View source for Beth Leavel

{{short description|American actress}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2024}}
{{Infobox person
| image       = beth leavel 2019 1.jpg
| caption     = Leavel in 2019
| birth_date  = {{birth date and age|1955|11|1}}
| birth_place = [[Raleigh, North Carolina]], U.S.
| occupation  = Actress, singer
| education  = {{Unbulleted list|[[Meredith College]] {{Small|([[Bachelor of Arts|BA]])}} |[[University of North Carolina, Greensboro]] {{Small|([[Master of Fine Arts|MFA]])}}}}
| years_active = 1980–present
| spouse = Adam Heller<ref>{{cite web |title=Broadway.com #LiveAtFive with Beth Leavel of THE PROM | website=[[YouTube]] |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OUu1Xg6LOpo  |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211219/OUu1Xg6LOpo |archive-date=2021-12-19 |url-status=live|access-date=June 25, 2019}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
}}
'''Beth Leavel''' (born November 1, 1955) is an American stage and screen actress and singer.
==Life and career==
Leavel attended [[Needham B. Broughton High School]] and [[Meredith College]], earning a degree in social work. She completed a graduate theatre degree at the [[University of North Carolina at Greensboro]] in 1980.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Van Hemert|first=Lauren|date=26 November 2018|title=BWW Interview: Raleigh Native Beth Leavel Opens Up About Finding Her Life Path, Channeling Her Evil Twin, and Building THE PROM|url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/raleigh/article/BWW-Interview-Raleigh-Native-Beth-Leavel-Opens-Up-About-Finding-Her-Life-Path-Channeling-Her-Evil-Twin-and-Building-THE-PROM-20181126|access-date=25 May 2020|website=BroadwayWorld}}</ref> She acted during college, appearing in productions such as ''[[Cabaret (musical)|Cabaret]]'' and ''[[Hello, Dolly! (musical)|Hello, Dolly!]]''<ref>{{cite news|author=Hines|first=Michelle|date=June 12, 2006|title=And the Tony Goes to … UNCG Alum Beth Leavel!|work=University News|publisher=The University of North Carolina at Greensboro|url=http://www.uncg.edu/ure/news/stories/2006/June/BethLeavelWinsTony061206.htm|url-status=dead|access-date=2008-07-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081205022719/http://www.uncg.edu/ure/news/stories/2006/June/BethLeavelWinsTony061206.htm|archive-date=December 5, 2008}}</ref>
Her [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] debut was in the 1980 production of ''[[42nd Street (musical)|42nd Street]]'' as a replacement for Annie.<ref>{{Cite web|title=42nd Street Broadway @ Winter Garden Theatre - Cast|url=https://www.playbill.com/personlistpage/person-list?production=00000150-aea7-d936-a7fd-eef70d370000|access-date=June 29, 2019|website=Playbill}}</ref> Leavel was in the original Broadway cast of ''[[Crazy for You (musical)|Crazy for You]]'' (1992) as Tess and an [[understudy]] for Polly Baker.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Crazy for You - Cast|url=https://www.playbill.com/personlistpage/person-list?production=00000150-aea6-d936-a7fd-eef6768e0000|access-date=June 29, 2019|website=Playbill}}</ref>
In 1999, she played the roles of Mabel and Mrs. Bixby in ''[[The Civil War (musical)|The Civil War]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Civil War - Cast|url=http://www.playbill.com/personlistpage/person-list|access-date=June 29, 2019|website=Playbill}}</ref> Leavel returned to the Broadway revival of ''42nd Street'' in 2001 as a standby for Maggie Jones and Dorothy Brock, eventually playing the latter.<ref>{{Cite web|title=42nd Street Broadway @ Ford Center for the Performing Arts - Cast|url=https://www.playbill.com/personlistpage/person-list?production=00000150-aea3-d936-a7fd-eef771680004|access-date=June 29, 2019|website=Playbill}}</ref>
She played the starring role of Beatrice Stockwell in ''[[The Drowsy Chaperone]]'', for which she helped to create the character's backstory and which she referred to as "a compilation of a lot of different women in theatre."<ref>{{cite news|author=Jones|first=Kenneth|date=May 31, 2006|title=PLAYBILL.COM'S BRIEF ENCOUNTER with Beth Leavel|work=Playbill|url=https://www.playbill.com/article/playbillcoms-brief-encounter-with-beth-leavel-com-177079|url-status=live|access-date=March 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930165055/http://www.playbill.com/celebritybuzz/article/99514.html|archive-date=September 30, 2007}}</ref> For this role, she received a [[Tony Award]] and a [[Drama Desk Award]] for Best Featured Actress in a Musical.
