Alysha Umphress
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Alysha Umphress is an American actor and vocalist from Concord, California. She graduated from the San Francisco School of the Arts and received a B.F.A.[1] from Boston Conservatory[2] before moving to New York City in 2004.[3] She made her Broadway debut in 2010 as an ensemble member of American Idiot and has performed in venues around the country.[4] Umphress has performed in concerts and cabarets at such venues as 54 Below,[5] Green Room 42,[6] Williamstown Theatre Festival,[7] Classic Stage Company,[8] and more. She has also appeared on multiple recordings.[citation needed]
In 2015, Umphress was nominated for the Outstanding Lead Actress in a Musical (HAYES Production) Helen Hayes Award for her performance in Beaches at Signature Theatre.[9] In 2019, she was nominated for a Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical for her performance in Smokey Joe's Cafe at Stage 42.[10] In 2023, Umphress was the grand prize winner of the American Traditions Vocal Collection Competition. She has been announced as a vocalist on the upcoming concept album of the new musical The Fitzgeralds of St. Paul.[citation needed]
In 2018, New York Times critic Laura Collins-Hughes mentioned Alysha’s body in her review of Smokey Joe’s Cafe,[citation needed] igniting criticism[from whom?] online.[citation needed] Alysha responded on Twitter by calling Collins-Hughes’ writing “full on mean girl” and calling for a celebration of diversity in the arts.[11]
Umphress met Cody Williams while working on a workshop of On The Town and they started dating in 2013.[12] They were married in November 2017.[13]
Theatrical credits
[edit]| Production | Role | Year(s) |
|---|---|---|
| On The Town | Hildy | 2014 - 2015 |
| Bring It On: The Musical | "Legendary" Soloist | 2012 |
| Priscilla Queen of the Desert | Ensemble/Shirley | 2012 |
| On A Clear Day You Can See Forever | Paula (understudy for Muriel Bunson, Melinda Wells) | 2011-2012 |
| American Idiot | Ensemble | 2010-2011[4] |
| Production | Role | Year(s) | Theatre |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Bedwetter | Mrs. Dembo | 2025 | Arena Stage[14] |
| Mr. Saturday Night | Susan | 2021 | Barrington Stage Company[15] |
| Scotland, PA | Jessie | 2019 | Roundabout Theatre Company[16] |
| Smokey Joe's Cafe | Ensemble | 2018 | Stage 42[17] |
| Hood: The Robin Hood Musical Adventure | Meg | 2017 | Dallas Theatre Center[18] |
| Pump Boys and Dinettes | Rhetta | 2016 | Paper Mill Playhouse[19] |
| Beaches | Cee Cee | 2014 | Signature Theatre[20] |
| Bring It On: The Musical | "Legendary" Soloist | 2011-2012 | National tour[21] |
References
[edit]- ^ Donahue, Tori (10 May 2022). "Conservatory and College Alumni Nominated for Tony Awards". Berklee College of Music. Retrieved 3 March 2025.
- ^ San Francisco Symphony. "Biography: Alysha Umphress". San Francisco Symphony. Retrieved 3 March 2025.
- ^ Sokol, Robert (8 November 2016). "Alysha Umphress: From Bay Area to Broadway and back". San Francisco Examiner. Retrieved 3 March 2025.
- ^ a b "Alysha Umphress". The Broadway League. Retrieved 3 March 2025.
- ^ Gans, Andrew (7 October 2024). "Laura Benanti, Kate Baldwin, Nikki M. James, More Will Be Part of Broadway Melody at 54 Below". Playbill. Retrieved 3 March 2025.
- ^ Culwell-Block, Logan (20 January 2024). "Alysha Umphress Reunites With Jeff Blumenkrantz at Green Room 42 January 20". Playbill. Retrieved 3 March 2025.
- ^ Higgins, Molly (17 July 2024). "Sara Bareilles Will Play Benefit Concert for Williamstown Theatre Festival". Retrieved 3 March 2025.
- ^ Culwell-Block, Logan (17 May 2024). "Classic Stage Company Plans Bernstein's Broadway Benefit Evening". Playbill. Retrieved 3 March 2025.
- ^ Purcell, Carey (27 January 2015). "Signature Theatre, Side Show Stars, Alysha Umphress and More Nominated for Helen Hayes Awards". Playbill. Retrieved 3 March 2025.
- ^ "Noteworthy". Boston Conservatory at Berklee. Summer 2019. Retrieved 3 March 2025.
- ^ Abrahamson, Rachel Paula (24 July 2018). "'New York Times' Critic Laura Collins-Hughes Is Under Fire for 'Body-Shaming' Broadway Star Alysha Umphress". US Weekly. Retrieved 3 March 2025.
- ^ "Alysha Umphress and Cody Williams Are Engaged". Playbill. 4 January 2017. Retrieved 3 March 2025.
- ^ Kahn, Jason Mitchell (23 April 2018). "4 Times Broadway Influenced Celeb Weddings". Playbill. Retrieved 3 March 2025.
- ^ Culwell-Block, Logan (26 February 2025). "The Reviews Are Out for Sarah Silverman Musical The Bedwetter in D.C." Playbill. Retrieved 4 March 2025.
- ^ Meyer, Dan (22 October 2021). "Billy Crystal Stars in Mr. Saturday Night Musical at Barrington Stage Company Beginning October 22". Playbill. Retrieved 4 March 2025.
- ^ Franklin, Marc (24 October 2019). "Inside Opening Night of Scotland, PA Off-Broadway". Playbill. Retrieved 4 March 2025.
- ^ Vine, Hannah (18 May 2018). "First Look at Upcoming Off-Broadway Revival of Smokey Joe's Café". Playbill. Retrieved 4 March 2025.
- ^ Gans, Andrew (7 July 2017). "Hood: The Robin Hood Musical Adventure Opens at Tony-Winning Dallas Theater Center". Playbill. Retrieved 4 March 2025.
- ^ "Alysha Umphress Will Serve Up Pump Boys and Dinettes in NJ". Playbill. 3 March 2016. Retrieved 4 March 2025.
- ^ Gilbert, Sophie (3 March 2014). "Theater Review: "Beaches" at Signature Theatre". Washingtonian Media Inc. Retrieved 4 March 2025.
- ^ "Alysha Umphress". Internet Broadway Database. The Broadway League. Retrieved 4 March 2025.
