Janine DiVita

Janine DiVita is an American actress best known for her roles on Broadway and in musical theater.[1]

Janine DiVita at Joint Base Lewis–McChord, 2016.

Theater career

DiVita recently played 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 Goldin, 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

Janine DiVita was born on September 25, 1984. Janine 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
2018 TV The Deuce (TV series) Amy Goldman HBO co-stars: James Franco, Maggie Gyllenhaal

References
  1. "Janine DiVita".
  2. "If/Then, the Musical".
  3. "If/Then National Tour Welcomes New Stars Tonight - Playbill.com". www.playbill.com. Retrieved 2016-02-17.
  4. Paine, Herbert. "BWW Review: IF/THEN Stands on Idina Menzel's Star Power". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2016-02-17.
  5. West, Kyle Christopher. "BWW Review: IF/THEN at Winspear Opera House". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2016-02-17.
  6. "New Kid in Town: DiVita Is Rizzo in Broadway's Grease Beginning June 26". Playbill. Retrieved 2015-12-24.
  7. "Playbill Vault".
  8. Jacobson, Aileen (2014-09-26). "A Review of 'Evita' in Northport". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2015-12-24.
  9. "actorsequity.org | News #038; Media". www.actorsequity.org. Archived from the original on 2016-02-10. Retrieved 2015-12-24.
  10. Michigan Muse. UM Libraries. 2006-01-01.
  11. "Janine DiVita Brings Her Blonde Ammunition to 54 Below July 31". Playbill. Retrieved 2015-12-24.
  12. "Janine DiVita". 54Below.com. Retrieved 2015-12-24.
  13. "STAGE VIEWS: Broadway and "Boychoir" Star Janine DiVita". Playbill. Retrieved 2015-12-24.
  14. "Idina Menzel Launches If/Then National Tour Tonight in Denver". Playbill. Retrieved 2015-12-24.
  15. 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.
  16. "Playbill". Examiner.com. Retrieved 2015-12-24.
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