Jim Walton is an American actor, most notable for his leading performance in the original production of Stephen Sondheim's Merrily We Roll Along as Franklin Shephard.
He graduated with a musical theatre degree from the College-Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati[3] and moved to New York City in 1979, the year in which he was in Big Bad Burlesque and "Scrambled Feet". In November 1980, he made his Broadway debut in Perfectly Frank, a revue of Frank Loesser's songs.[4]
In December 1980, at auditions for Merrily, director Harold Prince asked him how old he was. At that time, he was 25, and he decided to tell the truth about his age. He was sure he would be cut because they were looking for people closer to 18. He was relieved when they announced to the room that this was the cast of Merrily, but would have to wait nine months because Sondheim had not finished the score at this time.[5] Jim Weissenbach was originally cast as Franklin Shepard, but was let go during previews and Walton was chosen as his replacement.[6]Merrily only lasted for 16 performances.
In the fall of 1982, he went on tour with 42nd Street, in which he later appeared on Broadway.
He returned to Broadway in 2009 as Harry the Horse and an understudy for Nicely-Nicely Johnson in Guys and Dolls and as Charles F. Maude in Bye Bye Birdie, as well as the 2011 production of Company.[11]
He has been in three PBS performances. He performed in the 1985 Philharmonic concert of Sondheim's Follies as Young Buddy, with Mandy Patinkin portraying the older Buddy. The two-day concert was recorded and released on CD. He was also in Crazy for You and The All Night Strut.[1]
He played the role of Hog-eye in the 2017 Broadway revival of Sunset Boulevard, with Glenn Close starring as Norma Desmond.
He joined the Broadway company of Come from Away on November 13, 2018 in the role of Nick/Doug and others, [12] and stayed with the production until it closed in 2022, including performing in the 2021 film alongside his niece, Emily Walton.
Works
Walton and his brother Bob wrote My Brother's Keeper, Double Trouble, and Midlife! The Crisis Musical, the latter of which premiered at the Chanhassen Dinner Theaters and is licensed through R&H Theatricals.
Personal life
He is brother to actor Bob Walton and brother-in-law to actress Laurie Walton.[4]
He is the father of Tyler (Walton) Zeller.
^Everett, Carole J. (2009). "University of Cincinnati College—Conservatory of Music". College Guide for Performing Arts Majors: The Real-World Admission Guide for Dance, Music, and Theater Majors. Peterson's. p. 325. ISBN9780768926989. Faculty, Resident Artists, and Alumni ... Alumni continue to hold key positions in the performing and media arts. Numbered among them are ... musical theatre stars Faith Prince, Lee Roy Reams, Michele Pawk, Jason Graae, Jim Walton, Vicki Lewis, and Ashley Brown.