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Karen Ziemba

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Karen Ziemba
Born (1957-11-17) November 17, 1957 (age 67)
St. Joseph, Michigan, U.S.
Alma materUniversity of Akron
Occupation(s)Actress, singer, dancer
Years active1980s-present
Spouse
Bill Tatum
​
(m. 1984)​
AwardsTony Award for Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical
2000 Contact
Websitewww.karenziemba.com

Karen Ziemba (born November 12, 1957) is an American actress, singer and dancer, best known for her work in musical theatre. In 2000, she won the Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical for her performance in Contact.

Biography

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Ziemba was born on November 12, 1957, in St. Joseph, Michigan. She attended the University of Akron (Ohio), where she studied dance. In 1977 she danced with the Ohio Ballet.[1]

Her Broadway debut was in A Chorus Line as Diana Morales.[1] Later, she played the lead of Peggy Sawyer in 42nd Street. While appearing in 42nd Street, she was featured in the October 1984 issue of Playboy in the article "Babes of Broadway", in which she posed partially nude. Ziemba's other Broadway roles include Polly Baker in Crazy for You in 1992 (replacement),[2] Roxie Hart in Chicago (1998),[3] and Belle Hagner in Teddy & Alice (1987).[4]

Ziemba appeared Off-Broadway in the Kander and Ebb revue And The World Goes 'Round (1991)[5] and won the Drama Desk Award.[6] She received a Drama Desk Award nomination (Best Actress in a Musical) for I Do! I Do! (1996).[7] The next year, she was nominated for the 1997 Drama Desk Award (Outstanding Actress in a Musical) and a 1997 Tony Award (Actress in a Musical) for her role in Steel Pier (1997).[8]

In 2000, Ziemba won the Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical for her performance in Susan Stroman's Contact.[9] She played the role of "the timid, abused mafioso's wife."[10] The CurtainUp reviewer wrote of the savvy casting "...especially Karen Ziemba, who is finally in a show that makes full use of her dual talents as an actress and dancer...Ziemba (in Did You Move?), brings an amazing female Walter Mitty vulnerability to a frustrated wife having dinner with a husband..."[11]

She appeared in Much Ado About Nothing as Beatrice at the Hartford Stage (Connecticut) and then the Shakespeare Theatre Company (Washington, DC) in November 2002 through January 5, 2003.[12] In 2004 she received another Tony Award nomination (Best Featured Actress in a Musical) for Never Gonna Dance.[13] In 2007, she portrayed the heartwarming lyricist Georgia Hendricks in Curtains, earning her fourth Tony Award nomination.[14]

She performed with the New York City Opera in 110 in the Shade as Lizzie in 1992. The AP News reviewer wrote: "Ziemba's voice is clear and sweet, exactly what's needed for a song like Is It Really Me?."[15] She performed the role of Cleo in the City Opera's production of The Most Happy Fella in 1991. The New York Times reviewer wrote: "...her voice had swagger, grainy brashness and brassy energy, undistracted by higher ambitions."[16][17]

She has appeared in several New York City Center Encores! staged musicals, including The Pajama Game in 2002 (Babe Williams),[18] Bye Bye Birdie in 2004[19] and On Your Toes in 2013 (Lil Dolan).[20]

She starred in the staged reading of Vincent Crapelli's Otherwise, with Beth Leavel and Laura Bonarrigo-Koffman.

Ziemba appeared as Dolly Gallagher Levi in Hello, Dolly! at the Drury Lane Theatre, Oak Brook, Illinois, in 2013.[21]

She returned to Broadway in March 2014, in the new musical adaptation of Woody Allen's Bullets Over Broadway as the character "Eden Brent", directed by Susan Stroman.[22]

In 2015 and 2017 Karen returned to Off-Broadway to play the role of "Mom/Eileen" in Kid Victory.[23]

On television, she has appeared on Law & Order and on film in The Producers[1] and the ill-fated remake of The Devil and Daniel Webster first released as Shortcut to Happiness.

In 2020, Ziemba appeared as Barbara Joblove in the musical podcast, Propaganda![24] In 2024, Ziemba starred in the world premiere production of Prelude to a Kiss as Rita's Mom, alongside Chris McCarrell and Caitlin Houlahan.[25]. She reprised the role later that year at Milwaukee Repertory Theater. [26].

In 2024, Ziemba sang and danced the original Michael Bennett choreography of “Who’s That Woman?” in the Transport Group’s concert presentation of Follies at Carnegie Hall. [27] She reprised the role of Dolly Gallagher Levi in June 2025 in Broadway at Music Circus’ production of Hello, Dolly!

