Hamilton Singer & Actor Jonathan Groff Joins Local Museum Board

Doylestown, PA—The über talented and Tony-nominated Actor & Singer Jonathan Groff; known for musicals such as "Spring Awakening," "Hamilton," and Disney's "Frozen," has joined the honorary board of a local nonprofit that is currently in the midst of raising funds to purchase Highland Farm, the former property of Oscar Hammerstein II.

Once cast as Rolf in a 2003 national tour of The Sound of Music, Jonathan Groff pursued his dream of acting and moved from his hometown of Lancaster, Pennsylvania to New York City. In 2005, Jonathan played the role of Nick Piazza in the musical Fame at the North Shore Music Theatre. After two successful decades of acting and singing on Broadway and for the big screen, Jonathan Groff has agreed to join the growing list of distinguished artists as an honorary board member for The Oscar Hammerstein Museum and Theatre Education Center.

Jonathan Groff stated, “It is my honor to support this very important historical project of saving Oscar Hammerstein’s home. From singing ‘In My Own Little Corner’ as a child (dressed as Cinderella) to starting my professional career playing Rolf in The Sound of Music - Mr. Hammerstein's work has had a profound effect on my life. ‘And you will note there's a lump in my throat when I speak of that wonderful guy!’ I am thrilled to help preserve this great artist's work and legacy."

Jonathan is best known for his roles of King George III in "Hamilton," the voice of Kristoff and Sven for Disney’s "Frozen" franchise and his television roles in the musical-comedy series "Glee" and Netflix crime-drama "Mindhunter." Jonathan made his Broadway debut in 2006 in the coming-of-age rock musical, "Spring Awakening" where he was cast in the leading role of Melchior Gabor. For this performance, he was nominated for a Tony; making him one of the youngest people ever nominated for best actor in a musical.

“From a young Stephen Sondheim to Lin-Manuel Miranda, Oscar Hammerstein’s lyrics have inspired decades of composers, singers, and musicians. The house where he has written and inspired needs to be preserved for many more to be inspired. It is my pleasure to be on the board to help this museum and theatre educational center be realized,” Stated Kristine Lewis, a Founding Board Member and Owner of Lewis & Fox Casting and Theatre Arts Center in Bucks County, PA.

Jonathan Groff joins the honorary board along with a growing list of influential actors, musicians, writers, creatives, and performers to include Shirley Jones, Ted Chapin, Melinda Mathias Walsh, Gerald Dickens, Mariel Hemingway, Morten Lauridsen and Kassie Mundhenk.

The organization hopes members of the community will join Jonathan to ensure The Oscar Hammerstein Museum and Theatre Education Center completes their mission of preserving Oscar Hammerstein’s home. To find out more about this project of historical and cultural significance, visit the agency’s website at: https://www.hammersteinmuseum.org. For more information about the project, members of the media and the public can reach out to Christine Junker at cjunker.ohmtec@gmail.com.