Robert Petkoff is an American stage actor known for his work in Shakespearean productions and more recently on the New York City musical theater stage. Petkoff has performed on Broadway, the West End, regional theatre, and done work in film and television. Petkoff was featured as "Perchik" in the Tony award-nominated 2004 revival cast of Fiddler on the Roof but is perhaps best known for his role as "Tateh" in the 2009 revival of Ragtime on Broadway.[1] Petkoff has also provided the voices for over two dozen audiobooks, winning awards for his reading of Michael Koryta's So Cold the River. Married to actress Susan Wands, Petkoff has lived in New York City for the last twenty years, and often performs in benefit concerts for theater-district-related charities.
Robert Petkoff | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Sacramento, California, United States |
| Occupation(s) | Stage, TV and Film actor, and Audiobook Narrator |
| Website | petkoff |
Early life and career
editRobert Petkoff is the son of Carolyn and Peter Petkoff, the fifth of seven children, and was born in Sacramento, California. His father was an officer in the Air Force and Robert grew up living all over the United States. He graduated from Princeton High School (Illinois) and attended Illinois State University, studying theater. After finishing college, he began acting with the Illinois Shakespeare Festival, then continued his career in Chicago, working with the Oak Park Festival Theatre and Chicago Shakespeare Theater.
While in Chicago Robert was cast in the TV pilot "Mona", a spin-off from Who's The Boss?. He moved to Los Angeles and lived there for five years, where along with television work, he also worked in local theaters.
Petkoff performed in Los Angeles-area stage productions including Julius Caesar at the Mark Taper Forum directed by a young Oskar Eustis, and The School for Husbands at the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego, California. In 1993, Petkoff was cast by Michael Kahn as the Duke of Aumerle in Kahn's production of Richard II at the Shakespeare Theatre Company in Washington, D.C., performing twice more for the company in 1994.
After returning to Chicago to perform under Barbara Gaines at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater as Troilus in Troilus and Cressida and as Hamlet in Hamlet, Petkoff worked with director Mark Lamos, who cast him as Romeo in Romeo and Juliet at the Hartford Stage Company, with Calista Flockhart as Juliet.
Stage career
editPetkoff first appeared on Broadway in Epic Proportions starring Kristin Chenoweth, and shortly after he was cast in Sir Peter Hall's production of Tantalus, which was a co-production of The Denver Center for The Performing Arts and the Royal Shakespeare Company. The production opened in Denver and then toured in the UK, with a final performance at the Barbican Theatre in London. The production of Tantalus was the subject of a TV documentary, which examined the turbulent collaboration with John Barton and Sir Peter Hall.[2]
Petkoff would go on to work with Sir Peter Hall in two other productions: as Perry Stewart in The Royal Family (play) with Judi Dench, Toby Stevens and Emily Blunt in London's Theater Royal Haymarket, and as Algernon in The Importance of Being Earnest with Lynn Redgrave in a national tour.
Petkoff's first professional musical role was with the Chicago Shakespeare Theater, when he starred as George in Sunday in the Park with George, directed by Gary Griffin in 2002. Although not trained as a musical theater singer, he had been trained as a stage actor at Illinois State University, this was the first of his musical theater roles. Petkoff's first Broadway musical was as Perchik in the Broadway revival of Fiddler on the Roof starring Alfred Molina and Harvey Fierstein.
Petkoff was cast as Sir Robin in the National Tour of Spamalot in 2007 replacing David Turner in the role. After a year on tour, he was invited to join the Broadway company and in 2008 replaced Martin Moran in the role until Clay Aiken took over. Petkoff reclaimed the role again after Clay's first departure.
