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Josefina Gabrielle

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BIO

Gabrielle was born in London in October 1963 to a Spanish father and an English mother. She trained at the Arts Educational Schools, London and began her professional career dancing with the National Ballet of Portugal - CNB. Upon returning to Britain, she started a career in musical theatre, and has since appeared in numerous musical productions, in the West End and on Broadway.



In 1992, she was part of the ensemble in Nicholas Hytner's acclaimed revival of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Carousel. This production opened at the Royal National Theatre and transferred in 1993 to the Shaftesbury Theatre. Her other early roles include Iris in Fame at the Cambridge Theatre, Maggie in A Chorus Line at the Derby Playhouse and Cassie in a touring production of the same show, and Jenna in The Goodbye Girl at the Noël Coward Theatre.

She continued her association with Rodgers and Hammerstein in 1998 when she was chosen by director Trevor Nunn to star as Laurey Williams in his new production of Oklahoma! opposite Hugh Jackman which was staged at the National Theatre. It later transferred to the Lyceum Theatre in the West End. For her performance in Oklahoma!, Gabrielle received her first Olivier Award nomination for Best Actress in a Musical. She was the first Laurey in any production of Oklahoma! to dance her own "Dream Ballet," which was recreated especially for her by choreographer Susan Stroman. When this revival transferred to Broadway in 2002, Gabrielle travelled with the show and made her Broadway debut with the new company.

Gabrielle's other roles include Dot/Maria in Sunday in the Park With George at the Leicester Haymarket, Roxie Hart in Chicago at the Adelphi and Cambridge theatres, Alexandra Spofford in The Witches of Eastwick at the Prince of Wales Theatre, Cassie in A Chorus Line at Sheffield's Crucible Theatre, Kathy Selden in Singin' in the Rain at the Leicester Haymarket and Sadler's Wells theatres, Irene Molloy in the Open Air Theatre, Regent's Park production of Hello, Dolly!, opposite Samantha Spiro. In Sweet Charity, which played first at the Menier Chocolate Factory and transferred to the Theatre Royal, Haymarket in the West End, Gabrielle played the roles of Nickie and Ursula, and received another Olivier Award nomination for her performance. Later in 2010, she played Lady Jacqui in the Crucible Theatre's, Sheffield production of Me and My Girl. In 2012, she toured the UK in the role of Mrs. Anna Leonowens in a production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's The King and I, her third musical by this duo. Later that year, she returned to the Menier Chocolate Factory to play the role of Gussie Carnegie in Maria Friedman's much acclaimed production of Stephen Sondheim's musical Merrily We Roll Along, which had its West End transfer to the Harold Pinter Theatre in 2013 and earned Gabrielle her third Olivier Award nomination for her performance. In May 2014, she joined the new cast of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory the Musical at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, as Mrs. Teavee. In August and September 2017, Josefina took the lead role of Desirée in Sondheim's A Little Night Music at the Watermill Theatre, Newbury, performing the song "Send In The Clowns". In 2018 she returned to Chicago when the production returned to the West End, to the Phoenix, this time playing the role of Velma Kelly. She played opposite the Roxie Harts of Sarah Soetart, Alexandra Burke and Caroline Flack. In 2020 Josefina played Madame Thenardier in Les Misérables when the ‘new’ version re-opened the refurbished Queen's Theatre under its new name of Sondheim Theatre. She is still performing this role as of October 2022.

Gabrielle has appeared in various straight plays and comedies, including Noël Coward's Tonight at 8.30, a series of one act plays ( Red Peppers, The Astonished Heart, Family Album, Hands Across the Sea, Fumed Oak and Shadow Play ) at Minerva Theatre, Chichester opposite Alexander Hanson in 2006, The 39 Steps at the Criterion Theatre in 2007/08, The Murder Game at the King's Head Theatre in 2009, Park Avenue Cat at the Arts Theatre in 2011 and Ray Cooney's Two into One at the Menier Chocolate Factory in 2014. In 2017, she took over the role of Mavis in Maria Friedman's revival of Richard Harris' play Stepping Out at the Vaudeville Theatre.

