Krysta Rodriguez
Rodriguez in 2016
Born
Krysta Anne Rodriguez[1]

Orange, California, U.S.[1]
Occupation(s)Actress, Singer
Years active1995–present

Krysta Anne Rodriguez is an American actress and singer. She is best known for her roles as Ana Vargas in the NBC series Smash, Summer Henderson in the NBC series Trial & Error, Maxine Griffin in the ABC series Quantico and Ms. Crumble in the Netflix comedy series Daybreak.

Early life and career

Rodriguez grew up in Orange County, California.[2] She began taking dance lessons at the age of 13, after being involved with cheerleading in middle school.[3] After traveling to New York and seeing eight Broadway shows, she realized performers had to sing and act as well as dance, so once she returned home Rodriguez began taking singing and acting lessons.[3] She was a cast member of the Christian television show Colby's Clubhouse from 1995 to 2000.[4] She attended Orange County High School of the Arts[2] where she played many lead roles including Marian in The Music Man,[3] as well as the lead role in Gidget: The Musical, a musical co-written and directed by Francis Ford Coppola, that starred Orange County High School of the Arts students during its (ultimately unsuccessful) tryouts in 2000.[5] She attended New York University for a few years, but began working soon after enrolling. Rodriguez said of her education, "[A]lthough I would have loved to finish I did not get that opportunity because I started working. So…no degree in musical theater, but so far an okay career."[2]

Career

Rodriguez made her Broadway debut in the short-lived 2005 jukebox musical Good Vibrations.[6] She later became a replacement for the role of Bebe in the Broadway revival of A Chorus Line in 2007.[2] She has played numerous ensemble and understudy parts in the Broadway productions of Spring Awakening and In the Heights, as well as a regional production of The Boy Friend directed by Julie Andrews.[7] She made her feature film debut in the role of Krysta in the 2010 film The Virginity Hit.

Beginning performances in fall 2009, Rodriguez originated the role of Wednesday Addams in the world premiere Chicago try-out run of the new Broadway-bound musical The Addams Family, based on the cartoons of Charles Addams. From March 2010, the show received its planned debut at New York's Lunt-Fontanne Theatre. After playing the role for over a year and lending her voice to the show's original cast recording, Rodriguez left the musical on March 8, 2011, and was replaced by Rachel Potter.[2][8]

Other credits include an Encores! production of Bye Bye Birdie. Her first television role was a guest appearance as the character Jordan Steele in Gossip Girl.[9] In 2011, Rodriguez starred in the television movie Iceland as Rose, one of a group of friends who reunite to heal and nurture each other after the death of one of their own.

In 2012, Rodriguez starred in another television movie Shadow of Fear as Lauren. The movie is about the push and pull between a schizophrenic new waiter and a popular young waitress. In 2013, she guest starred in the web series created by Mitchell Jarvis and Wesley Taylor, It Could Be Worse. She played an assistant to a Broadway Star named Bridgett/Bridget in two episodes, titled "Payment Plan" and "Let Your Hair Down".

Rodriguez joined the cast of the NBC series Smash for its second, and final, season in 2013, playing the role of Ana Vargas, an aspiring Broadway performer and the new roommate of Katharine McPhee's character Karen.[10]

In July 2013, Rodriguez returned to Broadway playing Casey in First Date, co-starring with Zachary Levi.[11]

In December 2013, Rodriguez appeared in Hit List, a concert presentation of the fictional musical created for the second season of Smash, as The Diva/Sarah Smith.[12] Rodriguez was scheduled to have a major role in the planned CBS sitcom How I Met Your Dad; a spinoff and successor to the long-running sitcom How I Met Your Mother, but on March 25, 2014, it was announced that Rodriguez had exited the pilot.[13] (The proposed spin-off would ultimately not be picked up.[14])

Rodriguez guest starred on Married in 2014, as Kim, a friend of a couple desperately trying to save their marriage. On Ian, Rodriguez guest starred as Fly Girl. Additionally, Rodriguez starred in the Lifetime holiday movie entitled Wishin' and Hopin' in the role of Annette Funicello, a teen idol, movie actress and Mickey Mouse Club Mousekteer.

