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Desi Oakley

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BIO

Desi Oakley most recently appeared as Roxie Hart in Chicago on Broadway. She also performed as the original Jenna in the National Tour of Waitress. Her Broadway credits include Wicked, Annie and Les Misérables. In addition to Waitress, her National Tour credits include Wicked and Evita. Desi's new original album Repeat can be found on iTunes and all streaming platforms. She was raised in Wichita, KS and is a proud graduate of the University of Michigan. Follow her @desioakley.

Photos

STAGE CREDITS

[West End]
Original West End Production, 2019
Jenna [Replacement]

[US Tour]
First National Tour, 2017
Jenna

[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 2014
Ensemble [Replacement]

Fantine (Understudy) [Replacement]

[US Tour]
Touring Revival, 2013
Eva Perón (Alternate)

[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 2012
Performer (Swing)

Lily St. Regis (Understudy)

Grace Farrell (Understudy)

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2003
Ensemble [Replacement]

Ensemble [Replacement]

Elphaba (Understudy) [Replacement]

Nessarose (Understudy) [Replacement]

Elphaba (Understudy) [Replacement]

Nessarose (Understudy) [Replacement]

[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 1996
Roxie Hart [Replacement]

Roxie Hart [Replacement]

Roxie Hart [Replacement]

Roxie Hart [Replacement]


Videos

News


AT THIS PERFORMANCE... Returns to the Green Room 42

Stephen DeAngelis will continue his ongoing salute to Broadway and Off-Broadway Standbys, Understudies and Alternates with the next edition in his monthly residency of AT THIS PERFORMANCE… 
Julia Murney, Major Attaway & More to Join the 36th Annual Festival of New Musicals

​National Alliance for Musical Theatre has revealed additional cast members and final details about the lineup for the 36th Annual FESTIVAL OF NEW MUSICALS, which takes place on Thursday, October 24 and Friday, October 25, 2024. Learn how to purchase tickets.
Review: La Mirada Theatre Serves Up A Satisfying Slice with WAITRESS

Now having its So. California Regional premiere production at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts thru Oct. 13, 2024, this funny, endearing, and ultimately empowering show is easily, hands-down, this critic's favorite iteration of this musical—in no small part thanks to Desi Oakley's return to the title role and its Sara Bareilles songbook.
Video: Desi Oakley Sings 'She Used To Be Mine' in WAITRESS at La Mirada Theatre

Watch Desi Oakley sing 'She Used To Be Mine' in La Mirada Theatre For The Performing Arts' Southern California regional theatre premiere of the hit Broadway musical, WAITRESS, with book by Jessie Nelson, music and lyrics by Sara Bareilles (based upon the motion picture written by Adrienne Shelly), musical direction by Jennifer Lin, choreography by Cost n' Mayor, and direction by Abbey O'Brien. Check out the video!
Photos: Desi Oakley, Cleavant Derricks, and More in WAITRESS at La Mirada Theatre

La Mirada Theatre For The Performing Arts is opening its 2024-2025 season with the Southern California regional theatre premiere of the hit Broadway musical, WAITRESS, starring Desi Oakley. See production photos here!
Video: Inside Rehearsals for WAITRESS Starring Desi Oakley at La Mirada Theatre

Go inside rehearsals for La Mirada Theatre's first show of its 2024-2025 season: the Southern California regional theatre premiere of WAITRESS, with book by Jessie Nelson, music and lyrics by Sara Bareilles (based upon the motion picture written by Adrienne Shelly), musical direction by Jennifer Lin, choreography by Cost n' Mayor, and direction by Abbey O'Brien. 
See Santino Fontana, WRITE OUT LOUD & More Next Week At 54

54 Below announced next week's lineup featuring performances by Broadway stars, including a tribute to Stephen Sondheim and a night with Tony Award winner Alice Ripley.
AT THIS PERFORMANCE... Returns To The Green Room 42 This Month

