Janine DiVita
Janine DiVita is an American actress best known for her roles on Broadway and in musical theater.[1]
Theater career
DiVita currently plays the principal role of Anne in the Michael Greif directed First National Tour of If/Then,[2] a role originally played by Jenn Colella. DiVita played opposite Tony Award winner LaChanze (as the love interest of the role of Kate) in the first part of the tour and now stars alongside former "American Idol" Season 1 finalist, Tamyra Gray. DiVita also is the first understudy for the role of Elizabeth, originated by Menzel and currently being played by Jackie Burns.[3]
BroadwayWorld.com's review of the show in Phoenix noted that the tour was "further blessed by the appearance of DiVita," who "stands out for her vibrant moves and vocals."[4] And the Dallas review noted that "her epic voice adds new life to the show, particularly in Act Two's 'Love While You Can.'"[5]
On Broadway, DiVita has been seen as Rizzo in the latest revival of "Grease"[6] directed by Tony Award winner Kathleen Marshall, "Anything Goes" (Reno cover) directed once again by Kathleen Marshall, and "The Mystery of Edwin Drood"[7] (sole cover for Edwin Drood and Rosa Bud) directed by Tony Award winner Scott Ellis. She also played Elizabeth (role created by Madeline Kahn in the film and Megan Mullally in the stage adaptation) in the 1st National Tour of Mel Brooks' "Young Frankenstein" directed by Tony Award winner, Susan Stroman.
Off-Broadway/NYC roles includes Pearl Kantrowitz (Diane Lane role) in the stage adaptation of film "A Walk on The Moon" (directed by Michael Greif, New York Stage and Film), Hannie in "Roadside" (York Theatre Co.), Bess Houdini in "Houdini" directed by Gabrielle Barre (workshop), Morgan Le Fey in "Excalibur" directed by Glimmerglass Opera artistic director, Francesca Zambello (workshop).
Regionally, Janine has starred in roles at numerous Tony Award winning regional theaters. These roles and theaters include Nancy in "Oliver!" at the Walnut Street Theatre in Philadelphia, PA directed by Milwaukee Repertory Theatre Artistic Director, Marc Clements (Janine was nominated for a Barrymore Award for Outstanding Leading Actress in a Musical), Eva Perón in Evita[8] at the John Engeman Theatre in Northport, Long Island, NY directed by Igor Goldman, Young Little Edie Beale in "Grey Gardens" at Portland Center Stage in Portland, Oregon, directed by artistic director, Chris Coleman, Lady of the Lake in Monty Python's stage adaptation of "Spamalot" at Theatre under the Stars in Houston, Texas directed by Marc Robin, Terri in "Sophisticated Ladies" starring Maurice Hines at Arena Stage in Washington, DC directed by Charles Randolph-Wright, Rosie Alvarez in "Bye Bye Birdie" at Sacramento Music Circus directed by Glenn Casale.
Janine won the inaugural Alan Eisenberg / Actor's Equity Association award for achievement in musical theater from the University of Michigan.[9] She also won the Earl V. Moore Award[10] for achievement in musical theater at the University of Michigan and is the person from the university to receive both awards.
Concert work
DiVita's concert work spans the globe: Broadway Rox (national and international tours), Edmonton Symphony, Foxwoods Casino, Casino Rama (Canada), Lincoln Center, Canal Room, and 54 Below[11] in which Janine premiered her solo "Blonde Ammunition."[12] Her commercial work includes print, V/O, on-camera work for Mercedes Benz, Brother Sewing, Cannon, Magic Touch Razors, and Hana Green Tea.
Film & television
On-screen, DiVita can be seen in Irish Tenor Paul Byrom's "This Is The Moment" PBS special (Dir. Brent Carpenter) in which she appears as a guest artist singing the iconic duet "Somewhere" from Tony Award Winning Broadway Musical, "West Side Story." She can also be seen in the feature film, "Boychoir"[13] (directed by Francois Gerard) in which she plays the supporting role of Sally opposite Josh Lucas and Dustin Hoffman.
Personal life
DiVita is graduate from the University of Michigan in which she double majored in Musical Theatre and Communication Studies. She is a former anchor for WOLV-TV at the University of Michigan, an alumni member of Alpha Phi sorority, and current ambassador for Global Citizen.
DiVita's blog, INTERUM, is a holistic look at lifestyles, fashion, and health.