Also, in the fall of 2014 Rodriguez was diagnosed with breast cancer.[15][16] In 2015, Rodriguez started the website ChemoCouture.com to create a blog detailing her journey during chemotherapy as well as providing various fashion, beauty, and wellness tips that she employs during her battle with cancer.[17] After going public with her diagnosis, Rodriguez was contacted by Cosmopolitan to blog for their Cosmo Online Health and Fitness readers about her experiences.[18][19][20][21][22]

In 2015, Rodriguez was cast as Vanessa, a straight talking, no-nonsense cancer patient ready to share her truth, in a multi-episode arc in the second season of the ABC Family television show Chasing Life.[23] The season aired in the summer of 2015.[24][22]

Also in 2015, she played Madison in an episode of Inside Amy Schumer. Krysta also guest starred in an episode of The Mysteries of Laura as April Watkins.

Rodriguez starred in the 2016 film Bakery in Brooklyn as Chloe, one of the lead characters.

Through June 14, 2015, she returned to star as Ilse in the Deaf West Theatre production of Spring Awakening, held at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills, California.[25][26] The Los Angeles Times featured her in an article about her return to the production that she helped to create on Broadway.[27] In July 2015, it was announced that the production would be transferring to Broadway with its current cast for a limited engagement at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre. Rodriguez performed in the Broadway revival from September 8, 2015, through its closing on January 24, 2016.[28][29] The show ran two weeks past its intended run due to its rave reviews, and garnered three Tony Award nominations including Best Revival of a Musical.[30][31]

Rodriguez performed in the Off-Broadway production of What We're Up Against, a play about how women are treated in the workplace. It shows the inequality of women and how nothing has changed in the past twenty-five years. She played "Eliza, a sharp young architect who [was] new to the firm".[32] The show ran from October 28 through December 3, 2017.[33] This was the first time Rodriguez and Skylar Astin worked together since Spring Awakening in 2006.[34]

In 2017, Rodriguez starred as Summer Henderson in the NBC comedy series Trial & Error.[35] In the same year, it was announced that Rodriguez was cast in the recurring role of Maxine Griffin in the second season of ABC's thriller series Quantico.[36]

In 2018, it was announced that Rodriguez was cast in the main role of Ms. Crumble in the Netflix comedy-drama series Daybreak.[37][38][39][40]

Rodriguez made her solo debut at Feinstein's/54 Below from September 10–14, 2019, directed by Ben Rauhala. Special guests included Kathryn Gallagher, Andy Mientus, Joe Iconis, Megan McGinnis, Jelani Alladin, and Adam Josef Levy.[41]

In 2021, Rodriguez appeared in the role of Liza Minnelli in the Netflix miniseries Halston. In 2022, she co-starred with Santino Fontana in the Hallmark Channel film Just One Kiss.[42]

In September 2022, Rodriguez starred as Cinderella in the 2022 Broadway revival of Into the Woods. She left the production in November of that year.[43] From 13 July to 30 July 2023, she reprised her role of Cinderella at the Ahmanson Theatre on the US National Tour of Into the Woods.[44]

Credits

Theatre

Year Title Role Notes
2004 Bye, Bye Birdie Ensemble New York City Center Encores!
2005 Good Vibrations Swing Broadway
The Boy Friend Ensemble National tour
2006 Spring Awakening Ensemble

u/s Anna
u/s Martha
u/s Thea
u/s Ilse
u/s Wendla

Broadway
2007-08 A Chorus Line Bebe (replacement)
2008 In the Heights Ensemble

Carla (u/s)
Nina (u/s)
Vanessa (u/s)

