Jeremy Kushnier

Jeremy Kushnier is a Canadian actor, singer and songwriter.

Early life

Jeremy Kushnier was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Kushnier attended Miles MacDonell Collegiate, the Winnipeg School of Performing Arts, and the Royal [Winnipeg Ballet], all in Winnipeg. He is the brother of the actor Serge Kushnier and the musician Bryce Kushnier, involved with the electronic project Vitaminsforyou.
Kushnier travelled by bus from Toronto to New York City to audition for a role in Footloose in 1997.

Life and career

Kushnier is known for originating the role of Ren McCormick in the musical rendition of Footloose, and for his role in the Tony Award-winning musical Jersey Boys in the role of Tommy Devito and was one of the "Top 10 Great Chicago Performances of 2007". He starred in the Chicago cast, and then opened the Vegas production. He took over the role of Tommy on August 21, 2008 as part of the Toronto engagement of Jersey Boys, which was part of the North American tour. He played Dr. Madden/Dr. Fine in the first national tour of the Pulitzer Prize winning musical Next to Normal.
In the Broadway revival of Jesus Christ Superstar, he played a priest and understudied the roles of Judas, Jesus and Pilate.
He also performed on Broadway in the Cirque du Soleil show Paramour. Kushnier replaced actor Bradley Dean in 2016 in Paramour because of creative differences. Head Over Heels in 2018.
In February 2025, he joined the cast of the [Off-Broadway">Head Over Heels (musical)">Head Over Heels in 2018.
In February 2025, he joined the cast of the [Off-Broadway revival of Little Shop of Horrors as Orin Scrivello.
He was married to Jenny Lee Stern, but they have since divorced. He has two daughters.

Stage credits

Ref:

Broadway

[Footloose (musical)|Footloose] as Ren McCormack
[Rent (musical)|Rent] as Roger Davis
Jesus Christ Superstar as Ensemble and understudy Jesus/Judas/Pilate
Jersey Boys as Tommy Devito
Paramour as AJ
Head Over Heels as Basilius
Flying Over Sunset as understudy Aldous Huxley

Other theatre credits

Oliver Twist in Oliver! at Rainbow Stage, Winnipeg Manitoba
Ensemble in The Who's Tommy in the Toronto production and Canada tour
Roger Davis in Rent in the US Tour
Radames in Disney's Aida in the United States national tour
Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar at the Kansas City Starlight Theatre
Roger in Rent in the World Tour
Jerry in The Full Monty at Maine State Music Theater
Tommy DeVito in Jersey Boys in the Chicago, San Francisco, Las Vegas, and US Tour productions
Freddie Trumper in Chess at the Signature Theatre
Dr. Fine/Dr. Madden in Next to Normal in the first US Tour
Pilate in Jesus Christ Superstar in the pre-Broadway La Jolla Playhouse production
Mordcha in Fiddler on the Roof at the Stratford Festival
Captain Walker in The Who's Tommy at the Stratford Festival
Riff Raff in The Rocky Horror Show at the Bucks County Playhouse
Eddie Lawrence in Shear Madness in the Off-Broadway production
Uncle Ernie in The Who's Tommy at the Ridgefield Playhouse
Archibald Craven in The Secret Garden at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts
Rev. Shaw Moore in Footloose at The Muny
Bishop Maffeo Barberini in Galileo: A Rock Musical at the Berkeley Repertory Theatre
Orin Scrivello in Little Shop of Horrors in the Off-Broadway revival

Music

Jeremy Kushnier's first CD, In Time, is a celebration of relationships, life and love. Growing up, Jeremy's influences ranged from The Beatles to Billy Joel. Loving the singer/song writer genre he quickly developed his own style of writing, ranging from light ballads to edgy rock and roll.

Angel light
Randi
The ride's on me
Brooklyn baby
Your little tragedy
In time
Back away
Feminenemy
Here for you
The smile in her eyes

Kushnier's second album "Jeremy Kushnier" in 2006 is a more grounded look at life through clearer glasses. This EP conceived and produced with his friend and musical director Jonathan Dinklage is an acoustic blend of rock and pop that gleans its inspiration from an era of analog tape and tube warmth. A time when one good take could make an album. This album was recorded with a group of musicians with the feel and talent to pull this inspiration together in a truly creative and original way. There is an honesty in this recording that keeps it grounded without taking itself too seriously. Jeremy's writing continues to fuse his love of singer songwriters with his self-proclaimed pop addiction. From the moody Allison to the B52's-esque Lullaby this follow up to his first release "In Time" is sure to leave you wanting more.

Why
Lullaby
Allison
The one about Drew
Stars

Soundtrack:

"One Tree Hill"
Can't Stop This Thing We've Started TV episode

Movies credits

Actor:

The Adulterer .... Aaron