Florida Southern College’s Mister Fitzgerald Poised to Make Broadway Debut

Florida Southern College’s Mister Fitzgerald Poised to Make Broadway Debut

Mister Fitzgerald, a 2016 alumnus of the Florida Southern College Theatre Department and Baltimore native, will make his Broadway debut as “David/Val” in the play Ohio State Murders, with a first preview on Nov. 11, and the official opening of the limited engagement play happening on Dec. 8. Performances will take place at the newly restored James Earl Jones Theatre in New York.

Fitzgerald will be performing in a cast that includes six-time Tony Award winner and American Theater Hall of Famer Audra McDonald, Tony Award nominee Bryce Pinkham, Lizan Mitchell, and Abigail Stephenson.

Ohio State Murders was written by 91-year-old Obie Lifetime Achievement Award winner and Theater Hall of Fame inductee Adrienne Kennedy, who was awarded the Gold Medal for Drama from the Academy of Arts and Letters earlier this year. The play will be directed by Tony winner Kenny Leon.

Kennedy’s play tells the story of fictional African American writer, Suzanne Alexander, who enters The Ohio State University in 1949. The drama chronicles what happens to the character when she is invited to return to Ohio State years later to talk about her writing. A mystery that examines the destructiveness of racism in the U.S. unfolds.

While attending FSC, Fitzgerald’s professors were able to watch him grow in his ability, confidence, and range. Professor James Beck, chair of the Department of Theatre Arts & Dance, directed him in productions of Rent and The Boys Next Door.

“The nuance, understanding and dynamic qualities he brought to each of those roles was evidence of a mature and thinking actor combined with great sensitivity and understanding of how to convey those characters truthfully on stage,” Beck said. “In addition to his clear talent, he was also a great person to work with, and an all-around nice guy. He took direction well, brought ideas to the rehearsal process, and grew each character to fit both himself and the production. I have been very happy to see him working, but not at all surprised. His talent, solid work-ethic, and drive were evident as a student, and are serving him well as a working artist.”

Other members of the Theatre Arts & Dance department have fond memories of him as a student. They are proud of Fitzgerald’s accomplishments.

“Mister was a stellar student during his time at FSC,” Dr. Christianne Roll, Associate Professor of Musical Theatre and Musical Theatre Program Coordinator said. “He was dedicated to every role he portrayed and was immensely talented as an actor and a singer. It has been so exciting to see him continue to have great success in his career, due to his unique combination of talent, motivation, intelligence, style, and humor. The faculty are so proud of Mister and this new milestone of his career.”

Fitzgerald is currently playing the role of "George Murchison" in The Public Theater production of A Raisin in the Sun, which wraps up on Nov. 6 The Public Theater is known as an incubator for aspiring plays in New York City and is where Hair and Hamilton got their start.

Fitzgerald has appeared in the Blue Man Group and as “Bolade” in Rio Uphill with York Theatre. He will be starring in the upcoming film The Last Deal in the role of “Bobby”. His TV credits include shows like “Power Book II: Ghost,” “FBI,” “The Blacklist,” and “Blue Bloods.”

“I am so proud of my former student,” Dr. Christianne Roll said.