{{Short description|American actor}} {{Infobox person | name = Steven Skybell | birth_place = Amarillo, Texas, U.S. | occupation = Actor | years_active = 1988-present | education = Yale University (BA, MFA) }} '''Steven Skybell''' is a theater, film and television actor. He has performed on Broadway, Off-Broadway, in regional theater productions, on television, and in film.
== Biography ==
=== Early life and education === Skybell grew up in Lubbock, Texas, and performed in two productions of ''Fiddler on the Roof'' from an early age: First as a "chuppa boy" and then Tevye at the Interlochen Center for the Arts summer camp. He went on to attend the Yale School of Drama, performing alongside Jodie Foster in Getting Out, directed by Tina Landau.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tradition! |url=https://yalealumnimagazine.org/articles/5010-steven-skybell |access-date=2024-11-29 |website=yalealumnimagazine.org |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=chad@tjpnews.com |date=2023-03-02 |title='Tevye': a night of Yiddish tradition - Texas Jewish Post |url=https://tjpnews.com/tevye-a-night-of-yiddish-tradition/ |access-date=2024-11-29 |language=en-US}}</ref> At Yale, Steven would reprise the role of Tevye again.<ref name=":8">{{Cite web |last=Fierberg |first=Ruthie |date=November 4, 2018 |title=After a Lifelong Quest to Play Tevye, Steven Skybell's Prayers Were Answered—But Not How He Thought |url=https://playbill.com/article/after-a-lifelong-quest-to-play-tevye-steven-skybells-prayers-were-answeredbut-not-how-he-thought |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240529094835/https://playbill.com/article/after-a-lifelong-quest-to-play-tevye-steven-skybells-prayers-were-answeredbut-not-how-he-thought |archive-date=May 29, 2024 |access-date=December 8, 2024 |website=Playbill}}</ref>
=== On stage (2000s-2010s) === Skybell worked with Stephen Schwartz and Joe Mantello on the workshop for ''Wicked'',<ref name=":11" /> playing the character Doctor Dillamond.<ref name=":0" /> He would later reprise this role in the Chicago<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gans |first=Andrew |date=June 24, 2005 |title=New Wicked Production Begins Performances in Chicago June 24 |url=https://playbill.com/article/new-wicked-production-begins-performances-in-chicago-june-24-com-126647 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210302104851/https://playbill.com/article/new-wicked-production-begins-performances-in-chicago-june-24-com-126647 |archive-date=March 2, 2021 |access-date=December 10, 2024 |website=Playbill}}</ref> and Broadway<ref name=":1" /> productions, as well as on the Wicked National Tour.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Gans |first=Andrew |date=December 5, 2010 |title=National Tour of Wicked Gets a New Wizard Beginning Sept. 14 |url=https://playbill.com/article/national-tour-of-wicked-gets-a-new-wizard-beginning-sept-14-com-171558 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211207112917/https://playbill.com/article/national-tour-of-wicked-gets-a-new-wizard-beginning-sept-14-com-171558 |archive-date=December 7, 2021 |access-date=December 10, 2024 |website=Playbill}}</ref> They held adjunct faculty positions at the New York University Tisch School of the Arts<ref>{{Cite web |title=Steven Skybell |url=https://tisch.nyu.edu/about/directory/grad-acting/1965710751 |access-date=2024-11-29 |website=tisch.nyu.edu |language=en}}</ref> and at Fordham University<ref>{{Cite web |title=Steven Skybell {{!}} Fordham |url=https://www.fordham.edu/academics/departments/theatre/faculty/adjunct-faculty/steven-skybell/ |access-date=2024-11-29 |website=www.fordham.edu}}</ref> in their theater departments. His credits in the 2000s and early 2010s would include productions by the Classic Stage Company<ref name=":4" /> and Shakespeare in the Park.<ref name=":5" /> During this time, Skybell yearned to play Tevye again when he was much closer to the character's age.<ref name=":8" />
