Stephanie J. Block

Infobox actor


imagesize = 150px
name = Stephanie J. Block


birthname = Stephanie Janette Block
birthdate = birth date and age|1972|9|19
birthplace = California, U.S.
deathdate =
deathplace =
othername =
yearsactive =
spouse = Sebastian Arcelus (2007—present)
website = http://www.stephaniejblock.com

Stephanie J. Block (born Stephanie Janette Block on September 19, 1972) is an American stage actress and member of Actors' Equity and the Los Angeles Musical Theater Guild.

Biography

Block debuted on Broadway in 2003, playing the role of Liza Minnelli opposite Hugh Jackman's Peter Allen in the musical "The Boy from Oz". Immediately prior, she had served as the understudy for Idina Menzel as Elphaba and was part of the ensemble in the pre-Broadway tryout of the musical" Wicked" at the Curran Theatre in San Francisco, California. Block had previously worked with "Wicked" composer Stephen Schwartz while the musical was still in early developmental stages. In spring 2005, Block originated the role of Elphaba in the first national tour of "Wicked" and performed with the company for a year. She was awarded the 2006 Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Non-Resident Production and the 2007 Carbonell Award for Best Non-Resident Actress for this role. Block reprised her role as Elphaba in the Broadway production of "Wicked" for an eight-month run starting October 9, 2007 replacing Julia Murney. She finished her run in the Broadway company on June 15, 2008 and was succeeded by London's Elphaba Kerry Ellis.

Her many regional stage credits include "Funny Girl", "Crazy for You", "Oliver!", James Joyce's "The Dead", "The Grass Harp", "Bells Are Ringing" (Reprise!) and "I Love a Piano". Block was the original Belle in the Disneyland production of "Beauty and the Beast" and has done voice work for numerous commercials, including the singing voice of Barbie.

Prior to reprising her role as Elphaba on Broadway, Block was seen in the new Claude-Michel Schönberg and Alain Boublil musical "The Pirate Queen," in which she starred in the title role of Grania (also known as Grace O'Malley).

Block appeared in a benefit performance celebrating Andrew Lippa and the 25th anniversary of the internationally-renowned performing troupe The Kids Next Door at the Orange County Performing Arts Center in Costa Mesa, California in December of 2006. The performance benefited the California Conservatory of the Arts, a not-for-profit arts education organization providing pre-professional training for young performers in Southern California.

Block sang the National Anthem at the June 25, 2007, New York Mets game at Shea Stadium in Flushing, NY.

Block is currently starring alongside Emmy Award-winning "The West Wing" star and Tony-nominee Allison Janney, fellow "Wicked" alum Megan Hilty, and Broadway veteran Marc Kudisch in the new musical adaptation of the 1980 film "9 to 5". The production is directed by two-time Tony Award-winner Joe Mantello ("Wicked", "Assassins") and began its pre-Broadway run at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles, California September 9. Block is starring as Judy Bernly, the frazzled divorcée, the role played by Jane Fonda in the film. Dolly Parton, seven-time Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter and musician, who also starred in the original film, has written the music and lyrics for the new musical. [http://www.broadwayworld.com/viewcolumn.cfm?colid=23050 broadwayworld.com] "Parton's '9 to 5' Musical Premieres in LA 2008; Janney, Block, Hilty & Kudisch Star" Nov 15, 2007, retrieved Nov 16, 2007] The musical will begin preview performances on Broadway at the Marquis Theatre on March 24, 2009 with an official opening on April 23, 2009. [ [http://www.playbill.com/news/article/119466.html Hello, Dolly! 9 to 5 Books Broadway's Marquis; Full Casting Announced] ]

Personal life

Block married actor Sebastian Arcelus on October 25, 2007. Arcelus recently starred alongside Block in the Broadway company of "Wicked" as Fiyero from October to December 2007.