Petkoff returned to Broadway in Ragtime, as Tateh, in the 2009 revival directed by Marcia Milgrom Dodge, which opened at the Neil Simon Theater in November 2009 and closed January 10, 2010. The revival was nominated for seven 2010 Tony Awards, including Best Musical Revival; and was also nominated for nine 2010 Drama Desk Awards, including Outstanding Revival of a Musical.[3][4][5]
Pekoff performed the role of Buddy in Follies, with the Chicago Shakespeare Festival, directed by Gary Griffin in October 2011.[needs update][6]
In 2012, Petkoff starred in the Roundabout Theatre production of Anything Goes, as Lord Evelyn Oakleigh, love interest for Reno Sweeney, played by Stephanie J. Block, at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre.[7]
In 2014, he starred on Broadway as Hubert Humphrey in All the Way opposite Bryan Cranston as LBJ.[8]
In 2015, Robert appeared as Richard Hanny in 39 Steps at the Union Square Theater in New York City.[9] He then went on to play the title role in Sweeney Todd at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts.[10]
At the end of 2016 and throughout 2017, Robert played the role of Bruce Bechdel in the first national tour of the Tony award-winning musical Fun Home.[11]
Musical theater
editPetkoff's first musical was with the Chicago Shakespeare Theater, when he starred as George in Sunday in the Park with George, directed by Gary Griffin in 2002.
Petkoff's first appearance on Broadway in a musical was as Perchik in the 2004 production of Fiddler on the Roof, starring Alfred Molina. Directed by David Leveaux, the revival was nominated for the 2004 Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical and the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Revival of a Musical.
In 2007, he joined the national tour of Spamalot as Sir Robin for a year, and then played the role on Broadway, replacing Martin Moran in the role before Clay Aiken took over and then returned when Clay departed.
In 2009, Petkoff appeared in Happiness at Lincoln Center Theater, directed by Susan Stroman, playing the part of Neil.
Petkoff has also worked with several musical theater workshops, including a reading of new musical version of Enchanted April in the role of Mr. Briggs in March 2010.[12]
Petkoff also appeared as Guy Fawkes in the New York Stage & Film's Powerhouse Theater production of Bonfire Night, directed by Alex Timbers.[13]
Petkoff appeared in the Like Water for Chocolate musical workshop with Tony Award winner Chita Rivera at the Sundance Institute's 2011 Theatre Lab in Alberta, Canada, in April 2011. In addition to Chita Rivera (Kiss of the Spider Woman, Chicago, The Rink), and Robert Petkoff (Ragtime, Spamalot, Fiddler on the Roof), the cast included Nicholas Rodriguez (Tarzan, One Life to Live).
Selected works
editRecordings
editThis section may require cleanup to meet Wikipedia's quality standards. The specific problem is: dates don't conform to MOS:DATEFORMAT. (October 2020) |
Theater
editFilmography
editFilm and television
edit| Year | Title | Role | Film/Television | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Quantum Leap | Scooter | TV series | Animal Frat - October 19, 1967 |
| 1996 | Milk & Money | David | Comedy film | RKO Pictures, Blue Dolphin Productions |
| 1997 | The Secret of Anatasia | Voice as Robert Petcoff | Animation | Schwartz & Company |
| 1999 | Game Day | Flashy Agent Guy | Comedy film | Core Productions Inc. |
| 1999 | Law & Order | Dr. Matthew Carton | TV Series | DNR (#10.3) Wolf Films, Studios USA Television |
| 2000 | Tantalus: Behind the Mask | Achilles, Aegisthus, Neoptolemus, Orestes | TV Movie | Denver Center Media, Stage on Screen, WNET Channel 13 New York |
| 2003 | Hack | Bill Burke | TV Series | Sinners and Saints (#1.18) |
| 2004 | Chappelle's Show | "Racial Draft" Host
"World Series of Dice" Host Reporter (Uncredited) |
TV Series | Samuel Jackson Beer & Racial Draft (#2.1)
World Series Of Dice & Mooney On Movies (#2.7) Lil Jon On Lil Jon & Black Bush (#2.13) |
| 2006 | Law & Order | Ken Lesavov | TV Series | Public Service Homicide (#17.5) Wolf Films, Studios USA Television |
| 2010 | Law & Order: Special Victims Unit | John Reilly | TV Series | Beef (#11.20) Wolf Films, Universal Media Studios (UMS) |
| 2011 | The Good Wife | Dr. Ben Truestall | TV Series | Killer Song (#2.18) Scott Free Productions, King Size Productions |
| 2014 | Forever | Cliff Wadlow | TV Series | The Ecstasy of Agony |
| 2015 | Elementary | Emil Kurtz | TV Series | You've Got Me, Who's Got You? #4.17
Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing #4.21 Turn It Upside Down #4.22 |
References
edit- ^ Simonson, Robert (November 12, 2009). "Celebrity Buzz: Brief Encounter". Playbill.com. Playbill, Inc. Retrieved August 4, 2011.
