Telly Leung

Telly Leung

Telly Leung in September 2010
Born (1980-01-03) January 3, 1980
New York City, New York
Alma mater Carnegie Mellon University
Stuyvesant High School
Occupation Actor, singer, songwriter
Website http://www.tellyleung.com/

Telly Leung (born January 3, 1980)[1] is an American actor, singer and songwriter. He is known for his many musical theatre roles on Broadway and his role as Dalton Academy Warbler 'Wes' on Glee. In November 2011, he began starring on Broadway in the Godspell revival at the Circle in the Square Theatre in New York City, New York.

Telly was named one of twelve Faces to Watch in 2012: Dance, Theater, Architecture and Art[2] by the Los Angeles Times.

Early life and education

Telly was born and raised in New York City. He grew up in a traditional Chinese home in Brooklyn.[3] Telly gained admission into New York's prestigious math & science specialized high school, Stuyvesant High School where he graduated in 1998[4] with fellow actor Malcolm Barrett. It was at Stuyvesant that Telly seriously pursued theater as a break from physics and calculus, performing in high school productions of Pippin, Guys & Dolls and West Side Story. Telly's 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, Telly was admitted to Carnegie Mellon University's School of Drama, where he received most of his formal training in acting, singing, and dance. He is openly gay.[5]

Acting career

Theater

During the summers off of his college career, Leung gained his Equity Card performing at the Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera and The MUNY in St. Louis. He worked with directors and choreographers including Tony-winner Thommie Walsh, Paul Blake, Larry Fuller, Mitzi Hamilton, Liza Gennaro, Lee Roy Reams, and Mercedes Ellington. It was also at CMU that he met fellow CMU-alum and 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 phoned colleagues involved in the upcoming Broadway revival of Flower Drum Song and landed Telly an audition.

Leung performing in the 2011 Broadway Revival of Godspell

In the fall of 2002, Leung made his Broadway debut[6] in the revival of Flower Drum Song, starring Lea Salonga, as a member of the ensemble and an understudy for Wang Ta. Telly 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.[7] Telly then returned to Broadway and performed as The Waiter in the final run of RENT. Telly has performed all over the country at theatres such as Carnegie Hall, Philadelphia Theatre Company, Sacramento Music circus, Ford's Theatre, North Carolina Theatre, Four Seasons Centre, and North Shore Music Theatre.

Leung appeared in the Broadway revival of Godspell at the Circle in the Square Theatre. He reprised his role from the Papermill Production as the "All Good Gifts" soloist.

Leung was a featured performer in the world premiere of Allegiance: A New American Musical at the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego in September 2012, with co-stars Lea Salonga and George Takei.[8]

In 2014, Leung appeared in a new play, The World of Extreme Happiness, by Frances Ya-Chu Cowhig, at Goodman Theatre in Chicago; and in the co-production with Goodman Theatre at the Manhattan Theatre Club in February 2015.

In October 2015 Leung returned to Broadway in Allegiance: A New American Musical at the Longacre Theatre with co-stars George Takei and Lea Salonga.[9]

Film

Telly was a member of the final company of RENT – and made his film debut in Radical Media / Sony's RENT: Filmed Live on Broadway. Excerpts from the San Diego premiere of Allegiance appear in the film To Be Takei.

Television

Telly had a recurring role in Glee in 2010–2011, performing as Wes in the Dalton Academy Warblers. He's also appeared in the pilot of Limelight and in Law & Order: Criminal Intent.

Recordings

Telly's first solo CD, "I'll Cover You," was released on December 4, 2012 on the Yellow Sound Label.[10] He is featured on the cast recordings of Godspell, Flower Drum Song, Pacific Overtures, Dear Edwina and Wall to Wall Sondheim. In 2005, Telly released an EP of his original music, "Getaway" on Mopptopp Records.[11]

Notable roles

Theater
Year Play Role Notes
2016 In Transit Steven Circle in the Square
2015 Allegiance Young Sam Longacre Theatre
2012 Allegiance Young Sam Old Globe Theatre
2011 Godspell Performer Broadway revival
2010 Rent Angel Hollywood Bowl – Los Angeles
2006 Rent Performer Broadway
2005 Wicked Boq Chicago
2005 Pacific Overtures Performer Broadway
2002 Flower Drum Song Performer Broadway
Film
Year Title Role Notes
2009 Rent: Filmed Live on Broadway Performer
Television
Year Title Role Notes
2010–2011 Glee Wes – Dalton Academy Warbler Recurring role
2010–2011 Limelight Kevin Chang Pilot
2007 Law & Order: Criminal Intent Kenny Li

Discography

Studio albums
Extended plays
Singles
Cast albums

References

  1. ↑ "Telly Leung on IMDB". Retrieved January 3, 2012.
  2. ↑ "LA Times: Faces to Watch in 2012". Retrieved January 3, 2012.
  3. ↑ "Telly Leung bio". Retrieved January 3, 2012.
  4. ↑ "Lin Speaks to the Stuyvesant Class of 2012…Just Not in Person". WNYC. May 2, 2012. Retrieved May 23, 2015.
  5. ↑ http://oasisjournals.com/2012/04/telly-leung-interview?page=0%2C3
  6. ↑ "Telly Leung on IBDB". Retrieved January 3, 2012.
  7. ↑ "Playbill interviews Telly Leung". December 1, 2011. Retrieved January 3, 2012.
  8. ↑ "ALLEGIANCE – A NEW AMERICAN MUSICAL". December 16, 2011.
  9. ↑ Haun, Harry. "Playbill On Opening Night: How Allegiance Gave George Takei One More Chance to Tell His Father "I'm Sorry"", Playbill, November 9, 2015
  10. ↑ "Telly Leung CD Release from Playbill". Retrieved December 19, 2012.
  11. ↑ "Getaway at CDBaby". Retrieved January 3, 2012.
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