Ken Ard THE CROONER A baritone's journey in velvet

ABOUT THIS SHOW:

Ballads, Blues & Cocktails • A Baritone’s Journey in Velvet

The Crooner is a one-man jazz-theater experience set in an intimate, elegant supper club — no beer bottles, no popcorn, just ballads, blues & cocktails. Starring veteran Broadway performer and jazz baritone Ken Ard, the show charts the journey of a suave entertainer whose style was always effortless… but never easy.

Backed by a velvet playlist—from Oscar Brown Jr. to Anthony Newley, Nat Adderley, Harold Arlen, Cy Coleman, and Thelonious Monk—The Crooner takes audiences from swagger to soul, peeling back the polish to reveal the cost of charm, the beauty in broken notes, and the grace it takes to keep singing.

A tuxedoed confession for the champagne crowd.
And when the curtain falls, he leaves them with one final toast: Here’s to life.

Musical direction by Ben Prince.

ABOUT KEN ARD:

Ken Ard has originated roles in some of the biggest hit shows in Broadway’s history. Two of which he holds Grammy Award Certifications for best cast album. Macavity in Cats and Ken in Smokey Joe’s Cafe. Other notable roles include Electra in Starlight Express, Pluton in Dangerous Games, and The Chimney Man starring opposite Gregory Hines in Jelly’s Last Jam.

Ken was honored to standby for Tony Award-winning legend André De Shields in the Musical Half Time at the Papermill Playhouse and was subsequently chosen by Mr. De Shields to lead his multitalented cast in Sophisticated Ladies at NJPAC.

In 2021/22 Ken was featured in Taylor Mac’s critically acclaimed limited run sold-out Off-Broadway opera, The Hang.

The 2023/24 Holiday season saw Ken as Duke Ellington in SugarHill the Ellington/Strayhorn Nut Cracker Suite at the Auditorium Theater in Chicago.

Ken most recently starred in a Twisty Intergalactic Spectacle at the Hip Pocket Theater in Fort Worth Texas, a show created with and directed by husband Basil Twist.

Ken also appeared as Wilbur in the 2001 Academy Award-winning film Chicago.