Annaleigh Ashford | |
|---|---|
 Ashford in 2025 | |
| Born | (1985-06-25)June 25, 1985 (age 40) Denver, Colorado, U.S. |
| Education | Marymount Manhattan College (BFA) |
| Occupation(s) | Actress, singer, dancer |
| Years active | 2005–present |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 2 |
| Musical career | |
| Genres | |
| Instrument | Vocals |
| Labels | |
Musical artist | |
| Website | annaleighashford |
Annaleigh Ashford (néeSwanson; born June 25, 1985[1]) is an American actress, singer, and dancer. Her early roles onBroadway include in the musicalsWicked (2007),Legally Blonde (2007), andHair (2010). She received theTony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play for playing Essie Carmichael inYou Can't Take It with You (2014–2015). Her other Tony-nominated roles are Lauren inKinky Boots (2013) andMrs. Lovett inSweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2023). She also starred in the Broadway revival ofSunday in the Park with George (2017).
She released her debut albumLost in the Stars: Live at 54 Below in 2015. Ashford's notable film and television credits includeShowtime period dramaMasters of Sex (2013-2016), theNetflix miniseriesUnbelievable (2019), theHBO filmBad Education (2019), theFX dramaImpeachment: American Crime Story (2021) and theCBSsitcomB Positive (2020–2022). She earned aPrimetime Emmy Award nomination for her performance as Irene in theHulu limited seriesWelcome to Chippendales (2022). She received her firstGrammy nomination in the categoryBest Musical Theater Album for the 2023 Broadway revival cast recording ofSweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.
Ashford was born on June 25,[2] the daughter of Holli Swanson, an elementary school gym teacher, and Chris Swanson, a small-business owner. She began practicing dance at Kit Andrée's Dance and Performing Arts Center in the second grade. She acted and sang in numerous performances and competitions in her hometown. Ashford's professional career began at age nine in Denver, when she was cast as Tina Denmark, the lead in the musicalRuthless!. At fourteen, she was profiled as "The Teen to Watch" by theRocky Mountain News. Other Denver credits include appearing in the ensemble ofThe Sound of Music,West Side Story, andPaint Your Wagon, as well as inLittle Women as Amy March,Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella as Ella,Grease as Sandy Dumbrowski, andAnything Goes as Reno Sweeney. She graduated fromWheat Ridge High School in three years, at the age of 16, and then attendedMarymount Manhattan College, where she earned a degree in theatre in another three years, at the age of 19.[3] While attending Marymount Manhattan College, Ashford played Rosa Bud inThe Mystery of Edwin Drood and Emma inTell Me on a Sunday.[4][5]
In 2004, while hanging around in New York City'sLower East Side club scene, Ashford met nightlife personalityLady Starlight, a local rock DJ and performance artist. Lady Starlight invited Ashford to dance at her 1970s glitter rock party "Lady Starlight's English Disco" and christened herHollywood Starr.[6] Ashford performed in Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey'sFeeling Electric as Natalie at theNew York Musical Theatre Festival in 2005.[7]
Soon after graduating from college, Ashford got her big break performing as one of Glinda's friends, Pfanne, and understudying the role ofGlinda on the first national tour ofWicked. She joined the cast in December 2005 and left in September 2006. She then originated the role of Margot inLegally Blonde: The Musical, her Broadway debut. She understudied the lead role of Elle Woods, but only played it once. She was featured on the original cast recording and appeared in theMTV televised airing. Ashford left the show in September 2007.[citation needed] In July 2007, she worked on a musical adaptation ofCatch Me If You Can as Brenda Strong. She previously did a staged reading for the project under theTony Award-winning director ofHairspray,Jack O'Brien.[4]
Ashford then returned toWicked, this time playing the lead role of Glinda in the Broadway production. She replacedKendra Kassebaum on October 9, 2007.[8] She departed the company on May 11, 2008, when Kassebaum returned to the role, and transferred to the Chicago production, replacingKate Fahrner as Glinda on June 3, 2008.[9] She played her final performance as Glinda on January 25, 2009, when the Chicago production closed.[10] In 2008, she made her film debut with a small part inSex and the City: The Movie playing a "spoiled label queen". That same year she also appeared in theJonathan Demme filmRachel Getting Married starringAnne Hathaway. Ashford played a counter girl.
