# Richard Muenz
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{{short description|American actor and baritone (born 1948)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2014}}
'''Richard Muenz''' (born March 9, 1948) is an American [actor](/source/actor) and [baritone](/source/baritone) who is mostly known for his work within American [theatre](/source/theatre). Muenz has frequently performed in [musical](/source/musical_theatre)s and in concerts. He has also periodically acted on [television](/source/television).
==Early life and education==
Born in [Hartford, Connecticut](/source/Hartford%2C_Connecticut), and grew up in the [Ridgewood, New Jersey](/source/Ridgewood%2C_New_Jersey), area. He graduated from [Ridgewood High School](/source/Ridgewood_High_School_(New_Jersey)) and then attended [Eastern University](/source/Eastern_University_(United_States)) in [St. Davids, Pennsylvania](/source/St._Davids%2C_Pennsylvania), where he was a voice major.
== Career ==
He began his career as a member of the [New York City Opera](/source/New_York_City_Opera)'s chorus with whom he sang for three seasons during the early 1970s. At the same time he became a member of the [Gregg Smith Singers](/source/Gregg_Smith_Singers), with whom he made nine recordings over a couple of years; including [William Schuman](/source/William_Schuman)'s ''[The Mighty Casey](/source/The_Mighty_Casey)''. He also had the honor of performing [Brahms](/source/Brahms)'s ''[Liebeslieder Waltzes](/source/Liebeslieder_Waltzes)'' at [Carnegie Hall](/source/Carnegie_Hall) with the ensemble.[{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1980/07/25/archives/new-face-richard-muenz-a-baritone-aspiring-to-be-an-arthurian.html&scp=1&sq=Richard+Muenz&st=p| title=New Face: Richard Muenz A Baritone Aspiring to Be an Arthurian Legend in His Own Time; Follows 'Most Happy Fella'| first=Barbara | last=Crossette| work=[New York Times](/source/New_York_Times) | date=July 25, 1980| accessdate=March 26, 2009}}]
In 1975 Muenz performed the role of Sam in a production of [Leonard Bernstein](/source/Leonard_Bernstein)'s ''[Trouble in Tahiti](/source/Trouble_in_Tahiti)'' at the [Whitney Museum](/source/Whitney_Museum). Bernstein was in the audience and after the show he invited Muenz personally to join the cast of his upcoming [Broadway](/source/Broadway_theatre) musical ''[1600 Pennsylvania Avenue](/source/1600_Pennsylvania_Avenue_(musical))''. He accepted and made his Broadway debut when the production premiered in the Spring of 1976 portraying a variety of smaller roles. The following year he joined the long running [Off-Broadway](/source/Off-Broadway) production of ''[The Fantasticks](/source/The_Fantasticks)'' as El Gallo. In 1979 he returned to Broadway as Joe in the revival of ''[The Most Happy Fella](/source/The_Most_Happy_Fella)'' which was recorded live for television broadcast on [PBS](/source/PBS)'s ''[Great Performances](/source/Great_Performances)''.[[http://www.nightkitchenradio.com/muenz.html Biography of Richard Muenz at the Night Kitchen Radio Theater]]
In 1980 Muenz was cast as Lancelot in the revival of [Lerner and Loewe](/source/Lerner_and_Loewe)'s ''[Camelot](/source/Camelot_(musical))'' with [Richard Burton](/source/Richard_Burton) as King Arthur and [Christine Ebersole](/source/Christine_Ebersole) as Guenevere. When the show moved from the [New York State Theater](/source/New_York_State_Theater) to the [Winter Garden Theatre](/source/Winter_Garden_Theatre) the following year, he stayed with the production, now sharing the stage with [Richard Harris](/source/Richard_Harris) as Arthur and [Meg Bussert](/source/Meg_Bussert) as Guenevere.[{{cite web |url=http://theater2.nytimes.com/mem/theater/treview.html?_r=1&res=9F01E1DB1F39F935A25752C1A967948260&scp=1&sq=Richard%20Muenz&st=cse| title=STAGE: 'CAMELOT' IS BACK WITH RICHARD HARRIS| first=Frank | last=Rich| work=[New York Times](/source/New_York_Times) | date=November 16, 1981| accessdate=March 26, 2009}}] This second cast was recorded live for television broadcast on [HBO](/source/HBO).