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Nancy Opel

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BIO

Broadway: A Christmas Carol, Wicked, Beautiful: The Carol King Musical, Honeymoon in Vegas, Cinderella, Memphis, Gypsy, Fiddler on the Roof, Urinetown, Triumph of Love, Anything Goes, Sunday in the Park With George, Evita, others. She starred in the world premiere of Taylor Mac's play, Hir, at the Magic Theatre in San Francisco. Recently she appeared in the Barrington Stage production of On The Town and Washington D.C. audiences saw her as Dolly Levi in Hello, Dolly! at Ford's Theatre. She played Huey Calhoun's mama in Memphis on Broadway, and Melvin Ferd's mama/evil mayor Babs Belgoody in The Toxic Avenger Off-Broadway and at Houston's Alley Theatre. Other Broadway credits include Gypsy with Patti LuPone at City Center, Fiddler on the Roof, Urinetown (Tony nomination, Best Actress in a Musical), Triumph of Love, the Lincoln Center revival of Anything Goes, the original Sunday in the Park with George, and many others. She has originated roles in a number of David Ives plays in All in the Timing, Mere Mortals, and Polish Joke (Drama Desk and Lortel nominations). Other favorite roles include the title role in The Drowsy Chaperone (national tour) and her serio-comic turn in My Deah (Obie Award). On television, she has appeared on "The Big C" all the "Law and Orders," "Flight of the Conchords," "All My Children," and others. In her spare time, she knits sweaters for her poodle.