Personal life

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She and actor Bill Tatum wed in 1984.[28]

Stage

[edit]
Year Title Role Venue Ref.
1975 A Chorus Line Bebe/Hilary Shubert Theatre, Broadway [29]
1984 42nd Street Peggy Sawyer Majestic Theatre, Broadway
1987 Teddy & Alice Belle Hagner Minskoff Theatre, Broadway
1991 And the World Goes 'Round Performer Westside Theatre, Off-Broadway
1992 110 in the Shade Lizzie New York City Opera
1995 Crazy for You Polly Baker Shubert Theatre, Broadway
1996 I Do! I Do! Agnes Lamb's Theatre, Off-Broadway [30]
Chicago Roxie Hart Ambassador Theatre, Broadway
1997 Steel Pier Couple #39/Rita Racine Richard Rodgers Theatre, Broadway
1999 Contact Wife Mitzi E. Newhouse Theatre, Off-Broadway
2000 Vivian Beaumont Theatre, Broadway
2001 Never Gonna Dance Mabel Pritt Broadhurst Theatre, Broadway
2002 The Pajama Game Babe Williams New York City Center, Off-Broadway
Much Ado About Nothing Beatrice Hartford Stage, Regional
Shakespeare Theatre Company
2003 The Threepenny Opera Jenny Williamstown Theatre Festival, Regional [31]
The Dinner Party Mariette Oldcastle Theatre Company, Regional [32]
2004 Guys and Dolls Miss Adelaide Paper Mill Playhouse, Regional [33]
Bye Bye Birdie Rose Grant New York City Center, Off-Broadway
2007 Curtains Georgia Hendricks Al Hirschfeld Theatre, Broadway
2012 Heresy Performer Flea Theatre, Off-Broadway
2013 Hello, Dolly! Dolly Gallagher Levi Drury Lane Theatre, Regional
On Your Toes Lil Dolan New York City Center, Off-Broadway
2014 Bullets Over Broadway Eden Brent St. James Theatre, Broadway
2016 Gypsy Mama Rose Sharon Playhouse, Regional [34]
Do I Hear a Waltz? Signora Fioria New York City Center, Off-Broadway [35]
Native Gardens Virginia Capanini Butley Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Regional [36]
Other People's Money Bea Long Wharf Theatre, Regional [37]
2017 Kid Victory Mom/Eileen Vineyard Theatre, Off-Broadway [38]
The Traveling Lady Performer Cherry Lane Theatre, Off-Broadway
Prince of Broadway Performer Samuel J. Friedman Theatre, Broadway
2018 Heartbreak House Hesione Hushabye Lion Theatre, Off-Broadway
Irving Berlin's White Christmas Martha Watson U.S. National Tour
2019 Marie, Dancing Still Martine Van Goethem 5th Avenue Theatre, Regional
Annie Miss Hannigan NC Theatre, Regional [39]
2024 Prelude to a Kiss Rita's Mom South Coast Repertory, Regional [40]
Milwaukee Repertory Theater, Regional
2025 Hello, Dolly! Dolly Gallagher Levi Broadway Sacramento, Regional [41]
Love, Loss, and What I Wore Performer Cape May Stage, Regional [42]

Awards and nominations

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Award Year Category Work Result Ref.
Tony Awards 1997 Best Actress in a Musical Steel Pier Nominated [43]
2000 Best Featured Actress in a Musical Contact Won
2004 Never Gonna Dance Nominated
2007 Curtains Nominated
Drama Desk Awards 1991 Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical And the World Goes 'Round Won
1996 Outstanding Actress in a Musical I Do! I Do! Nominated
1997 Steel Pier Nominated
2000 Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical Contact Won
2007 Curtains Nominated
Outer Critics Circle Awards 1997 Outstanding Actress in a Musical Steel Pier Nominated
2000 Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical Contact Won
2004 Never Gonna Dance Won
2007 Curtains Won
Lucille Lortel Awards 2017 Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical Kid Victory Nominated
Astaire Awards 2014 Outstanding Female Dancer in a Broadway Show Bullets Over Broadway Nominated

