{{short description|American actor}} {{For|the Canadian football player|Don Stephenson (Canadian football)}} {{Infobox person | name = Don Stephenson | image = | image_size = 250px | caption = Publicity photograph of actor-director Don Stephenson | birth_name = Donald Ragan Stephenson IV | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1964|09|10|mf=y}} | birth_place = Chattanooga, Tennessee, U.S. | death_date = | death_place = | other_names = | occupation = Actor, Director | years_active = | spouse = {{marriage|Emily Loesser|1991}} | children = 4 | partner = | website = | awards = }}
'''Donald Ragan Stephenson IV''' (born September 10, 1964), known as '''Don Stephenson''', is an American actor and stage director. He has numerous credits on both television and in the theatre.
==Biography== ===Early and personal life=== Don Stephenson was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, on September 10, 1964,<ref name=who_sang>{{cite book|title=Who Sang what on Broadway, 1866-1996: The singers (L-Z)|first1=Ruth|last1=Benjamin|first2=Arthur|last2=Rosenblatt|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oCoKAQAAMAAJ&q=don+stephenson+1964+chattanooga|page=715|publisher=McFarland & Company, Publishers|year=2006|isbn=9780786421909|accessdate=16 June 2016}}</ref> to medical technologist Diane Stephenson and TVA chemical engineer Don Ragan Stephenson, Jr.<ref name=nyt_emily_marries>[https://www.nytimes.com/1991/05/05/style/emily-loesser-actress-marries.html?pagewanted= "Emily Loesser, Actress, Marries"] ''The New York Times'', May 5, 1991</ref> Stephenson graduated from Hixson High School in Chattanooga and the University of Tennessee in Knoxville in 1982 and 1986, respectively.<ref name=rizzo>Rizzo, Frank. [https://web.archive.org/web/20150421023323/https://www.courant.com/entertainment/behind-the-curtain/hc-guys-and-dolls-0419-20150419-story.html "Goodspeed Stays True To Beloved 'Guys And Dolls'"] ''Hartford Courant'', April 16, 2015</ref>
He is married to Emily Loesser, daughter of composer Frank Loesser, with whom he has four children.<ref>Peter Filichia. [http://www.nj.com/entertainment/ticket/index.ssf/2009/04/actor_plucks_a_plum_1776_role.html "Actor plucks a plum '1776' role"], ''The Star-Ledger'', April 16, 2009.</ref> They met while appearing together in ''The Secret Garden'',<ref name=latimes>King, Susan. [https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-01-19-ca-29-story.html "Emily Loesser Carries On Family Tradition in 'Yiddle With Fiddle'"] ''Los Angeles Times'', January 19, 1991</ref> wed in 1991,<ref name=nyt_emily_marries /> and have appeared in a number of productions together.<ref>Haun, Harry. [http://www.playbill.com/article/most-happy-emily-loesser-pipes-aboard-titanic-com-101240# "Most Happy Emily Loesser Pipes Aboard 'Titanic"] Playbill, September 1, 1998</ref>
===Performance=== On Broadway, Stephenson originated the roles of Charles Clarke in ''Titanic'' (1997), Mr. Peavy in ''Parade'' (1998),<ref name=bway/> Bingo Little in ''By Jeeves'' (2001)<ref>Isherwod, Charles. [https://variety.com/2001/legit/reviews/by-jeeves-4-1200553094/ "Review: ‘By Jeeves’"] ''Variety'', October 28, 2001</ref> and Renfield in ''Dracula'' (2004).<ref>[http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/2004/08/20/art_425814.shtml&usg=AFQjCNEwg-0RP4LszOK1hzhtixBE6_a4MQ&bvm=bv.117868183,d.eWE "A bloodless 'Dracula' drains life out of the old vampire"] chronicle.augusta.com (Associated Press), August 20, 2004</ref> He also starred as Leo Bloom in the Broadway production and first national tour of ''The Producers'' in 2003.<ref>Elysa Gardner. [http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/theater/news/2002-09-17-producers_x.htm "'The Producers' takes to the road"], ''USA Today'', September 17, 2002.</ref><ref>Kenneth Jones. [http://www.playbill.com/news/article/don-stephenson-joins-bways-the-producers-may-20-113272 "Don Stephenson Joins Bway's The Producers May 20"], ''Playbill'', May 20, 2003</ref> Other Broadway credits include ''Private Lives'' (2002) and ''Rock of Ages'' (2009).<ref name=bway>[http://www.playbill.com/person/don-stephenson-vault-0000076276# "Don Stephenson Broadway"] Playbill (vault), accessed March 27, 2016</ref><ref>[http://www.ibdb.com/Person/View/69629 "Stephenson Broadway"] ibdb.com, accessed March 27, 2016</ref> and ''A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder'' (2013) in the role of "The D'Ysquith Family".<ref>Cohen, Stefanie. [https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702303426304579405331665891664 "A Sickening Season on Broadway"] ''Wall Street Journal'', February 27, 2014</ref><ref>Gordon, David. [http://www.theatermania.com/new-york-city-theater/news/09-2013/lisa-ohare-eddie-korbich-and-don-stephenson-join-j_65925.html "Lisa O'Hare, Eddie Korbich, and Don Stephenson Join Jefferson Mays in Broadway's 'A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder'"] theatermania.com, September 3, 2013</ref>
