Ryann Kirby Redmond is an American actress and singer known for originating the role of Bridget in ''
Bring It On: The Musical''. She performed on Broadway in the musical ''
If/Then
''If/Then'' is a musical with a libretto by Brian Yorkey and a theatrical score by Tom Kitt, directed by Michael Greif. It tells the story of a 38-year-old woman named Elizabeth who moves back to New York City for a fresh start.
''If/Then'' be ...
'', which closed on March 22, 2015, and became the first female actor to portray Olaf in ''
Frozen'' on Broadway, in 2019.
Personal life
Born and raised in
Alpharetta
Alpharetta is a city in northern Fulton County, Georgia, United States, and is a part of the Atlanta metropolitan area. As of the 2020 US Census, Alpharetta's population was 65,818 The population in 2010 was 57,551.
History
In the 1830s, the Ch ...
and
Cumming, Georgia
Cumming is a city in Forsyth County, Georgia, United States, and the sole incorporated area in the county. It is a suburban city, and part of the Atlanta metropolitan area. In the 2020 census, the population is 7,318, up from 5,430 in 2010. Su ...
, she is the daughter of Andrea (Elvey) and Webb Redmond, a former marine and police officer. Her parents are divorced, both remarried, and she has 6 siblings/step siblings between them. She attended
South Forsyth High School
South Forsyth High School is a public high school, built in 1989, located in Cumming, Georgia, United States, a suburb northeast of Atlanta. It is one of eight public high schools in the Forsyth County School District, and serves students who li ...
where she was involved with theatre. In 2006 she won a Breakthrough Performance Award at the Georgia One-Act competition. After graduating, she studied musical theatre in the CAP21 program at
New York University
New York University (NYU) is a private research university in New York City. Chartered in 1831 by the New York State Legislature, NYU was founded by a group of New Yorkers led by then-Secretary of the Treasury Albert Gallatin.
In 1832, the ...
's
Tisch School of the Arts
The New York University Tisch School of the Arts (commonly referred to as Tisch) is the performing, cinematic and media arts school of New York University.
Founded on August 17, 1965, Tisch is a training ground for artists, scholars of the a ...
on a full scholarship, but she left college when she was cast in ''Bring It On: The Musical''.
Career
In 2010, Redmond performed as Alice in the
Elizabeth Swados
Elizabeth Swados (February 5, 1951 – January 5, 2016) was an American writer, composer, musician, and theatre director. Swados received Tony Award nominations for Best Musical, Best Direction of a Musical, Best Book of a Musical, Best Origin ...
musical ''Alice at the Palace''.
Meryl Streep
Mary Louise Meryl Streep (born June 22, 1949) is an American actress. Often described as "the best actress of her generation", Streep is particularly known for her versatility and accent adaptability. She has received numerous accolades throu ...
had played Alice in the original Off-Broadway production. She also performed in Swados' musical ''Books Cook!'', earning standout reviews. Redmond continued to participate i
Broadway Dreams Foundationworkshops, and in 2011 while she was performing at a NY Benefit,
Bernie Telsey admired her talent and asked her to come in the next day to read for Bridget in ''Bring It On: The Musical''. Redmond landed the role and participated in the initial reading, NY Workshop, World Premiere in Atlanta, and the National Tour across the US and Canada.
In 2012, she made her
Broadway
Broadway may refer to:
Theatre
* Broadway Theatre (disambiguation)
* Broadway theatre, theatrical productions in professional theatres near Broadway, Manhattan, New York City, U.S.
** Broadway (Manhattan), the street
**Broadway Theatre (53rd Stree ...
debut in ''
Bring It On: The Musical'', which opened August 1, 2012, and closed December 30, 2012. The musical was nominated for the
Tony Award
The Antoinette Perry Award for Excellence in Broadway Theatre, more commonly known as the Tony Award, recognizes excellence in live Broadway theatre. The awards are presented by the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League at an annual cer ...
for Best Musical. While touring with the show, Redmond was nominated for various awards for her performance, including Best Featured Performer in a Musical by the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle. In 2014, she originated the role of Paulette in the musical ''
If/Then
''If/Then'' is a musical with a libretto by Brian Yorkey and a theatrical score by Tom Kitt, directed by Michael Greif. It tells the story of a 38-year-old woman named Elizabeth who moves back to New York City for a fresh start.
