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Celia Keenan-Bolger

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Celia Keenan-Bolger
Born (1978-01-26) January 26, 1978 (age 46)
Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
EducationUniversity of Michigan (BFA)
Occupation(s)Actress, singer
Years active2001–present
Spouse
John Ellison Conlee
​
(m. 2010)​
Children1
RelativesMaggie Keenan-Bolger (sister)
Andrew Keenan-Bolger (brother)

Celia Keenan-Bolger (born January 26, 1978) is an American actress and singer. She won the Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play for portraying Scout Finch in the play To Kill a Mockingbird (2018). She has also been Tony-nominated for her roles in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (2005), Peter and the Starcatcher (2012), The Glass Menagerie (2014), and Mother Play (2024).

Early life and education

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Keenan-Bolger was born in Detroit, Michigan, the eldest of three children. She has a sister, Maggie, and a brother, Andrew.

She trained as a youth at the Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit and the Detroit School of Arts High School. She also attended Interlochen Center for the Arts. She is a graduate of the University of Michigan's musical theatre performance program.

Career

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Keenan-Bolger's regional credits include Johanna in Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street at the Kennedy Center Sondheim Celebration in 2002,[1] along with productions at the Goodman Theatre, TheatreWorks and Sundance Theatre Program. In 2003, she originated the role of Clara Johnson in the pre-Broadway world premiere of the Craig Lucas/Adam Guettel musical The Light in the Piazza at Seattle's Intiman Theatre and Chicago's Goodman Theatre.[2] Her Off-Broadway credits include Kindertransport, Little Fish and Summer of '42.

She appeared on the concept cast album of Bright Lights, Big City. She has sung in concert at the Lincoln Center American Songbook Series and at the Michigan Theatre with Audra McDonald. Keenan-Bolger performed as Martha in the 2005 The Secret Garden World AIDS Day benefit concert.[3]

In 2005, Keenan-Bolger made her Broadway debut starring in William Finn's musical The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, where she originated the role of Olive Ostrovsky. For this performance, she was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical.[4] She had appeared in the musical from its beginning at the Barrington Stage Company (Pittsfield, Massachusetts) in July 2004, to the Off-Broadway production at the Second Stage Theatre in January through March 2005.[5] With the original Broadway cast, she returned to The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee for a four-week limited engagement run at the Wadsworth Theatre in Los Angeles from May through June 2007.[6]

She appeared on Broadway in the revival of Les Misérables as street waif Éponine from October 2006 to April 2007,[7] for which she received a Drama Desk Award nomination.[8] She also participated in a reading of Shrek The Musical as Princess Fiona in 2007.[9]

Keenan-Bolger appeared in the Playwrights Horizons production of the new musical Saved with music and lyrics by Michael Friedman and a book by John Dempsey and Rinne Groff in 2008.[10] She appeared in Bachelorette at the Second Stage Theatre and in Adam Bock's A Small Fire, opposite Michele Pawk and Reed Birney.[11][12]

Keenan-Bolger starred as Mary Flynn in the Encores! production of Merrily We Roll Along, which played at the New York City Center from February 8 through 19, 2012.[13]

In 2011, she starred in the New York Theatre Workshop production of Peter and the Starcatcher, a stage adaptation of the 2004 best-selling children's novel of a similar name. She reprised the role of Molly in the Broadway transfer production of Peter and the Starcatcher, which played at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre from March 28, 2012, through January 20, 2013.[14][15] Keenan-Bolger received Drama Desk Award and Tony Award nominations for her performance.[16][17]

Keenan-Bolger played Laura Wingfield in the American Repertory Theater production of The Glass Menagerie alongside Cherry Jones, Zachary Quinto and Brian J. Smith, from February 2, 2013, through March 17, 2013.[18] Keenan-Bolger reprised her role in the production's Broadway transfer, which ran from September 5, 2013, through February 23, 2014, at the Booth Theatre.[19] She received a third Tony Award nomination for her performance.[20]

Keenan-Bolger starred in the Lincoln Center production of Sarah Ruhl's The Oldest Boy, which began performances at the Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater on October 9, 2014.[21]

She participated in a reading of The Brave Little Toaster: The Musical as the titular character. Others involved included Carol Channing, reprising her role as the Ceiling Fan. In early 2015, she appeared in a live reading of Eric Carle's Animals, Animals for the Autistic Children's Trust in Bangor, Maine.

