Leah Platt
Latest News on Leah Platt:
Hannah Shankman Will Star as Fanny Brice in FUNNY GIRL National Tour (Sep 5, 2024)
Interview: CHOREOGRAPHERS ELLENORE SCOTT & AYODELE CASEL GIVE FUNNY GIRL'S SAGA FLAIR, FUN & FINESSE (May 28, 2024)
Video: Stephen Mark Lukas Talks FUNNY GIRL Tour on CBS Los Angeles (Apr 13, 2024)
Hannah Shankman Will Star as Fanny Brice in FUNNY GIRL National Tour (Sep 5, 2024)
Interview: CHOREOGRAPHERS ELLENORE SCOTT & AYODELE CASEL GIVE FUNNY GIRL'S SAGA FLAIR, FUN & FINESSE (May 28, 2024)
Video: Stephen Mark Lukas Talks FUNNY GIRL Tour on CBS Los Angeles (Apr 13, 2024)
BIO
I’m an actor based in NYC originally from the Washington, D.C. area. I’m a proud graduate of Northwestern University where I double majored in Theatre and Psychology, got a Certificate in Music Theatre, and a Module in Screen Acting (yes, I’m an overachiever).
I’m currently on the first national tour of Funny Girl playing Emma and understudying Fanny Brice. I recently closed the final year of the first national tour of Fiddler on the Roof playing Tzeitel. Before that, I performed in the regional premiere of Which Way to the Stage and sailed aboard the Disney Fantasy performing as Elsa in Frozen with Disney Cruise Line!
If I’m not belting Beyoncé in the shower or baking cookie dough-infused desserts, you can find me teaching a variety of fitness classes in Equinox Fitness Clubs around Manhattan.
STAGE CREDITS
[US Tour]
North American Tour, 2023
Emma
Mrs. Nadler
Fanny Brice (Understudy)
Mrs. Meeker (Understudy)
Videos
Video: Stephen Mark Lukas Talks FUNNY GIRL Tour on CBS Los Angeles
by Blair Ingenthron - Apr 13, 2024
VIDEO: Creators & Cast of MOMS: THE MUSICAL Talk Upcoming Workshop, Motherhood in the Theatre & More
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jul 8, 2021
News
Hannah Shankman Will Star as Fanny Brice in FUNNY GIRL National Tour
Hannah Shankman will take over the role of Fanny Brice when the tour opens in Seattle on September 24th, 2024. She joins returning cast members Melissa Manchester as Mrs. Brice, Stephen Mark Lukas as Nick Arnstein, Izaiah Montaque Harris as Eddie Ryan, Walter Coppage as Florenz Ziegfeld, Leah Platt as Emma/Mrs. Nadler, Christine Bunuan as Mrs. Meeker, and David Foley Jr. as Tom Keeney.
Hannah Shankman will take over the role of Fanny Brice when the tour opens in Seattle on September 24th, 2024. She joins returning cast members Melissa Manchester as Mrs. Brice, Stephen Mark Lukas as Nick Arnstein, Izaiah Montaque Harris as Eddie Ryan, Walter Coppage as Florenz Ziegfeld, Leah Platt as Emma/Mrs. Nadler, Christine Bunuan as Mrs. Meeker, and David Foley Jr. as Tom Keeney.
Interview: CHOREOGRAPHERS ELLENORE SCOTT & AYODELE CASEL GIVE FUNNY GIRL'S SAGA FLAIR, FUN & FINESSE
VJM: Thank you both for giving of your time to answer my questions. I don’t think I’ve ever heard of two Choreographers being hired for the same Broadway show, not even a revival, that I can think of. How did that come about for both of you? Ellenore Scott: Funny Girl was my Broadway debut as a choreographer. I was so happy when I got a call from Michael Mayer (the director) asking me to work on this revival with him. He knew I was NOT a tap dancer and was aware of the multiple tap routines in the show and asked if I would be down to share the billing with Ayodele Casel. Ayo is an extraordinary artist so I was thrilled to be by her side as she made her Broadway debut as well. Michael first met me initially at Head Over Heels on Broadway where I was an associate choreographer to Spencer Liff. In 2019, he asked if I would choreograph the Off-Broadway revival of Little Shop of Horrors and we opened the show October 17th, 2019. I have loved working with Michael and feel as though he keeps his people close and I’m grateful he thought of me for this historic revival. Ayodele Casel: I met Michael Mayer in 2016 when he directed a New York City Center Encores! show I performed in. Later that fall he invited me to perform that piece in a Broadway for Hillary fundraiser he was also directing. We'd kept in touch over the years and in 2019, after seeing a show I’d premiered at The Joyce Theater, he asked if I would be interested in providing the Tap choreography for a revival he was working on. Like Ellenore shared, Michael wanted to work with us both to deliver the full choreographic vision of the show. I believe it was a very progressive vision on his part and I’m really thankful that I was able to make my Broadway debut with this team.