Roles

Theatre

* "9 to 5"…as Judy Bernly ...2008
* "Wicked"…as Elphaba ...2005-2006, 2007-2008
* "The Pirate Queen"…as Grace (Grania) O'Malley...2006 - 2007
* "How the Nurse Feels"…reading of the new musical, in concert with the California Conservatory of the Arts...2006
* "In This House"…reading of the new musical...2006
* "The Boy From Oz"…as Liza Minnelli...2003
* "Godspell"…as Robin/Dance Captain...2002
* "Crazy For You"…as Polly...1998, 2002
* "Oliver"…as Nancy...2001
* "Fiddler on the Roof"…as Tzietle...2001
* "Wicked"…reading of the new musical...2000
* "Funny Girl"…as Fanny Brice...2000
* "James Joyce’s “The Dead”"…as Mary Jane...2000
* "Bells Are Ringing"…as Gwynne...1999
* "Bye Bye Birdie"…as Rosie...1999
* "Damn Yankees"…as Gloria Thorpe...1997
* "Grease"…as Rizzo
* "Haven"...as Ruth Gruber
* "Mary Poppins"...as Mary Poppins
* "Let Me Sing"…as Molly
* "I Love a Piano"…as Ginger
* "The Grass Harp"…as Baby Love
* "Triumph of Love"…as Corine
* "Call Me Madam"…as ensemble/Sally Adams (u/s)
* "Joseph"…as the Narrator
* "Pygmalion: the True Story"…as Aphrodite
* "Guys & Dolls"…as Sarah Brown
* "Will Rogers Follies"…as Ziegfeld’s Fav (u/s Betty Blake)
* "South Pacific"…as Nellie Forbush
* "Little Shop of Horrors"…as Audrey

Concerts

* Mr. Green's Opus…at Birdland (July 14 2008)
* Block Party…at Birdland (August 27 2007)
* Billy Stritch and the Girls…at Birdland (July 29 2007)
* The Broadway Musicals of 1925 (June 18 2007)
* An Evening with Andrew Lippa (December 2006)
* Block Party…at Birdland (June 2006)
* Broadway Comes to Tampa (April 29 2006)
* Valentine…at Birdland (February 2005)
* All Smiles…at Birdland (August 2004)

Film/Television

* "2004 Tony Awards"…Performer
* "Three’s Company: Behind the Scenes"…Documentary Interviewer
* "General Hospital"…Featured
* "Port Charles"…Featured
* "Life Goes On"…Sarah
* "American Teacher Awards"…Lead Singer/Dancer
* "The Man Who Knew Too Much…Too Late"…Lead

Discography

Cast Recordings/Collaborative Projects

* "The Pirate Queen" - Original Broadway Cast
* "The Boy From Oz" – Original Broadway Cast
* "The Broadway Musicals of 1925"
* "The Broadway Musicals Cut-Outs"
* "Broadway Unplugged 2004"
* "Thankful" (Kids Next Door's 2005 Holiday CD)

Albums

Stephanie is currently working on her first solo album (title unknown).She also recently worked with Scott Alan on his CD "Dreaming Wide Awake" and performed the song "Never Neverland".

Awards and Nominations

;The Pirate Queen
* 2007 Drama League Award (Distinguished Performance Award) Nominee
* 2007 Broadway.com Audience Award (Favorite Diva Performance) Nominee

;Wicked
* 2006 Helen Hayes Award (Best Actress in a Non-Resident Production) WINNER
* 2007 Carbonell Award (Best Actress in a Non-Resident Production) WINNER
* 2008 Broadway.com Audience Award (Favorite Replacement: Female) Nominee

;Crazy For You
* 2002 L.A. Ovation Award (Best Actress) Nominee

;Triumph of Love
* 2002 L.A. Robby Award (Best Supporting Actress) WINNER

;Oliver!
* 2001 Critics' Table Award (Best Actress) WINNER

;Funny Girl
* 2000 L.A. Robby Award (Best Actress) WINNER

References

External links

* [http://www.stephaniejblock.com Official site]
* [http://www.musicaltalk.co.uk/episodes_0011.html Interview with Stephanie on MusicalTalk Podcast]
*
*
* [http://www.broadway.com/gen/Buzz_Star_File.aspx?ci=35400 Star File: Stephanie J. Block] at [http://www.broadway.com Broadway.com]