AT THIS PERFORMANCE... returns to THE GREEN ROOM 42 on September 23, 2024, featuring Broadway understudies and standbys showcasing their talents. Join for an evening of performances from emerging stars.AT THIS PERFORMANCE… will return to The Green Room 42 featuring Standbys, Understudies and Alternates from The Outsiders; Hell's Kitchen; Suffs, Once Upon A Mattress; Cats: “The Jelicle Ball”; The Wiz; and Shucked.
HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL National Tour Reunion & More at 54 Below Next Month

54 BELOW will present some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond in September. Learn more and see how to purchase tickets.
WAITRESS Southern California Regional Premiere Begins In September

La Mirada Theatre For The Performing Arts will open its 2024-2025 season with the Southern California regional theatre premiere of the hit Broadway musical, WAITRESS.
Review: WAITRESS Serves the Entertainment at Broadway At Music Circus

Waitress, the Tony-nominated musical with an all-female creative team, is heating up the round at Broadway at Music Circus. It boasts an incredible score by Grammy winner Sara Bareilles and a book by screenwriter Jessie Nelson. It was adapted from the independent film of the same name by screenwriter Adrienne Shelly who, tragically, was killed only a few days before the film was accepted by the Sundance Film Festival. Its themes of redemption, love, perseverance, and courage are universally appealing. Like its unique pies, Waitress is a blend of sugar, spice, hilarity, and feel-good feminine power.
Jorden Amir Brings WHAT IF? Part 5 to 54 Below

Join in for an exciting evening of What If’s as your favorite characters sing musical theater songs that normally have no relation to them, all while interacting with characters that they usually never get the chance to speak to.
Every Broadway Person in ONLY MURDERS IN THE BUILDING

Just in time for the fourth season, we compiled a list of the Broadway stars that appear across the first three seasons- and announced cast for the fourth- and how you might know them on the stage.
AT THIS PERFORMANCE... to Return to The Green Room 42 in August

AT THIS PERFORMANCE… will return to The Green Room 42 in August, featuring Broadway's rising stars. Learn more and see how to purchase tickets.
AT THIS PERFORMANCE... to Return to Green Room 42 in July

AT THIS PERFORMANCE… returns to The Green Room 42 featuring Standbys, Understudies, and Alternates from Hell's Kitchen, Suffs, The Wiz, Water For Elephants, Cats: “the Jellicle Ball”, Back To The Future, and The Heart Of Rock And Roll.
Video: Highlights from the 2024 Jimmy Awards

The most talented teenagers from across the country took the stage at the Minskoff Theatre for the 15th Annual Jimmy Awards, hosted by Josh Groban. As BroadwayWorld reported, Damson Chola Jr. (Broadway Dallas High School Musical Theatre Awards) and Gretchen Shope (Sutton Foster Awards) won Best Performance by an Actor and Best Performance by an Actress. Check out video highlights from the big night here.
Gretchen Shope and Damson Chola, Jr. Win at The 2024 Jimmy Awards

Who won at the 2024 Jimmy Awards? We have the full list of finalists and winners!
Desi Oakley, Nasia Thomas, Juliette Redden, and More Will Lead Workshop of New Musical LIKE FATHER,

Desi Oakley, Nasia Thomas, Nathaniel Stampley, and more will lead a workshop of the new musical LIKE FATHER, featuring a book, music, and lyrics by Jacob Ryan Smith with Caroline Pernick, directed by Emilio Ramos.
Industry Presentations of New Works Starring Andrew Barth Feldman, Andy Mientus, and More Set For This Month

All new invitation-only presentations will be hosted of developmental works featuring Broadway talent. Learn more about the upcoming performances here!
Program Mentors and Cast Revealed For Challenge Accepted! A Concert Presenting The Winners Of The Musical Theater Songwriting Challenge

A special concert next week will feature live performances by Broadway artists of the seven winning songs from the 2023-2024 Musical Theater Songwriting Challenge, a program of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with the National Alliance for Musical Theatre for high school students to develop and showcase musical compositions that could be a part of a musical theater production.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Desi Oakley been in?

Desi Oakley has appeared on Broadway in 4 shows.

How many West End shows has Desi Oakley been in?

Desi Oakley has appeared on London's West End in 1 shows.

What was Desi Oakley's first West End show?

Desi Oakley's first West End show was Waitress which opened in 2019

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