Off-Broadway, Stephenson originated the role of Fidele in ''Death Takes a Holiday'' in 2011,<ref>Isherwood, Charles. [http://theater.nytimes.com/2011/07/22/theater/reviews/death-takes-a-holiday-at-laura-pels-theater-review.html?pagewanted=all "Set Aside That Scythe, and Let’s Put on a Show"], ''The New York Times'', July 21, 2011</ref> and played Vissi D'Amore Boy/Thurio in ''Two Gentlemen of Verona'' at the Delacorte Theater in 2005,<ref>[http://www.lortel.org/Archives/Production/4012 ''Two Gentlemen of Verona''] lortel.org, accessed March 27, 2016</ref> Sid Davis in ''Take Me Along'' at The Irish Repertory Theatre in 2008,<ref>Jones, Kenneth. [http://www.playbill.com/article/irish-reps-take-me-along-revival-extended-to-may-4-com-148470# "Irish Rep's 'Take Me Along' Revival Extended to May 4"] Playbill, March 17, 2008</ref> Anatoly in ''Chess'', and Zach in ''The Tavern'' at Equity Library Theatre in 2007.<ref>Goodman, Walter. [https://www.nytimes.com/1987/10/05/theater/theater-the-tavern.html?pagewanted= "Theater: 'The Tavern'"] ''The New York Times'', October 5, 1987</ref>
Other roles include Tom Stoppard's ''Travesties'' at the Long Wharf Theatre, New Haven, Connecticut in 2005,<ref>Hernandez, Ernio. [http://www.playbill.com/article/hewitt-stephenson-keating-more-join-sam-waterston-for-long-wharfs-travesties-com-125299# "Hewitt, Stephenson, Keating, More Join Sam Waterston for Long Wharf's 'Travesties'"] Playbill, April 14, 2005</ref> and the 2014 Encores! staged concert of ''The Band Wagon'' as "Hal".<ref>Rooney, David. [http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/band-wagon-theater-review-747725 "'The Band Wagon': Theater Review"] ''Hollywood Reporter'', November 9, 2014</ref> He appeared in the 2018 Encores! production of ''Me and My Girl''.
Stephenson appeared as himself during his run on ''The Producers'' on ''Curb Your Enthusiasm'' episode ''Mel's Offer''.<ref name=times1>[https://www.nytimes.com/movies/person/1209911/Don-Stephenson/filmography "Stephenson filmography"]{{dead link|date=April 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} ''The New York Times'', accessed March 28, 2016</ref> Other television roles include David Jordan on the soap ''Another World''<!-- http://anotherworldhomepage.com/ says Day Player. Youtube clips suggest he might have graduated to being a recurring minor player? -->, and guest roles in ''Elsbeth'', ''The Good Wife'', ''30 Rock'', ''Ugly Betty'', the ''Law & Order franchise'', ''Glee'', ''Happy!'', ''Deception'', ''The Americans'' and ''Turn: Washington's Spies''.<ref name=times1/><!--Clip, since neither appear particularly notable: "In 2009 he shot the pilot for the Showtime series ''Possible Side Effects''.<ref>{{IMDb name|0827233}}</ref> and in the summer of 2014 he filmed a role in the Woody Allen summer project."-->
In September 2021 it was announced that Stephenson would originate the role of Bill O’Wray in the upcoming Broadway production of the play ''Trouble in Mind'' by Alice Childress. The production was nominated for the Tony Award and Stephenson's performance was singled out for acclaim. From May 25 until June 26, 2022, Stephenson starred as Coleman in ''Trading Places'' at the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta'', Georgia,'' a musical inspired by the original film of the same name. Stephenson received a Suzi Bass Award nomination for Outstanding Featured Performer for his performance.
In March 2024 Don Stephenson was announced to star as Doc Brown in the ''Back to the Future: The Musical'' North American Tour and starred in the musical for a year.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Don-Stephenson-Caden-Brauch-to-Lead-BACK-TO-THE-FUTURE-North-American-Tour-20240319 | title=Back to the Future: The Musical }}</ref>
Stephenson will star in the new musical ''Elephant Shoes'' which is a co-production of Two River Theatre and Deaf West Theatre in June 2026.
