Ali Louis Bourzgui (born August 31, 1999)[1] is an American actor and singer known for his roles in musical theater, particularly on the Broadway stages. He won the Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical for his performance in The Lost Boys (2026).

Ali Louis Bourzgui
Born (1999-08-31) August 31, 1999 (age 26)
EducationIthaca College (BFA)
OccupationsActor and singer
Years active2021–present

Early life and education

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Bourzgui was born in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, and grew up in the Berkshires; his mother would take him "to a couple of Broadway shows a year". His father is Moroccan-American, and his mother is ItalianIrish American.[2] Bourzgui originally planned to become an environmental engineer or ornithologist, but was inspired by the works of "Joe Iconis, Mark Ruffalo, and Kimberly Akimbo" to pursue an acting career. He graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Ithaca College.[3]

Career

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In 2021, a few months after graduating from Ithaca, Bourzgui made his professional debut in the first national tour of The Band's Visit as Haled. Following a 2023 tryout run in Chicago, Bourzgui made his Broadway debut in the titular role in the 2024 Broadway revival of The Who's Tommy, a performance for which he received a Theatre World Award, and a Drama League Distinguished Performance Award nomination.[4][5] In 2025, he starred as Orpheus in the Broadway production of Hadestown.[6] In 2026, he originated the role of David in a musical adaptation of The Lost Boys.[7] For his portrayal, he won the Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical.[8]

Personal life

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Bourzgui is Muslim.[2] He is in the folk band Resident Lightweight.[9]

Theatre credits

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Year Production Role Venue Ref.
2021–2022 The Band's Visit Ensemble/Haled North American Tour [2]
2023 Fun Home Roy/Mark/Pete/Bobby Jeremy TheaterWorks Hartford, Regional [10]
Layalina Young Mazin/Yousif Goodman Theatre, Regional [11]
The Who's Tommy Tommy Goodman Theatre, Regional [3]
2023–2024 Company Paul US National Tour [12]
2024 The Who's Tommy Tommy Nederlander Theatre, Broadway [13]
We Live in Cairo Amir New York Theatre Workshop, Off-Broadway [14]
2025 Hadestown Orpheus Walter Kerr Theatre, Broadway [6]
Sweet Smell of Success Sidney Falco MasterVoices, Concert [15]
2026 The Lost Boys David Palace Theatre, Broadway [7]

Awards and nominations

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References

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  1. "Ali Louis Bourzgui". IBDB. Retrieved September 9, 2025.
  2. 1 2 3 Grass, Caroline (September 14, 2022). "The Band's Visit, Interview with Ali Bourzgui". Retrieved September 9, 2025.
  3. 1 2 Teeman, Tim (April 1, 2024). "How Ali Louis Bourzgui of The Who's Tommy Became Broadway's Breakout Star". The Daily Beast. Retrieved September 9, 2025.
  4. "Past Recipients". The Theatre World Awards.
  5. "2024 Drama League Awards". The Drama League.
  6. 1 2 "Watch Ali Louis Bourzgui Sing 'Epic III' in Hadestown on Broadway". Playbill. June 11, 2025.
  7. 1 2 Hall, Margaret (October 8, 2025). "Caissie Levy, LJ Benet, Ali Louis Bourzgui, Paul Alexander Nolan, More Will Star in The Lost Boys on Broadway". Playbill. Retrieved October 9, 2025.
  8. 1 2 Sherman, Rachel (May 5, 2026). "Tony Awards Nominations 2026: The Complete List". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved May 5, 2026.
  9. Gioia, Michael (July 10, 2025). "Broadway's Ali Louis Bourzgui Releases New Music — and Reveals Why It Hits Close to Home". Parade. Retrieved September 9, 2025.
  10. "Fun Home". Playbill. November 6, 2022. Retrieved June 15, 2026.
  11. "Layalina". Playbill. April 2, 2023. Retrieved June 15, 2026.
  12. Culwell-Block, Logan (December 5, 2023). "Ali Louis Bourzgui to Lead Tommy Broadway Revival in Title Role". Playbill. Retrieved June 15, 2026.
  13. 1 2 Culwell-Block, Logan (May 14, 2024). "Cole Escola, Maleah Joi Moon, Rachel McAdams, More Win 2024 Theatre World Awards". Playbill. Retrieved April 23, 2026.
  14. 1 2 Culwell-Block, Logan (May 12, 2025). "Maybe Happy Ending Leads 2025 Outer Critics Circle Awards; See the Full List of Winners". Playbill. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  15. "Sweet Smell of Success - Mastervoices".
  16. Culwell-Block, Logan (May 13, 2024). "Stereophonic Leads 2024 Outer Critics Circle Awards, Wins Best Play; See the Full List of Winners". Playbill. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  17. Culwell-Block, Logan (May 17, 2024). "Sarah Paulson Wins Drama League Award; See the Full List of Winners". Playbill. Retrieved October 5, 2025.
  18. "Outer Critics Circle Award 2026 Nominations". New York Theater. April 21, 2026. Retrieved April 23, 2026.
  19. Russo, Gillian (May 11, 2026). "2026 Outer Critics Circle Award winners announced". New York Theatre Guide. Retrieved May 11, 2026.
  20. Gans, Andrew (April 20, 2026). "2026 Drama League Awards Nominations Are Out; Read the Full List". Playbill. Retrieved April 20, 2026.
  21. Hipes, Patrick (April 23, 2026). "Daniel Radcliffe, Luke Evans Among Drama League Award Nominees". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 20, 2026.
  22. Mandell, Jonathan (June 1, 2026). "2026 Dorian Theater Award winners: Schmigadoon!. Prince Faggot. Ragtime: Joshua. Junior. Quincy. Qween". New York Theater. Retrieved June 1, 2026.
  23. "Chess, Schmigadoon! & Two Strangers Lead 2026 Broadway.com Audience Choice Awards Nominations". Broadway.com. May 4, 2026.