In August 2008, Ashford playedWednesday Addams in the staged reading for musical adaptation ofThe Addams Family withNathan Lane andBebe Neuwirth, but was later replaced byKrysta Rodriguez.[11] Other readings includeBring It On: The Musical as Campbell,The Black Suits,C'mon Get Happy,Pal Joey, and a gender-bent version ofStephen Sondheim'sCompany.[12][13] In 2009, it was announced that Ashford would be one of the principal characters and singers in the new vaudeville styledCirque du Soleil show,Banana Shpeel. However, it was later announced that Ashford and her colleague Michael Longoria were no longer in the cast of the show.[14] Publicists announced that it was a creative decision to remove large portions of dialogue from the show, therefore making their characters non-existent. Ashford was originally slated to stay in the production from its premiere inChicago until sometime in 2010.
Ashford starred as Jeanie in the Broadway revival ofHair. She succeeded Kacie Sheik in the role from March 9, 2010, through June 27, 2010, when the production closed.[15] In September 2010, Ashford made her directorial debut atBirdland Jazz Club, directing fellowHair alum Jay Armstrong Johnson in his solo concert debut. The concert was met with rave reviews, including a notice for Ashford's "thoughtfully put together" directorial style.[12] In September 2010, Ashford played Veronica Sawyer in a concert version of the new musicalHeathers inNew York City.[16] The role was later played byBarrett Wilbert Weed in the 2014 off-Broadway premiere. In November 2010, Ashford was part of a reading of the musicalCarrie.[17]
.jpg)
In January 2012, Ashford ended her run playing Maureen Johnson in theOff-Broadway revival ofRent, which began July 14, 2011 and closed on September 9, 2012.[18] Emma Hunton replaced Ashford as Maureen on January 13, 2012. In February 2012, Ashford made a cameo onSmash as Lisa McMann and returned for another short appearance in 2013 before the show's cancellation. From June 27 to August 19, 2012, she appeared in the Off-Broadway musicalDogfight, based on the1991 film of the same name, playing a toothless hooker named Marcy. The role was played in the film byElizabeth Daily. Ashford also performed on the original cast recording of the musical.[19] In 2013, Ashford provided the voice of a troll inFrozen. She has a short line greeting Kristoff and sings the second female solo after Maia Wilson in the song "Fixer Upper" for the soundtrack.[20]
In 2013, after appearing in the Chicago try-outs, Ashford reprised her role as Lauren in the Broadway production ofKinky Boots, a musical with a book byHarvey Fierstein and music and lyrics byCyndi Lauper.[21]Variety described Ashford's performance as "sensational", and noted that she was "the only one in the entire cast, by the way, to manage a convincingly impenetrable working-class English accent."[22] For this role, Ashford received nominations for theTony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical and theDrama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical.[23][24] Ashford left her role inKinky Boots on March 2, 2014.[25] That same year, Ashford appeared in the recurring role of young sex worker Betty DiMello in season one of the Showtime seriesMasters of Sex. Her part was upgraded from a recurring to regular for Season 2.[25]
On January 14, 2014, Ashford released her first single, "Another Time (Andrew's Song)", with musical director Will Van Dyke on iTunes. In addition to writing music and lyrics, Van Dyke is the featured pianist on the single. The track also features Michael Aarons on guitar, Steve Gilewski on bass, Sammy Merendino on drums, Philip Payton on violin/viola, and Allison Seidner on cello. It was recorded at Harlem Parlour Recording in New York City by Derik Lee, who also mixed and mastered the recording.[citation needed]
Beginning on August 26, 2014, Ashford played the role of Essie Carmichael in the Broadway revival ofYou Can't Take It with You, directed byScott Ellis. She appeared alongsideRose Byrne,James Earl Jones, andElizabeth Ashley. The show closed on February 2, 2015. For this role, Ashford won the 2015Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play.[26]