[{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1982/09/24/arts/3-new-series-and-hbo-s-camelot.html?scp=3&sq=Richard+Muenz&st=nyt| title=3 NEW SERIES AND HBO'S 'CAMELOT'| first=John J. | last=O'Connor| work=[New York Times](/source/New_York_Times) | date=September 24, 1982| accessdate=March 26, 2009}}] In 1983 he portrayed Cadet Dick Thorpe in [George Gershwin](/source/George_Gershwin) and [Sigmund Romberg](/source/Sigmund_Romberg)'s ''[Rosalie](/source/Rosalie_(musical))'' at [Town Hall](/source/The_Town_Hall_(New_York_City)) with the [New Amsterdam Theater Company](/source/New_Amsterdam_Theater_Company).[{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1983/04/21/theater/music-noted-in-brief-1928-musical-rosalie-in-concert-at-town-hall.html?scp=5&sq=Richard+Muenz&st=nyt| title=Music Noted in Brief; 1928 Musical 'Rosalie' In Concert at Town Hall| first=Stephen | last=Holden | work=[New York Times](/source/New_York_Times) | date=April 21, 1983| accessdate=March 25, 2009}}] In 1985 he appeared as a guest star on the ''[Scarecrow and Mrs. King](/source/Scarecrow_and_Mrs._King)'' episode "Over the Limit". In 1986 he was a guest star on ''[Highway to Heaven](/source/Highway_to_Heaven)'' in the episode "To Bind the Wounds" and the following year he appeared on ''[Kate & Allie](/source/Kate_%26_Allie)'' in the episode "Ted's Fix-Up". In 1988 he returned to Broadway as Joe in the original cast of ''[Chess](/source/Chess_(musical))''. In 1989 he appeared in the world premiere of the Off-Broadway hit of [Richard Maltby, Jr.](/source/Richard_Maltby%2C_Jr.) and [David Shire](/source/David_Shire)'s ''[Closer Than Ever](/source/Closer_Than_Ever)'' at the [Cherry Lane Theatre](/source/Cherry_Lane_Theatre). A critical success, the show ran for 312 performances and a CD recording was made on the [RCA Victor](/source/RCA_Victor) label.[{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1990/02/25/theater/recordings-closer-than-ever-is-one-from-the-heart.html?sec=&spon=&&scp=2&sq=Brent%20Barrett%20%20Closer%20Than%20Ever&st=cse| title=RECORDINGS; 'Closer Than Ever' Is One From the Heart| first=Stephen | last=Holden | work=[New York Times](/source/New_York_Times) | date=February 25, 1990| accessdate=March 25, 2009}}]
In 1990 Muenz portrayed the role of Samuel Cooper in [Kurt Weill](/source/Kurt_Weill)'s ''[Love Life](/source/Love_Life_(musical))'' at the [American Music Theater Festival](/source/American_Music_Theater_Festival) in [Philadelphia](/source/Philadelphia).[{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1990/06/22/theater/review-theater-a-revival-of-a-show-by-lerner-and-weill.html?scp=16&sq=Richard+Muenz&st=nyt| title=Review/Theater; A Revival Of a Show By Lerner And Weill| first=Stephen | last=Holden | work=[New York Times](/source/New_York_Times) | date=June 22, 1990| accessdate=March 26, 2009}}] In 1995 he appeared as [Frank Sinatra](/source/Frank_Sinatra) in the [television movie](/source/television_movie) ''[Love and Betrayal: The Mia Farrow Story](/source/Love_and_Betrayal%3A_The_Mia_Farrow_Story)''.[{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/02/28/arts/television-review-very-new-york-story-made-mostly-in-toronto.html?scp=25&sq=Richard+Muenz&st=nyt| title=TELEVISION REVIEW; Very New York Story, Made Mostly in Toronto| first=John J. | last=O'Connor | work=[New York Times](/source/New_York_Times) | date=February 28, 1995| accessdate=March 26, 2009}}] In 1996 he appeared Off-Broadway as Eddie Flagrante in [John Dempsey](/source/John_Dempsey_(lyricist))'s ''[Zombie Prom](/source/Zombie_Prom)'' at the [Variety Arts Theatre](/source/Variety_Arts_Theatre).[{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/04/10/theater/theater-review-girl-meets-ghoul-hit-by-cupid-s-toxic-arrow.html?scp=26&sq=Richard+Muenz&st=nyt| title=THEATER REVIEW;Girl Meets Ghoul, Hit By Cupid's Toxic Arrow| first=Ben | last=Brantley| work=[New York Times](/source/New_York_Times) | date=April 10, 1996| accessdate=March 26, 2009}}] In 1998 he was a guest star on the ''[Law & Order](/source/Law_%26_Order)'' episode "[Scrambled](/source/Scrambled_(Law_%26_Order))". In 1999 he stepped in to cover a few performances for [Tom Wopat](/source/Tom_Wopat) as Frank Butler in the Broadway revival of [Irving Berlin](/source/Irving_Berlin)'s ''[Annie Get Your Gun](/source/Annie_Get_Your_Gun_(musical))'', portraying the role opposite [Bernadette Peters](/source/Bernadette_Peters). In 2000 he appeared as Robert Baker in [New York City Center](/source/New_York_City_Center) [Encores!](/source/Encores!)'s production of Bernstein's ''[Wonderful Town](/source/Wonderful_Town)''.