Carmen Cusack

Carmen Cusack (born April 25, 1971) is an American musical theater actress and singer. She is known for playing Elphaba in the Chicago, North American Tour, and Melbourne productions of the musical Wicked and for originating the roles of Alice Murphy and Clare Boothe Luce in the Broadway musicals Bright Star and Flying Over Sunset, respectively.

Carmen Cusack
Cusack at the 2016 Theatre World Awards
Born (1971-04-25) April 25, 1971
Denver, Colorado, U.S.
EducationUniversity of North Texas
Occupations
  • Actress
  • singer
SpousePaul Telfer (m. 2012)

Her performance in Bright Star, which was her Broadway debut, was highly praised and earned her a Tony Award nomination and a 2016 Theatre World Award. She received a second Tony Award nomination for her performance in Flying Over Sunset.

Early life

Cusack attended the University of North Texas[1] and graduated with a performing arts degree. She trained in opera, ballet, jazz and tap.[2] Cusack is married to Scottish actor Paul Telfer.[3]

After completing her degree, Cusack accepted a job on the MS Queen Elizabeth 2, which changed the course of her career. In Manchester, England, she had her breakthrough role as Christine Daae in The Phantom of the Opera. Soon after this, she made her West End debut as Fantine in Les Misérables.[4]

She also appeared in the original West End productions of The Secret Garden and Personals.[4]

Career

Wicked

Cusack returned to America, and on December 12, 2006, joined the Chicago production of Wicked as the standby for the lead role of Elphaba. Impressed with her portrayal of the character, the producers asked her to star in the lead role on the show's first national tour, beginning in November 2007.[5] Her role as standby was taken over by Jennifer DiNoia.

Cusack began performances on tour, replacing Victoria Matlock, on November 6, 2007.[5] She starred alongside Katie Rose Clarke as Glinda. After spending one year on tour, she left on November 2, 2008, and was replaced by Donna Vivino, who had been her standby.[6]

Cusack was next seen in the Melbourne, Australia production, as the temporary standby for Elphaba. Amanda Harrison had taken a break from the show due to illness, and the standby, Jemma Rix, had been given the lead role. Cusack was with the company from June 10 to July 10, 2009. She exited the company to begin rehearsals for South Pacific.

Other roles

In 2009, Cusack played Nellie Forbush in the first national tour of South Pacific. Based on the 2008 Broadway revival, performances began September 18, 2009 in San Francisco.[7] For this role Cusack was nominated for the Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Non Resident Production.[8][9]

In 2012, she played the role of Miss Gardner in the Off-Broadway revival of Carrie: The Musical, which began performances at the Lucille Lortel Theatre on January 31, 2012. Carrie played a limited run until April 8, 2012.[10][11]

In 2013, Cusack played the role of Mother in the Milwaukee Repertory Theater's critically acclaimed production of Ragtime.[12]

Cusack appeared as Dot/Marie in the Chicago Shakespeare Theater production of Sunday in the Park with George from September 26 to November 4, 2012, opposite Jason Danieley.[13][14]

Cusack appeared as Annie in the production of the new musical First Wives Club, based on the film of the same name, beginning in February 2015.[15] The musical played at the Oriental Theatre in Chicago, Illinois, through the end of March 2015.[16]

Cusack portrayed Clare Boothe Luce in the new musical Flying Over Sunset, directed by James Lapine.[17] The production, which was originally planned to open in March 2020, was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and rescheduled to begin previews in November 2021 at Lincoln Center Theater's Vivian Beaumont Theater.[18] The production opened on December 13, 2021 and closed on January 16, 2022.[19][20] Cuscack's performance earned her a second nomination for the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical.[21]

In July 2022, Cusack starred as Mrs. Lovett in The Muny production of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.[22]

Bright Star

Cusack originated the role of Alice Murphy in the new musical Bright Star, written and composed by Steve Martin and Edie Brickell. She has been with the show since its workshop in July 2013 at the Powerhouse Theatre at Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, New York.[23] Cusack performed in the show's world premiere at the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego in September 2014. She continued her role during its tryout run in Washington, D.C., from December 2015 to January 2016.