VJM: Thank you both for giving of your time to answer my questions. I don’t think I’ve ever heard of two Choreographers being hired for the same Broadway show, not even a revival, that I can think of. How did that come about for both of you? Ellenore Scott: Funny Girl was my Broadway debut as a choreographer. I was so happy when I got a call from Michael Mayer (the director) asking me to work on this revival with him. He knew I was NOT a tap dancer and was aware of the multiple tap routines in the show and asked if I would be down to share the billing with Ayodele Casel. Ayo is an extraordinary artist so I was thrilled to be by her side as she made her Broadway debut as well. Michael first met me initially at Head Over Heels on Broadway where I was an associate choreographer to Spencer Liff. In 2019, he asked if I would choreograph the Off-Broadway revival of Little Shop of Horrors and we opened the show October 17th, 2019. I have loved working with Michael and feel as though he keeps his people close and I’m grateful he thought of me for this historic revival. Ayodele Casel: I met Michael Mayer in 2016 when he directed a New York City Center Encores! show I performed in. Later that fall he invited me to perform that piece in a Broadway for Hillary fundraiser he was also directing. We'd kept in touch over the years and in 2019, after seeing a show I’d premiered at The Joyce Theater, he asked if I would be interested in providing the Tap choreography for a revival he was working on. Like Ellenore shared, Michael wanted to work with us both to deliver the full choreographic vision of the show. I believe it was a very progressive vision on his part and I’m really thankful that I was able to make my Broadway debut with this team.
Video: Stephen Mark Lukas Talks FUNNY GIRL Tour on CBS Los Angeles
Watch Stephen Mark Lukas, who plays Nick Arnstein in the National Tour of Funny Girl, discuss the production on CBS Los Angeles in the video here!
Watch Stephen Mark Lukas, who plays Nick Arnstein in the National Tour of Funny Girl, discuss the production on CBS Los Angeles in the video here!
Video: FUNNY GIRL Celebrates Opening Night At Center Theater Group
FUNNY GIRL, the sensational musical comedy revival, is playing now at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles! Go inside the show's glitzy opening night celebration at Center Theater Group in the new video!
FUNNY GIRL, the sensational musical comedy revival, is playing now at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles! Go inside the show's glitzy opening night celebration at Center Theater Group in the new video!
Interview: FUNNY GIRL's Stephen Mark Lukas's the Go-To Nick Arnstein for Six Fanny Brices
The North American tour of Funny Girl lands in Los Angeles at the Ahmanson April 2, 2024, and later at Segerstrom May 28. 2024. Tony Award winner Michael Mayer directs the cast of Melissa Manchester, Katerina McCrimmon, Stephen Mark Lukas, Izaiah Montaque Harris, Walter Coppage. Leah Platt, Cindy Chang, Eileen T’Kaye, David Foley Jr., Vinny Andaloro, Lamont Brown, Kate E. Cook, Julia Grondin, Jackson Grove, Alex Hartman, Dot Kelly, Ryan Lambert, Kathy Liu, Meghan Manning, Bryan Charles Moore, Sami Murphy, Emily Anne Nester, Hannah Shankman, Jordon Taylor, Rodney Thompson, Sean Thompson and Annaliese Wilbur. I had the chance to chat with Stephen (Nick Arnstein to Katerina’s Fanny Brice) over the phone during his stint at the Connor Palace Playhouse Square in Cleveland.