- ^ Henry, Mari Lyn; Rogers, Lynne (July 7, 2010). How to Be a Working Actor, 5th Edition: The Insider's Guide to Finding Jobs in Theater, Film & Television. Potter/Ten Speed/Harmony/Rodale. ISBN 9780307875372 – via Google Books.
- ^ a b McBride, Walter. "Photo Coverage: RAGTIME Brings 'New Music' Back to Broadway - Opening Curtain Call". BroadwayWorld.com.
- ^ a b "Ragtime on Broadway - Gliding". Archived from the original on December 20, 2021 – via www.youtube.com.
- ^ "Ragtime on Broadway - "Journey On"". Archived from the original on December 20, 2021 – via www.youtube.com.
- ^ a b BWW News Desk. "Brent Barrett, Robert Petkoff, Caroline O'Connor & More Set for Chicago FOLLIES". BroadwayWorld.com.
- ^ "Playbill Notice for Robert Petkoff Boards Broadways Anything Goes".
- ^ "Playbill notice for Robert Petkoff Joins Roslyn Ruff and Bryan Cranston in Broadway LBJ Drama All The Way".
- ^ Brantley, Ben (January 3, 2016). "Review: '39 Steps,' Frenetic Thriller Spoof, Rises Again". The New York Times.
- ^ "Tall Tales: Denver Center's "Sweeney Todd" is Killer". April 20, 2016.
- ^ "Tony-Winning Musical Fun Home Begins U.S. Tour". October 2, 2016.
- ^ "Paice, Luker, Dvorsky and Petkoff Read Enchanted April Musical in Manhattan - Playbill.com".
- ^ "Fontana, Conlee, Wright, Petkoff to Appear in Levine's Bonfire Night at Powerhouse Theater - Playbill.com".
- ^ "Search Results for Narrator: Robert Petkoff". Audible.com. Retrieved August 6, 2011.
- ^ "Fiddler on the Roof: New Broadway Cast Recording". psclassics.com. PS Classics. 2010. Retrieved August 8, 2011.
- ^ A Selection from Michael Jackson: The Magic, The Madness, The Whole Story, 1958-2009
- ^ a b w/ Joshua Swanson, Cassandra Morris, Bryan Kennedy, Suzanne Toren, Gabra Zackman, Peter Kim
- ^ "Review of So Cold The River, read by Robert Petkoff, Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award, 2011 Audies Finalist". AudioFile. September 2010. Retrieved August 5, 2011.
- ^ w/ Michal Friedman, Ellen Archer, Suzanne Toren
- ^ Hale, Benjamin (June 2011). "Review of The Evolution of Bruno Littlemore, read by Robert Petkoff". AudioFile. Retrieved August 5, 2011.
- ^ w/ Maggi-Meg Reed
- ^ Boretz, Adam (June 2011). "Review of The Making of The Pale King, read by Robert Petkoff". Publishers Weekly. Retrieved May 16, 2011.
- ^ "Those Who Wish Me Dead, read by Robert Petkoff, Winner of AudioFile Award, 2015 Audies Winner for Thriller/Suspense". Audiofile. September 2010.
