Jennifer Simard

Jennifer Simard (born August 8, 1970) is an American actress known primarily for her work in theater.

Jennifer Simard
Simard at the 2022 Tony Awards
Born (1970-08-08) August 8, 1970
Litchfield, New Hampshire, U.S.
EducationBoston Conservatory (BFA)
Occupation(s)Actress, singer
Years active1992–present
Spouse
Brad Robertson
​
(m. 2004)​
Websitejennifersimard.com

Early life and education

Simard is from Litchfield, New Hampshire. She studied at the Boston Conservatory of Music and Hunter College.

Career

Theatre

After studying at Hunter College and the Boston Conservatory of Music, Simard moved to New York, where she appeared in Forbidden Broadway '93.[1][2]

She made her Broadway debut in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee and later performed in the Broadway productions of Shrek The Musical and Sister Act.[3]

She received Drama Desk Award nominations for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical for her roles in I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change, The Thing About Men, and Forbidden Broadway: Special Victims Unit (2005).[4]

She originated the role of Sister Mary Downy in the 2016 Broadway musical Disaster!, for which her performance earned her a Tony Award nomination and a Drama League Award nomination in 2016. She was also nominated for a Drama Desk Award for the role, which she performed off-Broadway in 2014. The Variety reviewer wrote: "...this is a good cast that knows the comic ropes—and then some, in the special case of Jennifer Simard, who shows great comic chops as a nun with a secret gambling fixation."[5]

She appeared on Broadway as Ernestina in the 2017 revival of Hello, Dolly!, starring Bette Midler and David Hyde Pierce.[6]

Simard played Miss Hannigan in the St. Louis Muny production of Annie from July 18–25, 2018.[7] A St. Louis reviewer wrote that Simard "…is nothing less than incredible in the role. She is hilarious as the head of the orphanage, causing the crowd to burst into laughter for much of her time on-stage. Her rendition of “Little Girls” is not to be missed. With impeccable comedic timing, a wonderful voice, and all-around talent, [she] gives a performance that makes it impossible to look away."[8]

In August 2018, it was announced that Simard would join the Tony-nominated musical Mean Girls as Mrs. Heron, Ms. Norbury, and Mrs. George that September, replacing Kerry Butler.[9] Her last performance was on December 8, 2019.[10]

In October 2019, it was announced that Simard would join the gender-swapped revival of Company as Sarah.[11] From February 26 to March 6, 2022, she took over the role of Joanne due to the indisposition of Patti LuPone.

In 2023, she originated the role of Stepmother in Once Upon a One More Time.[12]

Television and film

Simard has been seen on television in Younger, The Good Wife, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Law & Order, and The King of Queens, and also appeared in the 2000 comedy film The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas.[13]

Personal life

On October 3, 2004, Simard married Brad Robertson, whom she met when he was the light board operator for the off-Broadway production of I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change.[14]

Theater credits
Year Title Role Theatre Director(s) Ref.
1996 I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change Woman #1 Westside Theatre Joel Bishoff
2003 The Thing About Men Woman Promenade Theatre
2004 Forbidden Broadway: Special Victims Unit Various Characters Douglas Fairbanks Theatre Gerard Alessandrini and Phillip George
2006 The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee Rona Lisa Peretti US National Tour James Lapine
[15]
2007 Rona Lisa Peretti (replacement) Circle in the Square Theatre
[16]
2008 Shrek The Musical Queen Lillian/Wicked Witch/
Magic Mirror Assistant		 Broadway Theatre Jason Moore
2011 Sister Act Ensemble Jerry Zaks
2013 Disaster! Sister Mary Downy St. Luke’s Theatre Jack Plotnick
[17]
2016 Nederlander Theatre
[18]
2017–18 Hello, Dolly! Ernestina Shubert Theatre Jerry Zaks
[6]
2018 Annie Miss Hannigan The Muny
[7]
2018–19 Mean Girls Mrs. Heron/Ms. Norbury/
Mrs. George (replacement)		 August Wilson Theatre Casey Nicholaw
[9]
2020 Company Sarah/Joanne (temporary replacement) Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre Marianne Elliott
2021–22
2023 Once Upon a One More Time Stepmother Marquis Theatre Keone Madrid and Mari Madrid
2024 Death Becomes Her Helen Sharp Cadillac Palace Theatre Christopher Gattelli

Filmography

Film
Year Title Role Ref.
2000 The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas Bride-To-Be
[19]
2001 Wish You Were Dead Cake Girl
[20]
2013 Shrek The Musical Wicked Witch
[21]
2014 Non-Stop Maggie Evans (uncredited)
[22]
2015 Sisters Pet Activist at Party
[23]
2022 Somewhere in Queens

