Andrew McKeough: A Brief Biography

Andrew McKeough was born “Andrew Kirill McKeough,” (after the Saint, Disciple, and Apostle named “Andrew”), on Friday, July 26^th, 1996 at 1:23 AM, to Professor Charles McKeough and Mrs. Marylou Mckeough.  Andrew’s parents nicknamed him “Andy.” He was raised in Wayne, Pennsylvania; right outside of Philadelphia, and just around the corner from Valley Forge National Historical Park. The first show that Andy saw was Disney’s: “Beauty and the Beast” at the “Academy of Music” in downtown Philadelphia. Coincidently the first show that Andy did was Disney’s: “Beauty and the Beast” off-Broadway in 2004, at the age of eight as the young boy and little cup named “Chip.” Then in the third grade in 2005 he joined Valley Forge Elementary School’s “Children’s Choir.” He then moved up to “Valley Forge Middle School” and joined the school’s choir under the direction of Mrs. Anne Sprissler. He remained in the choirs until he graduated in 2011. Then he moved on to Disney’s “Marry Poppins” playing as “Michael Banks” at the “New Amsterdam Theater” in 2007 at the age of ten. He stayed with the show on Broadway for one year until 2007. He later stared in the off-Broadway children’s version of Disney’s: “High School Musical: On Stage!” staring as the all popular “Troy Bolton,” In the summer of 2008 at the age of twelve, at the “Episcopal Academy Theatre.” He then went on to play “Flounder” in “The Little Mermaid” at “The Lunt-Fontanne Theatre” at the age of twelve in the fall and winter of 2008. Then in 2009 still at the age of twelve Andy stared as the “Head Chéf” in “Willy Wonka and The Great Glass Elevator” at the “Valley Forge Playhouse.” He then started to play the “Villon” in the VFMS’s: Orchestra, in the sixth grade at the age of twelve. And later in that year he started to play the Handbells and was selected for the Bell’s Select Bell Choir called “Carillon.” He remained in the group for the last two years of his middle school career till he graduated in 2011.  Later in the summer of 2009 at the age of thirteen he returned to the “Willy Wonka” series as “Charlie Bucket” in “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” at the “Mainstage Theatre” on the New Episcopal Academy Campus, during the new school’s opening season. He was then selected for the Select Choir at Valley Forge Middle School named “The Valley Forge Singers.” He remained in the group for the last two years of his middle school career till he graduated in 2011. He performed for the group twice in the Choir Music Festival: “Music in the Parks” in Hershey, PA and led the “V.F.S.” to a first place victory in 2010 and a second place victory in 2011. Then he went on to be the “Head Butler” in the “Rodgers and Hammerstein’s.” classic Musical “Cinderella,” playing again at the “Valley Forge Playhouse” at the age of thirteen in the spring of 2009. In November of 2009 he was confirmed in the Catholic Church as “Andrew Kirill Stephen McKeough.” He then at the age of fourteen in the summer of 2010 he played the classic role of “Simba” in Disney’s: “The Lion King” at “Minskoff Theatre.” During the summer of 2011 he played the character of Billy in the musical “Billy Elliot” at the “Canon Theatre” in Toronto, Canada. In 2011 he started schooling at “Conestoga High School.” He joined the choir under the direction of Mrs. Suzanne Dickinger, and Handbell choir, under the Direction of Mr. Chason Goldfinger. During the year he started to play the piano. And during Thanksgiving 2011 he played the piano in Colonial Williamsburg, in Williamsburg, Virginia. Then in 2012, at the age of fifteen; he worked on “‘Stoga Music Theater’s” production of “TITANIC – The Musical” at the “Hobson C. Wagner Theater” during the “R.M.S. Titanic’s:” “100^th Year Anniversary.” He acted as the shows “Historian.” And he was nominated for three “Cappie Awards” for his part in the musical. Then in the summer of 2012 he departed on a three week tour of Europe with “The American Music Abroad Bronze Tour 2012.” The tour would take him to Switzerland, France, Germany, Austria, Italy, and then back to Switzerland. He is now in his sophomore year of High School at “Conestoga High School” and continues to be in the Choir and Handbell Choir. He also is taking vocal lessons by actress and director Jennie Eisenhower. Andrew McKeough is now planning to do a tour in “Walt Disney World” in Orlando, Florida, during the winter of 2012.

****Last Updated: 9/29/2012 3:48:11 PM EST****

Andrew McKeough in Washington, DC

Andrew McKeough, now 16 years old, On Sunday night, he performed many of the songs from songs which showcased his talent.
It's incredible that such a young performer can have such a big voice, and that was clearly on display when he was on stage in Washington.
Other than the constant shooting camera beside me, it was a great concert with the ASO expertly following Mr. McKeough in his renditions of the songs on his set list. I especially liked his version of the title song from “42^nd Street.” The crowd greeted him with applause each time he took the stage, and whenever he took a break.
While he was singing, his age wasn't apparent. But between songs, He reminded you that he's not even an adult yet, with little laughs, and shy smiles as he replied "I love you too," to fans who called out to his.
The cool, calm exterior He has while singing shifts easily into what seems to be his real persona, that of a young boy just happy to be on stage, doing something that he loves. That joy of singing came through in his songs too.
If you have the chance to see Andrew McKeough in concert in the future, don't pass it up.