===Directing=== In 2010, Stephenson directed a production of ''Titanic'' at The Muny (St. Louis, Missouri).<ref>Brown, Dennis. [http://www.riverfronttimes.com/stlouis/don-stephenson-an-original-broadway-cast-member-steers-titanic-to-the-muny/Content?oid=2483749 "Don Stephenson, an original Broadway cast member, steers 'Titanic' to the Muny"] ''River Front Times'', June 30, 2010</ref> Two years later he developed and directed a scaled-down chamber version,<ref>Chris Jones, [http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/theater/reviews/ct-titanic-review-griffin-theatre-story.html "Review: 'Titanic' by Griffin Theatre"], ''Chicago Tribune'', October 27, 2014.</ref> which used 20 actors playing all of the roles, an abstract set design, projections, and new orchestrations.<ref>[http://www.tamswitmark.com/news/ensemble-version-titanic-now-available/ "Ensemble Version of 'Titanic' Now Available"] tamswitmark.com, accessed March 28, 2016</ref> Stephenson restored previously cut material from the original Broadway production and reassigned and reordered the existing material. This new intimate version opened in July 2012 at The Hangar Theatre in Ithaca, New York,<ref>Hoffman, Phillip. [http://www.playbill.com/article/photo-exclusive-philip-hoffmans-hangar-theatre-titanic-journal-com-142775# "Philip Hoffman's Hangar Theatre 'Titanic' Journal"] Playbill, July 24, 2012</ref> and was nominated for eleven BroadwayWorld Awards including Best Director. The production was subsequently remounted at Westchester Broadway Theatre in January 2014. He also directed the staged concert of ''Titanic'' at the Lincoln Center in 2014.<ref>Hetrick, Adam. [http://www.playbill.com/article/original-broadway-cast-member-don-stephenson-will-stage-avery-fisher-hall-concert-of-titanic-creative-team-announced-com-211034# "Original Broadway Cast Member Don Stephenson Will Stage Avery Fisher Hall Concert of 'Titanic'; Creative Team Announced"] Playbill, October 25, 2013</ref><ref>Dennis Brown. [http://www.riverfronttimes.com/stlouis/don-stephenson-an-original-broadway-cast-member-steers-titanic-to-the-muny/Content?oid=2483749 "Don Stephenson, an original Broadway cast member, steers Titanic to the Muny"], ''The Riverfront Times'', June 30, 2010.</ref>
He has also directed productions of ''The Other Place'' at the Alley Theatre, Houston in 2015,<ref>Downing, Margaret. [http://www.houstonpress.com/arts/the-other-place-a-mystery-inside-someones-head-7841331 "'The Other Place': A Mystery Inside Someone's Head"] ''Houston Press'', October 14, 2015</ref> ''The 39 Steps'' at the Flat Rock Playhouse, North Carolina in 2010<ref>Ward, Denise. [http://www.blueridgenow.com/article/20100827/ARTICLES/8271000 "Hitchcock hilarity: Flat Rock Playhouse's ‘The 39 Steps'"] blueridgenow.com, August 27, 2010</ref> ''Noises Off'' at the Pittsburgh Public Theater in 2014,<ref>Carter, Alice. [http://triblive.com/aande/theaterarts/6115259-74/theater-says-actors "Pittsburgh Public Theater is taking on classic backstage farce 'Noises Off'"] triblive.com, May 28, 2014</ref> ''Lend Me a Tenor'' (BroadwayWorld Nomination for Best Director) at the Paper Mill Playhouse, New Jersey in 2013,<ref>[http://www.papermill.org/press-releases/current-season/280-lend-me-a-tenor-opens-this-week.html "'Lend Me a Tenor' Press Release"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160410074914/http://www.papermill.org/press-releases/current-season/280-lend-me-a-tenor-opens-this-week.html |date=2016-04-10 }} papermill.org, February 12, 2013</ref> ''Deathtrap'' in 2013 at the Flat Rock Playhouse, North Carolina,<ref>Winkler, Katie. [http://www.blueridgenow.com/article/20130824/articles/308251008 "Review: Playhouse stages comedy to love ... or kill for?] blueridgenow.com, August 24, 2013</ref> ''Cat on a Hot Tin Roof'', ''Oleanna'', ''The Cottage'' at Theatre Aspen, Colorado in 2014,<ref>Conniff, Michae;. [http://www.huffingtonpost.com/michael-conniff/cottage-the-place-for-sum_b_5659610.html "‘Cottage’ The Place for Summer Theatre In Aspen"] ''Huffington Post'', August 7, 2014</ref> ''Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike'' at the Paper Mill Playhouse in 2015,<ref>Sommers, Michael. [https://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/08/nyregion/a-review-of-vanya-and-sonia-and-masha-and-spike-in-millburn.html "A Review of ‘Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike' in Millburn"] ''The