Shea’s Performing Arts Center is proud to announce that Tony Award-Winning Actor from the original Broadway cast of Hamilton, Leslie Odom, Jr., will be performing at Shea’s Black Tie Gala on Friday, April 20, 2018!

Leslie Odom, Jr. took home the Tony Award for Best Leading Actor in a Musical for his portrayal of ‘Aaron Burr,’ opposite Lin-Manuel Miranda, in the blockbuster Broadway sensation, Hamilton.  He is also a Grammy Award Winner as principal soloist on Hamilton’s Original Broadway Cast Recording, which won the 2015 Award for Best Musical Theatre Album.  

“Leslie Odom, Jr. is one of the most dynamic and multi-faceted performers to take the stage on Broadway,” said Michael G. Murphy, President of Shea’s.  “To have someone of his exceptional talent and extraordinary artistic caliber perform at Shea’s Gala is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that we are proud to present.”

Odom, Jr. made his Broadway debut at the age of 17 in Rent, before heading to Carnegie Mellon University’s prestigious School of Drama where he graduated with honors.  Additional theatre credits include Leap of Faith on Broadway, for which he won the 2012 Astaire Award for Outstanding Male Dancer on Broadway and was nominated for a Drama League Award; the 2014 musical Venice, which also played at The Public Theater; and the Encores! Off-Center production of Tick, Tick… Boom! which was his first time working with Hamilton creator, Lin-Manuel Miranda.

On the small screen, Leslie is best-known for his portrayal of ‘Sam Strickland’ in the NBC musical series, “Smash,” and his recurring role as ‘Reverend Curtis Scott’ on “Law & Order: SVU.”  He’s also appeared in episodes of “Gotham,” “Person of Interest,” “Grey’s Anatomy,” “House of Lies,” “Vanished” and “CSI: Miami.”   Just released on November 10th, you can find Odom, Jr. in Kenneth Branagh’s reimaging of Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express featuring an all-star cast that includes Johnny Depp, Penelope Cruz, Dame Judi Dench, and more.

“We could not be more excited to host Leslie Odom, Jr. at Shea’s Performing Arts Center,” John Schaller, Shea’s Director of Development.  “To have one of the most accomplished and distinguished members of the original cast of Hamilton, at Shea’s on the heels of his celebrated run on Broadway – and in advance of the Hamilton Tour premiering next season at Shea’s,  means a lot for this special event.”

The annual Black-Tie Gala, sponsored in part by Ticketmaster, is the single most important fundraising event for Shea’s Performing Arts Center.  For more information on attending, or to become an Honorary Sponsor, call (716) 829-1170.  And you can follow the excitement leading up the event and the evening-of April 20, 2018, by using #SheasGala2018 on social media.