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Karen Ziemba". Turner Classic Movies. Archived from the original on October 29, 2013.
  2. ^ "Crazy for You (Broadway, Sam S. Shubert Theatre, 1992)". Playbill.
  3. ^ Lefkowitz, David; Paller, Rebecca; Ku, Andrew (March 24, 1998). "Karen Ziemba Back on B'way as Chicago's Roxie, Mar. 24". Playbill. Retrieved January 7, 2023.
  4. ^ "Teddy & Alice (Broadway, Minskoff Theatre, 1987)". Playbill. Retrieved January 7, 2023.
  5. ^ "And the World Goes 'Round". Internet Off-Broadway Database. Retrieved January 7, 2023.
  6. ^ "And the World Goes 'Round". rationalmagic.com.
  7. ^ "Outstanding Actress in a Musical - I Do! I Do! - Karen Ziemba". Drama Desk Awards. Archived from the original on October 29, 2013. Retrieved October 23, 2013.
  8. ^ "Steel Pier (Broadway, Richard Rodgers Theatre, 1997)". Playbill.
  9. ^ Lefkowitz, David; McBride, Murdoch; Simonson, Robert (June 5, 2000). "Contact and Copenhagen Win Top 1999-2000 Tony Awards". Playbill. Retrieved January 7, 2023.
  10. ^ Ehren, Christine (June 4, 2000). "2000 TONY AWARD WINNER: Best Featured Actress in a Musical - Karen Ziemba". Playbill.
  11. ^ Sommer, Elyse (October 8, 1999). "Contact--a Dance Play, a CurtainUp review". CurtainUp.
  12. ^ Simonson, Robert; Gans, Andrew (November 5, 2002). "Ziemba Brings Her Much Ado to DC's Shakespeare Theatre, Nov. 5". Playbill.
  13. ^ Jones, Kenneth (June 6, 2004). "Wife, Avenue Q, Assassins, Henry IV Are 2004 Tony Award Winners; Mays, Menzel, Jackman, Rashad Golden". Playbill. Retrieved January 7, 2023.
  14. ^ Gans, Andrew (May 15, 2007). "2006-2007 Tony Nominations Announced; Spring Awakening Garners 11 Noms". Playbill. Retrieved January 7, 2023.
  15. ^ Campbell, Mary (July 19, 1992). "NY City Opera Presents '110 in the Shade'". AP News. Archived from the original on January 7, 2017. Retrieved January 6, 2017.
  16. ^ Rothstein, Edward (September 6, 1991). "Review/City Opera; Bride Arrives, Without Her Fidelity". The New York Times.
  17. ^ Collins, Glenn (July 30, 1992). "When Homeliness Is in the Eye of the Beholder". The New York Times.
  18. ^ Simonson, Robert (January 28, 2002). "Karen Ziemba to Head Pajama Game at Encores; Barrett Sought". Playbill. Retrieved January 7, 2023.
  19. ^ Gans, Andrew; Hernandez, Ernio (April 1, 2004). "Encores! Bye Bye Birdie to Star Ziemba, Roberts, Bobbie and Jenkins". Playbill. Retrieved January 7, 2023.
  20. ^ Gans, Andrew (April 15, 2013). "Christine Baranski, Kelli Barrett, Walter Bobbie, Randy Skinner, Karen Ziemba Cast in Encores! On Your Toes". Playbill. Retrieved January 7, 2023.
  21. ^ Gans, Andrew (October 24, 2013). "Tony Winner Karen Ziemba Is a Musical Matchmaker in Drury Lane Theatre's Hello, Dolly!, Opening Oct. 24". Playbill. Retrieved January 7, 2023.
  22. ^ Hetrick, Adam (January 9, 2014). "Karen Ziemba Joins Woody Allen's Bullets Over Broadway; Casting Now Complete". Playbill. Retrieved January 7, 2023.
  23. ^ "Kid Victory". Vineyard Theatre. Archived from the original on August 12, 2017. Retrieved February 10, 2022.
  24. ^ Cristi, A.A. (October 5, 2020). "Treatman Creative Presents PROPAGANDA! THE PODCAST MUSICAL". BroadwayWorld.
  25. ^ "Prelude to a Kiss, the Musical". South Coast Repertory.
  26. ^ "Prelude to a Kiss a Musical". Milwaukee Repertory Theatre.
  27. ^ Culwell-Block, Logan (June 25, 2024). "Broadway, Baby! Go Inside the All-Star Concert of Sondheim's Follies Made for the Super Fans". Playbill. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
  28. ^ Spaner, Whitney (June 13, 2015). "How Love Letters Kept Karen Ziemba and Bill Tatum's Long-Distance Romance Alive". Playbill.
  29. ^ "Karen Ziemba". Playbill. July 17, 2025.
  30. ^ "Karen Ziemba". BroadwayWorld. July 17, 2025.
  31. ^ "Threepenny Opera, The". Williamstown Theatre Festival. July 18, 2025.
  32. ^ "Karen Ziemba to Star in Regional Dinner Party". Playbill. July 18, 2025.
  33. ^ "Karen Ziemba". BroadwayWorld. July 17, 2025.
  34. ^ "Karen Ziemba Is Terrific as Mama Rose at Sharon Playhouse". Two on the Aisle. July 18, 2025.
  35. ^ "Review: 'Do I Hear a Waltz?' at Encores! at City Center in NYC". DC Theater Arts. July 18, 2025.
  36. ^ "Karen Ziemba Cast in World Premiere of Native Gardens". Playbill. July 18, 2025.
  37. ^ "Star-Studded OTHER PEOPLE'S MONEY Begins Tonight at Long Wharf Theatre". BroadwayWorld. July 18, 2025.
  38. ^ "Karen Ziemba". BroadwayWorld. July 17, 2025.
  39. ^ "Photo/Video: Get A First Look at Karen Ziemba In ANNIE At NC Theatre". BroadwayWorld. July 18, 2025.
  40. ^ "https://playbill.com/article/karen-ziemba-conor-ryan-hannah-corneau-more-to-star-in-world-premiere-of-prelude-to-a-kiss-musical". Playbill. July 17, 2025. {{cite web}}: External link in |title= (help); Missing or empty |url= (help)
  41. ^ "https://www.broadwayworld.com/sacramento/article/Video-Karen-Ziemba-Leads-HELLO-DOLLY-at-Broadway-At-Music-Circus-Promo-20250616". BroadwayWorld. July 18, 2025. {{cite web}}: External link in |title= (help); Missing or empty |url= (help)
  42. ^ "Love, Loss, and What I Wore". July 18, 2025.
  43. ^ "Karen Ziemba". Playbill. July 17, 2025.
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