Stephanie J. Block

Stephanie Janette Block (born September 19, 1972) is an American actress and singer, best known for her work in Broadway theatre. Block made her Broadway debut in 2003, originating the role of Liza Minnelli in The Boy from Oz. After reading for the role of Elphaba during the early stages of Wicked in 2000, Block became the first actress to play the role in the show's first U.S. national tour in 2005. She later reprised the role of Elphaba on Broadway from 2007 to 2008. A three-time Tony Award nominee and six-time Drama Desk Award nominee, Block won the 2019 Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical and Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actress in a Musical for her lead performance in The Cher Show. Block held onto the title of Best Actress for over 2 years as a result of the COVID-19 Broadway shutdown. She also received Tony and Drama Desk nominations for her performances in The Mystery of Edwin Drood (2013) and Falsettos (2016). She received Drama Desk nominations for her performances in the Off-Broadway productions of By the Way, Meet Vera Stark (2011) and Little Miss Sunshine (2013), as well as in the Broadway production of 9 to 5 (2009). Additionally, Block has appeared on numerous cast recordings and released a solo album, This Place I Know, in 2009. Her television credits include recurring roles on Madam Secretary (2017) and Rise (2018). Block starred as The Baker's Wife in a Broadway revival of Stephen Sondheim's Into the Woods. She reprised the role in the U.S. national tour. Block made her London stage debut starring in a 2024 Barbican Theatre revival of Kiss Me, Kate.