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Keala Settle

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BIO

Keala Settle is best known for her portrayal of the bearded woman "Lettie Lutz" in the feature musical "The Greatest Showman." The film's song, "This Is Me," won the 2018 Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song and was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Song.


Settle made her Broadway debut in 2011 in "Priscilla, Queen of the Desert." She originated the role of "Norma Valverde" in "Hands on a Hardbody" and was nominated for the Outer Critics Circle Award, Drama Desk Award and Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical. Settle originated the role of "Becky" in the musical "Waitress," and played the roles of "Madame Thenardier" in the revival of "Les Misérables" and "Tracy Turnblad" in the national tour of "Hairspray." In 2019, Settle sang "Seasons of Love" in Fox's Rent: Live.
Also in 2019, Settle toured with Hugh Jackman during his The Man. The Music. The Show. concerts globally performing the song "This Is Me" from The Greatest Showman.
Settle made her West End debut as Angélique in & Juliet and co-starred with Jennifer Saunders in Sister Act. She was recently unmasked as “Air Fryer” taking fifth place in The Masked Singer UK.
She recently starred in Fly More than You Fall at Southwark Playhouse Elephant and will appear as Miss Coddle in the film adaptation of the musical Wicked, with Part One set for release in November 2024.

Photos

STAGE CREDITS

[West End]
Jennifer

[West End]
West End Revival, 2022
Sister Mary Patrick

[West End]
Original West End Production, 2021
Nurse [Replacement]

[Broadway]
FOX Live Televised Production, 2019
Soloist

[Off-Broadway]
All-Female Concert Production, 2017
Peter

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2016
Becky

[Boston]
American Repertory Theater World Premiere Production, 2015
Becky

[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 2014
Madame Thénardier

[Broadway]
La Jolla Playhouse Broadway Transfer, 2013
Performer

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2011
Shirley

[Toronto]
Pre-Broadway North American Production, 2010
Shirley

[US Tour]
Touring Revival, 2009
Bloody Mary [Replacement]

[US Tour]
National Tour, 2003
Tracy Turnblad  [Replacement]


Awards and Nominations

Drama Desk Awards - 2013 - Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical

Keala Settle, Hands on a Hardbody

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2013 - Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical

Keala Settle, Hands on a Hardbody


winner
Theatre World Awards - 2013 - Theatre World Award

Keala Settle, Hands on a Hardbody

Tony Awards - 2013 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical

Keala Settle, Hands on a Hardbody

Helen Hayes Awards - 2006 - Outstanding Lead Actress, Non-Resident Production

Keala SettleHairspray

Videos

News


THE GREATEST SHOWMAN: Revisiting the Original Movie Musical
by Josh Sharpe - Mar 5, 2025

With the exciting news that The Greatest Showman is premiering in 2026, we are taking a look back at the blockbuster film that inspired the forthcoming stage production.
WICKED llega en marzo al formato doméstico
by Jose German Martinez Paneque - Feb 28, 2025

El próximo 14 de marzo se pondrá a la venta en España la versión digital de WICKED en España con un precio de 13,99€.
Photos: City Center Encores! URINETOWN Final Curtain Call
by Bruce Glikas - Feb 19, 2025

Urinetown played its final performance this week as part of The New York City Center Encores! season. See photos from the production's final curtain call here! 
Videos You Missed This Week: DEAD OUTLAW, PURPOSE and More
by Sidney Paterra - Feb 14, 2025

It's been a busy week on (and off) Broadway! 2025 has officially arrived and the second half of the 2024-25 Broadway season has officially begun. Catch up on all the latest from the week ending February 14, 2025 with videos from Dead Outlaw, Redwood, and more!
Video: Rainn Wilson Sings 'Don't Be the Bunny' in URINETOWN at New York City Center
by Joshua Wright - Feb 13, 2025

Watch Rainn Wilson (as Caldwell B. Cladwell), best known by audiences as Dwight Schrute from The Office, perform 'Don't Be The Bunny' from New York City Center's Encores production of URINETOWN. The production is now on stage through February 16th, 2025.
Videos You Missed This Week: URINETOWN, JUST IN TIME and More
by Sidney Paterra - Feb 7, 2025

It's been a busy week on (and off) Broadway! 2025 has officially arrived and the second half of the 2024-25 Broadway season has officially begun. Catch up on all the latest from the week ending February 7, 2025 with videos from Urinetown, Just In Time, and more!
Video: New Clips from URINETOWN with Keala Settle, Rainn Wilson and More
by Nicole Rosky - Feb 7, 2025