- ^ "LISTEN: Discovery: Fear Itself Audionovel Excerpt". StarTrek.com. Retrieved June 5, 2018.
- ^ Willis, John (February 2000). Theatre World 1990-1991 - Google Books. Hal Leonard Corporation. ISBN 9781557831262. Retrieved September 13, 2011.
- ^ Drake, Sylvie (January 25, 1992). "STAGE REVIEW : Double Helping of Moliere Theater: Old Globe production is lively if not a tad too exuberant". Los Angeles Times.
- ^ "The Plays - Related Information About This Production | The Shakespeare Theatre Company". Shakespearetheatre.org. September 27, 2005. Retrieved September 13, 2011.
- ^ "The Plays - Related Information About This Production | The Shakespeare Theatre Company". Shakespearetheatre.org. September 27, 2005. Retrieved September 13, 2011.
- ^ "The Plays - Related Information About This Production | The Shakespeare Theatre Company". Shakespearetheatre.org. September 27, 2005. Retrieved September 13, 2011.
- ^ Daniels, Robert L. (August 26, 2002). "The Illusion". Variety.
- ^ "Theater". The New York Times.
- ^ Christiansen, Richard (January 30, 1995). "Shakespeare's 'Troilus' Cast Nearly Perfect". Chicago Tribune.
- ^ Christiansen, Richard (October 22, 1996). "Unforgettable". Chicago Tribune.
- ^ "Shakespeare Reviews: Hamlet". Shaltzshakespearereviews.com. October 20, 1996. Retrieved September 13, 2011.
- ^ Klein, Alvin (December 31, 1995). "THEATER;Taking the Measure Of Another Year". The New York Times.
- ^ "Theater". The New York Times.
- ^ "Theater". The New York Times.
- ^ Daniels, Robert L. (May 3, 1998). "Voices in the Dark". Variety.
- ^ Daniels, Robert L. (March 15, 1999). "Jolson Sings Again Theater Review". Variety.
- ^ "Bill C. Davis' Takes Avow To Workshop at OB's Directors Company". Playbill.com. Retrieved September 13, 2011.
- ^ The Broadway League. "Epic Proportions | IBDB: The official source for Broadway Information". IBDB. Retrieved September 13, 2011.
- ^ "Theater". The New York Times.
- ^ Isherwood, Charles (November 9, 2000). "Tantalus". Variety.
- ^ "Gods and Mortals Ignite Trojan War in 10-Hour Tantalus, Opening Oct. 21 - Playbill.com". Web.playbill.com. Retrieved September 13, 2011.
- ^ Phillips, Michael (October 23, 2000). "'Tantalus' Myth Unfolds in Epic Style". Los Angeles Times.
- ^ Billington, Michael (October 24, 2000). "Michael Billington on John Barton's epic play Tantalus". The Guardian. London.
- ^ "The British Theatre Guide : Reviews - Tantalus". Britishtheatreguide.info. Retrieved September 13, 2011.
- ^ Koenig, Rhoda (May 10, 2001). "Tantalus, Barbican Centre, London". The Independent. London.[dead link]
- ^ Connors, Philip (October 24, 2000). "Long Day's Journey Into Troy". The Wall Street Journal.
- ^ Horowitz, Arthur (2001). "Tantalus (review)". Theatre Journal. 53 (2): 320–324. doi:10.1353/tj.2001.0045. S2CID 201792103. Project MUSE 34849.
- ^ "Marathon Man". Time. May 21, 2001. Archived from the original on October 30, 2010.
- ^ "Documentary on Peter Hall and John Barton's Tantalus Airs Dec. 30 on PBS". Playbill.com. Retrieved September 13, 2011.
- ^ Wolf, Matt (November 11, 2001). "The Royal Family Theater Review". Variety.
- ^ Wolf, Matt (November 11, 2001). "The Royal Family (review)". Variety. Reed Elsevier Inc. Retrieved August 8, 2011.
