Jessica Vosk (born September 30, 1983) is an American singer and actress, known for her work in musical theater.
Vosk is best known for her performance as the lead role of Elphaba in Wicked, which she played on Broadway at the Gershwin Theatre from July 2018 to May 2019 (a period that included the show's 15th Anniversary). She also starred as Elphaba in the show's second national tour from September 2016 to September 2017.[1][2][3][4][5] In 2024, she voiced Lute in the adult animatedmusical series Hazbin Hotel.
Early life and education
Vosk was raised in Clinton, New Jersey,[6] starting in community theater at a young age. Her father played in a band and first taught her how to sing. After graduating from North Hunterdon High School,[7] she pursued a degree in musical theater at The Hartt School in West Hartford, Connecticut, but transferred to Montclair State University, graduating with a degree in Communications and Public and Investor Relations. She worked in investor relations for three years on Wall Street before deciding to pursue her Broadway ambitions.
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Career
Theatre
Vosk's big break came in 2009 when she was cast as a vocalist for the live concert Kristina written by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus of ABBA and performed at Carnegie Hall and at London's Royal Albert Hall.[9]
Vosk made her Broadway debut in 2014 in Jason Robert Brown's Bridges of Madison County. She was cast as a swing, and she made her principal debut as Marian. She also was an understudy for the role of Chiara.[10][11]
From The Bridges of Madison County she went to Finding Neverland, in which she was in the original Broadway production playing the role of Miss Bassett and an understudy for Mrs du Maurier.[12]
Vosk played Fruma Sarah in the 2015–2016 Broadway revival of Fiddler on the Roof. She was also an understudy for the roles of Golde and Yente.[13][14]
Vosk left Fiddler on The Roof in 2016 to join the cast of the Second National Tour of Wicked succeeding Emily Koch in the lead role of Elphaba.[16][17] She made her debut in South Bend, Indiana on September 7, 2016, opposite Amanda Jane Cooper as Glinda.[18] Her last show on the tour was September 24, 2017, in Cincinnati, Ohio.
On June 18, 2018, it was announced that Vosk would reprise the role of Elphaba in the Broadway production of Wicked, succeeding Jackie Burns. Her first performance took place on July 16, 2018, at the Gershwin Theatre.[19] Vosk ended her run as Elphaba on May 12, 2019, and was succeeded by Hannah Corneau. Vosk was the winner of the 2019 Broadway.com Audience Choice Award for Best Replacement (Female) for her portrayal of Elphaba.[20]
Also in 2019 Vosk originated the role of Aunt Val in the world premiere of the musical adaptation of Becoming Nancy. The production played at the Coca-Cola Stage at the Alliance Theatre, which is part of the Atlanta Theatre Company from September 6 to October 6, 2019.[21] Vosk was the winner of the BroadwayWorld Atlanta Best Actress in a Musical Award.[22]
On October 16, 2024, it was announced that Vosk will return to Broadway joining the cast of the Alicia Keys musical Hell's Kitchen. She will succeed original cast member Tony nominee Shoshana Bean in the role of strict mother Jersey. Her first performance is set for December 12, 2024 at the Shubert Theatre. [28]
Recording work
Vosk released her first album titled Wild and Free on August 10, 2018. The album is a mix of musical theatre and pop and includes songs by Sara Bareilles, Jason Robert Brown, Prince, Sia, Pasek and Paul, and more.[29] The album debuted on the Billboard Charts at No. 29 for Independent Artists and No. 12 for Heatseekers (up and coming musicians).[30]
Vosk released an EP of Christmas songs titled A Very CoCo Christmas on December 9, 2020.[31]
On October 25, 2024, it was announced that Vosk will release her full-length Christmas album entitled Sleigh from Concord Theatrical. It would feature Vosk performing her take on Holiday favorites along with special guests Neil Patrick Harris, David Foster, Ariana DeBose, and Scott Hoying. The album would be released for digital downloading and streaming platforms on November 15, 2024. Physical copies would be released on December 6, 2024 in stores. [32]
Solo concerts
After wrapping Bridges of Madison County, Vosk made her cabaret debut at 54 Below with her first solo show entitled I Came To Jersey For This in February 2015, the show featured Vosk performing songs that really inspired her growing up on music. [33] The concert was well received by fans and critics.
Her sophomore cabaret act You Asked For It would debut in February 2016 at Joe's Pub featured Vosk performing a lot of diva-based anthems that inspired her wanting to become a gay icon. [34]
Following her run on the first National tour of Wicked in 2018, Vosk returned to 54 Below with Bein' Green, a solo show commemorating talking about what her life was like within a year of life on the road. [35] Many of the songs from the Bein' Green show evenutally all appear on Vosk's debut album Wild and Free.
Following her departure from Wicked on Broadway, Vosk began touring in support of her debut album Wild & Free in 2018.
On November 8, 2021 Vosk made her solo debut at Carnegie Hall with a program entitled My Golden Age playing to a sold-out audience.[36] The concert featured an ultimate showcase of Vosk paying tribute to all her musical influences. Following the success of her solo debut there, Vosk would continue to develop a strong relationship with Carnegie Hall including a 2022 return performing a tribute concert to Judy Garland commemorating her 100th Birthday entitled Get Happy, a concert she previously also performed in San Francisco, CA with the San Francisco Symphony. [37] She also hosted an 8-episode podcast with Carnegie Hall entitled If The Hall Could Talk, centering on many of Carnegie Hall's notable artifacts from the Hall's archive museum.
In June 2023, Vosk presented a tribute solo entitled California Dreamin' at the 92nd Street Y. The show featured Vosk performing a selection of songs by some of the greatest singer-songwriters from Laurel Canyon, California. [38]
Since the New York premiere, Vosk has continued to perform the concert doing multiple configurations with a small band or a symphony orchestra.
In support of her new holiday album Sleigh, Vosk embarked on a mini-Symphony holiday tour. She sang for 3 nights with the National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. She then followed it up with a return to Carnegie Hall for a 2-night concert with the New York Pops and Essential Voices USA, as part their annual holiday concert there. [39]
Other work
She is the co-host of the podcast "Killing it on Broadway" with Jennifer Simard.
^ abPennington, Juliet. "The VIP Lounge with Jessica Vosk", Boston Globe, June 23, 2017. Retrieved October 10, 2017. "The Clinton, N.J., native, now calls West New York, N.J., home. Vosk, 33, who plays Elphaba (the role made popular by Idina Menzel), said she is enjoying spending time in Boston, where her younger brother, musician Daniel Vosk, went to school."
^Staff. "Youth News", New Jersey Hills Media Group, February 27, 2002. Retrieved October 10, 2017. "The North Hunterdon High School Theatre Organization will present Rodgers and Hammerstein's The Sound of Music at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 7, Friday, March 8, and at 2 p.m. and 7:30 pm. Saturday, March 9.... Senior Jessica Vosk plays the role of Maria, with senior Scott Spjut playing the part of Captain Von Trapp."