Photos

STAGE CREDITS

A Christmas Carol (Thorne Adaptation)
[Off-Broadway]
2025
Ghost of Christmas Past ()
Into the Woods Into the Woods
[US Tour]
US Tour, 2023
Cinderella's Stepmother
Into the Woods Into the Woods
[Broadway]
Broadway Revival Production, 2022
[Replacement]
[Replacement]
Hey, Look Me Over! Hey, Look Me Over!
[Off-Broadway]
City Center Encores! Production, 2018
Gramma
Curvy Widow Curvy Widow
[Off-Broadway]
Original Off-Broadway Production, 2017
Bobby Goldman
Do I Hear a Waltz? Do I Hear a Waltz?
[Off-Broadway]
Encores! Concert Revival, 2016
Performer
Prince of Broadway Prince of Broadway
[International Tour]
World Premiere Production, 2015
Holiday Inn Holiday Inn
[St. Louis, MO (Regional)]
The Muny 2015 Production, 2015
Louise
Honeymoon in Vegas Honeymoon in Vegas
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2014
Bea Singer
Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2013
Madame [Replacement]
[Replacement]
Paradise Found Paradise Found
[West End]
Menier Chocolate Factory Production, 2010
The Soap Manufacturer's Wife
Memphis: A New Musical Memphis: A New Musical
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2009
Mama [Replacement]
[Replacement]
[Replacement]
[Replacement]
The Toxic Avenger The Toxic Avenger
[Off-Broadway]
Original Off-Broadway Production, 2009
Mayor Babs Belgoody / Ma Ferd / A Nun
Mayor
Mayor Babs Belgoody / Ma Ferd / A Nun
Mayor
Gypsy
[Off-Broadway]
Off-Broadway Revival, 2007
Mazeppa/Miss Cratchitt
Hair
[Broadway]
Actors' Fund Concert, 2004
Performer
Other Roles
Performer
Other Roles
Fiddler on the Roof Fiddler on the Roof
[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 2004
Yente
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
[New York]
Reading, 2004
Jolene
But I'm a Cheerleader
[New York]
Reading, 2004
Performer
Flight of the Lawnchair Man
[New York]
Reading, 2003
Wicked Wicked
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2003
Madame Morrible [Replacement]
[Replacement]
Polish Joke
[Off-Broadway]
2003
Magda/Florist/Mrs. Flanagan/Olga/Zosia/Enid/Nurse
Urinetown Urinetown
[Broadway]
Broadway Transfer, 2001
Penelope Pennywise
Urinetown
[Off-Broadway]
Original Off-Broadway Production, 2001
On a Clear Day You Can See Forever
[Off-Broadway]
Encores! Concert, 2000
Mrs. Hatch
Wise Guys
[New York]
Workshop, 1999
Business Men
Mrs. Eva Slotesbury
Ensemble
Business Men
Mrs. Eva Slotesbury
Ensemble
Ring Round the Moon
[Broadway]
Lincoln Center Revival, 1999
Capulat (Understudy)
Isabelle's Mother (Understudy)
Lady India (Understudy)
(Unknown)
Capulat (Unknown)
Lady India (Unknown)
(Unknown)
(Unknown)
(Unknown)
(Unknown)
Capulat (Unknown)
(Unknown)
(Unknown)
(Unknown)
(Unknown)
Isabelle's Mother (Unknown)
(Unknown)
(Unknown)
(Unknown)
(Unknown)
(Unknown)
Darling of the Day
[Off-Off-Broadway]
Musicals in Mufti Concert, 1998
Performer
Triumph of Love
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1997
Corine
Mere Mortals and Others
[Off-Broadway]
1997
Performer
Angela Lansbury - A Celebration
[Broadway]
Angela Lansbury Tribute Benefit, 1996
Singer
Getting Away With Murder
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1996
Pamela Prideaux (Saint Tome (Sao Tome) and Principe)
Dossie Lustig (Saint Tome (Sao Tome) and Principe)
Pamela Prideaux (St. Louis, MO (Regional))
Dossie Lustig (St. Louis, MO (Regional))
(Standby)
Pamela Prideaux (Standby)
Hundreds of Hats
[Off-Broadway]
1995
Performer
Don Juan in Chicago
[Off-Broadway]
1995
Sandy
Sunday in the Park with George
[Broadway]
Reunion Concert, 1994
Betty
Frieda
Betty
Frieda
All in the Timing
[Off-Broadway]
1993
Performer
Teddy & Alice
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1987
Eleanor Roosevelt
Anything Goes
[Broadway]
Lincoln Center Revival, 1987
Hope Harcourt [Replacement]
[Replacement]
Personals
[Off-Broadway]
Original Off-Broadway Production, 1985
Ensemble
Personals
[Off-Broadway]
1985
Louise/Others
Personals
[Off-Broadway]
Original Off-Broadway Production, 1985
Louise
Personals
[Off-Broadway]
1985
Louise/Others
Personals
[Off-Broadway]
Original Off-Broadway Production, 1985
Ensemble
Louise
Sunday in the Park with George
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1984
Frieda (Act One) [Replacement]
Frieda
Betty
Betty (Act Two) [Replacement]
Young Man sitting on the bank
Frieda (Act One) [Replacement]
Frieda
Young Man sitting on the bank
Betty (Act Two) [Replacement]
Betty
Naomi Eisen (Understudy) [Replacement]
Yvonne (Understudy) [Replacement]
Naomi Eisen (Unknown) [Replacement]
(Unknown) [Replacement]
(Unknown) [Replacement]
(Unknown) [Replacement]
(Unknown) [Replacement]
Yvonne (Unknown) [Replacement]
(Unknown) [Replacement]
(Unknown) [Replacement]
Naomi Eisen (Unknown) [Replacement]
Yvonne (Unknown) [Replacement]
(Unknown) [Replacement]
(Unknown) [Replacement]
Sunday in the Park with George
[Off-Broadway]
Playwrights Horizons Workshop, 1983
Dee (Act Two)
Bette (Act One)
Dee (Act Two)
Bette (Act One)
Evita
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1979
Eva Peron (Albania) [Replacement]
(Alternate) [Replacement]
Person of Argentina
Eva Peron (Understudy)
(Unknown)
(Unknown)
(Unknown)
(Unknown)
(Unknown)
(Unknown)

Awards and Nominations

Drama Desk Awards - 2015 - Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical

Nancy Opel, Honeymoon in Vegas

Helen Hayes Awards - 2014 - Outstanding Lead Actress, Resident Musical

Nancy OpelHello, Dolly!