2009 The Addams Family Wednesday Addams Chicago (out-of-town tryout)
2010-11 Broadway
2013 First Date Casey
Hit List (from Smash) The Diva/Sarah Smith Feinstein's/54 Below concert
2015 Spring Awakening Ilse Deaf West Theatre Los Angeles
Broadway (transfer)
2016 A Chorus Line Diana Morales Hollywood Bowl
2017 What We're Up Against Eliza Off-Broadway
2018 West Side Story Anita Kennedy Center
Tarrytown Katrina Reading at MCC Theater[45]
2019 Hercules Megara Delacorte Theater
Seared Emily MCC Theater
2022 Into the Woods Cinderella Broadway
2022-23 The Collaboration Maya
2023 Cabaret Sally Bowles Barrington Stage Company
Into the Woods Cinderella US National Tour

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1995–2000 Colby's Clubhouse Krysta
2008 Gossip Girl Jordan Steele
2010 Late Show with David Letterman Herself (Promotion for The Addams Family)
2013 Smash Ana Vargas
2014 How I Met Your Dad Unknown (Pilot wasn't picked up)
Ian Fly Girl
Married Kim
2015 Chasing Life Vanessa
Inside Amy Schumer Madison
The Mysteries of Laura April Watkins
Late Night with Seth Meyers Herself (Promotion for Spring Awakening)
2016 Younger Kim
2017 Trial & Error Summer Henderson/Claudia Ramirez
Quantico Maxine Griffin
2019 Daybreak Ms. Crumble/The Witch
Soundtrack Allie
2021 Halston Liza Minnelli
2022 Would I Lie to You? (US) Herself Episode: "Child Toy Model"

Film

Year Title Role Notes
2010 The Virginity Hit Krysta
2011 Iceland Rose
2012 Shadow of Fear Laura
2014 Wishin' and Hopin' Annette Funicello
2016 Bakery in Brooklyn Chloe
2020 Killing Diaz Diaz
2021 The Bitch Who Stole Christmas[46] Olivia St. LaPelle Lead role
In the Heights Background vocals
2022 Just One Kiss Mia Rivera [42]
TBA Double Exposure Dani

Internet

Year Title Role Notes
2013 It Could Be Worse Bridgett/Bridget
2013 Jared's Broadway Boos: Episode 64 Herself
2018 Indoor Boys Lacy

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Work Result
2010 Broadway.com Audience Awards Favorite Breakthrough Performance (Female) The Addams Family Won
2015 Ovation Awards Featured Actress in a Musical Spring Awakening Nominated
BroadwayWorld LA Awards Best Featured Actress in a Musical Nominated
2016 Fred and Adele Astaire Awards Outstanding Ensemble in a Broadway Show Nominated
Broadway.com Audience Awards Favorite Featured Actress in a Musical Nominated
2020 Outer Critics Circle Awards Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play Seared Honoree[47]

