Jessica Vosk | |
|---|---|
 Vosk in February 2018 | |
| Born | (1983-09-30)September 30, 1983 (age 41) |
| Education | University of Hartford Montclair State University (BA) |
| Occupation(s) | Actress, singer |
| Known for | Wicked,Fiddler on the Roof,Finding Neverland,The Bridges of Madison County |
| Website | jessicavosk |
Jessica Vosk (born September 30, 1983) is an American singer and actress, known for her work inmusical theater.
Vosk is best known for her performance as the lead role ofElphaba Thropp inWicked, which she played onBroadway at theGershwin Theatre from July 2018 to May 2019 (a period that included the show's 15th Anniversary). She also starred as Elphaba in the show's second national tour from September 2016 to September 2017.[1][2][3][4][5] In 2024, she voicedLute in theadult animatedmusical seriesHazbin Hotel.
Jessica Vosk was raised inClinton, New Jersey,[6] starting in community theater at a young age. Her father played in a band and first taught her how to sing. After graduating fromNorth Hunterdon High School,[7] she pursued a degree in musical theater atThe Hartt School inWest Hartford, Connecticut, but transferred toMontclair State University, graduating with a degree in Communications and Public and Investor Relations. She worked in investor relations for three years onWall Street before deciding to pursue herBroadway ambitions.[8]
Vosk's big break came in 2009 when she was cast as a vocalist for the live concertKristina written byBenny Andersson andBjörn Ulvaeus ofABBA and performed atCarnegie Hall and at London'sRoyal Albert Hall.[9]
Vosk made her Broadway debut in 2014 inJason Robert Brown'sThe Bridges of Madison County. She was cast as a swing, and she made her principal debut as Marian. She also was an understudy for the role of Chiara.[10][11]
FromThe Bridges of Madison County she went toFinding Neverland, in which she was in the original Broadway production playing the role of Miss Bassett and an understudy for Mrs. du Maurier.[12]
Vosk played Fruma Sarah in the 2015–2016 Broadway revival ofFiddler on the Roof. She was also an understudy for the roles of Golde and Yente.[13][14]
Also in 2014, she performed as Anita in theSan Francisco Symphony's live recording of theWest Side Story score which was nominated for aGrammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album at the57th Annual Grammy Awards.[15]
Vosk leftFiddler on The Roof in 2016 to join the cast of the Second National Tour ofWicked succeeding Emily Koch in the lead role ofElphaba Thropp.[16][17] She made her debut inSouth Bend, Indiana on September 7, 2016, oppositeAmanda Jane Cooper asGlinda Upland.[18] Her last show on the tour was September 24, 2017, inCincinnati, Ohio.
On June 18, 2018, it was announced that Vosk would reprise the role of Elphaba in the Broadway production ofWicked, succeedingJackie Burns. Her first performance took place on July 16, 2018, at theGershwin Theatre.[19] Vosk ended her run as Elphaba on May 12, 2019, and was succeeded by Hannah Corneau. Vosk was the winner of the 2019Broadway.com Audience Choice Award for Best Replacement (Female) for her portrayal of Elphaba.[20]
Also in 2019 Vosk originated the role of Aunt Val in the world premiere of the musical adaptation ofBecoming Nancy. The production played at the Coca-Cola Stage at theAlliance Theatre, which is part of the Atlanta Theatre Company from September 6 to October 6, 2019.[21] Vosk was the winner of theBroadwayWorld Atlanta Best Actress in a Musical Award.[22]
On February 17, 2020, Vosk appeared as one of The Narrators in the 50th Anniversary concert ofJoseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat atLincoln Center.[23]
In May 2024, Vosk led the cast of the first production ofBeaches The Musical atTheatre Calgary.[24]
From July 30 to August 5, Vosk performed as Jenna inthe Muny production ofWaitress.[25][26][27]
On October 16, 2024, it was announced that Vosk will return to Broadway joining the cast of theAlicia Keys musicalHell's Kitchen. She will succeed original cast memberTony nomineeShoshana Bean in the role of strict mother Jersey. Her first performance is set for December 12, 2024 at theShubert Theatre.[28]
Vosk released her first album titledWild and Free on August 10, 2018. The album is a mix ofmusical theatre andpop and includes songs bySara Bareilles,Jason Robert Brown,Prince,Sia,Pasek and Paul, and more.[29] The album debuted on theBillboard Charts at No. 29 forIndependent Artists and No. 12 forHeatseekers (up and coming musicians).[30]
Vosk released an EP of Christmas songs titledA Very CoCo Christmas on December 9, 2020.[31]
In June 2024, Vosk released two new singles.[23]
On October 25, 2024, it was announced that Vosk will release her full-length Christmas album entitledSleigh fromConcord Theatricals. It would feature Vosk performing her take on Holiday favorites along with special guestsNeil Patrick Harris,David Foster,Ariana DeBose, andScott Hoying. The album would be released for digital downloading and streaming platforms on November 15, 2024. Physical copies would be released on December 6, 2024 in stores.[32]
After wrappingThe Bridges of Madison County, Vosk made hercabaret debut at54 Below with her first solo show entitledI Came to Jersey for This in February 2015, the show featured Vosk performing songs that really inspired her growing up on music.[33] The concert was well received by fans and critics.