[{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/05/06/theater/theater-review-this-is-new-york-eileen-people-just-dance-around.html?scp=38&sq=Richard%20Muenz&st=nyt&pagewanted=2| title=THEATER REVIEW; This Is New York, Eileen; People Just Dance Around| first=Ben | last=Brantley | work=[New York Times](/source/New_York_Times) | date=May 6, 2000| accessdate=March 26, 2009}}] In 2001 he narrated ''Great Performances'''s tribute to [Aaron Copland](/source/Aaron_Copland), ''[Copland's America](/source/Copland's_America)''. In 2005 he returned to Broadway as Pat Denning in the revival of ''[42nd Street](/source/42nd_Street_(musical))'', a role he had previously portrayed on Broadway in 2001.[{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2001/05/03/theater/theater-review-you-ve-got-to-come-back-a-you-know.html?scp=40&sq=Richard+Muenz&st=nyt| title=THEATER REVIEW; You've Got to Come Back a . . . You Know| first=Ben | last=Brantley | work=[New York Times](/source/New_York_Times) | date=May 3, 2001| accessdate=March 26, 2009}}]
Muenz's other performing credits include appearances on three seasons of [Garrison Keillor](/source/Garrison_Keillor)’s ''[The American Radio Company of the Air](/source/The_American_Radio_Company_of_the_Air)'', Jean-Luc on ''[Guiding Light](/source/Guiding_Light)'', Dr. Kessler on ''[Another World](/source/Another_World_(TV_series))'', the national tour of [Jerry Zaks](/source/Jerry_Zaks)’ revival of ''[Guys and Dolls](/source/Guys_and_Dolls_(musical))'' as Sky Masterson,[{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/12/27/nyregion/theater-on-the-road-with-guys-and-dolls-at-the-shubert.html?scp=21&sq=Richard+Muenz&st=nyt| title=THEATER; On the Road With 'Guys and Dolls' at the Shubert| first=Alvin| last=Klein | work=[New York Times](/source/New_York_Times) | date=December 27, 1992| accessdate=March 26, 2009}}] the National tour of ''[The Sound of Music](/source/The_Sound_of_Music)'', performances with the [Night Kitchen Radio Theater](/source/Night_Kitchen_Radio_Theater), and the Broadway companies of ''[High Society](/source/High_Society_(musical))'' and ''[Nick & Nora](/source/Nick_%26_Nora_(musical))''. He has also appeared in several productions with the [New York City Opera](/source/New_York_City_Opera), including Bob in ''[Wonderful Town](/source/Wonderful_Town)'',[{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/11/10/theater/music-review-bernstein-songs-survive-in-1953-musical.html?scp=24&sq=Richard+Muenz&st=nyt| title=MUSIC REVIEW; Bernstein Songs Survive in 1953 Musical| first=Edward | last=Rothstein | work=[New York Times](/source/New_York_Times) | date=November 10, 1994| accessdate=March 26, 2009}}] File in ''[110 in the Shade](/source/110_in_the_Shade)'',[{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/07/21/theater/review-music-bang-a-drum-bind-a-mule-s-legs-and-let-the-heavens-pour-forth.html?scp=17&sq=Richard+Muenz&st=nyt| title=Review/Music; Bang a Drum, Bind a Mule's Legs And Let the Heavens Pour Forth| first=Edward | last=Rothstein | work=[New York Times](/source/New_York_Times) | date=July 21, 1992| accessdate=March 26, 2009}}] Danilo in ''[The Merry Widow](/source/The_Merry_Widow)'',[{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/07/11/arts/review-operetta-merry-widow-with-revisions-at-city-opera.html?scp=13&sq=Richard+Muenz&st=nyt| title=Review/Operetta; 'Merry Widow,' With Revisions, at City Opera| first=Allan | last=Kozinn | work=[New York Times](/source/New_York_Times) | date=July 11, 1989| accessdate=March 26, 2009}}] and Sid in ''[The Pajama Game](/source/The_Pajama_Game)'',[{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/03/06/theater/review-city-opera-poodle-skirts-elvis-and-labor-relations.html?scp=10&sq=Richard+Muenz&st=nyt| title=Review/City Opera; Poodle Skirts, Elvis And Labor Relations| first=Allan | last=Kozinn | work=[New York Times](/source/New_York_Times) | date=March 6, 1989| accessdate=March 26, 2009}}] the latter of which garnered him a [Drama Desk Award](/source/Drama_Desk_Award) nomination.