The Lortels - 2010 - Outstanding Featured Actress

Nancy Opel, The Toxic Avenger

Drama Desk Awards - 2009 - Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical

Nancy Opel, The Toxic Avenger

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2009 - Outstanding Actress in a Musical

Nancy Opel , The Toxic Avenger


winner
Obie Awards - 2007 - Performance

Nancy OpelMy Deah


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2003 - Outstanding Featured Actress - Play

Nancy Opel, Polish Joke

The Lortels - 2003 - Outstanding Featured Actress

Nancy Opel, Polish Joke

Tony Awards - 2002 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical

Nancy Opel, Urinetown The Musical

Videos

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News


Interview: Robert Yacko of AN EVENING WITH THE MAESTRO at The Broad Stage of Santa Mo Photo
Interview: Robert Yacko of AN EVENING WITH THE MAESTRO at The Broad Stage of Santa Monica
by Gavin Glynn - Aug 31, 2025

This one of its kind world premiere event also pays tribute to Bernstein’s passion for education, with proceeds supporting MTG’s Youth Education Outreach programs.
Photos: STEEL MAGNOLIAS Opens at Bell Theater in Holmdel Photo
Photos: STEEL MAGNOLIAS Opens at Bell Theater in Holmdel
by A.A. Cristi - Jul 29, 2025

The Bell Theater’s star-studded production of Steel Magnolias is now running in Holmdel, NJ through August 10. Directed by Nate Patten, this new staging of Robert Harling’s beloved comedy features a powerhouse cast of Broadway veterans and award nominees. See photos from the production.
Photos: STEEL MAGNOLIAS In Rehearsal at Bell Theater Photo
Photos: STEEL MAGNOLIAS In Rehearsal at Bell Theater
by A.A. Cristi - Jul 16, 2025

Take a peek inside the rehearsal room of Steel Magnolias, opening next Friday, July 25, at Bell Theater in Bell Works. Check out photos of the cast!
Charlotte d'Amboise, Amy Spanger and More to Star in STEEL MAGNOLIAS at Bell Theater Photo
Charlotte d'Amboise, Amy Spanger and More to Star in STEEL MAGNOLIAS at Bell Theater
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 23, 2025

A beloved celebration of friendship and community, Steel Magnolias has become an American cultural classic on stage and screen. Robert Harling’s original play comes to Bell Theater at Bell Works this summer with a starry cast of Broadway icons. Learn more!
THE LAP DANCE KID, A New Musical To Have Private Industry Presentations This Month Photo
THE LAP DANCE KID, A New Musical To Have Private Industry Presentations This Month
by A.A. Cristi - May 6, 2025

Fifth Dentist Productions will present private, two by-invitation only industry presentations of The Lap Dance Kid, a new musical created with music by Adam Blotner, and book and lyrics by Adam Blotner and Mike King, based on a story by Mike King.
A History of GYPSY's Mama Rose and the Women Who Have Played Her Photo
A History of GYPSY's Mama Rose and the Women Who Have Played Her
by Stephi Wild - Dec 29, 2024

Gypsy is back on Broadway, starring Audra McDonald in the iconic role of Mama Rose. BroadwayWorld is looking back on some of the performers who have taken on the musical's lead role, from Ethel Merman to Patti LuPone, Bernadette Peters, and more.
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Nancy Opel been in?

Nancy Opel has appeared on Broadway in 17 shows.

How many West End shows has Nancy Opel been in?

Nancy Opel has appeared on London's West End in 1 shows.

What was Nancy Opel's first West End show?

Nancy Opel's first West End show was Paradise Found which opened in 2010

What awards has Nancy Opel been nominated for?

Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for Honeymoon in Vegas, Outstanding Lead Actress, Resident Musical (Helen Hayes Awards) for Hello, Dolly!, Outstanding Featured Actress (The Lortels) for The Toxic Avenger, Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for The Toxic Avenger, Outstanding Actress in a Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for The Toxic Avenger, Performance (Obie Awards) for My Deah, Outstanding Featured Actress - Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Polish Joke, Outstanding Featured Actress (The Lortels) for Polish Joke and Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for Urinetown The Musical.

What awards has Nancy Opel won?

Nancy Opel has won the Performance Obie Award for My Deahand and received the Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play Drama Desk Award for Polish Joke.

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