Salutes Faces of Black History Back To McDonald's Salutes Faces of Black History 2025
Ken Page
The Nightmare Before Christmas
Ken Page’s artistry spans four remarkable decades, painting a vibrant portrait of theatrical excellence. His rich baritone voice and magnetic stage presence propelled him from local St. Louis productions to Broadway’s brightest spotlights. Audiences cherish his unforgettable portrayals in “Ain’t Misbehavin'” and “Cats,” while animation fans worldwide recognize him as the voice behind Oogie Boogie in “The Nightmare Before Christmas.” His exceptional talent earned him the prestigious Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actor, marking just one highlight in a career filled with artistic triumphs.
Page’s artistic journey reflects both personal determination and cultural significance. His groundbreaking role in the all-Black revival of “Guys and Dolls” and stellar performances across 45 shows at The Muny showcase an artist who consistently challenged industry norms. This story celebrates a performer whose impact reaches far beyond the stage – a champion for diversity who inspired countless artists to embrace their authentic voices while pursuing artistic excellence.
From St. Louis to Broadway Stardom
St. Louis, Missouri shaped Ken Page’s earliest artistic dreams. Born in 1954 in the Carr Square public housing projects, young Page discovered his musical gift at St. Nicholas Elementary School. Sister Ruth Cecilia, recognizing his exceptional voice, created opportunities for him to shine with the Holy Innocence School choir. His educational journey continued through Bishop DuBourg High School, culminating in his 1972 graduation and full scholarship to Fontbonne College where theater became his focus.
The historic Muny theater welcomed Page into professional performance, marking the start of his artistic career. His debut paid role cast him as ‘Stewpot’ in South Pacific, where he shared the stage with seasoned performers Frank Sutton and Mary Travers.
Broadway beckoned, and Page answered with remarkable talent. His first Broadway role showcased him as the Cowardly Lion in The Wiz. True stardom emerged when he stepped into the shoes of Nicely-Nicely Johnson for the groundbreaking 1976 all-Black revival of Guys and Dolls. This stellar performance earned him the prestigious Theater World Award.
Page’s artistic brilliance reached new heights in 1978. At just 24, he joined the original cast of Ain’t Misbehavin’, delivering a performance that earned him the Drama Desk Award. This Tony Award-winning production became the talk of Manhattan, with Page’s talent at its heart.
His early career flourished across New York’s vibrant performance scene. Audiences at The Grand Finale, Reno Sweeney’s, and The Bottom Line witnessed his remarkable range. Musical legends recognized his potential, with artists like Lena Horne offering their guidance and wisdom.
Mastering the Art of Voice Acting
Rich baritone notes opened magical doors for Ken Page across animation and gaming realms. His most beloved character, Oogie Boogie in Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas, emerged in 1993. The filmmakers dreamed of a voice echoing legends Cab Calloway and Fats Waller for their musical villain. Page answered brilliantly, crafting Oogie’s signature sound from an artistic blend of Bert Lahr’s style and Mercedes McCambridge’s haunting demon voice from The Exorcist.
Disney’s animated worlds welcomed Page’s vocal magic beyond Halloween Town. His portrayal of King Gator added heart to the 1989 feature All Dogs Go to Heaven. Video game fans treasure his commanding presence in the Kingdom Hearts series. Disney theme parks still echo with his unforgettable Oogie Boogie performances, featuring in attractions like HalloWishes at Walt Disney World and Halloween Screams at Disneyland.
Page’s artistic dedication shines through each Oogie Boogie reprisal. Prestigious venues like the Hollywood Bowl, Brooklyn’s Barclays Center, and London’s Wembley Arena hosted his spellbinding live-to-film concerts with the London Philharmonic Orchestra. Composer Danny Elfman celebrated Page’s electric stage presence, noting how he “lit up the stage” during every rehearsal and performance. “Oogie Boogie’s Song” stands as Page’s signature piece, where menace and playfulness dance in perfect harmony.
Legacy on Stage and Screen
Broadway stages and silver screens sparkle with Ken Page’s artistic brilliance. His masterful portrayal of Fats Waller in “Ain’t Misbehavin'” earned him the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actor, cementing his place among Broadway’s finest talents.
The Muny theater holds Page’s heart and history through 45 remarkable productions. His portrayal of Doc in “West Side Story” touched audiences deeply in both 2013 and 2023, bringing wisdom and moral clarity to the beloved character. The Muny honored his dedication by naming him their official voice in 2013, allowing his warm welcome to greet every audience.
Musical intimacy found new expression in Page’s cabaret show “Old, New, Borrowed and Blue.” First charming New York audiences, then returning home to St. Louis, these performances revealed his gift for personal connection. “Come relax and have a good time and be in my living room,” he would tell his audiences, creating magical evenings of shared joy.
Page’s artistic courage blazed trails for future performers. His proud, open identity as a gay artist spoke volumes about authenticity in theater. Young LGBT artists found strength in his message: “Pride starts from within them, not outside of them”. Such dedication to truth and excellence brought him the Lifetime Achievement Award from both the Manhattan Association of Cabaret Artists and the St. Louis Arts Foundation.
His final curtain calls in 2024 showcased undiminished talent – touching performances as the Bishop of Digne in “Les Misérables” and Old Joe in “Waitress”. Page’s passing at 70 years marked theater’s farewell to a genuine pioneer, yet his artistic spirit lives on, inspiring new generations to embrace their authentic voices.
Conclusion
Ken Page’s artistic tapestry weaves forty magnificent years of entertainment magic. St. Louis theaters nurtured his early dreams, while his powerful baritone voice and magnetic presence conquered Broadway stages, animated worlds, and countless hearts. Signature roles like Oogie Boogie and his Drama Desk Award-winning turn in “Ain’t Misbehavin'” shine bright, yet merely hint at his profound artistic impact.
Theater doors opened wider because Page dared to be himself. His artistic truth rang clear through 45 cherished Muny performances, pathbreaking Broadway roles, and unforgettable voice characterizations. Young performers watched, learned, and found courage in his footsteps, seeing how genuine talent paired with unwavering authenticity could reshape entertainment’s landscape.
Pure artistry knows no boundaries – Page proved this truth on every stage. His 2024 performances glowed with the same radiant spirit that marked his earliest roles, showing how true artistic gifts mature like fine wine. Today, his legacy sparkles in countless recordings and performances, but shines brightest in the hearts of artists who learned from him to stand proud, embrace their unique voices, and chase their dreams with passionate determination.
[2] – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ken_Page
[3] – https://www.theatermania.com/news/ken-page-original-old-deuteronomy-in-cats-dies-at-70_1751720/
[4] – https://www.thehistorymakers.org/biography/ken-page-41
[5] – https://playbill.com/article/look-back-at-the-1976-revival-of-guys-and-dolls-on-broadway
[8] – https://www.fox5dc.com/news/ken-page-voice-oogie-boogie-the-nightmare-before-christmas-dies-70-2024
[9] – https://directconversations.com/2014/10/31/ken-page-nightmare-christmas/
[10] – https://disney.fandom.com/wiki/Ken_Page
[11] – https://foxpacf.org/ken-page/
[13] – https://deadline.com/2024/10/ken-page-dead-1236104312/
[15] – https://muny.org/farewell-to-ken-page-the-legendary-voice-of-the-muny/
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