In a limited run from October 2, 2015, to January 3, 2016, Ashford starred as the titular canine in the first Broadway production ofA. R. Gurney's comedySylvia.[27] The show opened at theCort Theatre on October 27, 2015. Directed byDaniel J. Sullivan, the show also starredJulie White,Matthew Broderick, and Robert Sella.[28]Tony Award-winning directorDaniel Sullivan compared Ashford toBill Irwin, writing, "she is a great clown, aside from being a wonderful actor...she has that same kind of, just throw it up there, keep trying, finding it, and refining it."[29]
Ashford's debut albumLost in the Stars: Live at 54 Below was released November 13, 2015.[30] On November 17, 2015, it was announced that Ashford had signed with talent agencyICM Partners.[31] On November 20, 2015, Ashford was selected to present the sixth annual Clive Barnes Theatre Award, taking place on January 11, 2016.[32] On November 30, 2015, Ashford played eight roles in a reading ofPaul Rudnick's critically acclaimed playJeffrey, directed byChristopher Ashley. Other cast includedMichael Urie,Robin de Jesus,James Monroe Iglehart,Andrew Keenan-Bolger, andRussell Tovey.[33]
On February 1, 2016, it was announced that Ashford would play the role of Columbia in theFOX television remakeThe Rocky Horror Picture Show: Let's Do the Time Warp Again.[34][35] Ashford starred alongsideLaverne Cox,Victoria Justice, andRyan McCartan.
On July 14, 2016, it was announced that Ashford would be starring oppositeJake Gyllenhaal inNew York City Center's three October concert performances ofSunday in the Park with George as Dot/Marie, a role originated byBernadette Peters on Broadway.[36][37] On December 13, 2016, it was announced that Ashford would reprise her role as Dot/Marie opposite Gyllenhaal inSunday in the Park with George in the show's Broadway 10-week revival at theHudson Theater.[38] Ashford was not eligible for a Tony Award for this performance, as the production withdrew itself from any award competition, including theTony Awards. A statement was released on February 3, 2017, saying: "The producers ofSunday in the Park with George will not be submitting Hudson Theatre’s engagement of this New York City Center production for awards eligibility. With a season so full of tremendous, soon-to-be long-running new musicals and revivals, the producers feel this extremely limited, special run stands most appropriately outside of any awards competition. The production is nevertheless proud to be part of such a landmark Broadway season."[39]
David Rooney ofThe Hollywood Reporter praised her work writing, "Ashford is the funniest Dot in memory", noting "her mischievous humor and openness [plays] a delicate counterpoint to Gyllenhaal’s Seurat...But there are tremendously moving layers to her characterization too, revealing the searing wound beneath the pride"[40] Marilyn Stasio ofVariety also praised Ashford writing that she has a "stunning voice and [was] quite enchanting".[41] In 2017 the cast album was released byWarner Music Group. It was produced and mixed by Bart Migal and features the full Broadway company, includingJake Gyllenhaal,Robert Sean Leonard,Erin Davie, andPenny Fuller.[citation needed]
On April 4, 2017, it was announced that Ashford would be joiningThe Public Theater'sShakespeare in the Park production ofA Midsummer Night's Dream asHelena.[citation needed] The production also co-starredPhylicia Rashad as Titania,Kristine Nielsen as Puck andDanny Burstein as Nick Bottom. The production received mixed responses but Ashford was praised. Elizabeth Vincentelli ofNewsday wrote, "[Ashford] has emerged as a sublimely gifted comedienne. She [has] impeccable timing with delightfully unexpected line readings."[42]
On September 12, 2017, it was announced that Ashford would join the cast ofWoody Allen's drama filmA Rainy Day in New York, which was completed on October 23, 2017. The film was released in Europe, Asia, Central America, and South America in 2019 and in the UK and US in 2020. On November 3, 2017, it was announced that Ashford would make herNew York Philharmonic debut in a televised New Year's Eve concert celebrating the music ofLeonard Bernstein. Also featuringLaura Osnes,Aaron Tveit, andChristopher Jackson,New Year’s Eve: Bernstein on Broadway featured songs from Bernstein's scores forOn the Town,West Side Story,Candide, andWonderful Town. It was accompanied byBramwell Tovey and aired onPBS on December 31, 2017.[43]
