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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

[US Tour]
US Tour, 2023
Cinderella's Stepmother

[Broadway]
Broadway Revival Production, 2022
Cinderella's Stepmother [Replacement]

[Off-Broadway]
City Center Encores! Production, 2018
Gramma

[Off-Broadway]
Original Off-Broadway Production, 2017
Bobby Goldman

[Off-Broadway]
Encores! Concert Revival, 2016
Performer

[International Tour]
World Premiere Production, 2015
Performer

[St. Louis, MO (Regional)]
The Muny 2015 Production, 2015
Louise

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2014
Bea Singer

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2013
Madame [Replacement]

[West End]
Menier Chocolate Factory Production, 2010
The Soap Manufacturer's Wife

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2009
Mama [Replacement]

Mama [Replacement]

[Off-Broadway]
Original Off-Broadway Production, 2009
Mayor Babs Belgoody / Ma Ferd / A Nun

Mayor

[Off-Broadway]
Off-Broadway Revival, 2007
Mazeppa/Miss Cratchitt

[Broadway]
Actors' Fund Concert, 2004
Performer

Other Roles

[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 2004
Yente

[New York]
Reading, 2004
Jolene

[New York]
Reading, 2004
Performer

[New York]
Reading, 2003
Performer

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2003
Madame Morrible [Replacement]

[Off-Broadway]
2003
Magda/Florist/Mrs. Flanagan/Olga/Zosia/Enid/Nurse

[Broadway]
Broadway Transfer, 2001
Penelope Pennywise

[Off-Broadway]
Original Off-Broadway Production, 2001
Penelope Pennywise

Penelope Pennywise

[Off-Broadway]
Encores! Concert, 2000
Mrs. Hatch

[New York]
Workshop, 1999
Business Men

Mrs. Eva Slotesbury

Ensemble

[Broadway]
Lincoln Center Revival, 1999
Isabelle's Mother (Understudy)

Capulat (Understudy)

Lady India (Understudy)

[Off-Off-Broadway]
Musicals in Mufti Concert, 1998
Performer

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1997
Corine

[Off-Broadway]
1997
Performer

[Broadway]
Angela Lansbury Tribute Benefit, 1996
Singer

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1996
Pamela Prideaux (Standby)

Dossie Lustig (Standby)

[Off-Broadway]
1995
Performer

[Off-Broadway]
1995
Sandy

[Broadway]
Reunion Concert, 1994
Betty

Frieda

[Off-Broadway]
1993
Performer

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1987
Eleanor Roosevelt

[Broadway]
Lincoln Center Revival, 1987
Hope Harcourt [Replacement]

[Off-Broadway]
1985
Louise/Others

[Off-Broadway]
Original Off-Broadway Production, 1985
Ensemble

Louise

[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]

[Off-Broadway]
Playwrights Horizons Workshop, 1983
Dee (Act Two)

Bette (Act One)

[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

News


Deborah Grace Winer Releases FLASH FORCE! Podcast Featuring Broadway Alums

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.
Hugh Coles, Arielle Jacobs & Jelani Remy to Star In TRAILS Musical Workshop

Hugh Coles, Arielle Jacobs, and Jelani Remy will star in an invitation-only presentation of the new musical TRAILS on June 6th, directed by Lorin Latarro. Learn more about the workshop!
NewYorkRep Presents THE OPPOSITE OF LOVE At Royal Family Performing Arts Space

Get ready for THE OPPOSITE OF LOVE, a powerful new play presented by NewYorkRep. Explore themes of trauma, connection, and the complexities of hook ups from
La MaMa Experiments Play Reading Series to Present Paul Iacono's HIGH PRIEST

La MaMa's “Experiments Play Reading Series” will present the first public reading of Paul Iacono's new play HIGH PRIEST for one night only. Learn more about the play and see how to purchase tickets.
HIGH PRIEST A New Play By Paul Iacono Debuts At La MaMa In Free Reading This March