In 2016, Keenan-Bolger played Varya in the Roundabout Theatre Company production of The Cherry Orchard.[22]

She starred on Broadway in To Kill a Mockingbird as Scout, which opened in December 2018 and closed in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. She received a Tony Award for Featured Actress in a Play, a Drama Desk Award,[23] an Outer Critics Circle Award, and a Drama League Award nomination for her performance. Keenan-Bolger reprised her role when the Broadway production reopened in October 2021 and played her final performance on January 2, 2022.[24]

In November 2020, Keenan-Bolger was announced as part of the cast of HBO's new series The Gilded Age.[25] She played Mrs. Bruce in the first season of the show, and it was announced that she would return as a series regular for season 2, which was filmed in 2022.[26]

In 2024, Keenan-Bolger starred on Broadway in Paula Vogel's Mother Play, opposite Jessica Lange and Jim Parsons. The production, a part of Second Stage Theatre's 2023–2024 season, ran at the Hayes Theatre, with previews beginning April 3, before opening on April 25th, 2024. She received a nomination for the Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play and won the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Performance in a Play. The production closed on June 16, 2024, after its limited run.[27]

Personal life

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Keenan-Bolger has been married to actor John Ellison Conlee since 2010.[28] They have a son, born in 2015.[29]

Acting credits

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
2012 Mariachi Gringo Tammy
2015 The Visit Stacey
2017 Breakable You Jenny
2018 Diane Tally

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
2002 The Education of Max Bickford — Episode: "Murder of the First"
2007 Law & Order Elaine Fowler Episode: "Murder Book"
Heartland Alice Episode: "Smile"
2008 The Battery's Down Voter Registration Girl Episode: "The Bronx is Up"
2012 Submissions Only Michelle Loudon Episode: "Another Interruption"
2014 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Mavis Summers Episode: "Reasonable Doubt"
Nurse Jackie Goth Patient Episode: "The Lady with the Lamp"
2015 Louie Julianne Episode: "Pot Luck"
The Good Wife Wendy Searle Episode: "Driven"
Elementary Amber Bova Episode: "The Cost of Doing Business"
2016 Good Behavior Daphne Rochefort Episode: "So You're Not an English Teacher"
2017 Blue Bloods Ellen Turner Episode: "A Deep Blue Goodbye"
NCIS: New Orleans Jolene Sawyer Episode: "Sins of the Father"
2018 Bull Kristen Grayson Episode: "A Redemption"
2022–present The Gilded Age Mrs. Bruce[25] Recurring role (season 1), series regular (season 2)

Theatre

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Year Title Role Venue Ref.
2002 Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street Johanna Barker The Kennedy Center [30]
2005 The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee Olive Ostrovsky Second Stage Theatre [31]
Circle in the Square Theatre [32]
The Secret Garden Martha Manhattan Center Concert [33]
2006–2007 Les Misérables Éponine Broadhurst Theatre [34]
2008 Saved Mary Playwrights Horizons [35]
2010 Bachelorette Katie McGinn-Cazale Theatre [36]
2010–2011 A Small Fire Jenny Bridges Playwrights Horizons [37]
2011 Peter and the Starcatcher Molly Aster New York Theatre Workshop [38]
2012 Merrily We Roll Along Mary Flynn New York City Center Concert [39]
Peter and the Starcatcher Molly Aster Brooks Atkinson Theatre [40]
2013–2014 The Glass Menagerie Laura Wingfield American Repertory Theater [41]
Booth Theatre [42]
2014 The Oldest Boy Mother Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater [43]
2016 The Cherry Orchard Varya American Airlines Theatre [44]
2017 A Parallelogram Bee Second Stage Theatre [45]
2018–2022 To Kill a Mockingbird Scout Finch Shubert Theatre [46]
2024 Mother Play Martha Helen Hayes Theater [47]