Ashford appeared as Elizabeth Cote in four episodes of the mini-seriesThe Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story, which premiered on January 17, 2018.[44][45][46] On February 15, 2018, it was announced that Ashford would lead a single-camera comedy pilotSouthern Hospitality forABC.Tristram Shapeero was set to direct.[47] The pilot was not picked up.[citation needed] Ashford co-starred in theJennifer Lopez-led comedy filmSecond Act as Hildy, oppositeVanessa Hudgens.[48] The film was released in 2018. On July 23, 2018, it was announced that Ashford would be starring inAmerican Reject, a new musical film.[49] Ashford was set to reprise her role as Dot/Marie inSunday in the Park with George at theSavoy Theatre inLondon in 2020.[50] However, due to theCOVID-19 pandemic, the run was postponed to 2021.[51] In February 2020, Ashford was cast as one of the two main lead roles for the CBS situation comedyB Positive, in which she plays Gina, an unstable woman who is the perfect match for a person in need of a kidney, who happens to be a divorced father who she knows from the past. For its second season, the series was revamped and centered on Ashford's character. Ashford also performed the series' lengthy opening theme in a musical-theater style. The final episode aired March 10, 2022.[52] The series was greenlit byCBS on May 8, 2020, as an entry in the 2020–21 television season.[53]
In 2021 she playedPaula Jones in theRyan Murphy limited drama seriesAmerican Crime Story: Impeachment onFX. The role, a departure from her comedic roles, was a serious one that demanded a physical transformation. Ashford did not meet with the real-life figure but heavily relied on the wealth of material available. She said "I can have empathy for the fact that she came from a very conservative family...I also have a great deal of empathy for the way the media treated her and the way she was seduced by right-wing operatives to make certain choices at the same time."[54] The following year she played Irene in theHulu limited seriesWelcome to Chippendales. She starred alongsideKumail Nanjiani,Murray Bartlett, andJuliette Lewis.
In 2023, she returned to Broadway in the revival ofStephen Sondheim'sSweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street taking on the role ofMrs. Lovett oppositeJosh Groban as the titular character. She earned rave reviews for her performance, including praise of her vocal abilities and her comedic timing, with many stating she made the role her own and distinguished herself fromAngela Lansbury who originated the role. She received her thirdTony Award nomination, this time forBest Actress in a Musical. She also earned her firstGrammy Award nomination forBest Musical Theater Album for her performance on the cast album. It was announced on October 14, 2023, that Ashford's final performance as Mrs. Lovett would be on January 14, 2024.[55] Later that month, it was announced thatSutton Foster would succeed Ashford as Mrs. Lovett starting on February 9, 2024.[56]
Ashford hasceliac disease, and therefore maintains a strictgluten-free diet.[57]
Ashford and fellow actor Joe Tapper were married at the Devil's Thumb Ranch inTabernash, Colorado, on July 29, 2013.[58] On May 11, 2016,People reported that Ashford was pregnant with their first child, a boy.[59] Ashford and Tapper's son was born in 2016.[60][61] On August 19, 2024, Ashford announced that she was pregnant with her and Tapper's second child, due to be born in the fall.[62]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Sex and the City | Spoiled Label Queen | |
| Rachel Getting Married | Quick Stop Cashier | ||
| 2013 | Frozen | Girl Troll | Voice role |
| 2014 | Top Five | Michele | |
| 2016 | Better Off Single | Anne | |
| Love on the Run | Liza | ||
| 2017 | Unicorn Store | Crystal | |