Television
Year Title Role Notes Ref.
1999 The King of Queens Paula Episode: "Best Man"
[24]
2006 Law & Order Danielle Andreas Episode: "Invaders"
[25]
2008 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Debra Jackson Episode: "Trade"
[26]
2015 The Good Wife Janie Mullaby Episode: "Payback"
[27]
2016 Younger Sherry Episode: "Last Days of Books"
[28]
2021 Girls5eva Daphne Episode: "Catskills"
[24]

Awards and nominations
Year Award ceremony Category Show Result Ref.
1997 Drama Desk Award Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change Nominated
2004 The Thing About Men Nominated
2005 Forbidden Broadway: Special Victims Unit Nominated
Lucille Lortel Award Outstanding Featured Actress Nominated
2014 Drama Desk Award Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical Disaster! Nominated
Drama League Award Distinguished Performance Award Nominated
2016 Nominated
Tony Award Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical Nominated
[18]
2022 Company Nominated
Drama Desk Award Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical Nominated

References
  1. Arnegger, Sarah Jane (March 8, 2016). "Schools of the Stars: Where Disaster! Cast and Creators Went to College". Playbill. Retrieved May 17, 2018.
  2. Klein, Alvin (January 31, 1993). "THEATER; Getting the Giggles From 'Forbidden Broadway'". The New York Times. Retrieved May 17, 2018.
  3. Leeds, Ryan (April 21, 2016). "An Interview with DISASTER'S Jennifer Simard & Seth Rudetsky". Manhattan Digest. Retrieved May 17, 2018.
  4. Murray, Matthew (April 28, 2005). "2005 Drama Desk Award Nominations Announced". TheaterMania.
  5. Stasio, Marilyn (March 8, 2016). "Broadway Review: Disaster-Movie Spoof Disaster!". Variety.
  6. Hetrick, Adam (September 16, 2016). "Kate Baldwin, Gavin Creel, Jennifer Simard Join Bette Midler Hello, Dolly!". Playbill.
  7. Gans, Andrew (April 10, 2018). "Jennifer Simard and Christopher Sieber Join Muny Annie". Playbill. Retrieved May 17, 2018.
  8. Brackett, Kevin (July 20, 2018). "Theatre: Muny’s Annie Has Audiences Fully Dressed With Smiles, Ear to Ear". Review St. Louis.
  9. Clement, Olivia (August 14, 2018). "Jennifer Simard to Join Mean Girls on Broadway". Playbill.
  10. Huston, Caitlin (December 11, 2019). "Catherine Brunell takes over for Jennifer Simard in 'Mean Girls'". Broadway News. Retrieved March 24, 2020.
  11. "BREAKING: Matt Doyle, Jennifer Simard, Christopher Sieber, and More Join COMPANY; Cast Announced!". BroadwayWorld. October 21, 2019. Retrieved March 24, 2020.
  12. "Once Upon a One More Time – Broadway Musical – Original | IBDB". www.ibdb.com. Retrieved September 15, 2023.
  13. "Jennifer Simard". IMDb. Retrieved May 17, 2018.
  14. Spaner, Whitney (February 14, 2016). "How Disaster!'s Jennifer Simard Landed the Role of a Lifetime". Playbill. Retrieved May 17, 2018.
  15. Hernandez, Ernio (July 6, 2006). "Jennifer Simard Prepped for The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee Tour". Playbill.
  16. Hernandez, Ernio (April 17, 2007). "Mo Rocca and Jennifer Simard Run Broadway's Spelling Bee with New Cast Beginning April 17". Playbill.
  17. Gans, Andrew (October 14, 2013). "John Treacy Egan, Michele Ragusa, Jennifer Simard, Mary Testa Try to Avoid Disaster!, Beginning Oct. 14 Off-Broadway". Playbill.
  18. Gioia, Michael (May 8, 2016). "Jennifer Simard On Carrying the Banner For Her Show as It Bids Broadway Farewell". Playbill.
  19. "The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas (2000) - IMDb". IMDb.
  20. "Wish You Were Dead (2001) - IMDb". IMDb.
  21. "Shrek the Musical (2013) - IMDb". IMDb.
  22. "Non-Stop (2014) - IMDb". IMDb.
  23. "Sisters (2015) - Cast & Crew". allmovie.com. Retrieved September 9, 2019.
  24. "Jennifer Simard - IMDb". IMDb.
  25. ""Law & Order" Invaders (TV Episode 2006) - IMDb". IMDb.
  26. ""Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" Trade (TV Episode 2008) - IMDb". IMDb.
  27. "Listings. 'The Good Wife'. November 1, 2015". thefutoncritic.com. Retrieved September 8, 2019.
  28. Smith, Matt (October 12, 2016). "BWW Recap: Krysta Rodriguez, Jennifer Simard Guest on YOUNGER as Liza Saves a Bookstore" BroadwayWorld.
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