Photos

STAGE CREDITS

[West End]
West End Revival, 2021
Madame

[West End]
West End Staged Concert Revival, 2021
Madame Thénardier [Replacement]

[West End]
West End Return Engagement, 2018
Velma Kelly

[West End]
West End Original Production, 2013
Mrs. Teavee [Replacement]

[West End]
Menier Chocolate Factory Production, 2012
Gussie Carnegie

[West End]
Menier Chocolate Factory Revival, 2010
Ursula

Nickie

[West End]
Original London Production, 2006
Annabella Schmidt [Replacement]

Margaret [Replacement]

Pamela [Replacement]

[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 2002
Laurey

[West End]
Original London Production, 2000
Alexandra [Replacement]

[West End]
Royal National Theatre Production, 1998
Laurey Williams

[West End]
London Revival, 1997
Performer

[West End]
Original London Production, 1995
Performer

[West End]
Royal National Theatre Production, 1992
Penny Bentley

[Regional (UK)]
Bristol Revival, 1994
Dream Laurey


Awards and Nominations

Olivier Awards - 2014 - Best Performance in a Supporting Role in a Musical

Josefina GabrielleMerrily We Roll Along

Olivier Awards - 2011 - Best Performance in a Supporting Role in a Musical

Josefina Gabrielle, Sweet Charity

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2002 - Outstanding Actress in a Musical

Josefina Gabrielle, Oklahoma!

Olivier Awards - 1999 - Best Actress in a Musical

Josefina Gabrielle, Oklahoma

News


Ruthie Henshall, Amber Davies, and More Join NINE Concert Led By Ramin Karimloo

Further casting has been announced for Hope Mill Theatre’s new concert version of Nine the Musical, starring Broadway and West End star Ramin Karimloo, at Lowry, Salford next year.
Photos: THE 39 STEPS Celebrates West End Return With a Gala Night

Last night, Patrick Barlow's adaptation of Alfred Hitchcock’s classic spy thriller, The 39 Steps celebrated returning to the West End after a nine-year absence with a Gala Night at the Trafalgar Theatre. Check out phtoos here!
Review Roundup: THE BAKER'S WIFE at Menier Chocolate Factory

The Menier Chocolate Factory just celebrated opening night of Gordon Greenberg’s production of The Baker’s Wife – with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and book by Joseph Stein.  Let's see what the London critics are saying!
Review: THE BAKER'S WIFE, Menier Chocolate Factory

A gentler offering from Stephen Schwartz’s catalogue, this immersive show whisks you away to a time long past with a phenomenal ensemble who find the heart and soul in their characters. Perhaps the mistake made 50 years ago was attempting to bring The Baker’s Wife to a larger space. In the Menier’s intimate space, it makes for a real treat.
Photos: Lucie Jones & More in THE BAKER'S WIFE at Menier Chocolate Factory

The Menier Chocolate Factory is now presenting Gordon Greenberg’s production of The Baker’s Wife – with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and book by Joseph Stein. Check out first photos of Lucie Jones and the rest of the cast in action!
Interview: 'It's Always Been a Role I've Loved': Actor Zizi Strallen on RODGERS & HAMMERSTEIN'S OKLAHOMA! IN CONCERT

Oklahoma! arrives at Theatre Royal Drury Lane for two nights to celebrate the show’s 80th anniversary. We had the chance to walk with Zizi Strallen about taking on the role of Laurey. We discussed her love for Oklahoma!, what it is like to perform in a concert version of a show and even the songs she is most looking forward to performing!
Full Cast Set For THE BAKER'S WIFE at The Menier Chocolate Factory

The Menier Chocolate Factory has announced full casting for Gordon Greenberg’s production of The Baker’s Wife – with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and book by Joseph Stein. Learnm ore about the cast here!
Initial Cast Set For Revival of THE BAKER'S WIFE at the Menier Chocolate Factory; Lucie Jones, Clive Rowe, and More!