| 2018 | Second Act | Hildy Ostrander | |
| 2019 | Late Night | Mimi Mismatch | |
| A Rainy Day in New York | Lily | ||
| Bad Education | Jenny Aquila | ||
| 2022 | American Reject | Nano | |
| 2024 | Hold Your Breath | Esther Smith |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Legally Blonde: The Musical | Margot | MTV telecast |
| 2009 | Haute & Bothered | Mckenzie | Web series, lead role |
| 2010 | Law & Order | Mia | Episode: "Immortal" |
| 2010, 2012 | Submissions Only | Adorable Girl | Recurring role |
| 2011 | The Big C | Chloe | Episode: "Cats and Dogs" |
| 2012 | Nurse Jackie | Cori | Episode: "Kettle-Kettle-Black-Black" |
| A Gifted Man | Shauna | Episode: "In Case of Complications" | |
| Made in Jersey | Jackie | Episode: "Pilot" | |
| 2012, 2013 | Smash | Lisa McMann | 2 episodes |
| 2013 | Law & Order: Special Victims Unit | Lindsay Anderson | Episode: "October Surprise" |
| Watch What Happens Live | Herself / Bartender | Episode: "Harvey Fierstein & Kim Zolciak" | |
| 87th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade | Herself / Lauren | Performed with the cast ofKinky Boots | |
| 2013–2016 | Masters of Sex | Betty DiMello | Lead role |
| 2015 | Celebrity Name Game | Herself | 4 episodes |
| 2016 | Pleasant Events | Maddie | Episode: "Who Let the Groom Out?" |
| The Rocky Horror Picture Show: Let's Do the Time Warp Again | Columbia | Television film | |
| 2017 | New Year’s Eve: Bernstein on Broadway | Herself | New Year's Eve concert special |
| 2018 | The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story | Elizabeth Cote | Recurring role |
| 2018, 2019 | God Friended Me | Fliss | 2 episodes |
| 2019 | Younger | Shelly Rozansky | Recurring role |
| Unbelievable | Lily | Recurring role | |
| Evil | Bridget Farrell | Episode: "Vatican III" | |
| John Mulaney & the Sack Lunch Bunch | Crying Lady | Television special | |
| 2020 | The Good Fight | Roisin Orbinson | 2 episodes |
| The Undoing | Alexis Young | Episode: "The Missing" | |
| 2020–2022 | B Positive | Gina Dabrowski | Lead role |
| 2021 | Q-Force | Vox Tux (voice) | Episode: "EuropeVision" |
| Impeachment: American Crime Story | Paula Jones | Lead role | |
| 2022 | Big Mouth | The Rice Purity Test (voice) | Episode: "Rice Purity Test" |
| Welcome to Chippendales | Irene Banerjee | Main cast | |
| 2025 | Happy Face | Melissa Moore | Main cast[66] |
| Elsbeth | Sharon Norman | season 3 episode 4 "Ick, a Bod" |
On April 7, 2008, Ashford made her professional cabaret debut as a part of theBroadway at Birdland series atBirdland Jazz Club. She performed an early version of what has now become her critically acclaimedLost in the Stars show. Many songs from her debut, including "Love Hurts", "Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters", and the titular song,"Lost in the Stars", stayed with the show and are now featured on her live album.Alex Lacamoire served as her musical director.[71]
In February 2014, Ashford made her54 Below concert debut with her now acclaimed cabaret show,Lost in the Stars. After two sold-out shows on the 3rd of the month, Ashford added an encore performance due to popular demand.[citation needed] She returned to 54 Below for a special Christmas-themed reincarnation of her cabaret act for the first two Mondays of December with "a little more holiday cheer involved".[20] She was reviewed by Stephen Holden ofThe New York Times for her show on December 1.[72] On February 11, 2015, it was announced that Ashford would be joined by Van Dyke and The Whiskey Five band in a tour of her acclaimed cabaret show in five cities. In addition to her February 11 return to 54 Below, she also played in Chicago, San Francisco, Las Vegas, and two special shows in her hometown of Denver, Colorado.[73]
On August 30, 2015, Ashford had a secret popupBrunch With Annaleigh: The Concert at 54 Below, which was an extension of theLost in the Stars show. This concert was recorded to serve as part of Ashford's debut album, which is a compilation of multipleNew York City dates at 54 Below in 2014 and 2015.[74][75]
Ashford's debut album,Lost in the Stars: Live at 54 Below, recorded from her stage show, was released November 13, 2015.[30][76][77]