Theatrical credits
| Year | Production | Role | Region | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015–present | If/Then[14] | Anne/Elizabeth (u/s) | 1st National Tour | Dir. Michael Greif |
| Bye Bye Birdie | Rosie | Regional (Sacramento Music Circus) | Dir. Glenn Casale | |
| Jekyll And Hyde Resurrection | Emma Carew | 54 Below, NYC | Music Dir. Jeremy Roberts | |
| National Pastime | Karen Sloan | Regional (Bucks County Playhouse, New Hope, PA) | Dir. Hunter Foster (World Premiere, revised version) | |
| 2014 | The Circus In Winter | Jenny Dixianna | Regional (Goodspeed Norma Terrace / Chester, CT) | Dir. Joe Calarco |
| 2014 | Evita | Eva Perón (Broadway World nom.) | Regional (John Engemen Theatre, Northport, L.I.) | Dir. Igor Goldin |
| 2014 | Ordinary Days[15] | Claire | Regional (Round House Theatre, Bethesda, MD) | Dir. Matthew Gardiner |
| 2012-13 | The Mystery of Edwin Drood | Miss Isabel Yearsley | Broadway, Studio 54 (2012 Revival) | Dir. Scott Ellis |
| 2013 | Spamalot | Lady of the Lake (Broadway World nom.) | Regional (TUTS/KC Starlight) | Dir. Marc Robin |
| 2013 | And The World Goes 'Round | Woman #1 | Regional (Bucks County Playhouse, New Hope, PA) | Dir. Don Stephenson, co-stars Emily Skinner, Tom Hewitt |
| 2013 | Happy Hunting | Mary Mills | Off-Broadway (York Theatre Co.) | Dir. David G. Armstrong |
| 2012 | Roadside | Hannie | Off-Broadway (York Theatre Co.) | Dir. David G. Armstrong |
| 2012 | Anything Goes | Reno standby | Broadway (2011 Revival) | Dir. Kathleen Marshall |
| 2011 | Odyssey - The Epic Musical[16] | Penelope | Off-Broadway (American Theatre of Actors) | Dir. Matt Britten |
| 2010-11 | Young Frankenstein | Elizabeth | 1st National Tour | Dir. Susan Stroman |
| 2010 | Sophisticated Ladies | Terri | Regional (Arena Stage, Washington D.C.) | Dir. Charles Randolph-Wright, co-star: Maurice Hines |
| 2009 | Grey Gardens | Young Little Edie | Regional (Portland Center Stage) | Dir. Chris Coleman |
| 2008-09 | Grease | Rizzo (replacement) | Broadway (Brooks Atkinson, 2007 Revival) | Dir. Kathleen Marshall |
| 2008 | Oliver! | Nancy (Barrymore nom) | Regional (Walnut Street Theatre) | Dir. Mark Clements |
| 2007 | A Tale of Two Cities | Young French Girl | Regional (Asolo Rep., Sarasota, FL) | Dir. Warren Carlyle |
Film and television credits
| Year | Film / TV | Production | Role | Network / Production Co. | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Film | Boychoir | Sally | Informant Media | co-stars: Josh Lucas, Dustin Hoffman |
| 2013 | TV | This Is The Moment | (as herself) | PBS | co-stars: Irish Tenor Paul Byrom |
References
- ↑ "Janine DiVita".
- ↑ "If/Then, the Musical".
- ↑ "If/Then National Tour Welcomes New Stars Tonight - Playbill.com". www.playbill.com. Retrieved 2016-02-17.
- ↑ Paine, Herbert. "BWW Review: IF/THEN Stands on Idina Menzel's Star Power". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2016-02-17.
- ↑ West, Kyle Christopher. "BWW Review: IF/THEN at Winspear Opera House". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2016-02-17.
- ↑ "New Kid in Town: DiVita Is Rizzo in Broadway's Grease Beginning June 26". Playbill. Retrieved 2015-12-24.
- ↑ "Playbill Vault".
- ↑ Jacobson, Aileen (2014-09-26). "A Review of 'Evita' in Northport". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2015-12-24.
- ↑ "actorsequity.org | News #038; Media". www.actorsequity.org. Retrieved 2015-12-24.
- ↑ Michigan Muse. UM Libraries. 2006-01-01.
- ↑ "Janine DiVita Brings Her Blonde Ammunition to 54 Below July 31". Playbill. Retrieved 2015-12-24.
- ↑ "Janine DiVita". 54Below.com. Retrieved 2015-12-24.
- ↑ "STAGE VIEWS: Broadway and "Boychoir" Star Janine DiVita". Playbill. Retrieved 2015-12-24.
- ↑ "Idina Menzel Launches If/Then National Tour Tonight in Denver". Playbill. Retrieved 2015-12-24.
- ↑ Marks, Peter (2014-06-04). "'Ordinary Days' is an extraordinarily charming musical of questing young New Yorkers". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2015-12-24.
- ↑ "Playbill". Examiner.com. Retrieved 2015-12-24.