Funny Girl Stephanie J Block 2000

Stephanie J. Block
Block in 2008
Born	Stephanie Janette Block (1972-09-19) September 19, 1972 Brea, California, U.S.
Occupation	Actress, singer
Spouse(s)	Sebastian Arcelus (2007—present)
Children	1
Website	Official website

Stephanie Janette Block (born September 19, 1972) is an American actress and singer, known for her work in Broadway musicals. A Tony Award nominee and four-time Drama Desk Award nominee, she has appeared on numerous cast recordings and released a solo album, This Place I Know in 2009.

Block began her professional musical career in regional theatre and by playing Belle in the Disneyland production of Beauty and the Beast in 1992. She made her Broadway debut in the 2003 original production of The Boy from Oz, playing Liza Minnelli. Having read the part of Elphaba in the first reading of Wicked in 2000, she was the first actress to play the role in the US touring production from 2005–06, winning the Helen Hayes Award for Best Actress in a Non-Resident production. She later reprised the role on Broadway from 2007-08. She received Drama Desk nominations for the Broadway productions of 9 to 5 (2009) and The Mystery of Edwin Drood (2012), and the Off-Broadway productions of By the Way, Meet Vera Stark (2011) and Little Miss Sunshine (2013). For Drood, she also received a Tony nomination for Best Actress in a Musical.

Early life

Block was born on September 19, 1972 in Brea, California, and has one sister, Renée. Her mother, Rosemarie (Garritano), worked for the local school district, and her father, Steven Block, was a welfare fraud investigator. ^{[1] [2]} She was raised Catholic, ^[3] and is of German and Italian descent. ^[4] Block grew up in Brea, where she attended St. Angela Merici School. Later she attended an all-girls Catholic private school, Rosary High School in Fullerton, California, for her secondary education. She finished up her high school years at the Orange County High School of the Arts.

Career

Block started her professional musical theater career with regional theater, appearing in many productions including Funny Girl, Crazy for You, Oliver!, James Joyce's The Dead and Bells Are Ringing. Block was additionally the original Belle in the Disneyland production of Beauty and the Beast and did voice work for numerous commercials, including the singing voice of Barbie.

In early 2000 Block read the part of Elphaba in the first reading of the new musical Wicked. After a few months of reading she was replaced by Idina Menzel, a decision that left Block devastated, but accepting of the decision that had been made to cast a more experienced performer in the role. She was Menzel's understudy in the San Francisco world premiere in 2003, but left the show prior to opening on Broadway when she was offered a lead role in a new Broadway musical based on the life of Peter Allen, The Boy from Oz. Block debuted on Broadway in 2003, playing the role of Liza Minnelli opposite Hugh Jackman's Peter Allen in the show. The show received mixed reviews, but proved to be a hit with audiences playing on Broadway for close to a year. The musical received several Tony Award nominations, including a nomination for Best Musical. ^[5]

In spring 2005, Block originated the role of Elphaba in the first national tour of Wicked. She was awarded both the 2006 Helen Hayes Award and the 2007 Carbonell Award for Best Actress in a Non-Resident Production for this role. Block received great reviews for a show-stopping performance. After performing with the tour for a year Block left the production in March 2006 and was replaced by Julia Murney.

In 2007 Block was seen in the title role of the new Broadway musical The Pirate Queen. The music was written by Claude-Michel Schönberg and Alain Boublil. Block was praised by critics, such as Ben Brantley from The New York Times, for giving a "truly felt, realistic, performance". She also received a nomination for a Drama League Award for her performance. Plagued by insufficient ticket sales and harsh reviews, the show opened in April and barely played for two months at the Hilton Theatre, closing in June. ^[6] Later that year Block reprised the role of Elphaba in Wicked on Broadway beginning October 9, 2007 where she replaced Julia Murney. She left the production after eight months on June 15, 2008 and was succeeded by Kerry Ellis. ^[7]

Block starred alongside Allison Janney, Megan Hilty, and Marc Kudisch in the new musical adaptation of the 1980 film 9 to 5. The production was directed by Joe Mantello, with music written by Dolly Parton. The show opened on Broadway in April 2009 at the Marquis Theatre and closed in September 2009. Block starred as Judy Bernly, the frazzled divorcée, the role played by Jane Fonda in the film. For this role Block was nominated for the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actress in a Musical. ^[8]

In 2009, Block released her debut album through PS Classics entitled This Place I Know. Although the album failed to chart, it was a hit with critics with some hailing it as the best album that has come out of the Broadway community in some time. ^[9] More recently she has done concert work in London's several West End. In February 2010 she performed live at the New Players Theatre, London. ^[10]