Leavel succeeded [[Andrea Martin]] as Frau Blucher in the Broadway production of ''[[Young Frankenstein (musical)|Young Frankenstein]]'' on July 15, 2008, and remained with the show until it closed on January 4, 2009.<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Gans|first1=Andrew|last2=Jones|first2=Kenneth|date=July 7, 2008|title=Leavel Will Join ''Young Frankenstein'' a Week Early|url=http://www.playbill.com/article/leavel-will-join-young-frankenstein-a-week-early-com-151444|access-date=March 24, 2021|website=Playbill}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Jones|first=Kenneth|date=January 4, 2009|title=''Young Frankenstein'' Ends on Broadway, But a Tour Is Planned|url=http://www.playbill.com/article/young-frankenstein-ends-on-broadway-but-a-tour-is-planned-com-156566|access-date=March 24, 2021|website=Playbill}}</ref> She starred in the world premiere of the burlesque-rich musical ''[[Minsky's]]'' in Los Angeles, which ran at the Center Theatre in the [[Ahmanson Theatre]] from January 21-March 1, 2009; the musical also starred her former ''[[Young Frankenstein]]'' co-stars [[Christopher Fitzgerald (actor)|Christopher Fitzgerald]] and Sarrah Strimel.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Jones|first=Kenneth|date=December 4, 2008|title=Fitzgerald, Leavel, Cariani, Dratch, Wendt Signed for ''Minsky's'' World Premiere|url=http://www.playbill.com/article/fitzgerald-leavel-cariani-dratch-wendt-signed-for-minskys-world-premiere-com-155787|access-date=March 24, 2021|website=Playbill}}</ref>
In 2009, Leavel starred in a stage reading of Dylan Glatthorn's ''Republic'' with [[Lauren Worsham]] and Kelli Barrett.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Gans|first=Andrew|date=April 13, 2009|title=Reading of New Musical ''Republic'', with Leavel, Moye and Worsham, Presented April 13|url=http://www.playbill.com/article/reading-of-new-musical-republic-with-leavel-moye-and-worsham-presented-april-13-com-159852|access-date=2018-10-22|website=Playbill}}</ref> She also starred in the staged reading of Vincent Crapelli's ''Otherwise'', with [[Karen Ziemba]] and [[Laura Koffman|Laura Bonarrigo-Koffman]].{{Citation needed|date=May 2018}}
She starred as Donna Sheridan in the Broadway production of ''[[Mamma Mia! (musical)|Mamma Mia!]]'', succeeding [[Carolee Carmello]] in the role on September 22, 2009, and leaving the show on October 10, 2010.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Gans|first=Andrew|date=July 13, 2009|title=Tony Winner Leavel to Join Broadway's ''Mamma Mia!''; Dossett to Return|url=http://www.playbill.com/article/tony-winner-leavel-to-join-broadways-mamma-mia-dossett-to-return-com-162654|access-date=March 23, 2021|website=Playbill}}</ref>
Leavel starred as Emily Hobbs in ''[[Elf (musical)|Elf the Musical]]'' on Broadway. The production opened November 14, 2010, at the [[Al Hirschfeld Theatre]] and ran through January 2, 2011.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Hetrick|first=Adam|date=August 11, 2010|title=Beth Leavel, Mark Jacoby and George Wendt to Star in ''Elf – The Musical'' on Broadway|url=http://www.playbill.com/article/beth-leavel-mark-jacoby-and-george-wendt-to-star-in-elf-the-musical-on-broadway-com-170820|access-date=March 24, 2021|website=Playbill}}</ref> Following ''Elf'', she appeared in the Broadway production of ''[[Baby It's You!]]'', which began previews on March 26, 2011, and closed on September 4, 2011.