What is Urinetown? Urinetown is now! Check out more scenes from Urinetown at New York City Center Encores!, including 'Mr. Cladwell,' 'Follow Your Heart,' and 'Privelege to Pee' in this video and see why Urinetown is making waves.
Photos: Inside Rehearsals for URINETOWN at Encores!
by Bruce Glikas - Feb 7, 2025

Performances are now underway for Encores! City Center's production of Urinetown, featuring Jordan Fisher, Keala Settle, Rainn Wilson, and more. Check out photos from inside rehearsals here.
Review Roundup: URINETOWN Opens at New York City Center Encores!
by Nicole Rosky - Feb 6, 2025

The New York City Center Encores! season kicks off with Urinetown, which stars Jordan Fisher, Keala Settle, Rainn Wilson and more. Check out what the critics are saying about the production here.
Wake Up With BroadwayWorld February 6, 2025
by - Feb 6, 2025

Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is February 6, 2025 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.
Photos: URINETOWN Starring Jordan Fisher, Rainn Wilson And More At City Center
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 5, 2025

Get a first look at Encores! City Center's production of Urinetown! Check out new production photos featuring Jordan Fisher (Bobby Strong), Keala Settle (Penelope Pennywise), Rainn Wilson (Caldwell B. Cladwell), and more. 
Video: URINETOWN Takes the Stage At City Center
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 5, 2025

Get a first look at Encores! City Center's production of Urinetown, featuring Jordan Fisher (Bobby Strong), Keala Settle (Penelope Pennywise), Rainn Wilson (Caldwell B. Cladwell), and more. The video features highlights from the starry production, opening tonight and running through February 16.
Video: Watch Jordan Fisher Sing 'Run, Freedom, Run!' in URINETOWN at Encores!
by Michael Major - Feb 5, 2025

Watch a first look at Encores! City Center's production of Urinetown, featuring Jordan Fisher, Keala Settle, Rainn Wilson, and more. The video features Fisher singing 'Run, Freedom, Run,' along with a montage of the cast in action.
Wake Up With BroadwayWorld February 4, 2025
by - Feb 4, 2025

Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is February 4, 2025 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.
Character Breakdown: URINETOWN Cast Unpacks Their Roles
by Joey Mervis - Feb 3, 2025

Rehearsals are now underway for Urinetown, which includes a star-studded cast featuring Jordan Fisher, Stephanie Styles, Rainn Wilson, Keala Settle, Christopher Fitzgerald, Greg Hildreth and more. Watch in this video as the cast unpacks their roles.
Photos: Jane Fonda and Candice Bergen Visit SUNSET BOULEVARD
by Bruce Glikas - Feb 2, 2025

Legends Jane Fonda and Candice Bergen recently paid a visit to Sunset Boulevard on Broadway. BroadwayWorld was there to capture the pair as they posed with Nicole Scherzinger and the cast after the show. Check out photos here!
WICKED supera el millón de espectadores en España
by Jose German Martinez Paneque - Jan 29, 2025

La primera parte de WICKED ya ha superado el millón de espectadores en España, con una recaudación en nuestro país de más de siete millones de euros.
Video: In Rehearsals for URINETOWN at Encores!
by Joey Mervis - Jan 29, 2025

Watch in this video as we take you inside rehearsals with the cast and creative team of Urinetown at Encores! as they give a special sneak peek of 'Follow Your Heart' and 'Privilege to Pee.' 
Videos: Watch Keala Settle, Jordan Fisher & More Sing From URINETOWN
by Michael Major - Jan 28, 2025

Step inside the rehearsal room for Urinetown at New York City Center with Keala Settle, Jordan Fisher, Stephanie Styles, Kevin Cahoon, and more! Watch videos of the cast performing 'It's a Privilege to Pee' and 'Follow Your Heart.'
Photo: URINETOWN Begins Rehearsals at NEW YORK CITY CENTER Encores!
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 21, 2025

Rehearsals began today for NEW YORK CITY CENTER Encores! Urinetown. Learn more about the upcoming show and see a photo of the company in rehearsals here!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Keala Settle been in?

Keala Settle has appeared on Broadway in 5 shows.

How many West End shows has Keala Settle been in?

Keala Settle has appeared on London's West End in 3 shows.

What was Keala Settle's first West End show?

Keala Settle's first West End show was & Juliet which opened in 2021

What awards has Keala Settle been nominated for?

Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for Hands on a Hardbody, Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Hands on a Hardbody, Theatre World Award (Theatre World Awards) for Hands on a Hardbody, Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for Hands on a Hardbody and Outstanding Lead Actress, Non-Resident Production (Helen Hayes Awards) for Hairspray.

What awards has Keala Settle won?

Keala Settle has won the Theatre World Award for her performance in Hands on a Hardbody.

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