Savannah Wise (born April 25, 1984) is an American actress, dancer, and singer. She played Jessica on the NBC American musical theatre dramedy television series Smash.[1][2] She is also known for her work on Broadway as Evelyn Nesbit in the 2009 revival of Ragtime, originating the role of Waitress #1 and later replacing as Sherrie in Rock of Ages, and as Young Cosette in the original Broadway production of Les Misérables.

Savannah Wise
Wise in costume for the off-Broadway run of Rock of Ages in 2008
Born
Savannah Wise

(1984-04-25) April 25, 1984 (age 40)
EducationUniversity of Cincinnati – College-Conservatory of Music (BA)
Occupation(s)Actress, singer and dancer
Years active1992–present
FatherScott Wise

Education

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Wise earned a degree in dance from the University of Cincinnati – College-Conservatory of Music.[3]

Career

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In 2011, Wise landed the lead role of Wanda Clark in the 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 to fruition.[7]

Development for Smash (2009) began at Showtime by then-entertainment president Robert Greenblatt, originating from the mind of Steven Spielberg.[8] Wise originally went in to audition for a series regular role, but landed the small role of Jessica, a member of the ensemble in the Marilyn Monroe musical, Bombshell. The role was later expanded from a small guest appearance to a recurring role.[9] Wise appeared as Jessica in 29 of the 32 episodes. The show was cancelled after two seasons.[10]

Personal life

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Wise is the daughter of dancer and actor Scott Wise.[11]

Theatre credits

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Start year Production title Role Notes
1992 Les Misérables Young Cosette / Young Éponine (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:[12][13]

Filmography

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Film

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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

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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

Discography

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Sources:[14][15][16][17][18]

Awards and nominations

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Year Association Category Title of work Result Ref.
2010 Fred and Adele Astaire Awards Outstanding Female Dancer in a Broadway Show Ragtime Nominated [19]

References

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  1. ^ Smash (TV Series 2012–2013) - IMDb, retrieved 2022-10-18
  2. ^ AlloCine, Smash (2012) - Saison 1 : Photo Phillip Spaeth, Savannah Wise (in French), retrieved 2022-10-18
  3. ^ Spirit, Dance (2011-06-22). "Savannah Wise was Born for Broadway". Dance Spirit. Retrieved 2023-01-27.
  4. ^ "Kyle Dean Massey, Jenn Colella & More Set for Off-Broadway Musical Lucky Guy".
  5. ^ "Photos: LUCKY GUY Opens Off-Broadway".
  6. ^ "Inside the Financial Wreckage of 'Lucky Guy'". 6 June 2011.
  7. ^ "Lucky Guy to Close Off-Broadway May 29; Original Cast Recording Planned | TheaterMania". 25 May 2011.
  8. ^ Littleton, Cynthia (September 22, 2009). "Showtime, Spielberg team on series". Variety. Retrieved June 10, 2011.
  9. ^ "New Orleans-raised Savannah Wise brings on-the-job experience to 'Smash'". 5 March 2012.
  10. ^ "Smash' Cancelled: Why Didn't NBC Renew The Emmy Winning NBC Musical Series?". iDigitalTimes. 11 May 2013. Archived from the original on 6 July 2017.
  11. ^ "Rock Star Savannah Wise Goes from Broadway Baby to Broadway Babe". Broadway.com. Retrieved 2023-01-27.
  12. ^ "Savannah Wise Theatre Credits, News, Bio and Photos".
  13. ^ "Savannah Wise – Broadway Cast & Staff | IBDB". www.ibdb.com.
  14. ^ "Savannah Wise Discography : CastAlbums.org". castalbums.org.
  15. ^ "Not Exactly Romeo – A Multi-Media Musical Comedy, by Paul Fujimoto & Eric Holmes". Not Exactly Romeo.
  16. ^ "LUCKY GUY The Musical: "Needle In A Haystack" Music Video" – via www.youtube.com.
  17. ^ "I Don't Wanna Sing A Slow Song". paulfujimoto.bandcamp.com. Archived from the original on 14 February 2017.
  18. ^ "Go-Go Beach :: Full Score Demo :: Download MP3 Soundtrack". gogobeach.com. Archived from the original on 2017-02-14.
  19. ^ "Musical Theatre Alumnus Josh Prince Nominated for Astaire Award, University of Cincinnati". ccm.uc.edu. Archived from the original on 2015-01-27.