Ken Page (born January 20, 1954) is an American actor and singer. Page created the role of "Ken" in the original Broadway production of Ain't Misbehavin', and played the role of "Old Deuteronomy" in both the original Broadway and filmed stage productions of Cats. Page is also known as the voice of Oogie Boogie in The Nightmare Before Christmas franchise. He also was in the original Broadway production of The Wiz as The Lion and the first Broadway revival of Guys and Dolls as Nicely-Nicely Johnson.
Early life
Kenneth Page was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri. He was raised Catholic by his mother, Gloria and his step-father, Garvin Gilstrap. He attended St. Bridget of Erin and St. Nicholas elementary schools. While attending St. Nicholas, he was inspired by a teacher and an older cousin to pursue theater. He subsequently graduated from Bishop DuBourg High School in 1973. From there he attended Fontbonne College in Clayton, Missouri on a full scholarship and majored in theater.
Career
Page began his career in the chorus of The Muny outdoor theater in St. Louis. After making his Broadway debut in The Wiz, Page played Nicely-Nicely Johnson in the all-black revival of Guys and Dolls (Theatre World Award). He was then featured in the original cast of the Fats Waller musical revue, Ain't Misbehavin' (Drama Desk Award), a role he reprised in the 1982 television broadcast. He also returned to the show in its 1988 Broadway revival. In 1982, he played Old Deuteronomy in Cats, returning to the part in the 1998 video release. He also has the distinction of playing God twice: in Randy Newman's Faust at La Jolla Playhouse and Goodman Theatre and in Stephen Schwartz's Children of Eden (West End). Page frequently acts in shows at The Muny, with appearances including Jesus Christ Superstar, Aida, The Wizard of Oz, Les Misérables, My One and Only, and Little Shop of Horrors.
Besides The Nightmare Before Christmas, Page's major film credits include All Dogs Go to Heaven and Torch Song Trilogy, as well as Dreamgirls. His TV credits include guest roles on shows such as Charmed and Touched by an Angel, as well as various films and specials.
In later years, Page has developed and performed his cabaret-singer show, Page by Page, and directed various regional and touring productions. Page was the voice of the notorious talking plant Audrey II in the Muny's production of Little Shop of Horrors. He also reprised the role of Old Deuteronomy in the Lubbock Moonlight Musicals production of Cats in Lubbock, TX.
He regularly reprises his role as Oogie Boogie in several other Disney productions such as the fireworks display HalloWishes at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom, its sister show, Halloween Screams at Disneyland, the Haunted Mansion Holiday (also at Disneyland), the Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular (at Magic Kingdom) and subsequent video games including The Nightmare Before Christmas: The Pumpkin King, The Nightmare Before Christmas: Oogie's Revenge and the Kingdom Hearts series.
Personal life
In a 2015 interview with St. Louis Magazine, Page said that he identifies as gay.
Filmography
Film
Television
Video games
Theatre
Broadway
Off Broadway
Regional
The Muny-St. Louis
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1973: South Pacific as Stewpot
1973: Fiddler on the Roof as Chaim / Fruma Sarah (legs) 1974: Bitter Sweet as Ensemble 1994: Ain't Misbehavin' as Ken 1995: Camelot as King Pellinore 1996: Sleeping Beauty as the voice of Wendell 1997: The Wizard of Oz as Zeke/The Cowardly Lion 1998: Radio City Rockettes MUNY Spectacular as Ensemble 1998: Damn Yankees as Mgr. Van Buren 1999: Grease as Teen Angel 2001: My Fair Lady as Colonel Pickering 2002: The Fantasticks as Bellomy 2004: Cats as Old Deuteronomy 2004: Breakfast at Tiffany's as Joe 2005: Jesus Christ Superstar as King Herod 2005: Beauty and the Beast as Maurice/Narrator 2006: The Wizard of Oz as Professor Marvel/The Wizard of Oz 2006: Oliver! as Mr. Bumble 2006: Aida" as Amonasro 2007: Les Misérables as Monsieur Thénardier 2008: My One and Only as Rt. Rev. J.D. Montgomery 2008: 90 Years of Muny Magic as Principal 2010: Cats as Old Deuteronomy 2010: Beauty and the Beast as Maurice/Narrator 2011: The Little Mermaid as King Triton 2011: Little Shop of Horrors as the voice of Audrey II 2012: Dreamgirls as Marty 2012: Aladdin as Sultan 2013: West Side Story as Doc 2014: Tarzan as Porter 2015: Into the Woods as The Narrator 2016: Aida as Amonasro 2018: Meet Me in St. Louis as Grandpa Prophater 2019: Guys and Dolls as Arvide Abernathy 2023: West Side Story as Doc}}