Jessica Lee Goldyn
Encyclopedia
Jessica Lee Goldyn is an American Broadway actress who most recently performed in the revival of Chorus Line
as Val. She played the lead role of Cassie from August 10, 2008 opposite of Mario Lopez
who played the character Zack, until the show ended its Broadway revival run on August 17, 2008. Goldyn had been an understudy
for the lead character of Cassie.
in New York but never graduated. Instead she received her GED
after getting hired in a non-Equity tour of Fosse
.
Goldyn has trained with the New Jersey Ballet Company and has been a student and instructor at the Worth Tyrrell Studios.
Goldyn was a Children's Foundation for the Arts grant recipient from 1998-2003. (www.childrensfoundationforthearts.org)
at the Paper Mill Playhouse
in September 1998.
Goldyn has been credited in various roles over the years. Some of them include: Fosse, regional production of A Chorus Line also as Val, Sweet Charity as Charity, Ensemble of A Christmas Carol at North Shore Music Theatre, and Ensemble of Pippin at the Arvada Center. Goldyn has previously played the Chorus Line character Cassie before, as well as Val in addition to title roles in Sweet Charity and Pippin.
as Ozzie and Tony Yazbeck
as Gabey. The other female romantic counterparts of the three sailors on shore leave in the Big Apple will be Leslie Kritzer
as Hildy Esterhazy and Jennifer Laura Thompson
as Claire DeLoone. On the Town first opened in 1944 at the Adelphi Theatre
.
running through July 11, 2009 along side Tony Yazbeck from her Chorus Line days.
at The Mac-Haydn Theatre http://www.machaydntheatre.org/ in Chatham, N.Y. Using original Fosse
choreography.
Chorus line
A chorus line is a substantial group of dancers who together perform synchronized routines, usually in musical theatre. Sometimes, singing is also performed. Chorus line dancers in Broadway musicals and revues have been referred to by slang terms such as ponies, gypsies and twirlies...
as Val. She played the lead role of Cassie from August 10, 2008 opposite of Mario Lopez
Mario López
Mario Michael Lopez, Jr. is an American actor who has appeared on several television series, in films, and on Broadway. He is best known for his portrayal of the character A.C. Slater on Saved By The Bell, which he also portrayed as a regular on Saved by the Bell: The College Years...
who played the character Zack, until the show ended its Broadway revival run on August 17, 2008. Goldyn had been an understudy
Understudy
In theater, an understudy is a performer who learns the lines and blocking/choreography of a regular actor or actress in a play. Should the regular actor or actress be unable to appear on stage because of illness or emergencies, the understudy takes over the part...
for the lead character of Cassie.
Early Training
Goldyn grew up in Parsippany, New Jersey where she spent her early years dancing. She attended the Professional Performing Arts SchoolProfessional Performing Arts School
The Professional Performing Arts School or PPAS is a New York City public school.-History:The Professional Performing Arts School was created in 1990 to meet the needs of two groups of students: those who wanted to pursue professional work in the arts as they earned a junior/senior high school...
in New York but never graduated. Instead she received her GED
GED
General Educational Development tests are a group of five subject tests which, when passed, certify that the taker has American or Canadian high school-level academic skills...
after getting hired in a non-Equity tour of Fosse
Fosse
Fosse is a three-act musical revue showcasing the choreography of Bob Fosse. After 21 previews, the original Broadway production, conceived and directed by Richard Maltby, Jr...
.
Goldyn has trained with the New Jersey Ballet Company and has been a student and instructor at the Worth Tyrrell Studios.
Goldyn was a Children's Foundation for the Arts grant recipient from 1998-2003. (www.childrensfoundationforthearts.org)
Previous Work
Goldyn's professional debut was in the ensemble of GypsyGypsy: A Musical Fable
Gypsy is a musical with music by Jule Styne, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, and a book by Arthur Laurents. Gypsy is loosely based on the 1957 memoirs of Gypsy Rose Lee, the famous striptease artist, and focuses on her mother, Rose, whose name has become synonymous with "the ultimate show business...
at the Paper Mill Playhouse
Paper Mill Playhouse
Paper Mill Playhouse is a regional theatre with approximately 1200 seats, located in Millburn, New Jersey, less than 25 miles from Manhattan. Due to its location, it can draw from the pool of actors who live in New York City. Its location, as well as its focus on producing large-scale shows, makes...
in September 1998.
