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Victoria Clark

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This article is about an American entertainer. For the American communication consultant with a similar name, see Victoria Clarke.
Victoria Clark
Clark in 2022
Born (1959-10-10) October 10, 1959 (age 65)
Dallas, Texas, U.S.
EducationYale University (BA)
New York University (MFA)
Occupation(s)Actress, singer, director
Years active1975–present
Spouse
Thomas Reidy
​
(m. 2015)​
Children1[1]
WebsiteVictoriaClark.me

Victoria Clark (born October 10, 1959) is an American actress, musical theatre soprano, and director. Clark has performed in numerous Broadway musicals and in other theatre, film and television works. Her voice can also be heard on various cast albums and in several animated films. In 2008, she released her first solo album titled Fifteen Seconds of Grace. A five-time Tony Award nominee, Clark won her first Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical in 2005 for The Light in the Piazza. She also won the Drama Desk Award, Outer Critics Circle Award, and the Joseph Jefferson Award for the role. She won a second Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical in 2023 for Kimberly Akimbo.

Life and career

[edit]

Clark was born and raised in Dallas, Texas, the daughter of Lorraine and Banks Clark.[2] She studied the piano and attended the Hockaday School, an all-girls school in Dallas. She attended the Interlochen Arts Academy before going to Yale University, graduating in 1982.

At Yale, at the age of eighteen, she sang the role of Mabel in Gilbert and Sullivan's comic opera The Pirates of Penzance. She also sang the title role in Gilbert and Sullivan's Patience, and directed a production of Ruddigore for the Yale Gilbert & Sullivan Society. After college, Clark studied at New York University's Musical Theatre Master's Program at Tisch[3] as a stage director and began to direct operas and musicals professionally. Although she continues to direct, she has primarily focused on singing and acting.

Clark's stage work includes understudying[4] in the original Broadway production of Sunday in the Park with George (she never went on) and roles in the Broadway musicals Guys and Dolls (1992–93), A Grand Night for Singing (1993–94), How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (1995–96, as Smitty), Titanic (1997–99, creating the role of Alice Beane), Cabaret (1999–2000, as Fraulein Kost) and Urinetown (2003, as Penelope Pennywise),[5] as well as numerous roles Off-Broadway, in national tours and in regional theatre. She played Doris MacAfee in the City Center Encores! production of Bye Bye Birdie in 2004.[6]

In 2005, Clark won the Tony Award for Best Leading Actress in a Musical, a Drama Desk Award, an Outer Critics Circle Award, and the Joseph Jefferson Award for her performance in the musical The Light in the Piazza (2005–06). Broadway.com commented on Clark's performance, "What is indisputable is that Victoria Clark has created a character for the ages. Lucas has done a superb job in fleshing out Margaret within the confines of a musical-theater libretto, and Clark responds with consummate precision and grace. Calling hers the musical performance of the year would be accurate. It would also be a drastic understatement."[7] She appeared as former showgirl Sally Durant Plummer in the Encores! staged concert presentation of Follies in February 2007 at City Center. She next created the role of Margaret Brennan in The Marriage of Bette and Boo Off-Broadway in 2008 for the Roundabout Theatre Company.[8]

Clark appeared in Prayer for My Enemy, a new play by Craig Lucas Off-Broadway at Playwrights Horizons from November 14 through December 21, 2008. The play concerned the consequences that the Iraq war has had on an American family, co-starred Michele Pawk and Jonathan Groff, and was directed by Bartlett Sher.[9]

Victoria Clark attends 13th Annual Broadway Barks Benedict at Shubert Alley, New York City in July 2011

Clark has also appeared in movies, sung in several animated feature films, and appeared in roles in television episodes. She can be heard on a number of Broadway cast albums and other recordings. In 2008 she released her first solo album, Fifteen Seconds of Grace, produced by PS Classics. Clark teaches voice and studies acting at the Michael Howard Studios and voice with Edward Sayegh. Clark received the 2006 Distinguished Artist Award from the New York Singing Teachers' Association.

Clark played the Mother Superior in the Broadway production of Sister Act, which opened on April 20, 2011.[10] For this role she was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical.[11] Clark portrayed Sally in the Kennedy Center/Broadway production of Follies, running at the Center Theatre Group/Ahmanson Theatre, Los Angeles, from May 3 through June 9, 2012.[12][13]

In 2013, Clark starred in the Manhattan Theatre Club's production of The Snow Geese by Sharr White alongside Mary-Louise Parker and Danny Burstein.[14] Previously, she starred as Marie/the Fairy Godmother in the Broadway production of Cinderella.[15] For this role, she received her second Tony Award nomination for Best Featured Actress in a Musical.[16] She returned to the Broadway production of Cinderella for a run lasting from January to September 2014.[17][18] In December 2014 Clark appeared as Carrie Mathison's mother on the Season 4 finale of Showtime's series Homeland.[19] Clark played Mamita in the Broadway revival of Gigi, which opened in April 2015.[20] For this performance, Clark received another nomination for the Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical.[21]

In 2017, Clark appeared in the title role of Sousatzka in Toronto. It was intended to be a pre-Broadway tryout for controversial producer Garth Drabinsky.[22] In 2022, she recorded Maury Yeston's December Songs, featuring orchestration by Larry Hochman.[23]

After persuasion from longtime friend and composer Jeanine Tesori,[24] Clark first donned the candy necklace and late 90s fashion of the title role of Kimberly Akimbo in its acclaimed and extended 2021 Off-Broadway run at the Linda Gross Theatre, produced by the Atlantic Theater Company, for which she garnered Lucille Lortel and Outer Critics Circle Awards.[25] The musical debuted on Broadway in 2022, winning Clark her second Tony Award.

