David-Edward Hughes

Born and raised in Kailua, on the island of Oahu, in the State of Hawaii, David-Edward has been smitten with Musical Theatre since he can recall. At age 14, he co-founded a company known as Kailua Community Theatre and later more expansively as Hawaii Music Theatre, an all -teen run company which produced over a dozen major musicals (including YOU'RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN, HELLO, DOLLY!, CARNIVAL! and110 IN THE SHADE.) In High School he received his school's Choral and Drama awards in his Freshman year, and the Drama Award his Senior year, and served for two years as President of Kailua High's Thespian Society.

At San Diego's U.S. International University David-Edward earned a BFA in Musical Theatre/Acting in 1979, and played leads in numerous college shows including GUYS & DOLLS, A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM, and COMPANY, as well as producing and scripting the musical revue A LITTLE SONDHEIM MUSIC. He also played Mr. DePinna in the Old Globe's 1979 production of YOU CANT TAKE IT WITH YOU.

Returning to Hawaii for several years post-college, he acted with all the major Hawaii State Theatre companies, earned membership in the Screen Actor's Guild through television work, served for two years as a Board Member of Hawaii State Theatre Council, and just prior to moving to Seattle permanently in 1999, won the award for Excellence by an Actor in a Play, as Norman, a mentally challenged adult in THE BOYS NEXT DOOR.

Since coming to Seattle, David-Edward has written theatre critcism and interviews for such Seattle and national publications as Intermission and Backstage West, and the online sites Playbill.com, and currently Talkin' Broadway.com and SeattleActor.com. He has acted with Showtunes (ANYONE CAN WHISTLE, 110 IN THE SHADE)!,The 5th Avenue Theatre, Village Theatre, Civic Light Opera, Greek Active, AHA! Theatre, and Eastside Musical Rheatre as well as writing, producing, and performing in musical revues such as BROADWAY MALADIES! and THE LOUNGE LIZARDS at Re-bar, Cabaret de Paris, Thumpers and Studio East. In 1999, David-Edward and Maggie Stenson Pehrson co- founded Showtunes! Theatre, with the goals of exposing audiences to great American musicals, and providing further musical theatre employment for Puget Sound based talents. He also directed Showtunes! DO I HEAR A WALTZ? , and is a Dramaturgical consultant on the Broadway bound musical THE WEDDNG BANQUET. David-Edward is going into his 8th year with First Choice Health Network, currently as a PPO Support coordinator/Transcriptionist.He and his life partner/artistic collaborator James Spear reside in Seattle's Beacon Hill neighborhood, with Kitty Carlisle, their beloved cat (not the legendary performer and game-show panelist).