a notable alumni of Rancho Buena Vista High School.