Ken Page facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Ken Page
Ken Page at the 2017 Florida SuperCon
Born	Kenneth Page (1954-01-20)January 20, 1954 St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
Died	September 30, 2024(2024-09-30) (aged 70)
Alma mater	Fontbonne College
Occupation	Actor singer
Years active	1973–2024
Musical career
Genres	Pop traditional pop musical theatre
Instruments	Vocals
Labels	LML Music

Ken Page (January 20, 1954 – September 30, 2024) was an American actor and cabaret singer. Page created the role of "Ken" in the original Broadway production of Ain't Misbehavin', and played the role of "Old Deuteronomy" in both the original Broadway and filmed stage productions of Cats. Page was also known as the voice of Oogie Boogie in The Nightmare Before Christmas franchise. He also was in the original Broadway production of The Wiz as The Lion and the first Broadway revival of Guys and Dolls as Nicely-Nicely Johnson.

Early life

Kenneth Page was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri. He was raised Catholic by his mother, Gloria and his step-father, Garvin Gilstrap. He attended St. Bridget of Erin and St. Nicholas elementary schools. While attending St. Nicholas, he was inspired by a teacher and an older cousin to pursue theater. He subsequently graduated from Bishop DuBourg High School in 1972. From there he attended Fontbonne College in Clayton, Missouri on a full scholarship and majored in theater.

Career

Ken Page in 2008

Page began his career in the chorus of The Muny outdoor theater in St. Louis. After making his Broadway debut in The Wiz, Page played Nicely-Nicely Johnson in the all-black revival of Guys and Dolls (Theatre World Award). He was then featured in the original cast of the Fats Waller musical revue, Ain't Misbehavin' (Drama Desk Award), a role he reprised in the 1982 television broadcast. He also returned to the show in its 1988 Broadway revival. In 1982, he played Old Deuteronomy in Cats, returning to the part in the 1998 video release. He also had the distinction of playing God twice: in Randy Newman's Faust at La Jolla Playhouse and Goodman Theatre and in Stephen Schwartz's Children of Eden (West End). Page frequently acted in shows at The Muny, with appearances including Jesus Christ Superstar, Aida, The Wizard of Oz, Les Misérables, My One and Only, and Little Shop of Horrors.

Besides The Nightmare Before Christmas, Page's major film credits included All Dogs Go to Heaven and Torch Song Trilogy, as well as Dreamgirls. His TV credits included guest roles on shows such as Charmed and Touched by an Angel, as well as various films and specials.

In later years, Page developed and performed his cabaret-singer show, Page by Page, and directed various regional and touring productions. Page was the voice of the notorious talking plant Audrey II in the Muny's production of Little Shop of Horrors. He also reprised the role of Old Deuteronomy in the Lubbock Moonlight Musicals production of Cats in Lubbock, TX.

He regularly reprised his role as Oogie Boogie in several other Disney productions such as the fireworks display HalloWishes at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom, its sister show, Halloween Screams at Disneyland, the Haunted Mansion Holiday (also at Disneyland), the Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular (at Magic Kingdom) and subsequent video games including The Nightmare Before Christmas: The Pumpkin King, The Nightmare Before Christmas: Oogie's Revenge and the Kingdom Hearts series.

Personal life

In a 2015 interview with St. Louis Magazine, Page said that he identified as gay.

Filmography

Film

Television

Video games

Theatre

Broadway

Off Broadway

Regional

The Muny-St. Louis

Hollywood Bowl

• 2009: Guys and Dolls in Concert as Nicely-Nicely Johnson
• 2018: The Nightmare Before Christmas in Concert as Oogie Boogie
• 2019: The Little Mermaid: An Immersive Live-to-Film Concert Experience as Sebastian

Other

• 1979: Ain't Misbehavin' as Performer 4 (US Tour)
• 1991: Children of Eden as Father/God (West End)
• 1995: Anyone Can Whistle as Police Chief Magruder (Carnegie Hall)
• 1997: A Christmas Carol as Ghost of Christmas Present/Sandwichboard Man (Madison Square Garden)
• 2021: The Nightmare Before Christmas in Concert as Oogie Boogie (BMO Stadium)
• 2022: The Nightmare Before Christmas in Concert as Oogie Boogie (Wembley Arena)

Discography

Singles

• Page by Page (2008)

Soundtrack

Awards and nominations

See also

In Spanish: Ken Page para niños