The North American tour of Funny Girl lands in Los Angeles at the Ahmanson April 2, 2024, and later at Segerstrom May 28. 2024. Tony Award winner Michael Mayer directs the cast of Melissa Manchester, Katerina McCrimmon, Stephen Mark Lukas, Izaiah Montaque Harris, Walter Coppage. Leah Platt, Cindy Chang, Eileen T’Kaye, David Foley Jr., Vinny Andaloro, Lamont Brown, Kate E. Cook, Julia Grondin, Jackson Grove, Alex Hartman, Dot Kelly, Ryan Lambert, Kathy Liu, Meghan Manning, Bryan Charles Moore, Sami Murphy, Emily Anne Nester, Hannah Shankman, Jordon Taylor, Rodney Thompson, Sean Thompson and Annaliese Wilbur. I had the chance to chat with Stephen (Nick Arnstein to Katerina’s Fanny Brice) over the phone during his stint at the Connor Palace Playhouse Square in Cleveland.
FUNNY GIRL Comes to the Ahmanson Next Month
FUNNY GIRL, the sensational musical comedy revival, is coming to the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles for a limited four-week engagement from Tuesday, April 2 to Sunday, April 28, 2024. The press opening is Wednesday, April 3.
FUNNY GIRL, the sensational musical comedy revival, is coming to the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles for a limited four-week engagement from Tuesday, April 2 to Sunday, April 28, 2024. The press opening is Wednesday, April 3.
Photos: THE NOTEBOOK Cast & Creative Team Walk the Red Carpet on Opening Night
The Notebook opened at the Schoenfeld Theatre on March 14th, and BroadwayWorld was on hand for the festivities. Check out red-carpet photos of the cast and creative team here!
The Notebook opened at the Schoenfeld Theatre on March 14th, and BroadwayWorld was on hand for the festivities. Check out red-carpet photos of the cast and creative team here!
What Broadway Shows Are On Tour Across North America For The 2024/2025 Season? - A Complete Guide
Looking for a show to see in a city near you? Check out our guide of current and upcoming Broadway tours, and learn about each production as they make their way across the United States,
Looking for a show to see in a city near you? Check out our guide of current and upcoming Broadway tours, and learn about each production as they make their way across the United States,
Broadway at TPAC Opens 2024 Live Theater in Nashville With 'Startling, Stunning, Sexy' FUNNY GIRL
What a way to open a brand-new year of live theater in Nashville: in Funny Girl, audiences may have found exactly what they were longing for as Tennessee Performing Arts Center’s touring presentation provides a portentous kick-off to 2024. In fact, we can’t recall a standing ovation more gratifyingly sincere and genuine in the 35+ years we’ve been reviewing shows at TPAC than the one with which the company was rewarded on opening night in Andrew Jackson Hall. It was appreciative and effusive – downright enthusiastic and straight from the heart – the thunderous and sustained reaction to two-and-a-half hours of gloriously exhilarating musical theatre straight out of the golden age.
What a way to open a brand-new year of live theater in Nashville: in Funny Girl, audiences may have found exactly what they were longing for as Tennessee Performing Arts Center’s touring presentation provides a portentous kick-off to 2024. In fact, we can’t recall a standing ovation more gratifyingly sincere and genuine in the 35+ years we’ve been reviewing shows at TPAC than the one with which the company was rewarded on opening night in Andrew Jackson Hall. It was appreciative and effusive – downright enthusiastic and straight from the heart – the thunderous and sustained reaction to two-and-a-half hours of gloriously exhilarating musical theatre straight out of the golden age.
The North American Tour Of FUNNY GIRL Comes to St. Louis This January
The producers of FUNNY GIRL, the sensational musical comedy revival, are delighted to announce full casting for the North American Tour coming to the Fabulous Fox Theatre in St. Louis for a limited two-week engagement from January 23 to February 4.
The producers of FUNNY GIRL, the sensational musical comedy revival, are delighted to announce full casting for the North American Tour coming to the Fabulous Fox Theatre in St. Louis for a limited two-week engagement from January 23 to February 4.
Review: A Dazzling Revival of FUNNY GIRL Ushers in All the Laughs at Straz Center for The Performing Arts
Funny Girl is a semi-autobiographical comedic musical about the life and times of comedian and Broadway star Fanny Brice, and her tumultuous relationship with entrepreneur and gambler Nick Arnstein. With a musical score by Jules Styne, lyrics by Bob Merill, and featuring a book by Isobel Lennart, Funny Girl first opened on Broadway in 1964 featuring Barbara Streisand in the starring role, and was produced by Fanny’s own son-in-law Ray Stark. The first Broadway production received 8 Tony Nominations at the 18th Annual Awards Ceremony, and the OBC (Original Broadway Cast) Recording was inducted into the Grammy’s Hall of Fame in 2004.