Experience the premiere reading of PAUL IACONO's 'HIGH PRIEST,' a captivating drama about Andy Warhol's Factory, directed by Rachel Klein.
Wake Up With BroadwayWorld December 13th, 2023

Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is December 13, 2023 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.
CHRISTMAS EVE IN DIKANKA - A Musical Adaptation of a Ukrainian Story to Have Industry Reading

Get a sneak peek of the upcoming industry reading of 'Christmas Eve in Dikanka,' a captivating musical adaptation of a Ukrainian story. Immerse yourself in the enchanting world of Ukrainian folklore and experience the magic firsthand.
Photos: Go Inside the SHELDON HARNICK MEMORIAL CELEBRATION

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!
Video: FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, SHE LOVES ME Lyricist Sheldon Harnick Celebrated At Star-Studded Memorial

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!
Harvey Fierstein, Danny Burstein, Judy Kuhn & More Will Pay Tribute to Lyricist Sheldon Harnick at Memorial Ceremony

Harvey Fierstein, Danny Burstein, Judy Kuhn, and other Broadway luminaries will take part in a special tribute to the legendary Sheldon Harnick.
Video: INTO THE WOODS Cast on What Sondheim Means to Them

The touring cast of 'Into The Woods' recently took to the red carpet in Los Angeles, where they shared what the work of the legendary Stephen Sondheim means to them. Check out the video here.
Video: Cast of INTO THE WOODS Talks Opening Night in Los Angeles

BroadwayWorld was at the final opening night for the Into the Woods tour, as the production begins its final engagement in Los Angeles at the Ahmanson Theater. See what the cast had to say about bringing this production to cities across the country.
Review: INTO THE WOODS At The Curran San Francisco

What did our critic think of INTO THE WOODS at Curran?
Review: Fairy Tales Go Out of the Frying Pan and INTO THE WOODS at Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts

A record 16 of the 17 credited cast members are transplants from the Broadway run, including an astounding 97% of its behind-the-curtain crew. In essence, we are getting the bona fide Broadway show, from its stars to its set decorators, here in the heart of Florida. I cannot fathom a better way for local audiences to experience INTO THE WOODS.
How to Catch One of This Year's Tony-Nominated Shows in a City Near You

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Photos: Sara Bareilles, Brian d'Arcy James & More Celebrate INTO THE WOODS' Grammy Win & Tony Nominations

Yesterday, the cast of the Broadway revival of Into the Woods celebrated their Grammy Award-Winning Cast Album and Tony Award nomination for Best Revival of a Musical at The Lookup in New York City. Check out photos of Tony Award-nominated actors Sara Bareilles and Brian d’Arcy James, Tony Award-nominated director Lear deBessonet, and more!
Star-studded INTO THE WOODS Tour Comes to Nashville for Eight-Performance Run at TPAC

Truth be told, this may be the most impressive assemblage of talent we’ve ever encountered on the Jackson Hall stage in our 30-some years of reviewing Broadway at TPAC. Seriously.
Video: Gavin Creel and Jason Forbach Talk INTO THE WOODS on 'The Hot Sauce Sessions'

Watch the stars of Into the Woods are get spicy in a new interview with Bluz Rogers, Director of Creative Engagement at Charlotte’s Blumenthal Performing Arts.
Review Roundup: INTO THE WOODS Hits the Road, What Are the Critics Saying?

The tour of James Lapine and Stephen Sondheim's Into the Woods officially opened at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC earlier this year. Read the reviews for the tour of Into The Woods here!
Photos: Go Inside Opening Night of INTO THE WOODS Tour at the Kennedy Center

Check out photos from opening night of the tour of Into the Woods at the Kennedy Center!

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 several awards for her performances. She received the Obie Award for Performance for her role in My Deahand. Additionally, she was honored with the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play for her performance in Polish Joke.

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