“a charismatic triple-threat.”
Opera News
A fixture of stage and screen, Jay Armstrong Johnson is now appearing on Broadway in the acclaimed New York City Center production of Parade, playing the sensationalist reporter Britt Craig in a performance the New York Times described as “superb.”
Jay is known to television audiences worldwide as genius hacker Will Olsen on ABC’s thriller series Quantico. As the eccentric, endearing Will Olsen, Jay appeared opposite Priyanka Chopra-Jonas in all three seasons of the show’s run and quickly became a fan favorite.
On Broadway, Jay is considered one of the industry’s most versatile triple-threats, having starred as “Raoul” in The Phantom of the Opera for the global phenomenon’s record-breaking 30th anniversary, “Chip” in the celebrated revival of the classic musical On the Town, and the original casts of the Tony Award-winning revival of Hair, Hands on a Hardbody, and Catch Me if You Can.
Jay has appeared across New York City stages in works at Second Stage, Classic Stage Company, Prospect Theatre Company, MCC, and Roundabout Theatre Company. At Roundabout, Jay originated roles in the world premiere of Scotland, PA and New York premiere of Darling Grenadine. For his turn as the lovable loner (and stoner) “Banko” in Scotland, PA, Jay received critical acclaim and nominations from both the Lucille Lortel and Drama Desk Awards for Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical. Jay was a 2020 Outer Critics Circle Honoree for his performance.
Jay’s debut album, Jay Armstrong Johnson — LIVE at Feinstein’s / 54 Below, is available on Spotify, iTunes, and broadwayrecords.com. Praising Jay’s live, recorded concert in the New York Times, music critic Stephen Holden said, “He has the gift.”
To date, Jay has performed in concert at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, the Kennedy Center, the Hollywood Bowl, and Tokyo’s Theatre Orb. At Lincoln Center, he starred opposite Emma Thompson, Bryn Terfel, and Audra McDonald in Sweeney Todd, directed by Lonny Price. The New York Philharmonic production was recorded for Live from Lincoln Center on PBS. Also at Lincoln Center, Jay starred as the title role in New York City Opera’s Candide, under the direction of the legendary Hal Prince.