Funny Girl is a semi-autobiographical comedic musical about the life and times of comedian and Broadway star Fanny Brice, and her tumultuous relationship with entrepreneur and gambler Nick Arnstein. With a musical score by Jules Styne, lyrics by Bob Merill, and featuring a book by Isobel Lennart, Funny Girl first opened on Broadway in 1964 featuring Barbara Streisand in the starring role, and was produced by Fanny’s own son-in-law Ray Stark. The first Broadway production received 8 Tony Nominations at the 18th Annual Awards Ceremony, and the OBC (Original Broadway Cast) Recording was inducted into the Grammy’s Hall of Fame in 2004.
Review: FUNNY GIRL at The Hippodrome
What did our critic think of FUNNY GIRL at The Hippodrome? When I was a kid, I wanted nothing so much as to be Barbara Streisand in Funny Girl. I mean, it literally shaped my career aspirations. And I desperately wanted to see the stage version, having practically worn out my LP of the Broadway musical.
What did our critic think of FUNNY GIRL at The Hippodrome? When I was a kid, I wanted nothing so much as to be Barbara Streisand in Funny Girl. I mean, it literally shaped my career aspirations. And I desperately wanted to see the stage version, having practically worn out my LP of the Broadway musical.
Review Roundup: FUNNY GIRL Launches National Tour; What Are the Critics Saying?
The National Tour of Funny Girl launched in September in Providence, Rhode Island. Read the reviews for Funny Girl here!
The National Tour of Funny Girl launched in September in Providence, Rhode Island. Read the reviews for Funny Girl here!
Review: FUNNY GIRL at Providence Performing Arts Center
Providence Performing Arts Center (PPAC) kicks off the 2023/2024 theater season with the national tour launch of the long-awaited revival of the legendary Broadway musical, “Funny Girl.”
Providence Performing Arts Center (PPAC) kicks off the 2023/2024 theater season with the national tour launch of the long-awaited revival of the legendary Broadway musical, “Funny Girl.”
Video: FUNNY GIRL Tour's Katerina McCrimmon Sings 'Don't Rain On My Parade'
We have your first listen to Katerina McCrimmon singing 'Don't Rain on My Parade' from Funny Girl. McCrimmon will lead the upcoming North American tour of Funny Girl as Fanny Brice. Check out the video here!
We have your first listen to Katerina McCrimmon singing 'Don't Rain on My Parade' from Funny Girl. McCrimmon will lead the upcoming North American tour of Funny Girl as Fanny Brice. Check out the video here!
FUNNY GIRL North American Tour Unveils Full Cast and Schedule
Discover the full cast and tour dates for the highly anticipated FUNNY GIRL North American Tour. Don't miss out on this exciting production of the beloved musical.
Discover the full cast and tour dates for the highly anticipated FUNNY GIRL North American Tour. Don't miss out on this exciting production of the beloved musical.
Cast Set and Sale Date Revealed For FUNNY GIRL at PPAC
FUNNY GIRL, the sensational musical comedy revival, launches its national tour at the Providence Performing Arts Center (PPAC) for a limited one-week engagement from September 9 - 16, 2023.
FUNNY GIRL, the sensational musical comedy revival, launches its national tour at the Providence Performing Arts Center (PPAC) for a limited one-week engagement from September 9 - 16, 2023.
Katerina McCrimmon to Star as Fanny Brice in FUNNY GIRL North American Tour
The principal cast been revealed for the North American Tour of FUNNY GIRL. See who is starring and learn how to purchase tickets!
The principal cast been revealed for the North American Tour of FUNNY GIRL. See who is starring and learn how to purchase tickets!
Max Ehrlich Will Lead an Industry Presentation of BONJOUR MON AMOUR
Bonjour Mon Amour written by Richard Hackley will get an invite-only industry presentation on February 16. It will be directed by Jamibeth Margolis, with musical direction by Andrew Wheeler.
Bonjour Mon Amour written by Richard Hackley will get an invite-only industry presentation on February 16. It will be directed by Jamibeth Margolis, with musical direction by Andrew Wheeler.
Broadway's James D. Gish Heads A Distinguished Cast In BON JOUR, THE MUSICAL
Richard Hackley's new musical, 'Bonjour Mon Amour the Musical,' scheduled for two special showings at CAM Studios in New York City.
Richard Hackley's new musical, 'Bonjour Mon Amour the Musical,' scheduled for two special showings at CAM Studios in New York City.
Videos