Cusack made her Broadway debut in Bright Star, which opened on March 24, 2016.[24] For her performance, Cusack won a Theatre World Award.[25] She also received nominations for the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical,[26] the Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Actress in a Musical,[27] the Drama League Award for Distinguished Performance,[28] and the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actress in a Musical.[29] Cusack reprised the role of Alice during the musical's North American tour stops in Los Angeles,[30] San Francisco,[31] and Salt Lake City.[32]

Film and television

In 2018, Cusack appeared as Sabrina in James Ponsoldt's critically acclaimed Facebook Watch dramedy Sorry for Your Loss and was cast opposite Tom Hanks in Marielle Heller's Fred Rogers biopic A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood.[33] In 2019, Cusack was cast as a series regular on NBC's Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist.[34] On August 27, 2019, it was announced that Lauren Graham had replaced Cusack on the show in the role of Joan.[35]

Awards and nominations
YearAwardCategoryNominated workResult
2011 Helen Hayes Award Outstanding Lead Actress, Non-Resident Production South Pacific Nominated
2013 Joseph Jefferson Award Actress in a Principal Role in a Musical Sunday in the Park with George Nominated
2016 Helen Hayes Award Outstanding Performer, Visiting Production Bright Star Nominated
Tony Award Best Actress in a Musical[36] Nominated
Drama Desk Award Outstanding Actress in a Musical[37] Nominated
Drama League Award Distinguished Performance[38] Nominated
Outer Critics Circle Award Outstanding Actress in a Musical[39] Nominated
Theatre World Award[25] Honoree
2017 Grammy Award Best Musical Theater Album Nominated
2022 Outer Critics Circle Award Outstanding Actress in a Musical[40] Flying Over Sunset Nominated
Tony Award Best Actress in a Musical[41] Nominated

