Bass-Baritone
Phillip Boykin is an American bass-baritone of commanding presence whose Tony-nominated performance as Crown in the 2012 Broadway revival of Porgy and Bess announced him as a major force in musical theatre, subsequently establishing himself across opera, concert, and film with a voice of remarkable depth and versatility.
Defining moments and milestones
Boykin's path to prominence was forged through rigorous training across multiple vocal traditions—opera, jazz, and musical theatre—before his transformative 2012 Broadway debut as Crown in Porgy and Bess, a performance that earned him a Tony nomination and Theatre World Award at age 43. Since that watershed moment, he has become a fixture of major American opera houses and Broadway stages, bringing his commanding bass-baritone and magnetic stage presence to roles ranging from Hades in Hadestown to operatic repertoire, while establishing himself as a respected voice pedagogue and director. His career exemplifies the rare artist who moves fluidly between classical opera, contemporary musical theatre, film, and concert work, each discipline enriched by his multifaceted training and interpretive depth.
Tony Award nomination for Best Featured Actor in a Musical for Crown in The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess (2012)
South Carolina State College (Opera Performance, Jazz and Vocal Performance); North Carolina School of the Arts; The Hartt School at the University of Hartford (BM, Vocal Performance, 1995); Howard University (MA, Opera and Jazz Vocals)
Recordings featuring Phillip Boykin in the Society index
Additional recordings will appear here as the catalog expands.