Block was seen as Grizabella in the Municipal Opera Production production of Cats, which ran from July 19–25, 2010. ^[11] Block also starred as Sonia Walsk alongside Jason Alexander in the Reprise Theatre Company's production of They're Playing Our Song, which played at the UCLA Freud Playhouse for two weeks from September 28–October 10, 2010. ^[12]

Block made her off-Broadway debut as Gloria Mitchell in the play By The Way, Meet Vera Stark by Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage alongside Karen Olivo, and David Garrison. By the Way, Meet Vera Stark played at Second Stage Theatre through June 12, 2011. ^{[13] [14]} Entertainment Weekly wrote that Block's performance in the show was, "terrifically over-the-top". ^[15] She received a nomination for the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play. ^[16]

Block starred as Reno Sweeney in the Broadway revival of Anything Goes first playing the role for three weeks in November 2011 while Sutton Foster was away filming a pilot episode. ^{[17] [18]}

Block performed with co-star Colin Donnell on the 2011 CBS Thanksgiving Day Parade. ^[19] Block returned to the role on March 15, 2012 as Foster left the production permanently on March 11. ^[20] She remained with the show until its closure on July 8, 2012. ^[21]

Block performed the lead role in Roundabout Theatre Company's production of The Mystery of Edwin Drood, which ran from November 13, 2012 to March 10, 2013. For this role, she was nominated for another Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actress in a Musical and received a nomination for the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical. ^{[22] [23]}

From November 14 to December 15, 2013, Block appeared in the Off-Broadway production of Little Miss Sunshine at Second Stage Theatre as Sheryl Hoover. ^[24] For this role, she received a nomination for the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical. ^[25]

On March 31, 2016, it was announced that Block will play Trina in the Broadway revival of Falsettos directed by James Lapine. She is joined by Christian Borle and Andrew Rannells who play Marvin and Whizzer, respectively. ^[26] The musical opened on September 29, 2016 in previews. ^[27]

Personal life

Block married actor Sebastian Arcelus on October 25, 2007. Arcelus starred alongside Block in the First National Tour of Wicked as the Fiyero replacement from January to October 2006 and again on Broadway from October to December 2007. They have a dog named Macaco. ^[28] On August 4, 2014, it was announced that Block and Arcelus are expecting their first child, a girl. Stephanie gave birth to their daughter Vivienne Heléna on January 19, 2015. ^[29]

Credits

Broadway Falsettos as Trina (2016-2017) The Mystery of Edwin Drood as Edwin Drood/Alice Nutting (2012-2013) Anything Goes as Reno Sweeney (2011–2012) 9 to 5 as Judy Bernly (2009) Wicked as Elphaba (2007–2008) The Pirate Queen as Grace O'Malley (2007) The Boy from Oz as Liza Minnelli (2003–2004) Off-Broadway Little Miss Sunshine (2013) By the Way, Meet Vera Stark (2011) Readings Last Ship (2013) My American Family (2010) 9 to 5 as Judy Bernly (2007) Bye Bye Birdie as Rosie Alvarez (2007) How the Nurse Feels (2006) In This House (2006) Wicked as Elphaba (2000) National Tours Wicked as Elphaba (2005–2006) Regional Theater They're Playing Our Song as Sonia Walsk (2010) Cats as Grizabella (2010) 9 to 5 as Judy Bernly (2008) The Pirate Queen as Grace O'Malley (2006) Wicked as Elphaba u/s (2003) Godspell as Robin (2002) Crazy for You as Polly (2002) Oliver! as Nancy (2001) Fiddler on the Roof as Tzeitel (2001) 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 Sally Adams (understudy) Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat as Narrator Pygmalion: the True Story as Aphrodite Guys and Dolls as Sarah Brown The Will Rogers Follies as Betty Blake (understudy) South Pacific as Nellie Forbush Little Shop of Horrors as Audrey

