2012 Master Teacher: Joel Grey

Joel Grey is widely acclaimed as a one of the true greats in the history of musical theater, with a prolific career as an actor, singer, and dancer – on stage and screen.  He has won the Academy Award, Tony Award, Golden Globe, and BAFTA, among countless other honors.  Mr. Grey originated the role of the Master of Ceremonies in the Broadway musical Cabaret, and recreated the role for the film — directed by Bob Fosse and co-starring Liza Minnelli and Michael York.  He’s had a career full of Broadway triumphs, including: Chicago, George M!, Stop the World, I Want to Get Off, Goodtime Charley, and The Grand Tour.  Most recently, he originated the role of The Wizard in the blockbuster hit musical Wicked — and is currently on Broadway in the critically-acclaimed revival of Cole Porter’s Anything Goes, delighting sold-out houses as Moonface Martin.  Earlier this year, Mr. Grey directed the Tony-Award-Winning Best Revival of The Normal Heart.  Mr. Grey has appeared in scores of films and television shows over the last 50 years.  Just a few examples include: The Seven-Per-Cent Solution, Kafka, A Christmas Carol, The Fantasticks, Dancer in the Dark, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Oz, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Alias, Private Practice, Grey’s Anatomy, and House.  In addition to his work as a performer, Mr. Grey is also an accomplished photographer and has had three books of his photographs published.  In April 2012, the Museum of the City of New York curated an exhibition of his work, Joel Grey/A New York Life.