=== Fiddler on the Roof and Fidler Afn Dakh (2015–2022) === In 2015, Skybell took over the role of Lazar Wolf in a Broadway production of ''Fiddler on the Roof''. He starred as Tevye in the all-Yiddish production, directed by Joel Grey, ''Fidler Afn Dakh'' at the Museum of Jewish Heritage by National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene.<ref name=":8" /> The production was a critical success,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-09-04 |title=REVIEW: Wonder of Wonders! Miracle of Miracles! "Fiddler on the Roof in Yiddish" |url=https://www.stageleft.nyc/blog/2018/9/4/review-wonder-of-wonders-miracle-of-miracles-fiddler-on-the-roof-in-yiddish |access-date=2024-11-29 |website=Stage Left |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Windman |first=Matt |date=2018-07-15 |title='Fiddler on the Roof' review: Yiddish-language production triumphs at Museum of Jewish Heritage {{!}} amNewYork |url=https://www.amny.com/entertainment/fiddler-on-the-roof-yiddish-review-1-19846570/ |access-date=2024-11-29 |website=www.amny.com |language=en-US}}</ref> leading to four separate extensions. In February 2019, the show transferred uptown to Stage 42<ref name=":9" /> where it played until January 5, 2020.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Goldblum |first=Robert |date=2020-01-02 |title=Last Chance To See Yiddish 'Fiddler' & More Tips Of What To Do In NYC This Week |url=https://www.jta.org/2020/01/02/ny/last-week-to-see-yiddish-fiddler-and-more-tips-of-what-to-do-in-nyc-this-week |access-date=2024-12-08 |website=Jewish Telegraphic Agency |language=en-US}}</ref> For his portrayal of Tevye, Skybell won the Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Musical,<ref>{{Cite web |title=2019 Nominees : Lucille Lortel Awards |url=https://lortelaward.com/2019-nominees/ |access-date=2024-11-29 |website=lortelaward.com}}</ref> and was nominated for the Drama League Distinguished Performance Award,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Get Inside the Starry 2019 Drama League Awards with These Exclusive Portraits |url=https://www.broadway.com/photos/gallery/839/get-inside-the-starry-2019-drama-league-awards-with-these-exclusive-portraits/109176/ |access-date=2024-12-10 |website=Broadway.com |language=en}}</ref> Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actor in a Musical,<ref>{{cite web |last=Fierberg |first=Ruth |date=June 2, 2019 |title=Tootsie, Hadestown, and The Ferryman Lead 2019 Drama Desk Award Winners |url=http://www.playbill.com/article/tootsie-hadestown-and-the-ferryman-lead-2019-drama-desk-award-winners |access-date=June 4, 2019}}</ref> and Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Actor in a Musical.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hadestown Leads Winners of 2019 Outer Critics Circle Awards |url=https://www.broadway.com/buzz/195791/hadestown-leads-winners-of-2019-outer-critics-circle-awards/ |access-date=2024-11-29 |website=Broadway.com |language=en}}</ref> Skybell would reprise his role as Tevye at the Lyric Opera of Chicago, his first English performance in the role on a larger stage,<ref name=":6" /> and again for a limited run of the Yiddish version at New World Stages<ref name=":7" /> both in 2022.
=== Cabaret (2024) === In 2024, Skybell played Herr Schultz in ''Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club'', opposite Bebe Neuwirth as Fraulein Schneider. The two had previously worked together for a Classic Stage Company production of ''A Midsummer Night's Dream''.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web |last=Evans |first=Greg |date=2023-11-09 |title=Bebe Neuwirth & Steven Skybell Join Cast Of Broadway's ''Cabaret'' Revival |url=https://deadline.com/2023/11/bebe-neuwirth-steven-skybell-cabaret-broadway-1235597447/ |access-date=2024-11-29 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}</ref> In this role, he received his first Tony Award nomination, for Best Featured Actor in a Musical.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Tony Award Nominations |url=https://www.tonyawards.com/nominees/year/2024/category/actor-featured-role-musical/show/any/ |access-date=2024-11-29 |website=www.tonyawards.com |language=en-US}}</ref>
==Stage credits== {| class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size:90%width:60%;" |- style="text-align:center;" ! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Year ! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Show ! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Role ! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Production Level ! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Notes ! style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Ref |- | style="text-align: center;" |2025 |''Fidler Afn Dakh'' |Tevye |''Concert'' |Younes and Soraya Nazarian Center for the Performing Arts September 13 - 14, 2025 |<ref>{{Cite web |title=Fiddler on the Roof in Yiddish {{!