Awards and nominations

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Year Award Category Work Result
2005 Tony Award Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee Nominated
Drama Desk Award Outstanding Ensemble Performance Won
Theatre World Award Won
2007 Drama Desk Award Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical Les Misérables Nominated
2011 Drama Desk Award Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play Peter and the Starcatcher Nominated
2012 Tony Award Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Play Nominated
Drama League Award Distinguished Performance Nominated
Broadway.com Audience Choice Award Favorite Actress in a Play Won
2013 Elliot Norton Award Outstanding Ensemble The Glass Menagerie Won
2014 Tony Award Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Play Nominated
Drama Desk Award Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play Won
Theatre World Award Dorothy Loudon Award for Excellence in the Theatre Won
Independent Reviewers of New England Award Best Supporting Actress in a Play Won
Broadway.com Audience Choice Award Favorite Featured Actress in a Play Won
BroadwayWorld.com Award Best Featured Actress in a Play Won
2019 Tony Award Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Play To Kill a Mockingbird Won
Drama Desk Award Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play Won
Drama League Award Distinguished Performance Nominated
Outer Critics Circle Award Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play Won
Broadway.com Audience Choice Award[48] Favorite Featured Actress in a Play Won
2023 Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series The Gilded Age Nominated
2024 Tony Award Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Play Mother Play Nominated
Drama Desk Award Outstanding Featured Performance in a Play Won
Outer Critics Circle Award Outstanding Featured Performance in a Play Nominated
Broadway.com Audience Award Favorite Featured Actress in a Play Nominated