The Menier Chocolate Factory has announced initial casting for The Baker's Wife – with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and book by Joseph Stein. Learn more about the cast here!
STEPHEN SONDHEIM'S OLD FRIENDS Cast Recording Starring Helena Bonham Carter, Bernadette Peters- Out This Week

Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends: A Celebration (Live at the Sondheim Theatre) will be available as a 2-disc CD set and digital and streaming formats on Friday, December 8.
Review: FAREWELL MISTER HAFFMANN, Theatre Royal Bath

The English language premiere of Farewell Mister Haffman at Theatre Royal Bath’s intimate Ustinov studio is the most gripping, funny and startling play you’re likely to see this year.
RODGERS & HAMMERSTEIN'S OKLAHOMA! with Hugh Jackman to Play Cinemas Around The Globe This Month

The Olivier Award-winning 1998 production of Rodgers & Hammerstein's Oklahoma!, starring then-newcomer Hugh Jackman (Les Misérables, The Greatest Showman) as Curly, will screen in more than 840 cinemas around the globe for two days only on Sunday, July 16 and Wednesday, July 19.
Cast Revealed For FAREWELL MISTER HAFFMANN at Bath Theatre Royal

Adam Blanshay Productions and Norel Productions have announced full casting for Jean-Philippe Daguerre’s Farewell Mister Haffmann, the English language world première of one of France’s most successful new plays.
Review: 42ND STREET, Sadler's Wells

“You’re going out a youngster, but you’ve got to come back a star!” Ever since the pandemic forced theatres to close, then threw their return into jeopardy as actor after actor tested positive for COVID, and performances were either cancelled or more cover than normal was called on at short notice, the importance of the understudy has been back at the forefront of theatregoers’ minds. This is one very good reason for a new production to be mounted, just four years after the Theatre Royal Drury Lane version closed its doors.
Photos: Ruthie Henshall, Adam Garcia & The Cast of 42 STREET Arrive at Sadler's Wells

See photos of the cast of 42nd Street arriving at Sadler’s Wells ahead of their first performance, where it will play until Sunday 2 July!
Photos: First Look at 42ND STREET at Curve, Leicester and Sadler's Wells

Production photos have been released from 42nd Street at Curve, Leicester ahead of playing Sadler’s Wells. The production plays at Curve, Leicester until Saturday 3rd June, followed by a season at Sadler’s Wells, London from Wednesday 7th June 2023.
Photos: See Ruthie Henshall, Les Dennis & More in Rehearsals for 42 STREET

See rehearsal photos for 42nd Street, playing Curve, Leicester and Sadler’s Wells!
OKLAHOMA! Starring Hugh Jackman Will Be Presented as Part of Sarasota Opera's HD At The Opera House

Sarasota Opera will present an HD at the Opera House film of a National Theatre production of Oklahoma! starring Hugh Jackman. This will be shown on Sunday, July 16 at 1:30 p.m.
1998 Production of OKLAHOMA! Starring Hugh Jackman is Coming to Cinemas This Summer

The National Theatre’s acclaimed, Olivier Award-winning production of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Oklahoma! is headed to cinemas worldwide this summer. Starring then-newcomer Hugh Jackman (Les Misérables, The Greatest Showman) as Curly, this riveting stage revival was filmed following its record-breaking 1998 run in London.
LES MISERABLES Extends Booking Through March 2024

LES MISERABLES at the Sondheim Theatre has announced that booking is now extended until Saturday 2 March 2024.
Photos: LES MISERABLES West End Releases Brand-New Production Shots

Get a first look at brand-new production images of the long-running West End production of LES MISÉRABLES at the Sondheim Theatre.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Josefina Gabrielle been in?

Josefina Gabrielle has appeared on Broadway in 1 shows.

How many West End shows has Josefina Gabrielle been in?

Josefina Gabrielle has appeared on London's West End in 16 shows.

What was Josefina Gabrielle's first West End show?

Josefina Gabrielle's first West End show was Carousel which opened in 1992

What awards has Josefina Gabrielle been nominated for?

Best Performance in a Supporting Role in a Musical (Olivier Awards) for Merrily We Roll Along, Best Performance in a Supporting Role in a Musical (Olivier Awards) for Sweet Charity, Outstanding Actress in a Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Oklahoma! and Best Actress in a Musical (Olivier Awards) for Oklahoma.

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