Personal life

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Clark married Thomas Reidy on August 1, 2015, in North Carolina. Her son, T.L., is from her previous marriage.[1]

Filmography

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Film
Year Title Role Notes
1996 The Hunchback of Notre Dame Chorus (singing voice)
1997 Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas Chorus (singing voice) Direct-to-video
1997 Anastasia Ensemble and Character Vocals (voice)
1999 Cradle Will Rock Dulce Fox
2008 The Happening Nursery Owner's Wife
2009 Tickling Leo Madeline Pikler
2010 Harvest Anna Monopoli
2010 Main Street Miriam
2011 Dirty Movie Teacher
2012 Archaeology of a Woman[26] Kate
Television
Year Title Role Notes
1975 My Father's House Zozo TV film
1998 Law & Order Detective Episode: "Bait"
2003 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Margaret Melia Episode: "Choice"
2006 Live from Lincoln Center Margaret Johnson / Herself Episode: "The Light in the Piazza"
2009 Mercy Mrs. Simanski Episode: "You Lost Me with the Cinderblock"
2001 Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street in Concert Beggar Woman TV film
2013 Late Show with David Letterman Fairy Godmother Season 20, episode 125
2014 Homeland Ellen Mathison Episode: "Long Time Coming"
2016 The Good Wife Shannon Janderman Episode: "Verdict"
2018 The Truth About the Harry Quebert Affair Adult Jenny Quinn 10 episodes
2019–2020 Almost Family Diane Doyle 8 episodes
2020 Little America Tracy Episode: "The Jaguar"
2020 One Royal Holiday Queen Gabriella TV film
2021 Pose Vanessa Episode: "Series Finale (Part I)"
2021 The Blacklist Mrs. French 2 episodes

Stage credits

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Theatre
Year Title Role Notes
1986 Cats Jellylorum First US National Tour
1987 Les Misérables Madame Thénardier First US National Tour
1988 Splendora Performer New York
1989 The Secret Garden Martha Sowerby Virginia
1992 Guys and Dolls Martha

u/s Miss Adelaide

Broadway
1993 A Grand Night for Singing Performer Broadway
1995 How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying Smitty Broadway
1997 Titanic Alice Beane Broadway
1999 Cabaret Fräulein Kost; Fritzie Broadway
2001 Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street Beggar Woman Concert
2003 Urinetown Penelope Pennywise Broadway
2003 Baby Arlene McNally New York
2004 Bye Bye Birdie Doris MacAfee Encores! Concert
2004 The Light in the Piazza Margaret Johnson Chicago
2005 Broadway
2007 Follies Sally Encores! Concert
2008 The Marriage of Bette and Boo Margaret Brennan Off-Broadway
2008 Prayer for My Enemy Dolores Off-Broadway
2009 Love, Loss, and What I Wore Performer Off-Broadway
2010 When the Rain Stops Falling Gabrielle York Off-Broadway
2011 Sister Act Mother Superior Broadway
2012 Follies Sally Ahmanson Theatre
2013 Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella Marie Broadway
2013 The Snow Geese Clarissa Hohmann Broadway
2015 Gigi Inez Alvarez Kennedy Center; Broadway
2017 Sousatzka Madame Sousatzka Toronto
2017 Assassins Sara Jane Moore Encores!
2019 Lady in the Dark Liza Elliott New York City Center
2021 Kimberly Akimbo Kimberly Levaco Off-Broadway
2022 Broadway

Awards and nominations

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Year Award Category Nominated work Result
2005 Tony Award Best Actress in a Musical The Light in the Piazza Won
Drama Desk Award Outstanding Actress in a Musical Won
Outer Critics Circle Award Outstanding Actress in a Musical Won
Drama League Award Distinguished Performance Nominated
2010 Drama Desk Award Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play When the Rain Stops Falling Nominated
2011 Tony Award Best Featured Actress in a Musical Sister Act Nominated
Drama Desk Award Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical Nominated
Outer Critics Circle Award Outstanding Actress in a Musical Nominated
Drama League Award Distinguished Performance Nominated
2013 Tony Award Best Featured Actress in a Musical Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella Nominated
Outer Critics Circle Award Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical Nominated
2015 Tony Award Best Featured Actress in a Musical Gigi Nominated
Outer Critics Circle Award Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical Nominated
2022 Drama Desk Award Outstanding Actress in a Musical Kimberly Akimbo Nominated
Lucille Lortel Awards Outstanding Leading Performer in a Musical Won
Outer Critics Circle Award Outstanding Actress in a Musical Won
Drama League Award Distinguished Performance Nominated
2023 Tony Award Best Actress in a Musical Won
Dorian Award Outstanding Lead Performance in a Broadway Musical Won
2024 Grammy Awards Best Musical Theater Album Nominated