References

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  1. ^ The Kennedy Center Official Site
  2. ^ Hernandez, Ernio (June 14, 2003). "That's Amore: Guettel-Lucas Musical, The Light in the Piazza, Opens in Seattle June 14". Playbill. Archived from the original on November 27, 2020. Retrieved July 4, 2021.
  3. ^ Gans, Andrew; Jones, Kenneth (November 11, 2005). "Chase, Pasquale, Cavenaugh and More Join All-Star Secret Garden Benefit Concert". Playbill. Archived from the original on April 24, 2016. Retrieved July 4, 2021.
  4. ^ Gans, Andrew; Allen, Morgan; Simonson, Robert (May 10, 2005). "2004-2005 Tony Nominations Announced; Spamalot Garners 14 Nominations". Playbill. Archived from the original on March 4, 2021. Retrieved July 4, 2021.
  5. ^ Hernandez, Ernio (March 20, 2005). "Finals: The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee Closes Off-Broadway; Next Round Is Broadway". Playbill. Archived from the original on November 28, 2020. Retrieved July 4, 2021.
  6. ^ Gans, Andrew; Hernandez, Ernio (April 3, 2007). "Original Spelling Bee Cast to Reunite for Musical's L.A. Debut". Playbill. Archived from the original on January 26, 2021. Retrieved July 4, 2021.
  7. ^ Gans, Andrew; Jones, Kenneth (December 19, 2006). "More Miz: Les Misérables Revival Extends Broadway Run". Playbill. Archived from the original on October 22, 2020. Retrieved July 4, 2021.
  8. ^ Lipton, Brian Scott (April 25, 2007). "2007 Drama Desk Award Nominations Announced". TheaterMania. Archived from the original on August 1, 2018.
  9. ^ Gans, Andrew (August 10, 2007). "Keenan-Bolger and Sieber Are Part of Aug. 10 Shrek Reading". Playbill. Archived from the original on October 24, 2020. Retrieved July 4, 2021.
  10. ^ Jones, Kenneth (June 3, 2008). "Gotta Have Faith: Saved, the Musical, Opens in NYC June 3". Playbill. Archived from the original on October 27, 2020. Retrieved July 4, 2021.
  11. ^ Hetrick, Adam (July 12, 2010). "Bachelorette, with Keenan-Bolger, Waterston and Herlihy, Begins Off-Broadway July 12". Playbill. Archived from the original on March 5, 2021. Retrieved July 4, 2021.
  12. ^ Jones, Kenneth (January 6, 2011). "Adam Bock's A Small Fire, With Pawk, Birney, Keenan-Bolger, Williams, Opens Jan. 6". Playbill. Archived from the original on July 11, 2021. Retrieved July 4, 2021.
  13. ^ Gans, Andrew (October 11, 2011). "Encores! Merrily to Feature Colin Donnell, Celia Keenan-Bolger, Betsy Wolfe, Elizabeth Stanley". Playbill. Archived from the original on October 27, 2020. Retrieved July 4, 2021.
  14. ^ Rosky, Nicole (February 16, 2012). "Christian Borle, Adam Chanler-Berat, Celia Keenan-Bolger to Return for Broadway's PETER AND THE STARCATCHER". BroadwayWorld. Archived from the original on February 17, 2012.
  15. ^ Denette, Kelsey (September 28, 2012). "PETER AND THE STARCATCHER Sets Final Broadway Performance for January 20, 2013". BroadwayWorld. Archived from the original on October 1, 2012.
  16. ^ Gans, Andrew (April 29, 2011). "56th Annual Drama Desk Nominations Announced; Book of Mormon Scores 12 Nominations". Playbill. Archived from the original on May 11, 2021. Retrieved July 4, 2021.
  17. ^ "Nominations / 2012 / Actress (Featured Role – Play)". The Tony Awards. Archived from the original on July 9, 2021. Retrieved July 4, 2021.
  18. ^ Hetrick, Adam (October 18, 2012). "Zachary Quinto, Celia Keenan-Bolger and Brian J. Smith Join Cherry Jones for A.R.T.'s Glass Menagerie". Playbill. Archived from the original on September 26, 2020. Retrieved July 4, 2021.
  19. ^ Hetrick, Adam (April 25, 2013). "The Glass Menagerie, With Cherry Jones and Zachary Quinto, Will Arrive on Broadway in September". Playbill. Archived from the original on November 26, 2020. Retrieved July 4, 2021.
  20. ^ Cox, Gordon (April 29, 2014). "Tony Nominations: 'Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder' Makes a Killing (FULL LIST)". Variety. Archived from the original on April 30, 2014.
  21. ^ "Celia Keenan-Bolger and More to Star in Lincoln Center's THE OLDEST BOY; Cast Complete!". BroadwayWorld. August 6, 2014. Archived from the original on August 8, 2014.
  22. ^ Clement, Olivia (October 16, 2016). "The Cherry Orchard with Diane Lane Opens Tonight on Broadway". Playbill. Archived from the original on October 18, 2016.
  23. ^ McPhee, Ryan (April 25, 2019). "Nominations for the 2019 Drama Desk Awards Announced; Oklahoma!, Tootsie, Rags Parkland Lead the Pack". Playbill. Archived from the original on April 25, 2019.
  24. ^ Gans, Andrew (June 10, 2021). "To Kill a Mockingbird Will Reopen on Broadway With Original Stars Jeff Daniels and Celia Keenan-Bolger". Playbill. Archived from the original on June 10, 2021. Retrieved July 4, 2021.
  25. ^ a b "Audra McDonald, Kelli O'Hara, Celia Keenan-Bolger & More Join HBO's The Gilded Age". Broadway.com. Retrieved February 18, 2022.
  26. ^ "'The Gilded Age' Season 2: The Cast, Release Date & More You Need to Know". August 2022.
  27. ^ "Meet the celebrity-led, Tony-nominated 'Mother Play' Broadway cast". May 16, 2024.
  28. ^ Henderson, Kathy (January 3, 2011). "A Small Fire's Celia Keenan-Bolger on Saying 'I Do' in Real Life and Onstage". Broadway.com. Retrieved May 4, 2021.
  29. ^ Gioia, Michael (May 11, 2015). "Celia Keenan-Bolger and John Ellison Conlee Welcome Baby Boy and Post First Picture!". Playbill. Retrieved May 4, 2021.
  30. ^ "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street at The Kennedy Center". Abouttheartist. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
  31. ^ "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee at The Second Stage Theatre". Abouttheartist. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
  32. ^ "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Broadway, 2005)". Playbill. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
  33. ^ "The Secret Garden at the Manhattan Center Studios". Abouttheartist. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
  34. ^ "Les Miserables (Broadway, 2006)". Playbill. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
  35. ^ "Saved at Playwrights Horizons". Abouttheartist. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
  36. ^ "Bachelorette at McGinn-Cazale Theatre". Abouttheartist. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
  37. ^ "A Small Fire at Playwrights Horizons". Abouttheartist. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
  38. ^ "Peter and the Starcatcher at New York Theatre Workshop". Abouttheartist. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
  39. ^ "Merrily We Roll Along at New York City Center". Abouttheartist. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
  40. ^ "Peter Starcatcher (Broadway, 2012)". Playbill. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
  41. ^ "The Glass Menagerie at the American Repertory Theater". Abouttheartist. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
  42. ^ "The Glass Menagerie (Broadway, 2013)". Playbill. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
  43. ^ "The Oldest Boy at the Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater". Abouttheartist. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
  44. ^ "The Cherry Orchard (Broadway, 2016)". Playbill. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
  45. ^ "A Parallelogram at Second Stage Theatre". Abouttheartist. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
  46. ^ "To Kill a Mockingbird (Broadway, 2018)". Playbill. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
  47. ^ "Mother Play (Broadway, 2024)". Playbill. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
  48. ^ "Be More Chill Leads Broadway.com Audience Choice Award Winners; Pretty Woman, Mockingbird Also Take Top Prizes". Broadway.com. May 16, 2019. Archived from the original on May 17, 2019.
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