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Jones|first=Kenneth|date=January 14, 2011|title=Producers of ''Baby It's You!'' Eyeing Broadhurst Theatre and Beth Leavel|url=http://www.playbill.com/article/producers-of-baby-its-you-eyeing-broadhurst-theatre-and-beth-leavel-com-175208|access-date=March 24, 2021|website=Playbill}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Chatter|first=Rialto|date=January 14, 2011|title=Mutrux's BABY, IT'S YOU Musical to Play Broadhurst in Spring with Leavel in Talks to Star?|url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Mutruxs-BABY-ITS-YOU-Musical-to-Play-Broadhurst-in-Spring-with-Leavel-in-Talks-to-Star-20110114|website=BroadwayWorld}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Hetrick|first=Adam|date=January 14, 2011|title=Shirelles Musical ''Baby It's You!'', With Beth Leavel, Will Play the Broadhurst; Complete Cast Announced|url=http://www.playbill.com/article/shirelles-musical-baby-its-you-with-beth-leavel-will-play-the-broadhurst-complete-cast-announced-com-175472|access-date=March 24, 2021|website=Playbill}}</ref> Leavel earned a [[Tony Award]] nomination for Best Leading Actress in a Musical for her performance of [[Florence Greenberg]] in ''Baby It's You!''<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Jones|first1=Kenneth|last2=Gans|first2=Andrew|date=May 3, 2011|title=2011 Tony Nominations Announced; ''Book of Mormon'' Earns 14 Nominations|url=http://www.playbill.com/article/2011-tony-nominations-announced-book-of-mormon-earns-14-nominations-com-178792|access-date=March 24, 2021|website=Playbill}}</ref>
Leavel was cast as Bea in the musical ''[[Something Rotten!]]'' and began the workshop/reading for it, held in 2014.<ref>{{Cite web|date=September 30, 2014|title=Tony Winners Christian Borle, Beth Leavel, and More to Perform in Reading of ''Something Rotten!''|url=https://www.theatermania.com/new-york-city-theater/news/something-rotten-reading-casting_70103.html|website=TheaterMania}}</ref> Before the musical opened on Broadway (in March 2015) she was replaced by [[Heidi Blickenstaff]] because "the writers decided that the character needed to be younger so she could become pregnant, a key plot point."<ref>{{Cite web|last=Munro|first=Donald|date=May 23, 2015|title=Nothing 'Rotten' about a starring role on Broadway|url=https://www.fresnobee.com/entertainment/performing-arts/donald-munro/article21593082.html|website=The Fresno Bee}}</ref>
In 2014, Leavel starred in the world premiere of the musical ''Dog and Pony'' at the [[Old Globe Theatre]], San Diego.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Purcell|first=Carey|date=June 11, 2014|title=World Premiere of ''Dog and Pony'', Featuring Heidi Blickenstaff and Beth Leavel, Extends at Old Globe|url=http://www.playbill.com/article/world-premiere-of-dog-and-pony-featuring-heidi-blickenstaff-and-beth-leavel-extends-at-old-globe-com-322376|access-date=March 24, 2021|website=Playbill}}</ref>