References

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  1. ^ a b Shattuck, Kathryn (August 15, 2015). "Victoria Clark and Thomas Reidy: An eHarmony, and Musical, Match (Published 2015)". The New York Times.
  2. ^ [1][permanent dead link‍] Playbill.com
  3. ^ Gioia, Michael (October 31, 2014). "Victoria Clark's Full-Circle Moment Directing Light in the Piazza at Pace University". Playbill. Retrieved May 18, 2022.
  4. ^ "Victoria Clark – Broadway Cast & Staff | IBDB". www.ibdb.com. Retrieved 2023-05-26.
  5. ^ "Victoria Clark". Playbill. Retrieved May 18, 2022.
  6. ^ Jones, Kenneth (May 6, 2004). "Put on a Happy Face: Bye Bye Birdie Gets Starry Encores! Concert With Ziemba, Roberts and Jenkins May 6–10". Playbill. Retrieved May 18, 2022.
  7. ^ Grode, Eric (April 18, 2005). "The Light in the Piazza". Broadway.com. Archived from the original on May 20, 2005.
  8. ^ "Entrances and Exits: Tony Award Winner Victoria Clark". The 8th Avenue Observer. September 28, 2008. Archived from the original on October 3, 2009.
  9. ^ "Current Season". Playwrights Horizons. Archived from the original on December 16, 2008. Retrieved November 18, 2008.
  10. ^ Hetrick, Adam (February 1, 2011). "Victoria Clark, Fred Applegate, Chester Gregory Will Be Part of Broadway's Sister Act". Playbill. Retrieved 30 December 2021.
  11. ^ Jones, Kenneth; Gans, Andrew (May 3, 2011). "2011 Tony Nominations Announced; Book of Mormon Earns 14 Nominations". Playbill. Retrieved December 30, 2021.
  12. ^ Gans, Andrew (January 11, 2012). "Victoria Clark Will Be Sally in L.A. Follies with Elaine Paige, Jan Maxwell, Danny Burstein, Ron Raines". Playbill. Retrieved December 30, 2021.
  13. ^ Gans, Andrew (May 18, 2012). "DIVA TALK: Catching Up With Follies Star and Tony Award Winner Victoria Clark". Playbill. Retrieved December 30, 2021.
  14. ^ "The Verdict: Critics Review The Snow Geese on Broadway Starring Mary-Louise Parker". Playbill. October 25, 2013. Retrieved December 30, 2021.
  15. ^ Geselowitz, Gabriela (November 21, 2012). "Full Broadway Cast Announced for Cinderella, Starring Laura Osnes". Broadway.com.
  16. ^ Gans, Andrew (April 30, 2013). "Nominations Announced for 67th Annual Tony Awards; Kinky Boots Earns 13 Nominations". Playbill. Retrieved December 30, 2021.
  17. ^ "Wish Granted! Victoria Clark Returns to Cinderella as the Fairy Godmother". Broadway.com. January 21, 2014. Retrieved February 9, 2014.
  18. ^ Rosky, Nicole (August 11, 2014). "It's Possible! Judy Kaye Will Join CINDERELLA Cast as 'Fairy Godmother'". BroadwayWorld.
  19. ^ Gans, Andrew (November 24, 2014). "Victoria Clark Lands Role On 'Homeland'". Playbill. Retrieved May 18, 2022.
  20. ^ Gioia, Michael (January 16, 2015). "Broadway-Bound Gigi, Starring Vanessa Hudgens, Begins Kennedy Center Run Tonight". Playbill. Retrieved May 18, 2022.
  21. ^ "An American in Paris & Fun Home Top 2015 Tony Nominations". Broadway.com. April 28, 2015. Retrieved 17 May 2015.
  22. ^ Gans, Andrew (March 27, 2017). "What Do Critics Think of the New Musical Sousatzka?". Playbill.
  23. ^ Gans, Andrew. "New Recording of Maury Yeston's December Songs, With Tony Winner Victoria Clark, Released November 11", Playbill, November 11, 2022
  24. ^ Collins-Hughes, Laura (2023-05-10). "How the Star of 'Kimberly Akimbo' Found Beauty in Her Voice Again". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-05-26.
  25. ^ "Victoria Clark Bio". Playbill.com. Retrieved May 25, 2023.
  26. ^ Catsoulis, Jeannette (September 11, 2014). "A Weakness for Cops, a Crime to Solve 'Archaeology of a Woman,' Starring Sally Kirkland". The New York Times.
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