Stephanie J. Block
Born 1972 · Age 53
American actress and singer best known for Broadway work; three-time Tony nominee and 2019 Tony winner for The Cher Show.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in Brea, California
Stephanie Janette Block is born to Rosemarie (Garritano) and Steven Block; raised Catholic and has one sister, Renée.
Attended St. Angela Merici Parish School
Attended local parish school in Brea (grades 1–8)
Attended Rosary High School
Enrolled in the all-girls Catholic private school Rosary High School in Fullerton for secondary education (later finished at Orange County High School of the Arts).
Completed high school at Orange County High School of the Arts
Finished final portion of high-school studies at OCHSA (year estimate based on birth year).
Regional theatre credit: The Will Rogers Follies
Performed 'Ziegfeld's Favorite' in a regional production (early professional stage credit).
U.S. national tour: Godspell
Performed as Robin / Dance Captain on the national tour of Godspell.
Regional: Crazy for You
Played Polly at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts; part of steady regional-theatre career.
Regional credits: Bye Bye Birdie and Bells Are Ringing
Performed Rosie in Bye Bye Birdie and appeared in Bells Are Ringing with Reprise Theatre Company.
Origin reading of Elphaba in Wicked (early stage)
Read the part of Elphaba in the first reading of Wicked; later replaced by Idina Menzel during casting decisions.
Robby Award — Best Actress (Funny Girl)
Won a Robby Award for Best Actress for her Fanny Brice in a regional Funny Girl production.
Austin Critics Table Award — Best Actress (Oliver!)
Received Austin Critics Table Award for Best Actress for Oliver! regional production.
Additional recorded credits: multiple cast albums
Featured on many cast recordings including The Boy from Oz (2003) and subsequent cast albums across her career.
Cast recording credit: The Boy from Oz – Original Broadway Cast
Appeared on the original Broadway cast recording for The Boy from Oz.
Wicked San Francisco tryout — understudy (ensemble)
Was an understudy for Idina Menzel in the San Francisco tryout of Wicked (ensemble/understudy Elphaba).
Broadway debut: The Boy from Oz (Liza Minnelli)
Made Broadway debut originating the role of Liza Minnelli opposite Hugh Jackman; production opened mid-September 2003.
Originated Elphaba on Wicked's 1st U.S. national tour
Began as the first actress to play Elphaba on Wicked's first U.S. national tour (spring 2005).
Helen Hayes Award — Outstanding Lead Actress (Wicked, Non-Resident)
Won the 2006 Helen Hayes Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role (Non-Resident Production) for Elphaba on the tour.
Regional premiere: The Pirate Queen (Chicago engagement)
Performed in pre-Broadway / regional engagements of The Pirate Queen (Cadillac Palace Theatre, Chicago) prior to Broadway transfer.
Helen Hayes Award (repeat entry detail)
Won Outstanding Lead Actress, Non-Resident Production (Helen Hayes) for Wicked (keeps appearing in accolades lists).
Left Wicked national tour
Departed Wicked national tour after roughly a year of performing; replaced by Julia Murney.
Carbonell Award (Wicked tour)
Won Carbonell Award for Best Actress in a Non-Resident Production for Wicked tour.
Carbonell Award — Best Actress (Wicked tour)
Won the 2007 Carbonell Award for Best Actress in a Non-Resident Production for her Elphaba performance on the tour.
Broadway: The Pirate Queen (Grace O'Malley)
Starred in the title role of The Pirate Queen on Broadway; show opened April 2007 but closed after a short run in June 2007.
Reprised Elphaba on Broadway (replacement)
Returned to play Elphaba on Broadway, replacing Julia Murney at the Gershwin Theatre beginning Oct 9, 2007.
Married actor Sebastian Arcelus
Married fellow actor Sebastian Arcelus on October 25, 2007; he later performed alongside her in various productions.
Left Broadway's Wicked
Departed the Broadway company of Wicked on June 15, 2008 and was succeeded by Kerry Ellis.
Starred in 9 to 5: The Musical (Judy Bernly) on Broadway
Played Judy Bernly in the Dolly Parton-scored 9 to 5 on Broadway (opened April 2009, closed September 2009); garnered a Drama Desk nomination.
Released debut solo album: This Place I Know
Released her first solo album through PS Classics; critically praised though it did not chart.
Cast recording: 9 to 5 – Original Broadway Cast Recording (released July 2009)
Appeared on the cast recording for 9 to 5: The Musical (released in 2009).
MunY production: Cats (Grizabella)
Performed as Grizabella in the Muny (St. Louis) production of Cats (July 19–25, 2010).
They're Playing Our Song (Reprise Theatre Company)
Starred as Sonia Walsk opposite Jason Alexander at UCLA Freud Playhouse (Sep 28–Oct 10, 2010).
Off-Broadway debut: By the Way, Meet Vera Stark
Made her Off-Broadway debut as Gloria Mitchell in Lynn Nottage's play at Second Stage Theatre; show ran through June 12, 2011 and earned a Drama Desk nomination.
Joined Anything Goes on Broadway as Reno Sweeney (replacement)
Filled in temporarily for Sutton Foster beginning Nov 4, 2011, later returning to the role in March 2012 and staying through the show's close in July 2012.
