Stephanie J. Block

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]

Stephanie J Block with Stephen Oremus, with whom she worked in Wicked.

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
Off-Broadway
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
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

Discography

Cast Recordings
Collaborative Projects
Solo Albums

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.
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