Ashford returned to 54 Below for aNew Year's Eve special,Lost in the Stars: New Year's Magic.[78][79] On November 26, 2015,Lost in the Stars was nominated for a BroadwayWorld Cabaret Award in the category "Best Show, Celebrity Female". On September 13, 2016, it was announced that Ashford would once again return to 54 Below for an updated version ofLost in the Stars: New Year's Magic.[citation needed]
| Tour dates | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date | City | Country | Venue | |
| February 3, 2014 | New York,New York | United States | 54 Below | |
| February 15, 2014 | ||||
| December 1, 2014 | ||||
| December 8, 2014 | ||||
| February 11, 2015 | ||||
| March 21, 2015 | Chicago,Illinois | The Broadway Playhouse | ||
| April 11, 2015 | Denver,Colorado | The Denver Center | ||
| April 12, 2015 | ||||
| April 19, 2015 | San Francisco,California | The Venetian Room | ||
| June 27, 2015 | Las Vegas,Nevada | The Smith Center | ||
| June 28, 2015 | ||||
| August 30, 2015 | New York, New York | 54 Below | ||
| January 31, 2015 | ||||
| April 17, 2016 | Overland Park, Kansas | Yardley Hall | ||
| January 31, 2016 | New York, New York | 54 Below | ||
| April 29, 2018 | San Francisco, California | The Venetian Room | ||
| Year | Association | Category | Work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Broadway.com Audience Choice Awards | Favorite Replacement (Female) | Wicked | Nominated | [80] |
| 2010 | Favorite Replacement (Female) | Hair | Nominated | [81] | |
| 2011 | Drama League Awards | Distinguished Performance Award | Rent | Nominated | [82] |
| 2013 | Broadway.com Audience Choice Awards | Favorite Actress in a Musical | Kinky Boots | Nominated | [83] |
| Favorite Funny Performance | Won | [83] | |||
| Clarence Derwent Awards | Most Promising Female Performer | Won | [84] | ||
| Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical | Nominated | [24] | ||
| Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical | Nominated | [85] | ||
| Tony Awards | Best Featured Actress in a Musical | Nominated | [86] | ||
| 2015 | Broadway.com Audience Choice Awards | Favorite Featured Actress in a Play | You Can't Take It With You | Won | [87] |
| Favorite Funny Performance | Nominated | ||||
| Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play | Won | [88] | ||
| Chita Rivera Award | Best Female Dancer | Nominated | [89] | ||
| Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play | Won | [90] | ||
| Tony Awards | Best Featured Actress in a Play | Won | [26] | ||
| BroadwayWorld Cabaret Awards | Best Show, Celebrity Female | Lost in the Stars | Nominated | [citation needed] | |
| Broadway.com Star of the Year Award | Star of the Year | — | Nominated | [91] | |
| 2016 | 30th Annual MAC Awards | Best Song | Another Time (Andrew's Song) | Nominated | [92] |
| Best Major Recording | Lost in the Stars: Live at 54 Below | Nominated | |||
| Drama League Awards | Distinguished Performance Award | Sylvia | Nominated | [citation needed] | |
| Broadway.com Audience Choice Awards | Favorite Featured Actress in a Play | Nominated | [93] | ||
| Favorite Funny Performance | Nominated | ||||
| Brooklyn Web Fest Awards | Best Supporting Actress | Pleasant Events | Nominated | [94] | |
| 2017 | Broadway.com Audience Choice Awards | Favorite Leading Actress in a Musical | Sunday in the Park with George | Nominated | [95] |
| Favorite Onstage Pair (withJake Gyllenhaal) | Nominated | ||||
| 2018 | Drama League Awards | Distinguished Performance Award | A Midsummer Night's Dream | Nominated | [96] |
| 2023 | Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street | Won | [citation needed] | ||
| Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Lead Performance in a Musical | Won | [97] | ||
| Tony Awards | Best Leading Actress in a Musical | Nominated | [98] | ||
| Grammy Awards | Best Musical Theater Album | Nominated | [99] | ||
| Primetime Emmy Award | Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie | Welcome to Chippendales | Nominated | [100] |
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Artists | |
| Other | |
