Tom Lenk, best known for his run on the cult-classic television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer, will make his Broadway debut as flamboyant German real estate developer Franz in Rock of Ages. Lenk originated the role in Rock of Ages’ 2006 Los Angeles and Las Vegas productions prior to the show’s off-Broadway debut in October 2008. The actor begins a six month limited engagement on September 14 at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre, taking over for Wesley Taylor, who is departing the cast for the upcoming Chicago premiere of The Addams Family.
Lenk joins a cast featuring Tony Award nominee Constantine Maroulis, James Carpinello, Adam Dannheisser, Mitchell Jarvis, Michele Mais, Lauren Molina, Don Stephenson, Ericka Hunter, Jeremy Jordan, Michael Minarik, Angel Reed, Bahiyah Sayyed-Gaines, Becca Tobin, Katherine Tokarz, Andre Ward, Tad Wilson and Jeremy Woodard. As previously announced, Kerry Butler begins her run as leading lady Sherrie on September 21, while original cast member Paul Shoeffler, currently on leave from the production, returns October 26.
Lenk has appeared on stage in Save Me from My Sister (Hudson Theatre), There’s Someone Living in the House That Jack Built and The Book of Liz (Hollywood’s 2nd Stage Theatre), Ann E. Wrecksick, Rock of Ages (Vanguard Hollywood), Bye Bye Birdie (Cabrillo Music Theatre), The Pajama Game (Reprise!) and in the European tour of Grease. In addition to his long stint as Andrew Wells on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, he has been seen on television’s Judging Amy, Popular, Angel, Six Feet Under, Joey, House M.D., How I Met Your Mother and Eli Stone. Lenk’s film credits include Window Theory, Bandwagon, Loretta, Date Movie, The Number 23 and Transformers.
The Broadway run reunites Lenk with director Kristin Hanggi, his former UCLA classmate and helmer of Ann E. Wrecksick.