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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

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
Cinderella's Stepmother [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
Performer
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]
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]
Mama [Replacement]
The Toxic Avenger The Toxic Avenger
[Off-Broadway]
Original Off-Broadway Production, 2009
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
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
Performer
Wicked Wicked
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2003
Madame Morrible [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
Penelope Pennywise
Penelope Pennywise
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
Ring Round the Moon
[Broadway]
Lincoln Center Revival, 1999
Isabelle's Mother (Understudy)
Capulat (Understudy)
Lady India (Understudy)
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 (Standby)
Dossie Lustig (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
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]
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
Betty (Act Two) [Replacement]
Young Man sitting on the bank
Frieda (Act One) [Replacement]
Betty
Frieda
Naomi Eisen (Understudy) [Replacement]
Yvonne (Understudy) [Replacement]
Sunday in the Park with George
[Off-Broadway]
Playwrights Horizons Workshop, 1983
Dee (Act Two)
Bette (Act One)
Evita
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1979
Eva Peron (Alternate) [Replacement]
Person of Argentina
Eva Peron (Understudy)

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

More Videos

News


Video: It's WICKED Game Night on Stars in the House Photo
Video: It's WICKED Game Night on Stars in the House
by Nicole Rosky - Apr 9, 2025

Tune in for a special WICKED game night with Katie Rose Clarke, Eden Espinosa, Ana Gasteyer, Brandi Chavonne Massey, Nancy Opel, and Donna Vivino. Past leading ladies will join Seth and James for a night of fun and fundraising. And, yes, some live belting and soprano high notes! Watch in this video.
Rachel Zegler Will Lead Jamie Lloyd's EVITA at the London Palladium Photo
Rachel Zegler Will Lead Jamie Lloyd's EVITA at the London Palladium
by Stephi Wild - Mar 14, 2025

Rachel Zegler will star in Evita at the London Palladium this year. The stage and screen star will make her London theatre debut in the show, which is directed by Jamie Lloyd, and begins this June.
A History of EVITA and the Women Who Have Played Eva Perón Photo
A History of EVITA and the Women Who Have Played Eva Perón
by Stephi Wild - Feb 2, 2025

With the Jamie Lloyd production of Evita in the works, we're revisiting some of the most iconic Evas to grace the stage and screen, from Elaine Paige to Patti LuPone, most recently Auli'i Cravalho, and of course, Madonna.
Ariana DeBose No Longer In Talks To Lead EVITA in London Due to Scheduling Photo
Ariana DeBose No Longer In Talks To Lead EVITA in London Due to Scheduling
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 29, 2025

Ariana DeBose is no longer in talks to star in Evita in London “due to scheduling.” Learn more about about the upcoming production of Evita at The London Palladium here.
Is West End's Upcoming EVITA Revival Broadway-Bound Next? Photo
Is West End's Upcoming EVITA Revival Broadway-Bound Next?
by Rialto Chatter - Jan 26, 2025

BroadwayWorld has learned that Evita, which will play the London Palladium this summer, and for which Ariana DeBose is in talks to star, might be headed to Broadway following its London run.
Ariana DeBose In Talks To Lead EVITA At The London Palladium Photo
Ariana DeBose In Talks To Lead EVITA At The London Palladium
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 6, 2025

Ariana DeBose has revealed that she is in talks to star as Eva Peron in Evita in a revival at the London Palladium, directed by Jamie Lloyd. Learn more about the production!
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.
Jamie Lloyd Will Direct EVITA at the London Palladium in 2025 Photo
Jamie Lloyd Will Direct EVITA at the London Palladium in 2025
by Stephi Wild - Dec 11, 2024

 Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Evita, directed by Jamie Lloyd, is coming to The London Palladium next year. Performances begin in June 2025. Learn more here!
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Deborah Grace Winer Releases FLASH FORCE! Podcast Featuring Broadway Alums
by Josh Sharpe - Aug 27, 2024

Deborah Grace Winer has recently released the first two episodes of her new scripted comedy podcast, which features an array of Broadway performers. FLASH FORCE! Middle-Aged Women Superheroes Save Democracy is available to stream on all platforms.
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Photos: Go Inside the SHELDON HARNICK MEMORIAL CELEBRATION Photo
Photos: Go Inside the SHELDON HARNICK MEMORIAL CELEBRATION
by Bruce Glikas - Nov 11, 2023

An array of Broadway luminaries, including Danny Burstein, Robert Cuccioli, Jason Danieley, Harvey Fierstein, Rob Fisher, Jessica Hecht, Judy Kuhn, Nancy Opel, and more gathered on Thursday, Nov. 9th at the Music Box Theater to pay tribute to the iconic lyricist Sheldon Harnick. Check out photos here!
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by A.A. Cristi - Nov 10, 2023

An array of Broadway luminaries, including Danny Burstein, Robert Cuccioli, Jason Danieley, Harvey Fierstein, Rob Fisher, Jessica Hecht, Judy Kuhn, Nancy Opel, David Rockwell, Alan Schmuckler, Elena Shaddow, Alexandra Silber, Emily Skinner, Deborah Grace Winer, Sherman Yellen, and Karen Ziemba gathered at the Music Box Theater this week to pay tribute to the iconic lyricist Sheldon Harnick. See video highlights from the star-studded memorial!
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Video: INTO THE WOODS Cast on What Sondheim Means to Them
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Video: Cast of INTO THE WOODS Talks Opening Night in Los Angeles
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More News

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 an Obie Award for Performance for her role in My Deahand. She has also received a Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play for her performance in Polish Joke.

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