Savannah Wise (born April 25, 1984) is an American actress, singer, and dancer.
She is best known for her work as Jessica on the NBC American musical theatre dramedy television series Smash. She is also known for her work on Broadway as Evelyn Nesbit in the 2009 revival of Ragtime, originating the role of Waitress #1, then going on to replace as Sherrie in Rock of Ages, and as Young Cosette in the original Broadway production of Les Misérables.
Life and career
1992–2006: Early life and Les Misérables
Wise's career began when her parents, Tony Award winner Scott Wise and Kiel Junius enrolled her in voice lessons, ballet, and tap at Debbie McCann’s School of Dance in New Jersey. Wise's professional career began at age eight when she began performing on Broadway as a replacement Young Cosette / Young Eponine in the original Broadway production of Les Misérables. After she finished her two-year run, Wise’s parents divorced, and she moved from New Jersey to New Orleans to live with her mom. She then began taking dance classes at Loyola Ballet. She also took hip hop, tap and ballet classes at Broadway Dance Center when she visited her dad in New York City. Wise continued theatre in New Orleans as a hobby, starring as the lead in Ruthless! at age 11. Wise “took the opportunity to sort of decide for myself instead of just getting wrapped up in it.” Wise attended high school at Mount Carmel Academy, an all-girls, private Catholic high school in the Lakeview area of New Orleans, Louisiana, United States.[1][2]
2006–09: College, Rock of Ages, and Ragtime
While enrolled at the University of Cincinnati – College-Conservatory of Music, Wise started considering herself a “real” dancer after being cast as Maggie in Brigadoon. After that, Wise added extra dance classes to her curriculum. Her senior year, she was cast as Polly in Crazy for You. After graduation, Wise began performing almost immediately in regional productions of The Wizard of Oz and The King and I at The Muny. She moved to New York City and secured the role of Baby in Go-Go Beach, a show at the New York Musical Theatre Festival based on the classic 1960s beach party movies. After that, Savannah toured with High School Musical on Stage! as Sharpay Evans. She then began playing Joanie Cunningham in Happy Days at Connecticut’s Goodspeed Opera House. While in Connecticut, she heard about an audition for Rock of Ages.. Wise used her day off to attend the dance call in New York City. When she got the call offering her a spot as featured ensemble character Waitress #1, Wise returned to New York and performed with the musical as it moved on to Broadway, eventually becoming the first replacement of the lead role, Sherrie Christian. After spending nearly two years in Rock of Ages, Wise left to open another Broadway musical, starring as Evelyn Nesbit in Ragtime. The production opened to critical acclaim but closed prematurely on January 10, 2010 after 28 previews and 65 performances. This production had a large cast and orchestra, resulting in a significant weekly running cost that demanded the show be a popular success in order to prove financially worthwhile. Wise received a Fred and Adele Astaire Award nomination for Outstanding Female Dancer following her work in the show.[3]
2010–present: Lucky Guy, Smash, and pregnancy
On January 27, 2011, it was announced that Wise would be playing the lead role of Wanda Clark in the new off-Broadway musical, Lucky Guy.[4] The show opened on May 19, 2011.[5] Originally set for a 12-week limited engagement, the show closed ten days after its opening on May 29, 2011.[6] An original cast recording was announced and planned, but never came into fruition.[7]
Development for Smash began in 2009 at Showtime by then-Showtime entertainment president Robert Greenblatt and Steven Spielberg, from an idea by Spielberg, who had been working on the concept for years.[8] Naturally, buzz began early in the Broadway community. Wise originally went in to audition for a series regular role, ultimately not fitting the part. The producers liked her audition, and she went back in to audition for a different role, and after one quick audition, she had landed the then-very small role of Jessica, a member of the ensemble in the Marilyn Monroe musical, Bombshell. After landing the role, it was expanded from a small guest appearance to a much larger recurring role.[9] Wise appeared as Jessica in 29 out of 32 episodes.[10] The show was cancelled after two seasons on May 11, 2013.[11] Wise announced her pregnancy with husband Anthony Holds via her Instagram on April 17, 2016.[12] Wise gave birth to Violet Holds on June 15, 2016.[13]
Theatre credits
Start year |
Production title |
Role |
Notes |
1992 |
Les Misérables |
Young Cosette / Young Eponine (Alternate) |
Replacement |
2006 |
Go-Go Beach |
Baby |
New York Musical Theatre Festival Production |
2007 |
High School Musical on Stage! |
Sharpay Evans |
Replacement |
2009 |
Rock of Ages |
Waitress #1 (u/s Sherrie Christian) |
Original Broadway Cast |
Rock of Ages |
Sherrie Christian |
Replacement |
Ragtime |
Evelyn Nesbit |
Original Revival Cast |
2011 |
Lucky Guy |
Wanda Clark |
Original Off-Broadway Cast |
Sources:[14][15]
Filmography
Film
Year |
Title |
Role |
Notes |
2012 |
Courting Habits of the Young Modern Wastrel |
Bryn |
Short film |
2013 |
A Case of You |
Lily |
|
2014 |
Sui York |
Coco |
Short film |
Television
Year |
Title |
Role |
Notes |
2007 |
Law & Order: Criminal Intent |
Daphne Seger |
Episode: "Players" |
2009 |
Rescue Me |
Singing Woman |
Episode: "Torch" |
2010 |
Law & Order |
Mia |
Episode: "Immortal" |
2010 |
Gossip Girl |
Rita |
Episode: "War at the Roses" |
2012 |
Royal Pains |
Rosie Novak |
Episode: "After the Fireworks" |
Blue Bloods |
Holly / Rhonda Lynne Watson |
Episode: "Greener Grass" |
2013 |
It Could Be Worse |
Heidi |
Episode: "He Sounds Like a Girl" |
2012-2013 |
Smash |
Jessica |
Lead role, 29 episodes |
Source:[16]
Discography
Sources:[17][18][19][20][21]
Awards and nominations
References