Rodney Hicks

Rodney Hicks (born March 28, 1974) is an American playwright, stage and television actor. Hicks is currently writing a new American play called, The Flawed Play. Hicks originated the role of Bob and others in the Broadway musical Come from Away and was in the original and closing casts of the Broadway musical Rent.

Hicks departed from the cast of Come from Away on June 14, 2017, after being diagnosed with a neurological condition, spasmodic dysphonia.[1] After treatment sessions and time healing, Hicks has since regained his ability to speak clearly again and sing.

He is married to Denver Theatre Center for Performing Arts artistic director Chris Coleman.

Hicks's work as a playwright also include: Flame Broiled. or the ugly play, Ms. Pearl's Cabaret (2019 semi-finalist Eugene O'Neill Playwriting Conference), and Just Press Save (2018 semi-finalist Eugene O'Neill Playwriting Conference). Just Press Save was part of 2020 Pride Plays Festival. The virtual reading/workshop was directed by Michael Greif (Dear Evan Hansen, Next to Normal, Rent).

Raised in Philadelphia, Hicks graduated from Roxborough High School in 1992 and left Mansfield University in 1994 to pursue acting as a full-time career. Shortly after, he made his Broadway debut as part of the original Broadway cast of the hit landmark musical Rent. Before that, he earned early success performing alongside Lauryn Hill from the hip/hop group The Fugees in the musical Bring in the Morning - A Wake up Call followed by the John Adams and June Jordan pop opera I Was Looking at the Ceiling and Then I Saw the Sky which was directed by Peter Sellars. He co-starred on Broadway in the 2000 revival of Jesus Christ Superstar playing the role of Peter and also starred in the revival of Charles Strouse's Golden Boy in the Sammy Davis Jr. role of Joe Bonaparte. Off-Broadway, he co-starred alongside Robert Cuccioli, Natascia Diaz and Gay Marshall in the 2006 revival of Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris directed by Gordon Greenberg. He can be heard on the new cast recording.

He took part in a 2014 lab production of Come From Away and stayed with it until his diagnosis. Hicks departed the Broadway production on June 14, 2017. He has been home in the Pacific Northwest taking time to heal.

Hicks has appeared in top regional theatres across the country varying in plays from King Lear, Lobby Hero through to Ain't Misbehavin' and Two Gentlemen of Verona.

His memorable TV turns have been as Delray Williams in NYPD Blue opposite Rick Schroder, the guest lead Jerome Davis in an episode of Law & Order: Criminal Intent playing opposite Faith Ford and Johnny Galecki, and as Perry on the last season of ABC's Hope and Faith. While living in the Pacific Northwest Hicks guest-starred on NBC's Grimm and TNT's Leverage.

He returned to the Broadway cast of Rent in 2007 as Benjamin Coffin III. He was the final actor to play the role in the original Broadway production which closed that year. His performance was recorded in Rent: Filmed Live on Broadway.

In 2010 he played the role of Clarence Norris in Kander & Ebb's new musical The Scottsboro Boys, which was directed and choreographed by Tony Award winner Susan Stroman at Off-Broadway's Vineyard Theatre. The show ran from February until April 18. The show has received 9 Drama Desk nominations including Best New Musical, 6 Outer Critics Circle awards including Best New Musical and is the winner of two Lucille Lortel awards including Outstanding New Musical and Outstanding Choreography. The show opened on Broadway October 31, 2010, after beginning previews on the 6th of that month. It closed December 12, 2010. He played the lead role of Haywood Patterson in the 2012 Philadelphia Theatre Company production of The Scottsboro Boys, where he was awarded the 2012 Barrymore Award for Outstanding Leading Male in a Musical. At the Village Theatre in Seattle, Hicks played the role of Jim, where he was recognized with a Seattle Times Footlight Award for his performance and a Broadway World Seattle's Critics Choice Award (Jay's Picks) for Outstanding Leading Actor.

In September 2011 Hicks played the role of "Curly" in the first all African American cast of Oklahoma! at Portland Center Stage in Portland, Oregon. The production was directed by Chris Coleman and music directed by Rick Lewis.