She starred in the musical ''[[The Prom (musical)|The Prom]]'' which opened on Broadway in November 2018. For this, she was nominated for the 2019 [[Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical|Tony Award for Best Performance by Leading Actress in a Musical]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=McPhee|first=Ryan|date=April 30, 2019|title=2019 Tony Award Nominations: ''Hadestown'' and ''Ain't Too Proud'' Lead the Pack|url=http://www.playbill.com/article/2019-tony-award-nominations-hadestown-and-aint-too-proud-lead-the-pack|website=Playbill}}</ref>
In 2022, she starred as Miranda Priestly in the Chicago world premiere production of ''[[The Devil Wears Prada (musical)|The Devil Wears Prada]]''.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-toronto-star-making-a-fashion-devil/149515843/ |title=Making a fashion 'Devil' contemporary |first=Chris |last=Jones |newspaper=[[Toronto Star]] |place=New York |page=C9 |date=2022-07-23 |access-date=2024-06-17 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>
Manhattan Theatre Club has announced she will join Bernadette Peters and Lea Salonga in the upcoming Broadway mounting of the Stephen Sondheim musical celebration ''[[Old Friends (musical)]]''. Prior to its Broadway bow at MTC’s Samuel J. Friedman Theatre, “Old Friends” will be presented by Los Angeles’ Center Theatre Group from Feb. 8 through March 9. 2025. <ref>{{Cite news |url= https://www.broadwaynews.com/beth-leavel-gavin-lee-and-more-join-sondheim-revue-old-friends/|title= Beth Leavel, Gavin Lee and more join Sondheim revue 'Old Friends'|date= October 22, 2024}}</ref>
==Personal life==
She is engaged to fellow actor Adam Heller.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Quinn|first=Dave|date=May 28, 2019|title=The Prom's Beth Leavel on Her Tony Nomination and Why She Decided to Propose to Her Fiancé|url=https://people.com/theater/tony-awards-the-prom-beth-leavel/|website=People}}</ref>
==Performances==
[[File:Beth Leavel.jpg|thumb|''[[Broadway on Broadway]]'', September 10, 2006]]
===Broadway===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
!Year
!Title
!Role
!Venue
|-
|1985
|''[[42nd Street (musical)|42nd Street]]''
|Annie
|[[St. James Theatre]]
|-
|1992
|''[[Crazy for You (musical)|Crazy For You]]''
|Tess
|[[Shubert Theatre (Broadway)|Shubert Theatre]]
|-
|1994
|''[[Show Boat]]''
|Ellie
|[[George Gershwin Theatre]]
|-
|1999
|''[[The Civil War (musical)|The Civil War]]''
|Mrs. Bixby, Mabel
|St. James Theatre
|-
|2001
|''42nd Street''
|Dorothy Brock
|[[Foxwoods Theatre|Ford Center for the Performing Arts]]
|-
|2006
|''[[The Drowsy Chaperone]]''
|Beatrice Stockwell
|[[Marquis Theatre]]
|-
|2008
|''[[Young Frankenstein (musical)|Young Frankenstein]]''
|Frau Blucher
|[[Foxwoods Theatre|Hilton Theatre]]
|-
|2009
|''[[Mamma Mia! (musical)|Mamma Mia!]]''
|Donna Sheridan
|[[Winter Garden Theatre]]
|-
|2010
|''[[Elf (musical)|Elf]]''
|Emily
|[[Al Hirschfeld Theatre]]
|-
|2011
|''[[Baby It's You (musical)|Baby It's You!]]''
|Florence Greenberg
|[[Broadhurst Theatre]]
|-
|2017
|''[[Bandstand (musical)|Bandstand]]''
|Mrs. June Adams
|[[Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre]]
|-
|2018
|''[[The Prom (musical)|The Prom]]''
|Dee Dee Allen
|[[Longacre Theatre]]
|-
|2024
|''[[Lempicka (musical)|Lempicka]]''
|The Baroness
|Longacre Theatre
|}
===Television===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year
! Title
! Role
! Notes
|-
| 2004
| ''Law & Order: Criminal Intent''
| Mom
| Episode: "Silver Lining"
|-
| 2009
| ''ER''
| Amy Taylor
| Episode: "And in the End..."