New York Times'', February 6, 2015</ref> ''Buyer & Cellar'' at TheaterWorks, Hartford, Connecticut in 2016,<ref>Arnott, Christopher. [http://www.courant.com/entertainment/arts-theater/hc-preview-buyer-cellar-at-theaterworks-20160107-story.html "TheaterWorks Probes Celebrity Culture With 'Buyer & Cellar'"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160224085249/http://www.courant.com/entertainment/arts-theater/hc-preview-buyer-cellar-at-theaterworks-20160107-story.html |date=2016-02-24 }} ''Hartford Courant'', January 7, 2016</ref> ''I'll Eat You Last: A Chat with Sue Mengers'' in 2015 at Theater Works, Hartford, Connecticut<ref>Gold, Sylviane. [https://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/02/nyregion/review-ill-eat-you-last-in-hartford-portrays-sue-mengers.html "Review: ‘I’ll Eat You Last’ in Hartford Portrays Sue Mengers"] ''The New York Times'', July 31, 2015</ref> and ''The Great Unknown'' in 2010 at the Theater at St. Clement's, as part of the New York Musical Theatre Festival.<ref>[http://jimwann.com/files/pdfs/THE_GREAT_UNKNOWN.pdf ''The Great Unknown''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160410164457/http://jimwann.com/files/pdfs/THE_GREAT_UNKNOWN.pdf |date=2016-04-10 }} jimwann.com, September 7, 2010</ref> He directed a reading of a new play, ''What Women Do,'' by William Youmans in 2015 in New York City.<ref>Gans, Andrew. [http://www.playbill.com/article/free-reading-of-what-women-do-presented-in-nyc-today-don-stephenson-directs-com-352749# "Free Reading of 'What Women Do' Presented in NYC Today; Don Stephenson Directs"] Playbill, July 7, 2015</ref>
In 2015 he directed a new production of ''Guys and Dolls'' for Goodspeed Musicals at the Goodspeed Opera House.<ref>Kristina Dorsey, [http://www.theday.com/article/20150421/ENT10/150429947 "Director Don Stephenson offers unique perspective to Goodspeed’s ‘Guys and Dolls’"], ''The Day'', April 21, 2015.</ref>
Stephenson developed and directed a re-conceived version of the Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley musical ''The Roar of the Greasepaint – The Smell of the Crowd'' for Goodspeed Musicals. This new version of the show reduced the cast size to four actors and placed it in a post apocalyptic setting. The show was praised and Stephenson was nominated for the BroadwayWorld Award for Best Director. Also in the 2016-2017 season he directed ''The Producers'' and ''A Comedy of Tenors'' at Paper Mill Playhouse. The second show reunited the cast from his earlier production of ''Lend Me a Tenor'' at Paper Mill.
During the summer of 2017, Stephenson directed the Off-Broadway production of the new musical Attack of the Elvis Impersonators, with a book, music, and lyrics by Lory Lazarus. It opened at The Lion Theatre at Theatre Row on June 15, 2017. The show closed on July 30 of the same year after 49 performances''. ''<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.playbill.com/article/attack-of-the-elvis-impersonators-musical-to-close|title=Attack of the Elvis Impersonators Musical to Close|last=Clement|first=Olivia|date=July 18, 2017|website=Playbill|language=en|access-date=2020-02-22}}</ref>
In 2018 he directed ''Broadway Classics'' in concert at Carnegie Hall and a new production of ''The Will Rogers Follies'' for Goodspeed Musicals and in 2023 Stephenson directed the new musical "The Jerusalem Syndrome" at the York Theatre.<ref>{{Cite web | title=The Jerusalem Syndrome Opens Off-Broadway at York Theatre Company November 30 {{!}} Playbill | url=https://playbill.com/article/the-jerusalem-syndrome-opens-off-broadway-at-york-theatre-company-november-30 | access-date=2024-12-16 | website=playbill.com}}</ref> In the summer of 2025 he directed the new musical ''One Night'' for the Broadway Bound Theatre Festival and in 2026 a newly imagined ''Children's Letters to God'' at the Laurie Beechman Theatre. In March 2026 the Weathervane Theatre announced the world premier of the new musical ''Paperboy'' which Stephenson will co-write and direct for their 61st season.
==References== {{Reflist|30em}}
==External links== *{{IMDb name|id=0827233}} *{{IBDB name}} *{{iobdb name|12423}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Stephenson, Don}} Category:1964 births Category:American male stage actors Category:American male television actors Category:Living people Category:Male actors from Chattanooga, Tennessee Category:University of Tennessee alumni