References

  1. ^ a b "PLAYBILL.COM'S CUE & A: Krysta Rodriguez". Playbill. April 13, 2010. Retrieved January 8, 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d e Vire, Kris (October 22, 2009). "The Addams Family: Q&A With Krysta Rodriguez and Wesley Taylor". Time Out Chicago. Archived from the original on 2010-06-30. Retrieved May 2, 2010.
  3. ^ a b c Kay, Lauren (February 8, 2010). "Broadway's Spooky Starlet: Krysta Rodriguez". Dance Spirit. Retrieved January 8, 2022.
  4. ^ Colby's Clubhouse Episode 30 ©1998 Joyful Heart/TBN. Retrieved April 17, 2012.
  5. ^ Smith, Mark Chalon (August 5, 2000). "Gidget Grows Up, Into a Coppola Musical". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on August 31, 2021. Retrieved January 8, 2022.
  6. ^ Stevens, Beth. "What's Up, Krysta Rodriguez? The Addams Family Standout on Bonding with Her B'way Kin". Broadway.com. April 23, 2010. Retrieved April 10, 2010.
  7. ^ "Krysta Rodriguez". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved September 17, 2010.
  8. ^ Jones, Kenneth (February 4, 2011). "Brad Oscar Will Play Uncle Fester in Addams Family; Blickenstaff, Grupper, Potter Join Cast". Playbill. Retrieved January 8, 2022.
  9. ^ "Krysta Rodriguez profile". Playbill. Archived from the original on 2010-12-05. Retrieved March 3, 2011.
  10. ^ Ausiello, Michael (July 6, 2012). "Smash Scoop: Meet Karen's Spunky New [Spoiler]". TVLine. TVLine Media, LLC. Retrieved July 6, 2012.
  11. ^ Gioia, Michael (May 20, 2013). "Krysta Rodriguez and Zachary Levi Will Have a First Date on Broadway; Cast Announced". Playbill. Retrieved January 8, 2022.
  12. ^ Gioia, Michael (December 8, 2013). "Jeremy Jordan, Krysta Rodriguez, Andy Mientus, Carrie Manolakos Bring "Smash" Musical Hit List to Life Dec. 8-9 at 54 Below". Playbill. Retrieved January 8, 2022.
  13. ^ "Local listings, news, recaps, photos, clips and more". Tv.msn.com. 2015-07-30. Archived from the original on 2014-07-14. Retrieved 2015-12-12.
  14. ^ Thomas, Kaitlin (2014-07-10). "Carter Bays: How I Met Your Dad Isn't Happening". Tv.yahoo.com. Retrieved 2015-12-12.
  15. ^ "About Me | ChemoCouture". Krystacouture.com. Retrieved 2015-12-12.
  16. ^ "Broadway Stars Krysta Rodriguez and Kirsten Wyatt Cook Up Cancer-Friendly Food on BROADWAY NOSH". YouTube. 2015-02-19. Archived from the original on 2021-12-15. Retrieved 2015-12-12.
  17. ^ "ChemoCouture | Fashion, Beauty and Wellness Tips From My Year With Cancer". Krystacouture.com. Retrieved 2015-12-12.
  18. ^ Schreiber, Katherine (2015-03-09). "I'm 30 Years Old, and I Have Breast Cancer". Cosmopolitan.com. Retrieved 2015-12-12.
  19. ^ Schreiber, Katherine (2015-03-17). "What Chemotherapy Taught Me About Motherhood". Cosmopolitan.com. Retrieved 2015-12-12.
  20. ^ Narins, Elizabeth (2015-03-24). "8 Things Not to Say to Someone Who Has Cancer". Cosmopolitan.com. Retrieved 2015-12-12.
  21. ^ Schreiber, Katherine (2015-03-30). "What I Learned About Myself From Going Out Bald in Public". Cosmopolitan.com. Retrieved 2015-12-12.
  22. ^ a b Schreiber, Katherine (2015-04-07). "The Amazing Thing That Happened When I Started Being Open About Having Cancer". Cosmopolitan.com. Retrieved 2015-12-12.
  23. ^ "Chemo Style! Part 4 | ChemoCouture". Krystacouture.com. 2015-04-11. Retrieved 2015-12-12.
  24. ^ Wagmeister, Elizabeth (2015-03-23). "Krysta Rodriguez: 'Smash' Actress Battling Breast Cancer Joins 'Chasing Life'". Variety. Retrieved 2015-12-12.
