“A distinguished star of stage and screen, Michael D. Xavier recently played the lead role of Joe Bradley in the European premiere of Roman Holiday The Musical and the lead role of Henry Higgins in the UK tour of My Fair Lady. In 2017 he starred on Broadway playing the lead role of Joe in Sunset Boulevard opposite Hollywood film star Glenn Close shortly followed by a leading role in Prince of Broadway directed by the late, legendary Hal Prince and Susan Stroman.
Over the last few years he has been seen in ITV’s Grantchester; Gentleman Jack (BBC/HBO), as secret agent Chistopher Miles in The Blacklist (NBC) and as Lieutenant Hamilton Knox in Outlander (Starz). He’s also been filming ITV’s Grace with John Simm and The Chelsea Detective (ITV) with Adrian Scarborough.
Mr Xavier recently finished playing the leading role of Jeremy Zenner in futuristic feature film Utopia and stars in the feature film Hammarskjöld as Hellemans and The Isle Tide Hotel, an exciting feature-length interactive film in which Michael stars as the lead, Josh.
He received two concurrent Olivier Award nominations in 2011 for his performances in Into The Woods at The Open Air Theatre and Love Story at The Duchess Theatre & Chichester Festival Theatre.
His numerous other theatre credits include: Sam in Sleepless (Wembley Park Theatre), Joe in Sunset Boulevard (ENO/Coliseum), Suffolk and George Of Clarence in Shakespeare’s trilogy The War of the Roses directed by Trevor Nunn (Rose Theatre), Charlie/Vittorio Vidal/Oscar in Sweet Charity (Cadogan Hall), John Wilkes Booth in Assassins (Menier Chocolate Factory), Sid Sorokin in The Pajama Game (Shaftesbury Theatre – Broadway World Award nomination), Captain Von Trapp in The Sound Of Music (Open Air Theatre, Regent’s Park – Broadway World Award nomination), Raoul in The Phantom Of The Opera (Her Majesty’s Theatre), Sky in Mamma Mia! (International Tour Original Cast), Freddy Eynsford-Hill in My Fair Lady (Theatre Royal, Drury Lane), Miss Great Plains in Pageant (Vaudeville Theatre and King’s Head Theatre), Nankipoo in The Mikado (UK Tour) and Chris in Miss Saigon (Original UK Tour) among others.
Mr Xavier’s many film appearances include Paris, Wine & Romance, Never Let Go, The Muppets Most Wanted! and Gnomeland while his radio credits include recordings for BBC Radio 2 such as Tony in West Side Story and Artie Green in Sunset Boulevard.
Recordings include: The Phantom of the Opera’s The Phantom (Music Of The Night) and Company’s Bobby (Being Alive) in Prince Of Broadway (Original Broadway Cast Recording), Oliver in Love Story (Original Cast Recording), Laurie in Little Women (Pelion Productions), Thank You For The Music (West End International), Soldier in Toys (MiltonMorrisey Productions), Unwritten Song (Michael Bruce), Chance In A Lifetime (Tim Prottey-Jones) and Therese Racquin and Lift (Craig Adams).”
Galore SA Media had the opportunity to get to know Michael D. Xavier a bit better and unfolding this straight to our readers.
Massive thanks to Collett Dawson from The CoLab Network for facilitating this interview.
What sparked your initial passion for the arts and entertainment industry?
I was a very sporty child but when I got bronchitis I was forced to stop playing sports. I applied to be part of my school production of Grease and never looked back!
Can you share any pivotal moments or experiences that shaped your career path?
There was one. I realized on the first day of rehearsals that it was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. One great pivotal moment was when the casting director of Sunset Boulevard (David Grindrod) stopped the director (Lonny Price) from leaving just before I went in the room. Lonny had food poisoning and was very unwell but David said “you might want to wait for this next guy” He did and I got the part. Thank you, David!
What has been the most rewarding and challenging role you’ve played and why was it challenging?
There have been so many challenging roles for different reasons but probably the toughest and most rewarding was Oliver in Love Story. I hardly left the stage as we were in every scene and would only go off for costume changes (the FASTEST I’ve ever done) but the challenge was in playing a young man who’s life gets turned upside down when his wife is told she only has months to live. To play that emotion 8 times a week for several months took its toll on my wellbeing. When the show closed and people asked me how I felt I said “I feel great! I’m not crying every night!”