Starred in The Mystery of Edwin Drood (Roundabout)
Played the lead in Roundabout's production (Nov 13, 2012 – Mar 10, 2013); earned Tony and Drama Desk nominations for Best Actress in a Musical.
Cast recording credit: The Mystery of Edwin Drood (2013 New Broadway Cast Recording)
Featured on the cast recording released for the Roundabout production.
Tony Award nomination — Best Actress in a Leading Role (The Mystery of Edwin Drood)
Received a Tony nomination for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical (2013).
Off-Broadway: Little Miss Sunshine (Sheryl Hoover)
Appeared as Sheryl Hoover at Second Stage (Nov 14–Dec 15, 2013) and received a Drama Desk nomination.
Drama Desk nomination — Little Miss Sunshine
Nominated for Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical for Little Miss Sunshine (off-Broadway).
Daughter born: Vivienne Helena Arcelus
Welcomed daughter Vivienne Helena Arcelus with husband Sebastian Arcelus (born Jan 19, 2015).
Cast recording: Falsettos (2016 New Broadway Cast Recording)
Featured on the new Broadway cast recording for the Falsettos revival (released Jan 2017 but tied to the 2016 production).
Previews begin: Falsettos revival (Trina)
Started previews for the Broadway revival of Falsettos (previews Sept 29, 2016; official opening Oct 27, 2016).
Falsettos officially opens on Broadway
Falsettos opened Oct 27, 2016 starring Christian Borle, Andrew Rannells and Stephanie J. Block as Trina; she received Tony and Drama Desk nominations for the role.
Tony Award nomination — Best Featured Actress in a Musical (Falsettos)
Nominated for a Tony Award for her role as Trina in the Falsettos revival (2017 nominations).
Drama Desk & Outer Critics Circle nominations — Falsettos
Received Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle nominations (and Tony nomination) for Falsettos (2017).
TV recurring role: Madam Secretary (Abby Whitman)
Had a recurring role on the CBS series Madam Secretary (4 episodes, 2017).
The Cher Show opens on Broadway
The Cher Show opened on Broadway at the Neil Simon Theatre in December 2018; Block starred in the lead role of Cher.
Cast recording: The Cher Show – Original Broadway Cast Recording (2019 release)
Featured on The Cher Show original Broadway cast recording (released April 2019).
Begins as Cher in The Cher Show (Chicago tryout)
Starred as Cher in the out-of-town tryout at Chicago's Oriental Theatre (June 12–July 15, 2018).
Drama Desk Award — Outstanding Actress in a Musical (The Cher Show)
Won the 2019 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actress in a Musical for The Cher Show (in addition to Tony win).
Wins Tony Award — Best Actress in a Musical (The Cher Show)
Won the 2019 Tony Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical for The Cher Show; also won Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle awards.
The Cher Show closes on Broadway
The Cher Show ended its Broadway run on Aug 18, 2019.
Launches Stages podcast (co-host & co-producer)
Launched the Stages podcast with Marylee G. Fairbanks (podcast produced/co-hosted by Block).
Joins Broadway revival: Into the Woods as Baker's Wife (replacement)
Replaced Sara Bareilles as the Baker's Wife in the Broadway revival starting Sept 6, 2022, starring alongside husband Sebastian Arcelus (the Baker).
Into the Woods U.S. national tour (Baker's Wife)
Reprised the Baker's Wife in the national tour of Into the Woods launched in early 2023, performing alongside Sebastian Arcelus on tour.
Plays Norma Desmond in Kennedy Center's Sunset Boulevard
Starred as Norma Desmond opposite Derek Klena in a Kennedy Center engagement running Feb 1–8, 2023.
Announces new studio album recording
Announced on June 13, 2023 she was in the studio recording her first full-length solo record in almost 15 years, slated for fall release.
Announces holiday album Merry Christmas, Darling
Announced the holiday album 'Merry Christmas, Darling' set for release Nov 3, 2023; album features duets with her husband and daughter and new songs written for the album.
Single release: 'Sleigh Ride'
Released 'Sleigh Ride' as a single promoting the upcoming holiday album.
Holiday album released: Merry Christmas, Darling
Released the holiday album on Nov 3, 2023 via Club44 Records; promoted with single and features family duets.
Guest on The Theatre Podcast with Alan Seales (300th episode)
Appeared as guest on the 300th episode of The Theatre Podcast with Alan Seales (released Dec 19, 2023).
Helen Hayes Award — Outstanding Lead Performer (Sunset Boulevard)
Received a Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding Lead Performer in a Musical for Sunset Boulevard (2024 Helen Hayes Awards).
London (West End) debut: Kiss Me, Kate (Lilli Vanessi / Katharine)
Made her London theatre debut starring in a Bartlett Sher-directed revival of Kiss Me, Kate at the Barbican Theatre (June–September 2024).
Kiss Me, Kate filmed and released in cinemas
The Barbican production was filmed on stage and released theatrically in the UK and internationally on Nov 17, 2024.
Kiss Me, Kate to air on PBS Great Performances
Scheduled airing of the filmed Kiss Me, Kate production on PBS Great Performances on May 30, 2025.
Key Achievement Ages
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