  25. ^ Gans, Andrew (April 15, 2015). "Andy Mientus and Krysta Rodriguez Will Star in Spring Awakening for Deaf West". Playbill. Retrieved January 8, 2022.
  26. ^ "Deaf West Theatre". Deafwest.org. Retrieved 2015-12-12.
  27. ^ Stanley, T.L. (2015-05-30). "Theater star Krysta Rodriguez talks 'Spring Awakening' and living loudly". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on October 19, 2015. Retrieved 2015-12-12.
  28. ^ Lloyd Webber, Imogen (2015-07-30). "Andy Mientus & Krysta Rodriguez Will Transfer to Broadway in Deaf West's Spring Awakening Revival". Broadway.com. Retrieved 2015-12-12.
  29. ^ Peterson, Tyler (July 30, 2015). "Breaking News: Krysta Rodriguez, Andy Mientus & 20 Broadway Newcomers Will Star in Deaf West's SPRING AWAKENING Revival". BroadwayWorld. Retrieved 2015-12-12.
  30. ^ Isherwood, Charles (2015-09-27). "Review: 'Spring Awakening' by Deaf West Theater Brings a New Sensation to Broadway". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2016-01-27.
  31. ^ Ng, David (May 3, 2016). "'Spring Awakening' and Deaf West's Unlikely Road to Three Tony Nominations". Los Angeles Times.
  32. ^ Moore, Sarah (2017-11-08). "What We're Up Against". Theatre Is Easy. Retrieved 2019-10-15.
  33. ^ "What We're Up Against". WP Theater. 2017-09-11. Retrieved 2019-10-15.
  34. ^ "Skylar Astin & Krysta Rodriguez Talk New Play". NBC New York. 2017-11-03. Retrieved 2019-10-15.
  35. ^ Petski, Denise (February 29, 2016). "'The Trail': NBC Comedy Pilot Casts Krysta Rodriguez; Ward Horton Joins CBS' 'Bunker Hill'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved October 26, 2019.
  36. ^ Petski, Denise (March 13, 2017). "'Quantico' Casts Krysta Rodriguez In Recurring Role". Deadline.
  37. ^ Petski, Denise (October 25, 2018). "'Daybreak': Colin Ford, Sophie Simnett, Jeante Godlock, Cody Kearsley, Among Eight Cast In Netflix Series". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved October 1, 2019.
  38. ^ Swift, Andy (October 26, 2019). "Daybreak's Krysta Rodriguez Talks Eating Bugs, Surviving the Apocalypse and Inspiring Young Girls to 'Get Loud'". TVLine. Retrieved October 26, 2019.
  39. ^ Radish, Christina (October 28, 2019). "Krysta Rodriguez on Netflix's 'Daybreak' and Getting to Play a Character in the Vein of Beetlejuice". Collider. Retrieved October 29, 2019.
  40. ^ "'This Character Changed My Life': Actor Krysta Rodriguez On Netflix's 'Daybreak' & Broadway". www.cbsnews.com. Retrieved 2022-04-14.
  41. ^ "Krysta Rodriguez, feat. Jelani Alladin, Andy Mientus, Joe Iconis, & more!". Feinstein's/54 Below. Retrieved 2019-10-15.
  42. ^ a b Wang, K. L. Connie (2022-04-01). "Broadway Stars Krysta Rodriguez and Santino Fontana Team Up for Just One Kiss". Parade: Entertainment, Recipes, Health, Life, Holidays. Retrieved 2022-04-14.
  43. ^ "Stephanie J. Block, Sebastian Arcelus, Krysta Rodriguez, Montego Glover, More to Join Broadway's Into the Woods". Playbill. Retrieved 2022-12-23.
  44. ^ Into the Woods tour
  45. ^ Wood, Alex (May 11, 2020). "Jeremy Jordan leads cast of musical loosely based on Sleepy Hollow story – listen to it now". WhatsOnStage.
  46. ^ Nolfi, Joey (October 29, 2021). "RuPaul's new Christmas movie unites the largest Drag Race cast in history". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on October 29, 2021. Retrieved October 29, 2021.
  47. ^ Sullivan, Lindsey (May 11, 2020). "Moulin Rouge! Tops 2020 Outer Critics Circle Award Honors". Broadway.com. Retrieved January 8, 2022.

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