- ^ Jones, Chris (October 31, 2002). "Sunday in the Park With George". Variety.
- ^ Phillips, Michael (October 16, 2002). "Griffin's 'Sunday in the Park' is a work of art". Chicago Tribune.
- ^ Oxman, Steven (April 10, 2002). "Compleat Female Stage Beauty Theater Review". Variety.
- ^ Perry, Tony (April 9, 2002). "New Sexual Politics of Old English 'Beauty'". Los Angeles Times.
- ^ "Critics Circle 2002 Awards". Sdcriticscircle.org. January 27, 2003. Retrieved September 13, 2011.
- ^ "The Glass Menagerie, - Regional:Plays reviewed by Simon Saltzman on". Theaterscene.net. Retrieved September 13, 2011.
- ^ "2004 Tony Award Winners". BroadwayWorld.com. June 12, 2011. Retrieved September 13, 2011.
- ^ "Drama Desk". Drama Desk. Archived from the original on July 4, 2008. Retrieved September 13, 2011.
- ^ "Theater". The New York Times.
- ^ Isherwood, Charles (February 26, 2004). "Fiddler on the Roof Theater Review". Variety.
- ^ Phillips, Michael (April 12, 2005). "Star-crossed lovers woo us all over again". Chicago Tribune.
- ^ "Shakespeare Reviews: Romeo and Juliet". Shaltzshakespearereviews.com. April 10, 2005. Retrieved September 13, 2011.
- ^ "Scenes: Lynn Redgrave". The New York Times. May 3, 2010.
- ^ Isherwood, Charles (April 21, 2006). "'Importance of Being Earnest': Cucumber Sandwiches and Polite Society on a Skewer". The New York Times.
- ^ Gross, Cristofer. "February 2006". TheaterTimes. Retrieved September 13, 2011.
- ^ Oxman, Steven (January 26, 2006). "The Importance of Being Earnest". Variety.
- ^ West, Stephen (January 27, 2006). "Wilde's 'Importance of Being Earnest' Shines With Lynn Redgrave". Bloomberg. Retrieved September 13, 2011.
- ^ "Robert Petkoff Joins Spamalot, Replacing Clay Aiken". Broadway.com. May 6, 2008. Retrieved September 13, 2011.
- ^ "Lincoln Center Theater : Happiness". Lct.org. Retrieved September 13, 2011.
- ^ Silverstein, Melissa (June 21, 2010). "Marcia Milgrom Dodge: A Director's Story". Womenandhollywood.com. Retrieved September 13, 2011.
- ^ Brantley, Ben (November 16, 2009). "I Hear America Singing, in Syncopation". The New York Times.
- ^ "Robert Petkoff on Art Imitating Life in Ragtime". Broadway.com.
- ^ "This musical quilt still weaves its magic in 'Ragtime'". Daily News. New York.
- ^ "A New 'Ragtime'". The New York Times. November 16, 2009.
- ^ "Ragtime". www.backstage.com. November 15, 2009.
- ^ "Index sets up China shop". Variety.
- ^ "PLAYBILL.COM'S BRIEF ENCOUNTER With Robert Petkoff - Playbill.com".
- ^ "Ragtime on Broadway - "Shtetl Sequence"". Archived from the original on December 20, 2021 – via www.youtube.com.
- ^ "Robert Petkoff and Julia Coffey - Innvar and Petkoff in Absurd Person Singular at Barrington".
- ^ "Searching for Summer Fare | TheaterMania". www.theatermania.com.
- ^ Kathleen Marshall
- ^ Bryan Cranston
- ^ "Maple Avenue's Newest Residents: Kate Shindle, Robert Petkoff & More Set for Fun Home National Tour". Broadway.com.
External links
edit- Robert Petkoff official website
- Robert Petkoff at IMDb
- Robert Petkoff at the Internet Broadway Database
