Nikki Snelson (bornNicole Snelson) is an American actress, who works mainly in stage musicals.
Snelson is originally fromSt. Louis, Missouri,[1] and received her training at theBoston Conservatory.[2] Snelson's first major role onBroadway came as "Winnie Tate" in the 1999 Broadway revival ofAnnie Get Your Gun (musical), oppositeBernadette Peters. She also appeared on Broadway in the revival ofSweet Charity in 2005, starringChristina Applegate.
She was in a long term relationship with actorChristian Campbell, from 2005 to 2007.[citation needed]
In 2007, Snelson originated the role of exercise queen "Brooke Wyndam" in the world premiere of the musicalLegally Blonde: The Musical in San Francisco. She performed the same role in the Broadway production at thePalace Theatre, opening in April 2007.[3] She can be heard on the cast recording of the show, and was also in the MTV Broadcast, as well as the reality casting showLegally Blonde: The Musical – The Search for Elle Woods.
In 2008, she left the company ofLegally Blonde to join the National tour ofA Chorus Line, as "Cassie", starting in May 2008.[4][5] She was requested to audition for the role of Cassie, after she had tried out the role of Val for the Broadway revival before. She then appeared in42nd Street atThe Muny inSt. Louis in June 2009, as "Annie", oppositeRobert Cuccioli.[6]
Snelson originated the role of theMad Hatter in the world premiere of the newFrank Wildhorn musicalWonderland: Alice's New Musical Adventure. The musical had its world premiere on November 24, 2009 in previews and officially December 5, 2009 atThe David A. Straz Jr. Center for the Performing Arts,Tampa, Florida, and opened at theAlley Theatre,Houston, on January 15, 2010.[7][8][9][10] While the plot of the show was reviewed poorly (though the production good), Snelson received great reviews for her portrayal, which featured her performing difficult choreography (byMarguerite Derricks) while singing "high energy" Wildhorn tunes. Tampa Bay Online says Snelson "gives a knock-out performance."[citation needed]Variety added that Snelson played the Hatter "deliciously wicked." However, before its Broadway production, the musical's creators altered the role of the Hatter drastically, including taking out the dancing, cutting out the sarcastic dialogues, as well as replacing her signature song "Nick of Time," and decided to replace Snelson.[11][12] In an interview following this, Snelson said "it was a wonderful experience for me, and I will forever be heartbroken."[13]
She took part in a reading of a new musicalSphinx Winx on March 15, 2010, in New York. The musical has music and lyrics by Kenneth Hitchner, Jr. and a book by Phillip Capice, Bob Keuch and Anne Hitchner.[14]
Snelson has appeared in several television shows, including as a guest onDesperate Housewives (2005) and as "Chelsea" on ABC'sAll My Children (2004).
Snelson was featured in the documentaryEvery Little Step and auditioned for the part of Val, but did not get the part.
She was offered a role in the CW'sValentine, but her contract with theChorus Line national tour forbid her from leaving, as the producers threatened to sue.