Goldyn has been credited in various roles over the years. Some of them include: Fosse, regional production of A Chorus Line also as Val, Sweet Charity as Charity, Ensemble of A Christmas Carol at North Shore Music Theatre, and Ensemble of Pippin at the Arvada Center. Goldyn has previously played the Chorus Line character Cassie before, as well as Val in addition to title roles in Sweet Charity and Pippin.
Broadway: A Chorus Line
Goldyn made her Broadway debut on October 5, 2006 when she opened as Val in the revival of A Chorus Line. Goldyn is one of the few original cast members who closed the show.On the Town
Goldyn has been cast as Ivy in the production of On the Town. This was the opening production of New York City Center's 2008-2009 Encores! season. Part of a city-wide celebration this season of Leonard Bernstein's 90th birthday who wrote the original score for On the Town. Goldyn will be starring next to Justin Bohon as Chip, Christian BorleChristian Borle
Christian Borle is an American actor. Born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Borle has been primarily featured as an actor in Broadway productions....
as Ozzie and Tony Yazbeck
Tony Yazbeck
Tony Yazbeck is an American actor, singer, and dancer. He is most recently remembered for playing principle roles on Broadway in Gypsy w/ Patti LuPone , Gabey in On The Town, Phil Davis in White Christmas, and Alan Deluca in A Chorus Line. He was born in Riverside, CA and later moved to the east...
as Gabey. The other female romantic counterparts of the three sailors on shore leave in the Big Apple will be Leslie Kritzer
Leslie Kritzer
Leslie Kritzer is an award-winning Broadway actress. She is from Livingston, New Jersey.-Biography:Kritzer, a 1999 graduate of the University of Cincinnati – College-Conservatory of Music, has also appeared on Broadway in Hairspray and was the character Serena in Legally Blonde The Musical...
as Hildy Esterhazy and Jennifer Laura Thompson
Jennifer Laura Thompson
Jennifer Laura Thompson is an American stage actress and singer. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre from the University of Michigan and graduated in 1991....
as Claire DeLoone. On the Town first opened in 1944 at the Adelphi Theatre
Adelphi Theater
The Adelphi Theatre , originally named the Craig Theatre, opened on December 24, 1928. The Adelphi was located at 152 West 54th Street in New York City, with 1,434 seats. The theater was taken over by the Federal Theater Project in 1934 and renamed the Adelphi...
.
Crazy for You
Goldyn was cast in the Maine State Music Theatre production of Crazy for YouCrazy for You
Crazy for You is a musical with a book by Ken Ludwig, lyrics by Ira Gershwin, and music by George Gershwin. Billed as "The New Gershwin Musical Comedy", it is largely based on the songwriting team’s 1930 musical, Girl Crazy, but interpolates songs from several other productions as well...
running through July 11, 2009 along side Tony Yazbeck from her Chorus Line days.
Sweet Charity
From July 30, 2009 to August 9; Goldyn choreographed Sweet CharitySweet Charity
Sweet Charity is a musical with music by Cy Coleman, lyrics by Dorothy Fields and book by Neil Simon. It was directed and choreographed for Broadway by Bob Fosse starring his wife and muse Gwen Verdon. It is based on Federico Fellini's screenplay for Nights of Cabiria...
at The Mac-Haydn Theatre http://www.machaydntheatre.org/ in Chatham, N.Y. Using original Fosse
Fosse
Fosse is a three-act musical revue showcasing the choreography of Bob Fosse. After 21 previews, the original Broadway production, conceived and directed by Richard Maltby, Jr...
choreography.
Peter Pan
2010; Goldyn was cast as Tiger Lilly, returning to Paper Mill Playhouse in their production of Peter Pan. This will be running from June 2 till June 27.Damn Yankees
In August 2010 Jessica replaced felicia finley as Lola in Damn Yankees at the John W. Engeman Theater in Northport.External sources
- A Chorus Line: Now Playing On Broadway; The Cast: Jessica Lee Goldyn (Val)
- Playbill: Jessica Lee Goldyn
- Broadway.Com: On The Line: Meeting The Stars Of A Chorus Line
- CBS Evening News: Jersey Girl Is A Singular Sensation
- MASTER CLASS with Jessica Lee Goldyn
- Rocky Mountain News - Broadway bound: Arvada Center actress wins a key role in 'Chorus Line'
- NJTheater.com
- The New Yorker - Toeing The Line: "A Chorus Line" is back on Broadway