Concerts "Tapestry of Song" and "Voices of Youth" (The Indianapolis Children's Choir and Youth Chorale) with Henry Leck, Josh Pedde and Cheryl West (2014) Do You Hear the People Sing? with Peter Lockyer, Terrence Mann, Lea Salonga, Marie Zamora, the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra and Symphonic Choir (2011) Broadway on the Beach with Doug LaBrecque and the Reno Philharmonic Orchestra (2011) Pops on the River: Summer Lovin' with Doug LaBrecque and the Reno Philharmonic Orchestra (2011) Broadway & the American Songbook (Wicked Divas) with Julia Murney and the Boston Pops (2011) Broadway Voices solo concert in Garner, NC (2011) Wicked Divas with Julia Murney and the Utah Symphony Orchestra (2011) Wicked Divas with Julia Murney and the Odgen Symphony Ballet (2011) Marvin Hamlisch: Broadway's Greatest Moments at The Krannert Center (2011) Solo concert presented by the Austin Cabaret Theatre (2011) Wicked Divas with Erin Mackey and the Cleveland Pops (2010) The Best of Broadway with the Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra (2010) Wicked Divas with Julia Murney and the Columbus Symphony Orchestra (2010) Don't Stop Believing at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre in Atlanta, GA (2010) Broadway Comes to Tampa (2010) Stephanie J. Block in Concert at The New Players Theatre (2010) xoxoXMAS at Birdland (2009) Scott Alan: Just Me...And Them at the Leicester Square Theatre (2009) True Colors Cabaret (2009) Nothing Like a Dame at New World Stages (2009) Visa Signature Tony Awards Preview Concert at the Hudson Theatre (2009) Defying Inequality at the Gershwin Theatre (2009) Yellow Brick Road Not Taken at the Gershwin Theatre (2008) Mr. Green's Opus at Birdland (2008) Block Party at Birdland (2007) Billy Stritch and the Girls at Birdland (2007) The Broadway Musicals of 1925 (2007) An Evening with Andrew Lippa (2006) Block Party at Birdland (2006) Broadway Comes to Tampa (2006) Valentine at Birdland (2005) All Smiles at Birdland (2004) Television and Film Orange Is The New Black as Francine Max CO (2016) 3 episodes Homeland as Patricia Cooper (2013) 1 episode 67th Tony Awards as Herself (2013) TV special event CBS Thanksgiving Day Parade as Herself (2011) TV special event 63rd Tony Awards as Herself (2009) TV special event Good Day New York as Herself (2009) 1 episode The Visa Signature Tony Awards Season Celebration as Herself (2009) TV special event The View as Herself (2009) 1 episode CMT Insider as Herself (2008) 1 episode Entertainment Tonight as Herself (2008) 1 episode James Marshall's Cinderella as Narrator (2006) Voice role The Tonight Show with Jay Leno as Herself (2005) 1 episode

Discography

Cast Recordings

• The Mystery Of Edwin Drood - New 2013 Broadway Cast Recording (2013)
• 9 to 5: The Musical - Original Broadway Cast Recording (2009)
• The Pirate Queen - Original Broadway Cast Recording (2007)
• The Boy from Oz - Original Broadway Cast Recording (2003)

Collaborative Projects

• [Sorta] Love Songs (2010)
• Chasing the Day (2010)
• Wicked: 5th Anniversary Cast Recording (2008)
• The Broadway Musicals Cut-Outs (2007)
• Dreaming Wide Awake (2007)
• Broadway Unplugged 2004 (2004)
• A Joyful Christmas (2004)
• Thankful (2004)
• The Broadway Musicals of 1925 (2003)

Solo Albums

• This Place I Know (2009)

Awards and nominations

Award	Year	Category	Show	Result
Broadway.com Audience Award	2007	Favorite Diva Performance	The Pirate Queen	Nominated
	2008	Favorite Female Replacement	Wicked	Nominated
	2009	Favorite Diva Performance	9 to 5	Nominated
		Favorite Actress in a Musical		Nominated
	2012	Favorite Female Replacement	Anything Goes	Nominated
	2013	Favorite Diva Performance	The Mystery of Edwin Drood	Won
		Favorite Actress in a Musical		Nominated
Carbonell Award	2007	Best Actress in a Non-Resident Production	Wicked	Won
Critics Table Award	2001	Best Actress	Oliver!	Won
Drama Desk Award	2009	Outstanding Actress in a Musical	9 to 5	Nominated
	2012	Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play	By the Way, Meet Vera Stark	Nominated
	2013	Outstanding Actress in a Musical	The Mystery of Edwin Drood	Nominated
	2014	Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical	Little Miss Sunshine	Nominated
Drama League Award	2007	Distinguished Performance	The Pirate Queen	Nominated
Helen Hayes Award	2006	Best Actress in a Non-Resident Production	Wicked	Won
Kevin Kline Award	2011	Outstanding Lead Actress in a Musical	Cats	Nominated
LA Ovation Award	2002	Best Actress	Crazy for You	Nominated
	2011	Best Actress	They're Playing Our Song	Nominated
LA Robby Award	2000	Best Actress	Funny Girl	Won
	2002	Best Supporting Actress	Triumph of Love	Won
Tony Award	2013	Best Leading Actress in a Musical	The Mystery of Edwin Drood	Nominated

