Stephanie J. Block
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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. Her most recent role was that of Grania in the Chicago World Premiere of the Broadway show The Pirate Queen.
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[edit] Biography
Block debuted on Broadway in 2003, playing the role of Liza Minnelli opposite Hugh Jackman's Peter Allen in the acclaimed musical The Boy from Oz. Immediately prior to this, she served as the understudy for Idina Menzel as Elphaba and was part of the ensemble in Wicked while the show was in its pre-Broadway tryout at the Curran Theatre in San Francisco. Block had been composer Stephen Schwartz 's original choice for the part and worked with him while the musical was still in early development, before Menzel became involved. In the spring of 2005, Block originated the role in the First National Tour of Wicked and completed her run on March 5, 2006, after which she was replaced by Julia Murney. Block was awarded the 2006 Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Non-Resident Production for this role.
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 commercial jingles, including the singing voice of Barbie.
Block is currently working on the new Claude-Michel Schönberg and Alain Boublil musical The Pirate Queen, in which she stars in the title role of Grania (also known as Grace O'Malley). The Pirate Queen premiered with a Chicago run at the Cadillac Palace Theatre October 3, 2006–November 26, 2006. It opens at Broadway's Hilton Theatre for preview performances beginning March 6, 2007 and officially opens on April 5, 2007.
Ms. Block will also appear 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, CA in Dec. 2006 (appearing alongside other 'KND' alumni Matthew Morrison, Terron Brooks, Kamilah Martin, Jessica Burrows and others). The performance benefits The California Conservatory of the Arts, a non-profit arts education organization providing pre-professional training for young performers, selected by audition, in southern California.
Musical fact: Stephanie J. Block is a mezzo-soprano who attests to having a three-octave range with a low note of E3 (the lowest note in "I'm Not That Girl," one of the songs for Wicked that was written for her voice).
[edit] Roles
[edit] Theatre
- The Pirate Queen…as Grace (Grania) O'Malley...2006
- 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
- Wicked…as Elphaba Thropp...2003, 2005-2006
- 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
- 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
[edit] Concerts
- An Evening with Andrew Lippa (December 2006)
- Block Party…at Birdland (June 2006)
- Valentine…at Birdland (February 2005)
- All Smiles…at Birdland (August 2004)
[edit] 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
[edit] Discography
[edit] Cast Recordings/Collaborative Projects
- 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)
[edit] Albums
Stephanie is currently working on her first solo album (title unknown).
[edit] Awards and Nominations
[edit] Wicked
- 2006 Helen Hayes Award (Best Actress in a Non-Resident Production) WINNER
[edit] Crazy For You
- 2002 L.A. Ovation Award (Best Actress) Nominee
[edit] Triumph of Love
- 2002 L.A. Robby Award (Best Supporting Actress) WINNER
[edit] Oliver!
- 2001 Critics' Table Award (Best Actress) WINNER
[edit] Funny Girl
- 2000 L.A. Robby Award (Best Actress) WINNER
