Stephanie J. Block

Stephanie J. Block has established herself as one of the most relevant and versatile voices in contemporary American musical theater. Ms. Block has just returned to the states after her celebrated run as Lilli Vanessi/ Katharine in Kiss Me Kate in London. Block most recently starred on Broadway in last season’s wildly popular and acclaimed revival of Into the Woods as The Baker’s Wife. She continued on with that role in the US national tour. Last year also brought her reimagining the role of Norma Desmond for the Kennedy Center’s production of Sunset Boulevard. These two back-to-back powerhouse performances had critics touting her as “the current reigning queen of American musical theater” and both roles have earned her Helen Hayes Award nominations for Outstanding Lead Performer in a Musical. Ms. Block won the 2019 Tony Award® for Best Leading Actress in a Musical, as well as winning The Drama Desk Award and Outer Critics Award for her STAR turn in The Cher Show. Stephanie was also recognized for her role of Trina in Lincoln Center Theatre’s 2016 revival of Falsettos garnering her the Tony Award®, Drama Desk and Outer Critics nominations for Best Featured Actress in a Musical. In 2013, she was recognized with both the Drama Desk and Tony Award® nomination(s) for Best Leading Actress in a Musical for her portrayal of Alice Nutting / Edwin Drood in The Roundabout Theater’s production of The Mystery of Edwin Drood. These three productions marked three TONY nominations in a six year span, a feat very few Broadway actors have attained. Other Broadway credits include Reno Sweeney in the 2011 Tony Award®–winning revival of Anything Goes, 9 to 5: The Musical playing the role of Judy Bernly for which she earned a Drama Desk nomination. She created the roles of Grace O’Malley in The Pirate Queen and Liza Minnelli in The Boy From Oz (opposite Hugh Jackman). Block is also well known for her portrayal as Elphaba in the Broadway company of Wicked as well as originating the role in the first national tour, for which she won numerous awards including the Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding Actress in Musical. Some of her Off-Broadway and regional theatrical credits include Brigadoon (Encores! City Center), Little Miss Sunshine (Drama Desk nomination), By The Way, Meet Vera Stark (Drama Desk nomination), They’re Playing Our Song (starring opposite Jason Alexander), Cats, Funny Girl, Crazy For You, Oliver, James Joyce’s The Dead, Triumph of Love, The Grass Harp, South Pacific, The Will Rogers Follies and the World Premiere of Wicked. Stephanie’s solo album, This Place I Know has been received with great praise, lauded by critics, “6 out of 5 stars”. And in 2023, she released her solo Christmas album, Merry Christmas Darling. Stephanie’s voice can be heard on multiple OBCs including The Cher Show, Brigadoon, Falsettos, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, 9 to 5: The Musical (Grammy Nomination), Wicked’s 5th Anniversary Album, The Pirate Queen, and The Boy From Oz. Television credits include Bluff City Law (NBC), Rise (NBC), Madame Secretary (CBS), Orange is the New Black (Netflix), Homeland (Showtime), and It Could Be Worse (HULU). She currently hosts/produces a podcast with Marylee Fairbanks called Stages Podcast. You can listen wherever you get your podcasts. Instagram: @stephaniejblock