|-
| 2009
| ''The Unusuals''
| Ellen Baker
| Episode: "The E.I.D."
|-
| 2020
| ''The Walking Dead: World Beyond''
| Dr. K
| Episode: "Brave"
|-
| 2021
| ''The Bite''
| Petra Bresser
| Episode: "The First Wave"
|}
===Podcasts===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year
! Title
! Voice role
! class="unsortable" | {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}}
|-
| 2020-21
| ''[[In Strange Woods]]''
| Sandra
|<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Beth-Leavel-Patrick-Page-and-More-Join-IN-STRANGE-WOODS-Musical-Podcast-20201130 |title=Beth Leavel, Patrick Page and More Join IN STRANGE WOODS Musical Podcast |first1=A.A. |last1=Cristi |date=November 30, 2020 |website=Broadway World |access-date=February 28, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201201000446/https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Beth-Leavel-Patrick-Page-and-More-Join-IN-STRANGE-WOODS-Musical-Podcast-20201130 |archive-date=December 1, 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref>
|}
==Awards and nominations==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!scope=col|Year
!scope=col|Award
!scope=col|Category
!scope=col|Work
!scope=col|Result
|-
| rowspan="3" align="center"| 2006
|[[60th Tony Awards|Tony Award]]
|[[Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical|Best Featured Actress in a Musical]]
| rowspan="3" |''[[The Drowsy Chaperone]]''
|{{won}}
|-
|[[Drama Desk Award]]
|[[Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical|Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical]]
|{{won}}
|-
|[[Outer Critics Circle Award]]
|Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical
|{{won}}
|-
| rowspan="3" align="center"| 2011
|[[65th Tony Awards|Tony Award]]
|[[Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical|Best Actress in a Musical]]
| rowspan="3" |''[[Baby It's You!]]''
|{{nom}}
|-
|Drama Desk Award
|[[Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actress in a Musical|Outstanding Actress in a Musical]]
|{{nom}}
|-
|Outer Critics Circle Award
|Outstanding Actress in a Musical
|{{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="4" align="center"| 2019
|[[73rd Tony Awards|Tony Award]]
|Best Actress in a Musical
| rowspan="4" |''[[The Prom (musical)|The Prom]]''
|{{nom}}
|-
|Drama Desk Award
|Outstanding Actress in a Musical
|{{nom}}
|-
|[[Drama League Award]]
|Distinguished Performance
|{{nom}}
|-
|Outer Critics Circle Award
|Outstanding Actress in a Musical
|{{nom}}
|}
==References==
{{Reflist}}
==External links==
* {{IBDB name}}
* {{IMDb name|1769792}}
{{Navboxes
| title = Awards for Beth Leavel
| list =
{{DramaDesk MusicalOutstandingFeaturedActress 2001-2025}}
{{TonyAward MusicalFeaturedActress 2001-2025}}
}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Leavel, Beth}}
[[Category:1955 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Actresses from New Jersey]]
[[Category:Actresses from North Carolina]]
[[Category:American musical theatre actresses]]
[[Category:Drama Desk Award winners]]
[[Category:People from Harrington Park, New Jersey]]
[[Category:Actors from Raleigh, North Carolina]]
[[Category:Tony Award winners]]
[[Category:Needham B. Broughton High School alumni]]
[[Category:Meredith College alumni]]
[[Category:Musicians from Raleigh, North Carolina]]
[[Category:University of North Carolina at Greensboro alumni]]
[[Category:Singers from North Carolina]]
[[Category:20th-century American actresses]]
[[Category:20th-century American singers]]
[[Category:20th-century American women singers]]
[[Category:21st-century American actresses]]
[[Category:21st-century American singers]]
[[Category:21st-century American women singers]]
[[Category:Singers from New Jersey]]
[[Category:Actors from Bergen County, New Jersey]]