Her sophomore cabaret actYou Asked for It would debut in February 2016 atJoe's Pub featured Vosk performing a lot ofdiva-based anthems that inspired her wanting to become agay icon.[34]
Following her run on the first National Tour ofWicked in 2018, Vosk returned to 54 Below withBein' Green, a solo show commemorating talking about what her life was like within a year of life on the road.[35] Many of the songs from theBein' Green show eventually all appear on Vosk's debut albumWild and Free.
Following her departure fromWicked on Broadway, Vosk began touring in support of her debut albumWild & Free in 2018.
On November 8, 2021 Vosk made her solo debut atCarnegie Hall with a program entitledMy Golden Age playing to a sold-out audience.[36] The concert featured an ultimate showcase of Vosk paying tribute to all her musical influences. Following the success of her solo debut there, Vosk would continue to develop a strong relationship with Carnegie Hall including a 2022 return performing a tribute concert toJudy Garland commemorating her 100th Birthday entitledGet Happy, a concert she previously also performed in San Francisco, CA with theSan Francisco Symphony.[37] She also hosted an 8-episode podcast with Carnegie Hall entitledIf The Hall Could Talk, centering on many of Carnegie Hall's notable artifacts from the Hall's archive museum.
In June 2023, Vosk presented a tribute solo entitledCalifornia Dreamin' at the92nd Street Y. The show featured Vosk performing a selection of songs by some of the greatest singer-songwriters fromLaurel Canyon, California.[38] Since the New York premiere, Vosk has continued to perform the concert doing multiple configurations with a small band or a symphony orchestra.
In support of her new holiday albumSleigh, Vosk embarked on a mini-Symphony holiday tour. She sang for 3 nights with theNational Symphony Orchestra at theKennedy Center in Washington, D.C. She then followed it up with a return to Carnegie Hall for a 2-night concert withthe New York Pops and Essential Voices USA, as part their annual holiday concert there.[39]
She is the co-host of the podcast "Killing it on Broadway" withJennifer Simard.
Vosk voicedLute in theAmazon Prime Video original seriesHazbin Hotel.[40]
Vosk has been a resident ofWest New York, New Jersey,[6] and has a dog named Fred.
| Year(s) | Production | Role | Location | Category |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | West Side Story | Anita | Louise M. Davies Symphony Hall | San Francisco Symphony Concert |
| 2014 | The Bridges of Madison County | Swing | Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre | Broadway |
| 2015 | Finding Neverland | Miss Bassett / Ensemble | Lunt-Fontanne Theatre | |
| 2015–16 | Fiddler on the Roof | Fruma Sarah / Golde(understudy) | Broadway Theatre | |
| 2016–17 | Wicked | Elphaba Thropp | Various | National Tour |
| 2018–19 | Gershwin Theatre | Broadway | ||
| 2019 | Becoming Nancy[41] | Aunt Val /Kate Bush | Alliance Theatre | World Premiere |
| 2020 | Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat | The Narrator | David Geffen Hall atLincoln Center | 50th Anniversary Concert |
| 2022 | The Muny | Regional | ||
| 2023 | Chess | Florence Vassy | ||
| Gutenberg! The Musical! | Producer(one night only) | James Earl Jones Theatre | Broadway | |
| 2024 | Waitress | Jenna Hunterson | The Muny | Regional |
| 2024-25 | Hell's Kitchen | Jersey | Shubert Theatre[42] | Broadway |
| Year | Award | Category | Show | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Broadway.com Cabaret Awards | Best Show, Celebrity | Being Green | Won |
| 2019 | Broadway.com Audience Awards | Best Replacement | Wicked | Won |
| 2019 | Broadway.com Regional Awards (Atlanta) | Best Actress in a Musical (Professional) | Becoming Nancy | Won |
| 2020 | BroadwayWorld Cabaret Awards | Best Filmed Show, Created in Quarantine | Radio Free Birdland | Won |
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Artists | |