What advice would you give to aspiring performers looking to break into the Broadway/West End scene?
Continue to be open to new information. You NEVER stop learning. And work hard. If you really want it, you must work harder than your peers and hope a little luck also falls your way. If you’ve worked hard you’ll be ready to take advantage of that luck!
How does performing on stage differ from acting in front of the TV camera?
There’s a completely different set of skills you have performing on stage. An understanding of your physicality is essential. I’ve seen to many actors doing plays and they don’t know how to stand! But acting on camera is more exposing. You have nowhere to hide. Your feelings must be true at every moment or the camera (audience) will be able to tell you’re faking it!
Can you tell us about some of the most inspiring collaborators you’ve worked with?
Hal Prince has to be the top. What a legend! 21 Tony Awards in his lifetime and a man that even in his 90s was still so passionate about theatre! A great honour to have worked with him.
What drives you to continue pushing your boundaries as an artist?
Working with youngsters. I run a school called MX Masterclass and seeing their passion and dedication continues to inspire me to work hard and follow my heart. It’s humbling!
Looking back on your career, what are you most proud of thus far?
I’m proud that I’ve been able to move successfully from being a stage actor to a screen one. I’ve also worked with some incredible people (from actors like Glenn Close to directors like Sir Richard Eyre to writers like Sally Wainwright) and that’s been a huge highlight for me. But I suppose I’m mostly proud of being able to inspire the next generation of performers with my school, MX Masterclass.
What can audiences in Cape Town expect from you in Finding The Light?
I’ll be singing some favourites of mine as well as a classic song from my Sunset Boulevard days, but also I get to perform other songs I’ve never sung with our incredible cast members..
What drew you to be part of Finding The Light?
I ADORE Cape Town, having worked there many times over the years (doing Mamma Mia! over two years and shooting an advert and a movie). But also when I realised it was for the Kolisi Foundation I was hooked! It’s such a fabulous charity and I’m honoured to help raise money for it.
Have you performed in South Africa before? If yes, what was the experience like? If no, what are you most looking forward to?
It was the most incredible experience. I played Mamma Mia! in Pretoria, Johannesburg, Durban and, my favourite, Cape Town. Hanging out on the beach during the day and then going to do a show in the evening was heavenly!
Are you looking forward to working with your South African counterparts on stage? Anything in particular?
Yes! I’ve never had the chance to sing in South Africa with South Africans so it’ll be a total joy. The singers are incredible and it’s an honour to share the stage with them all!
Will you try to see some of the beautiful Cape Town scenery / tourist sites while you’re there?
Yes! As much as we’re allowed to. We may be rehearsing during the days but I’m sure there’ll be a little opportunity to see some sights. After the concerts are over I’ll be heading to Safari for three days to see some animals in their natural habitat. I love animals – and I want to support those we need to protect from endangerment.
FINDING THE LIGHT – AN EVENING WITH MUSICAL THEATRE STARS will be staged by the UK’s Paul Robinson (Singing In The Rain – Olivier Nominated) with Musical Supervision by Charl-Johan Lingenfelder (West Side Story, King Kong) and Musical Direction by Dawid Boverhoff (Kinky Boots, Funny Girl, Sound of Music).
Siya and Rachel Kolisi founded the Kolisi Foundation with a vision to use their influence to change the stories of inequality in South Africa, to see thriving communities. The Foundation works alongside others to make a difference, by “remembering the one, one by one” to impact the nation.
Finding the Light Foundation helps unite and mobilise South Africans and Africans in the UK and in South Africa in support of those addressing frontline challenges in South Africa.
The two organisations, in their own right, were both founded with the common desire of making an enduring difference in South Africa.
For further information visit https://kolisifoundation.org/ and https://ftl.org.uk/
Finding The Light – An Evening with Musical Theatre Stars is on stage at The Artscape Opera House in Cape Town from Wednesday 17th – Sunday 21 April 2024 for 6 performances only. The Gala Event will take place on Thursday 18 April.
Tickets, starting from R190, can be booked at Webtickets
Evening performances are at 20h00, with matinees on Saturday at 15h00 and Sunday at 14h00.
*VIP experience packages are available and include welcome sparkling wine and prime seating.
No babies on laps, no under 5s.