}} West Coast Premiere |url=https://thesoraya.org/whats-on/en/a-soraya-concert-production-of-national-yiddish-theatre-folksbienes-fiddler-on-the-roof-in-yiddish/ |access-date=2025-10-06 |website=The Soraya |language=en}}</ref> |- | style="text-align:center;" |2024 |''Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club'' |Herr Schultz |''Broadway'' |August Wilson Theater April 21, 2024 - September 21, 2025 |<ref name="auto" /> |- | style="text-align:center;" |2023 |''Amid Falling Walls'' |Performer |''Regional'' |Museum of Jewish Heritage November 20, 2023 - December 10, 2023 |<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rabinowitz |first=Chloe |title=Steven Skybell, Rachel Zatcoff & More to Star in AMID FALLING WALLS (TSVISHN FALNDIKE VENT) |url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Steven-Skybell-Rachel-Zatcoff-More-to-Star-in-AMID-FALLING-WALLS-TSVISHN-FALNDIKE-VENT-20230927 |access-date=2024-11-29 |website=BroadwayWorld |language=en}}</ref> |- | style="text-align:center;"| 2023 |''The Lehman Trilogy'' |Henry Lehman |''Boston, MA'' |Huntington Theatre Company June 13, 2023 - July 16, 2023 |<ref>{{Cite web |last=Reedy |first=R. Scott |title=Interview: Steven Skybell says THE LEHMAN TRILOGY has the scope of a great Shakespeare play |url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/boston/article/Interview-Steven-Skybell-says-THE-LEHMAN-TRILOGY-has-the-scope-of-a-great-Shakespeare-play-20230613 |access-date=2024-11-29 |website=BroadwayWorld |language=en}}</ref> |- | style="text-align:center;"| 2022 |''Fiddler on the Roof'' | rowspan="4" |Tevye |''Chicago, IL'' |Lyric Opera of Chicago September 17, 2022 - October 7, 2022 |<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |title=Meet the cast of Fiddler on the Roof |url=https://www.lyricopera.org/lyric-lately/meet-the-cast-of-fiddler-on-the-roof/ |access-date=2024-11-29 |website=www.lyricopera.org |language=en}}</ref> |- | style="text-align:center;"| 2022 | rowspan="3" |''Fidler Afn Dakh'' |''Off-Broadway'' |New World Stages November 21, 2022 - January 1, 2023 |<ref name=":7">{{Cite web |last=Gergely |first=Julia |date=2022-07-25 |title=Yiddish 'Fiddler on the Roof' returns to New York this fall |url=https://www.jta.org/2022/07/25/ny/yiddish-fiddler-on-the-roof-returns-to-new-york-this-fall |access-date=2024-11-29 |website=Jewish Telegraphic Agency |language=en-US}}</ref> |- | style="text-align:center;" |2019 |''Off-Broadway'' |Stage 42 February 21, 2019 - January 5, 2020 ''(moved from Museum of Jewish Heritage production after 4 extensions)'' |<ref name=":9">{{Cite web |last=JTA |title=NY Yiddish 'Fiddler on the Roof' show extended |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/ny-yiddish-fiddler-on-the-roof-show-extended/ |access-date=2024-11-29 |website=The Times of Israel |language=en-US}}</ref> |- | style="text-align:center;" |2018 |''Off-Broadway'' |Museum of Jewish Heritage July 4, 2018 - December 30, 2018 |<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dolsten |first=Josefin |date=2024-10-28 |title='Fiddler' in Yiddish — what about tradition? |url=https://jewishchronicle.timesofisrael.com/fiddler-in-yiddish-what-about-tradition/ |access-date=2024-11-29 |website=jewishchronicle.timesofisrael.com |language=en-US}}</ref> |- | style="text-align:center;" | 2016 | ''Fiddler on the Roof'' | Lazar Wolf | ''Broadway'' | Broadway Theater June 14 - September 4, 2016 |<ref>{{Cite web |last=Herman |first=Deb |date=2024-05-09 |title=A second fiddler no more |url=https://jewishstandard.timesofisrael.com/a-second-fiddler-no-more/ |access-date=2024-11-29 |website=The Jewish Standard |language=en-US}}</ref> |- | style="text-align:center;" | 2015 | ''Cymbeline'' | Gaoler, Pisanio, Frenchman | rowspan="5" | ''Off-Broadway'' | Shakespeare in the Park August 10, 2015 - August 23, 2015 |<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |title=Actors (L-R) Steven Skybell, Lisa Gay Hamilton and Jack Ryland in a scene from the New York Shakespeare Festival production of the play "Two Gentlemen of Verona" at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park. (New York) |url=https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/6719e420-bc34-0131-3d8c-58d385a7b928 |access-date=2024-11-29 |website=NYPL Digital Collections |language=en}}</ref> |- | style="text-align:center;" | 2014 | ''A Man's a Man'' | Jesse Mahoney | Classic Stage Company January 30, 2014 - February 16, 2014 |<ref>{{Cite web |title=A Man's A Man (2013–2014) – Classic Stage Company |url=https://www.classicstage.org/show-archive/a-mans-a-man-2013-2014/ |access-date=2024-11-29 |language=en-US}}</ref> |- | style="text-align:center;"|2012 |''A Midsummer Night's Dream'' |Bottom |Classic Stage Company April 29, 2012 - May 20, 2012 |<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |title=A Midsummer Night's Dream (2011–2012) – Classic Stage Company |url=https://www.classicstage.org/show-archive/a-midsummer-nights-dream-2011-2012/ |access-date=2024-11-29 |language=en-US}}</ref> |- | style="text-align:center;"|2012 |''Gallileo'' |Performer |Classic Stage Company February 12, 2012 - March 