Crystal Monee Hall

Crystal Monee Hall
Crystal Monee Hall
Born
Richmond, Virginia, U.S.
EducationUniversity of Virginia (SEHD)
Occupation(s)Stage actress
singer
songwriter
music producer
Years active1995–present
Websitecrystalmoneehall.com

Crystal Monee Hall is an American actress, singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. She rose in fame for her roles in the Tony Award-winning musical Rent. She has published independent music projects and collaborated with Mickey Hart Band. After being cast in several television series, in 2023 she starred on Alicia Keys' jukebox musical Hell's Kitchen.

Career

Born and raised in Richmond, Virginia, Hall holds a master's degree in Education from the University of Virginia's School of Education and Human Development (formerly the Curry School of Education) as well as undergraduate degrees in English and African American Studies.

She began her career with the Tony Award-winning musical Rent, playing numerous roles in the Broadway and National Touring companies.[1]

In 2010 Hall independently released her debut album, River Train,[2][3] garnering the attention of Grateful Dead drummer Mickey Hart. In 2011 Hall joined the newly reformed all-star Mickey Hart Band. She contributed songwriting and vocals to both of the band's albums, Mysterium Tremendum (2012) and Superorganism (2013).[4][5][6]

Hall has provided supporting vocals for Elton John, Mariah Carey, Jason Mraz, India Arie, Ledisi and Ben Platt.[citation needed]

She is currently an adjunct professor of music at the NYU Tisch School of the Arts while she puts the finishing touches on her third solo project.

Hall appeared on Saturday Night Live alongside country singer Thomas Rhett on March 2, 2019. Her standout feature in the performance garnered the attention of Rolling Stone magazine, which noted her "soulful and superb talent".

In 2021 she recorded an original song entitled "Magic" alongside Ayodele Casel for the Joyce Theater's presentation of Ayodele Casel: Chasing Magic.[7] In 2023 Hall was cast in Alicia Keys' Off-Broadway jukebox musical Hell's Kitchen.[8][9]

Discography

Studio albums

Solo

  • River Train (2010)

With Mickey Hart Band

EPs

  • If You Breathe (2017)

Soundtracks and musical recordings

Theater

Year Production Role Venue Dates Notes
1996 Rent Ensemble Nederlander Theatre, New York Broadway production
1996–2008 North American Tour Several replecing of the role of Joanne Jefferson
2023 Hell's Kitchen Crystal The Public Theater, New York Nov 9, 2023 – Jan 14, 2024 Off-Broadway production

Television

Year Production Role Notes
2018–2020 High Maintenance Mo 2 episodes
2019 Russian Doll Episode: "Alan's Routine"
2019 Live from Lincoln Center Perfromer With Cynthia Erivo
2021 Walker Minnie Jayne Episode: "Encore"

References

  1. ^ "Crystal Monee Hall – Playbill". Playbill. Retrieved 6 September 2016.
  2. ^ "Two Years After Rent, Crystal Monee Hall Goes Indie". East Bay Express. 16 June 2010. Retrieved 6 September 2016.
  3. ^ Gans, Andrew (August 5, 2010). "Rent's Crystal Monee Hall Plays Manhattan Aug. 5 and 8". Playbill. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
  4. ^ Horowitz, Hal (May 8, 2012). "Mickey Hart Band: Mysterium Tremendum". American Songwriter. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
  5. ^ Graff, Gary (May 1, 2012). "Mickey Hart Travels Across the Universe on 'Mysterium Tremendum'". Billboard. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
  6. ^ Benjy, Eisen (April 16, 2012). "Album Premiere: Mickey Hart Band Goes Mental on 'Superorganism'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
  7. ^ Seibert, Brian (November 3, 2022). "Review: Ayodele Casel Returns to the Joyce With 'Chasing Magic'". New York Times. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
  8. ^ Culwell-Block, Logan (October 12, 2023). "Alicia Keys' Hell's Kitchen Extends Upcoming World Premiere at The Public". Playbill. Retrieved November 28, 2023.
  9. ^ Wild, Stephi (2023-09-12). "Cast and Creative Team Set For Alicia Keys' Hell's Kitchen, Plus Two Week Extension!". BroadwayWorld. Retrieved 2023-12-10.