J. Harrison Ghee

J. Harrison Ghee is an American actor, singer, and dancer, best known for their work on Broadway.[1] They[lower-alpha 1] originated the role of Andre Mayem in Mrs. Doubtfire, a role they also played in the 5th Avenue Theatre out of town engagement in 2019.[2] They have also received recognition for their performance as Lola in Kinky Boots. In December 2022, they originated the role of Jerry/Daphne in Some Like It Hot, a stage musical based on the film of the same name.[3]

J. Harrison Ghee
Born
Fayetteville, North Carolina
EducationAmerican Musical and Dramatic Academy
Known forActing

Early life

Ghee grew up the child of a Southern Baptist pastor and an educator in Fayetteville, North Carolina.[4][5] They began playing cello in middle school, later switching to play the bass. Ghee then learned to play trombone, so that they could be in the E. E. Smith High School marching band. After graduating high school in 2007, Ghee attended the American Musical and Dramatic Academy.[4] Ghee first tried drag in college when they played a female wrestler.[6]

Personal Life

Ghee is non-binary,[7][8][9] and uses he/they pronouns.[10]

Theatrical career

Ghee began working professionally at Tokyo Disneyland and on cruise ships.[11] While in Tokyo, Ghee began creating their drag persona, Crystal Demure.[4] When Ghee went to audition for Motown, they took the opportunity to share with the casting directors, who also worked on Kinky Boots, their story and connection with the Kinky Boots character Lola and were eventually cast as Lola in their Broadway debut.[6] Ghee was the first established drag performer to take on the role. Ghee eventually joined the national touring production of the show.

Ghee joined the cast of Mrs. Doubtfire, and began previews before the 2020 closing of Broadway. In 2021, Ghee performed as Velma Kelly in The Muny's production of Chicago, before originating the role of Andre when Mrs. Doubtfire opened.

In 2022, Ghee joined the cast of Some Like It Hot. They are playing Jerry/Daphne, the role played by Jack Lemmon in the film.

Filmography
Year Title Role Notes
2018 High Maintenance Carl Episode: "Globo"
2019 Heather Mae: Be Not Afraid Dancer Music Video
2019 Raising Dion Kwame 7 episodes
2021 Over My Dead Body Jackée Short Film
2023 Accused Robyn Episode: "Robyn's Story"

Awards and nominations
Year Award Category Work Result Ref
2023 Tony Award Best Actor in a Musical Some Like It Hot Pending [12]
Drama Desk Award Outstanding Lead Performance in a Musical Pending [13]
Drama League Award Distinguished Performance Pending [14]
Outer Critics Circle Award Outstanding Lead Performer in a Broadway Musical Won [15]
Chita Rivera Award Outstanding Dancer in a Broadway Show Pending [16]

Notes
  1. Ghee uses he/him and they/them pronouns. This article uses they/them pronouns for consistency.

References
  1. "J. Harrison Ghee, Inside the Playbill". Retrieved 2022-04-20.
  2. "J. Harrison Ghee Full Biography". www.broadwayworld.com. Broadway World. Retrieved 2022-04-20.
  3. Culwell-Block, Logan (2022-04-20). "Christian Borle, J. Harrison Ghee, Adrianna Hicks to Star in Some Like It Hot on Broadway". Playbill.
  4. Kyles, Akira. "'Drag really helped me live out loud:' 'Kinky Boots' star and Fayetteville native hopes to inspire others". The Fayetteville Observer. Retrieved 2022-12-09.
  5. "AMDA - AMDA News - Kinky Boots National Tour Takes on J. Harrison Ghee as Leading Lola". www.amda.edu. Retrieved 2022-12-09.
  6. McPhee, Ryan (June 25, 2017). "How a Real-Life Lola Became the Star of Kinky Boots on Broadway".
  7. "J. Harrison Ghee Brings His Heat to Broadway's 'Some Like It Hot'". EDGE Media Network. Retrieved 2023-02-04.
  8. Kumar, Naveen (2023-01-24). "Broadway Star J Harrison Ghee: 'Drag Is Such a Tool of Freedom'". The Daily Beast. Retrieved 2023-02-04.
  9. "My name is J. Harrison Ghee, I was born and raised in North Carolina but currently reside in New York City. Music and art have always been my passion and ministry, I grew up singing in church. Moving to NY was not only my choice for studying musical theater, but it was a place I've always been drawn to for the expression and freedom that I felt it embodied. I live by the mantra "Do everything in life with intention and purpose, but most importantly love" and I try my best to share that in all that I do. As a nonbinary pansexual black artist, I hope that in my daily life I can be an example of freedom and fabulousity and inspire someone else to walk in their truth. I used to say I wasn't a political person until I saw a quote from Toni Morrison saying "all good art is political. So every day of my life I know that my existence is a political statement and I must make a difference in this world. To follow their work, follow instagram.com/jharrisonghee.... - The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2023-02-04.
  10. Kumar, Naveen (2023-01-24). "Broadway Star J Harrison Ghee: 'Drag Is Such a Tool of Freedom'". The Daily Beast. Retrieved 2023-02-04.
  11. Cox, Gordon. 2022. “The Great White Way’s Bright New Talent.” Variety 357 (14): 110–15.
  12. Sherman, Rachel; Cohn, Gabe (2023-05-02). "Tony Awards Nominations 2023: The Complete List". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-05-02.
  13. "2022-2023 Drama Desk Awards nominations announced". www.ny1.com. Retrieved 2023-04-28.
  14. "2023 Awards - The Drama League". dramaleague.org. 2022-11-03. Retrieved 2023-04-28.
  15. Culwell-Block, Logan (2023-04-26). "New York, New York, Some Like It Hot Lead 2023 Outer Critics Circle Award Nominations".
  16. "Nominations". www.chitariveraawards.com. Retrieved 2023-04-28.
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