Telly Leung

Telly Leung is an American actor, director, singer and songwriter. He is known for his work in musical theatre on Broadway and for his role as Wes, a member of the Dalton Academy Warblers on the Fox comedy-drama series ''Glee''. In 2011, he starred in the Broadway revival of ''Godspell'' at the Circle in the Square Theatre.

Leung was named one of 12 Faces to Watch in 2012: Dance, Theater, Architecture, and Art by the ''Los Angeles Times''.

Early life and education

Leung was born and raised in New York City. He grew up in a traditional Chinese home in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. He gained admission into New York's prestigious Stuyvesant High School, from which he graduated in 1998, alongside fellow actor Malcolm Barrett. It was at Stuyvesant that Leung seriously pursued theater, performing in high school productions of ''Pippin'', ''Guys & Dolls'', and ''West Side Story''. His first professional job was as a featured performer in THE WB-TEAM 11, doing live and television promotional work for the WB Channel 11. After high school, Leung was accepted into Carnegie Mellon University's School of Drama.

Acting career

During the summers off from college, Leung earned his Equity Card performing at the Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera and The MUNY in St. Louis. He worked with directors and choreographers including Tony Award winner Thommie Walsh, Larry Fuller, and Lee Roy Reams. It was also at CMU that he met fellow Broadway performer Billy Porter, who returned to his alma mater to direct the main stage production of Stephen Sondheim's ''Company''. After casting Leung as Bobby in ''Company'', Porter telephoned colleagues involved in the Broadway revival of ''Flower Drum Song'' and landed Leung an audition.

In the fall of 2002, Leung made his Broadway debut in the revival of ''Flower Drum Song'', starring Lea Salonga, as a member of the ensemble and an understudy for Wang Ta. He later worked on Broadway with Sondheim in Roundabout Theatre's revival of ''Pacific Overtures'' in 2005. After ''Pacific Overtures'', Leung originated the role of Boq in the Chicago company of the Stephen Schwartz musical ''Wicked''. He moved back to New York in 2006 to take part in the Paper Mill Playhouse production of ''Godspell''. He then returned to Broadway and performed as an ensemble member in the final run of ''Rent''.

In 2007, he guest starred in an episode of ''Law & Order: Criminal Intent''. Leung was a member of the final company of ''Rent'' – and made his film debut as part of the ensemble in '' Rent: Filmed Live on Broadway''. He had a recurring role in the musical comedy-drama series ''Glee'' from 2010 to 2011, portraying the role of Wes, a member of the Dalton Academy Warblers.

Leung appeared in the Broadway revival of ''Godspell'' at the Circle in the Square Theatre. He reprised his role from the Paper Mill production as the "All Good Gifts" soloist. He was a featured performer in the world premiere of the musical ''Allegiance'' at the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego. The production premiered in September 2012, with Lea Salonga and George Takei also in the cast. In 2014, Leung appeared in the play ''The World of Extreme Happiness'' at Goodman Theatre in Chicago. He went on to star in the co-production at the Manhattan Theatre Club in February 2015.

In October 2015, Leung returned to Broadway in the musical ''Allegiance'' at the Longacre Theatre alongside co-stars George Takei and Lea Salonga. He then went on to perform in the acapella musical '' In Transit''. Leung played the titular character of the Broadway production of ''Aladdin'', having started his run on June 13, 2017.

In 2022, Telly directed Theatre Raleigh's production of Yellow Face. Playbill, June 16,2022

Music career

In 2005, Leung released an original EP titled ''Getaway'' on Mopptopp Records. His first solo LP, ''I'll Cover You'', was released on December 4, 2012 through Yellow Sound. Leung is a featured performer on the cast recordings of ''Godspell'', ''Flower Drum Song'', ''Pacific Overtures'', ''Dear Edwina'', and ''Wall to Wall Sondheim''.

Personal life

Leung, who is gay, married James Babcock in December 2016.Fierberg, Ruthie
"Telly Leung Marries Partner of 12 Years"
Playbill, January 20, 2017

Notable roles

Discography

;Studio albums
* ''Songs for You'' (2015)
* ''I'll Cover You'' (2012)

;Extended plays
* ''Getaway'' (2005)

;Singles
* "New York State of Mind" (2015)

;Cast albums
* ''Godspell'' (2011)
* ''Sweet Bye and Bye'' (2011)
* ''Dear Edwina'' (2008)
* ''Wall to Wall Sondheim'' (2006)
* ''Pacific Overtures'' (2005)

References

External links

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Leung, Telly
21st-century American male actors
American male actors of Chinese descent
American male film actors
American male musical theatre actors
American musicians of Chinese descent
American male television actors
Carnegie Mellon University College of Fine Arts alumni
American LGBT people of Asian descent
American LGBT singers
American gay musicians
American gay actors
Living people
Male actors from New York (state)
Stuyvesant High School alumni
1980 births