References
  1. DeLeón, Jessica (September 30, 2016). "Alumna Makes Her Mark on Broadway". UNT North Texan. Archived from the original on December 2, 2020. Retrieved June 6, 2021.
  2. "Carmen Cusack Bio" (PDF). carmencusack.com. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 1, 2011. Retrieved October 3, 2009.
  3. Spaner, Whitney (May 8, 2016). "Meet the Man Who Stopped Carmen Cusack From Giving Up Theatre". Playbill. Archived from the original on May 9, 2016.
  4. Millward, Tom (June 2, 2016). "Interview with Bright Star's Carmen Cusack". New York Theatre Guide. Archived from the original on September 20, 2020.
  5. Gans, Andrew (November 12, 2007). "Wicked Tour Has New Leading Witches". Playbill. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016.
  6. "Wicked Tour Welcomes New Elphaba, Donna Vivino, Nov. 5", Playbill.com; accessed May 11, 2022.
  7. Varley, Eddie (July 23, 2009). "Rod Gilfry And Carmen Cusack Will Lead 'SOUTH PACIFIC' Tour, Launches At The Golden Gate Theatre In SF 9/18". BroadwayWorld. Archived from the original on October 21, 2012.
  8. "Carmen Cusack Biography". BroadwayWorld. Archived from the original on May 27, 2016. Retrieved June 6, 2021.
  9. Jones, Kenneth (February 28, 2011). "Gavin Lee, Arena's Oklahoma!, Signature's Sycamore Trees, Phylicia Rashad Are Helen Hayes Nominees in DC". Playbill. Archived from the original on June 6, 2021. Retrieved June 6, 2021.
  10. Hetrick, Adam (November 21, 2011). "MCC Theater Announces Complete Cast for Revamped Revival of Carrie". Playbill. Retrieved June 6, 2021.
  11. Hetrick, Adam (March 23, 2012). "Carrie Dies Sooner Than Expected; Revival to Close April 8 Off-Broadway". Playbill. Archived from the original on October 22, 2017. Retrieved June 6, 2021.
  12. Fischer, Mike (September 22, 2013). "Milwaukee Rep's soaring 'Ragtime' makes sweet music". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Archived from the original on September 25, 2013.
  13. Denette, Kelsey (August 8, 2012). "Jason Danieley, Carmen Cusack to Lead Chicago Shakespeare Theater's SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE". BroadwayWorld. Archived from the original on August 11, 2012.
  14. "Photos: Jason Danieley, Carmen Cusack and CST's SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE Perform at Art Institute of Chicago!". BroadwayWorld. September 17, 2012. Archived from the original on September 19, 2012.
  15. Houlihan, Mary (February 19, 2015). "First Wives Club Musical Attacks 'Dumb Girl Culture' With Motown Hits". Playbill. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016.
  16. "Broadway-Bound THE FIRST WIVES CLUB, Starring Carmen Cusack, Faith Prince and Christine Sherrill, Opens Tonight in Chicago". BroadwayWorld. March 11, 2015. Archived from the original on March 15, 2015. Retrieved June 6, 2021.
  17. Paulson, Michael (August 20, 2019). "Tripping on Broadway: A New Musical Explores LSD Use by Cary Grant and More". The New York Times. Retrieved August 20, 2019.
  18. Gans, Andrew (May 12, 2021). "Lincoln Center Theater's Flying Over Sunset Will Open This Fall; Intimate Apparel Sets 2022 Dates". Playbill. Archived from the original on May 13, 2021. Retrieved June 6, 2021.
  19. "Photos: FLYING OVER SUNSET Celebrates Opening Night on Broadway". BroadwayWorld. December 14, 2021. Archived from the original on December 14, 2021.
  20. "FLYING OVER SUNSET to End Broadway Run Early; Final Performance January 16". BroadwayWorld. January 5, 2022. Archived from the original on January 4, 2022. Retrieved January 6, 2022.
  21. Lang, Brent (May 9, 2022). "Tony Awards 2022: 'A Strange Loop,' 'MJ,' 'Paradise Square' Dominate Nominations". Variety.
  22. Henry, Alan (April 21, 2022). "Ben Davis, Carmen Cusack, & Robert Cuccioli Will Lead SWEENEY TODD At The Muny". Broadway World.
  23. Pogrebin, Robin (April 27, 2016). "Carmen Cusack Puts 'Her Pain and Her Joy' Into a Leading Broadway Role". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved May 3, 2016.
  24. "Breaking News: Carmen Cusack to Make Broadway Debut in Steve Martin & Edie Brickell's BRIGHT STAR; Dates Set!". BroadwayWorld. October 20, 2015. Archived from the original on October 22, 2015. Retrieved October 21, 2015.
  25. Gans, Andrew (May 2, 2016). "Theatre World Awards Announce 2016 Winners". Playbill. Archived from the original on May 3, 2016. Retrieved May 3, 2016.
  26. "2016 Tony Awards Nominations - HAMILTON Breaks Record with 16! And the Nominees Are..." BroadwayWorld.com. May 3, 2016. Archived from the original on May 4, 2016. Retrieved May 3, 2016.
  27. Viagas, Robert (April 19, 2016). "2016 Outer Critics Circle Nominees Announced". Playbill. Archived from the original on April 20, 2016.
  28. Rosky, Nicole (April 20, 2016). "SHE LOVES ME, HAMILTON, THE CRUCIBLE & More Earn 2016 Drama League Nominations; Check Out the Full List!". BroadwayWorld. Archived from the original on April 21, 2016.
  29. "The 2016 Drama Desk Nominations- SHE LOVES ME, AMERICAN PSYCHO & BRIGHT STAR Lead!". BroadwayWorld. April 28, 2016. Archived from the original on April 29, 2016.
  30. "Carmen Cusack to Return for BRIGHT STAR at the Ahmanson This Fall". BroadwayWorld. July 24, 2017. Archived from the original on October 5, 2017.
  31. "Carmen Cusack to Reprise Role in BRIGHT STAR at the Curran". BroadwayWorld. September 14, 2017. Archived from the original on October 5, 2017.
  32. McPhee, Ryan (November 7, 2017). "Why Carmen Cusack Ultimately Decided to Reprise Her Bright Star Role". Playbill. Archived from the original on November 7, 2017.
  33. Gans, Andrew (October 26, 2018). "Tony Nominee Carmen Cusack Lands Role Opposite Tom Hanks in Fred Rogers Film". Playbill. Archived from the original on October 28, 2018.
  34. Petski, Denise (March 22, 2019). "'Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist' Casts Carmen Cusack; Elizabeth Cappuccino Joins 'neXT'". Deadline. Archived from the original on March 22, 2019.
  35. Ausiello, Michael (August 27, 2019). "Gilmore Girls Vet Lauren Graham Sets Extraordinary TV Return at NBC". TVLine. Archived from the original on August 27, 2019. Retrieved August 27, 2019.
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  37. Cox, Gordon (April 28, 2016). "Drama Desk Nominations: 'She Loves Me,' 'American Psycho' Earn Most Nods (FULL LIST)". Variety. Archived from the original on April 29, 2016.
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  40. BWW, Team (April 26, 2022). "THE LEHMAN TRILOGY, HARMONY & KIMBERLY AKIMBO Lead Outer Critics Circle Awards Nominations". Broadway World.
  41. Culwell-Block, Logan (May 9, 2022). "2022 Tony Award Nominations: A Strange Loop, MJ, Paradise Square Lead the Pack". Playbill. Retrieved May 9, 2022.
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