The quintessential song and dance man, Kirby Ward has entertained the world over, performing for queens, presidents, first ladies and dignitaries on nearly every continent on the globe. Born a California boy, he’s lived and played in Los Angeles, New York, London, China, Australia, Europe, Japan, and now makes his home in Connecticut while continuing to travel the world as an actor, writer, director and choreographer.

When cast as Bobby Child in the London production of Crazy for You, Kirby packed up his family and moved the whole bunch to Kensington for a year. His portrayal of the lead character in this West End premiere netted him an Olivier Award nomination, as well as the honor of meeting and performing for the royal family on the Queen Mum’s birthday. You can hear him on the original London cast album for First Night Records.

As an actor he has run the gamut of song and dance roles, playing every “Billy” or “Bobby” from My One and Only to 42nd Street, and a couple of “Dons” and “Toms” thrown in to mix things up (Singin’ in the Rain and No No Nanette). Departing from the song and dance motif has led Kirby into such roles as King Herod in Jesus Christ Superstar, Arnolphe in School For Wives, Vernon in They’re Playin’ Our Song, and even a stint as Che in Evita. 

New York area audiences have seen Kirby’s work on Broadway in Hal Prince’s Show Boat! (Frank Schultz), Woman of the Year at the Palace, Never Gonna Dance at the Broadhurst, and in the off-Broadway revival cast of Cocoanuts (Harvey) and in Company (David). His direction and choreography in the metro area for Dames at Sea, The Jazz Singer, and Grease were all critically acclaimed. On television he has appeared on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, General Hospital, The Tonight Show, and numerous commercials. Film appearances include For the Boys, Pennies from Heaven, and S.O.B. Kirby was honored to portray Bob Hope at the Library of Congress’ celebration for Mr. Hope’s hundredth birthday, an event hosted by Dick Cavett. 

In Los Angeles, Kirby choreographed portions of Debbie Reynolds’ and Donald O’Connor’s Las Vegas acts, appearing in both for a number of years as a singer and dancer, and trained Bette Midler and James Caan in song and dance technique for the 20th Century Fox film, For The Boys. He rounds out his contribution to the entertainment field by writing for television for Hanna Barbera Studios and the regional stage as one of the creators of the musical, The Gypsy King at the Village Theatre in Ithaca, WA. Recently, his original short film Down in the Mouth was awarded Best Short Film at the Kent Film Festival in Kent, CT.