References

1. ↑ http://blog.roundabouttheatre.org/2012/10/17/a-conversation-with-actor-stephanie-j-block/
2. ↑ http://thepeerage.com/p47695.htm#i476943
3. ↑ Michelson, Noah (2009-06-16). "Fast & Furious with 9 to 5's Stephanie J. Block". Out (magazine) . Retrieved 7 April 2013.
4. ↑ http://www.broadway.com/buzz/173120/stephanie-j-block-on-bonding-with-claire-danes-playing-momma-hen-in-little-miss-sunshine/
5. ↑ http://www.usatoday.com/life/theater/news/2004-05-10-tony-nods_x.htm
6. ↑ Broadway's Pirate Queen Rolls Up Her Sails June 17 Retrieved June 9, 2014
7. ↑ Ellis Makes Broadway Debut in Wicked June 17; Houdyshell Returns Retrieved June 9, 2014
8. ↑ Drama Desk Nominees Announced; 9 to 5 Garners Record-Breaking 15 Noms Retrieved April 29, 2013
9. ↑ BWW's Mid-Summer CD Review Roundup Special!, August 8, 2009
10. ↑ Hetrick, Adam."9 to 5's Block to Offer London Concerts in 2010" playbill.com, December 24, 2009
11. ↑ 2010 Muny Season To Feature Gary Beach, Stephanie J. Block, et al.
12. ↑ "Stephanie J. Block Will Join Jason Alexander for Reprise Song; New Tune Added", playbill.com
13. ↑ Stephanie J. Block, Karen Olivo and Daniel Breaker Cast in Second Stage's Meet Vera Stark
14. ↑ "'By the Way, Meet Vera' Stark Gets Extra Two Weeks in NYC playbill.com
15. ↑ "Stage Review 'By the Way, Meet Vera' Stark ew.com
16. ↑ "Drama Desk Nominations Announced; 'Death Takes a Holiday' and 'Follies' Lead the Pack" playbill.com
17. ↑ Sutton Foster Takes ANYTHING GOES Hiatus in Nov. for TV Pilot; Stephanie J. Block Steps in
18. ↑ "Stephanie J. Block Will Fill in for Sutton Foster in Broadway's Anything Goes Starting Nov. 4", playbill.com
19. ↑ Stephanie J. Block & ANYTHING GOES to Perform at Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
20. ↑ She's 'De-Lovely' and She's Coming Back! Stephanie J. Block to Return to ANYTHING GOES March 15th
21. ↑ Hetrick, Adam and Jones, Kenneth. "Tony-Winning Revival of Anything Goes, With Stephanie J. Block and Joel Grey, Sails Into the Sunset July 8" playbill.com, July 8, 2012
22. ↑ Nominations Announced for 58th Annual Drama Desk Awards; Giant and Hands on a Hardbody Lead the Pack Archived June 1, 2013, at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved April 29, 2013
23. ↑ "Nominations Announced for 67th Annual Tony Awards; Kinky Boots Earns 13 Nominations" Archived May 3, 2013, at the Wayback Machine.; retrieved April 30, 2013.
24. ↑ Hannah Rose Nordberg, Will Swenson and Stephanie J. Block Hit the Road in Little Miss Sunshine, Opening Off-Broadway Nov. 14 Retrieved December 19, 2013
25. ↑ 2014 Drama Desk Award Nominations - GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE Leads with 12; Followed by BRIDGES, FUN HOME, ALADDIN, ROCKY & More broadwayworld, retrieved April 25, 2014
26. ↑ Paulson, Michael. "'Falsettos' Revival Casts Its Leads: Christian Borle, Andrew Rannells and Stephanie J. Block" nytimes.com, March 31, 2016
27. ↑ Gans, Andrew. "Marvin's Back with Whizzer, as 'Falsettos' Revival Begins" Playbill, September 29, 2016
28. ↑ "Broadway Pets Special! Stephanie J. Block and Sebastian Arcelus on Their 'Humping Casanova' Doggy". broadwayworld.com. 2012-07-09. Retrieved 4 August 2014.
29. ↑ "Twitter Watch: Congrats! Stephanie J. Block and Sebastian Arcelus were Expecting Their First Baby!". broadwayworld.com. 2014-08-04. Retrieved 4 August 2014.

External links

• Official site
• Interview with Stephanie on MusicalTalk Podcast
• Stephanie J. Block at the Internet Broadway Database

  

• Stephanie J. Block at the Internet Movie Database
• Star File: Stephanie J. Block
• BroadwayWorld.com interview with Stephanie J. Block, August 21, 2007
• Stephanie J. Block at Playbill Vault

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