18, 2012 |<ref>{{Cite web |title=Galileo (2011–2012) – Classic Stage Company |url=https://www.classicstage.org/show-archive/galileo-2011-2012/ |access-date=2024-11-29 |language=en-US}}</ref> |- | style="text-align:center;"|2011 |''Love's Labour's Lost'' |Holofernes |The Public Theater October 31, 2011 - November 6, 2011 |<ref>{{Cite web |last=America |first=PLASA Media Inc-Lighting & Sound |title=Theatre in Review: Love's Labor's Lost (The Public Theater) - Lighting&Sound America Online News |url=http://www.lightingandsoundamerica.com/news/story.asp?ID=TBVZ2Y |access-date=2024-11-29 |website=Lighting&Sound America Online News}}</ref> |- | style="text-align:center;"|2010 | rowspan="4" |''Wicked'' | rowspan="4" |Doctor Dillamond |''National tour'' |August 3, 2010 - April, 2011 |<ref name=":3" /> |- | style="text-align:center;"|2006 | ''Broadway'' | Gershwin Theatre August 8, 2006 - September 1, 2008 | <ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Annaleigh Ashford and Stephanie J. Block Set to Play Wicked's Witches |url=https://www.broadway.com/buzz/96743/annaleigh-ashford-and-stephanie-j-block-set-to-play-wickeds-witches/ |access-date=2024-07-15 |website=Broadway.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2006-03-07 |title=His inner goat |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2006/03/07/his-inner-goat/ |access-date=2024-11-29 |website=Chicago Tribune |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":10" /> |- | style="text-align:center;"|2005 |''Chicago, IL'' |Nederlander Theatre (Chicago) July 13, 2005 - Mar 27, 2006 |<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Wicked - Chicago at The Ford Center for the Performing Arts, Oriental Theatre 2005-2009 |url=https://www.abouttheartists.com/productions/16391-wicked-chicago-at-the-ford-center-for-the-performing-arts-oriental-theatre-2005-2009 |access-date=2024-07-15 |website=www.abouttheartists.com}}</ref><ref name=":10">{{Cite web |last=intern |date=2022-08-23 |title=Fiddler's Night at the Opera: Steven Skybell on his Return to Play Teyve at the Lyric Opera |url=https://better.net/arts-events/fiddlers-night-at-the-opera-steven-skybell-on-his-return-to-play-teyve-at-the-lyric-opera/ |access-date=2024-12-08 |website=Better Magazine |language=en-US}}</ref> |- | style="text-align:center;"|2002 |''Workshop'' |Sings "As If By Magic", a song cut from the final score |<ref name=":0">{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GFpwu6sOSyg |title=3º As if By Magic - Wicked Workshop |date=2017-01-17 |last=Wicked México |access-date=2024-11-29 |via=YouTube}}</ref><ref name=":11">{{Cite web |last=Schwartz |first=Stephen |date=December 8, 2024 |title=Stephen Schwartz Answers Questions About Wicked's Score |url=https://stephenschwartz.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/WickedSongs.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241126182221/https://stephenschwartz.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/WickedSongs.pdf |archive-date=November 26, 2024 |access-date=December 8, 2024 |website=StephenSchwartz.com}}</ref> |- | style="text-align:center;"|2008 |''Pal Joey'' |Ernest |''Broadway'' |Studio 54 December 11, 2008 - March 1, 2009 |<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pal Joey Bewitches at Star-Studded Opening |url=https://www.broadway.com/photos/pal-joey-bewitches-at-star-studded-opening/78429/pal-joey-opening-daniel-marcus-robert-clohessy-steven-skybell/ |access-date=2024-11-29 |website=Broadway.com |language=en}}</ref> |- | style="text-align:center;"|2005 |The Controversy Of Valladolid |Sepulvelda |''Off-Broadway'' |The Public Theater February 20, 2005 - March 13, 2005 |<ref>{{Cite web |date=2005-02-28 |title=The Controversy of Valladolid - TheaterMania.com |url=https://www.theatermania.com/news/the-controversy-of-valladolid_5699/ |access-date=2024-11-29 |language=en-US}}</ref> |- | style="text-align:center;"|2004 |The Bald Soprano And The Lesson |The Professor |''Off-Broadway'' |Atlantic Theater Company September 19, 2004 - October 17, 2004 |<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hofler |first=Robert |date=2004-09-20 |title=The Bald Soprano & The Lesson |url=https://variety.com/2004/legit/reviews/the-bald-soprano-the-lesson-1200530921/ |access-date=2024-11-29 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref> |}
== References ==
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Skybell, Stephen}} Category:Living people Category:21st-century American male actors Category:Year of birth missing (living people) Category:Male actors from Texas Category:American male stage actors Category:Yale University alumni {{improve categories|date=February 2025}}