Early Theater Experience
Battles, born Francis Tuohy in Manhattan and raised in Rutland, Vermont, had his early experience in theater with the Woodstock Players, Woodstock, VT, the Germantown Theatre Guild, Philadelphia, PA, and the Irvine Studio for the Theatre, NY, NY, before making his professional debut.
His first role on Broadway was as a chorus member in Cole Porter's "Something for the Boys" starring Ethel Merman. Battles converted his place in the chorus into a small featured part, the M.P., before moving on to "Follow the Girls" starring Jackie Gleason and featuring a young Danny Aiello as the Dancing Boy. Battles played the Yokel Sailor and understudied one of the male leads before resigning from the production when he was offered the role of Gabey in "On the Town."
Read more about this topic: John Battles
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