The Lied Center for Performing Arts will present a one-night-only performance from Wayne Brady at 7:30 p.m. March 1.
“Mr. Brady really can do it all,” said Bill Stephan, executive director of the Lied Center. “The most incredible aspect of a Wayne Brady performance is his amazing ability to come up with new material each and every night live on stage right in front of his audience. I know our patrons are truly going to love this performance.”
Brady, an Emmy Award-winning actor, recording artist, improvisationalist, dancer and television personality, began his career in Orlando, Fla., working for both the Disney World and Universal theme parks. He also performed in several community theatre shows and at the Orlando improv troupe SAK Comedy Lab.
In 1998, Brady’s career took off with “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” for which he won a 2003 Emmy Award for Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety, Musical or Comedy Series. Brady went on to host his own syndicated talk/variety show, “The Wayne Brady Show,” for two years. He earned two Emmys for Outstanding Talk Show Host and the show also won an Emmy for Outstanding Talk Show. Brady has also hosted “Don’t Forget the Lyrics” on Fox. He can be seen every day on CBS as the host of the daytime classic, “Let’s Make A Deal,” for which he’s been nominated two years in a row for a Daytime Emmy for Best Game Show Host. His guest-starring roles include “The Dave Chappelle Show,” “30 Rock,” “How I Met Your Mother,” “Dirt” and “Everybody Hates Chris.”
In film, Brady starred in the Screen Gems feature “Crossover” and the independent feature “The List’ ” a romantic comedy with Sydney Tamiia Poitier and Illeana Douglas. Brady was also featured in Fox Searchlight’s “Roll Bounce.”
In 2005, Brady took the opportunity to return to his first love, musical theatre, and starred in the Broadway production of “Chicago,” playing the role of Billy Flynn. In August 2010, he joined the all-star cast as Angel in the musical “Rent,” performed at the Hollywood Bowl and directed by Neil Patrick Harris.
After conquering television and theatre, Brady took on the recording industry and earned a 2008 Grammy nomination for Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance for his single, “A Change is Gonna Come,” off his debut musical album, “A Long Time Coming.” He also released a children’s album, “Radio Wayne,” with Disney Records in May 2011, which reached the No. 1 position on Itunes and Amazon Kid’s charts. He is at work on his third album.
Brady made a big splash in Las Vegas in 2009 with his hit stage show, “Makin’ It Up.” The show was met with critical acclaim and has been heralded as “pure genius,” “hysterically funny” and “amazing.” Wayne has taken the show to venues across the country and overseas to South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and India.
Tickets, starting at $42 for adults and $21 for students, are available at http://www.liedcenter.org, at the Lied Center Box Office, or by phone at 402-472-4747.