''If/Then'' be ...
'' which opened March 30, 2014 on Broadway starring
Idina Menzel
Idina Kim Menzel ( ; ; born May 30, 1971) is an American actress and singer. Particularly known for her work in musicals on the Broadway stage and having achieved mainstream success across stage, film and music, Menzel has garnered the honorif ...
.
In 2015, Redmond starred in the
Vineyard Theatre
The Vineyard Theatre is an Off-Broadway non-profit theatre company, located at 108 East 15th Street in Manhattan, New York City, near Union Square. Its first production was in 1981. It is best known for its productions of the Tony award-winning ...
's Off-Broadway production of ''
Gigantic'', which premiered on December 3, 2015.
She has held multiple sold-out concerts at 54 Below.
It was announced on January 15, 2019 that Redmond would take over the role of Olaf in the Broadway production of ''
Frozen'' as of February 19. She is the first woman to perform the role. However, due to the
COVID-19 pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic, also known as the coronavirus pandemic, is an ongoing global pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The novel virus was first identif ...
, all Broadway theatres were closed on March 12, 2020. Disney later announced ''Frozen'' would not reopen after the lockdown was lifted.
Credits
Film
*''
Borderlands (film)
''Borderlands'' is an upcoming American science fiction action comedy film directed by Eli Roth, from a screenplay he co-wrote with Craig Mazin, based on the video game series of the same name developed by Gearbox Software and published by 2K ...
'' - Ellie (2021), dir.
Eli Roth
Eli Raphael Roth (born April 18, 1972) is an American film director, screenwriter, producer, and actor. As a director and producer, he is most closely associated with the horror genre, having directed the films '' Cabin Fever'' (2003) and ''Hoste ...
Theatre
Broadway
*''
Bring It On Bring It On may refer to:
Books
* ''Bring It On'' (book), by Pat Robertson
* ''Bring It On!'' (manhwa), a romance manhwa by Baek Hye-Kyung
Film and stage
* ''Bring It On'' (film series), an American series of teen comedy cheerleading films capit ...
'' - Bridget (2012), dir.
Andy Blankenbuehler
Andy Blankenbuehler (born March 7, 1970) is an American dancer, choreographer and director primarily for stage and concerts. He has been nominated for the Tony Award for Best Choreography five times, and has won three times: for '' In the Height ...
*''
If/Then
''If/Then'' is a musical with a libretto by Brian Yorkey and a theatrical score by Tom Kitt, directed by Michael Greif. It tells the story of a 38-year-old woman named Elizabeth who moves back to New York City for a fresh start.
''If/Then'' be ...
'' - Paulette and others (2014–15), dir.
Michael Greif
Michael Greif (born ca. 1959 in Brooklyn, New YorkWelsh, Anne Marie, "New York and family call Michael Greif home", ''The San Diego Union-Tribune'', October 10, 1999, p.E-1) is an American stage director. He has won three Obie Award, Obie Awards a ...
*''
Escape to Margaritaville
'' Escape to Margaritaville'' is a 2017 American jukebox musical by Greg Garcia and Mike O'Malley, based on the songs of Jimmy Buffett. The plot revolves around a part-time bartender and singer who falls for a career-minded tourist. The show's m ...
'' - Ensemble/Tammy (understudy) (2018), dir.
Christopher Ashley
Christopher Ashley (born July 6, 1964) is an American stage director. Since 2007, he has been the artistic director of the La Jolla Playhouse.
Career
Ashley graduated from Yale University in 1986, with a Bachelor of Art in Theatre.
*''
Frozen (musical)
''Frozen'' is a musical with music and lyrics by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, and book by Jennifer Lee, based on the 2013 film of the same name. The story centers on the relationship between two sisters who are princesses, Elsa and ...
'' - Olaf, (2019), dir.
Michael Grandage
Michael Grandage CBE (born 2 May 1962) is a British theatre director and producer. He is currently Artistic Director of the Michael Grandage Company. From 2002 to 2012 he was Artistic Director of the Donmar Warehouse in London and from 2000 to 2 ...
Off-Broadway
*''
Gigantic'', Taylor (2015)
Tour/Regional
*''
Bring It On Bring It On may refer to:
Books
* ''Bring It On'' (book), by Pat Robertson
* ''Bring It On!'' (manhwa), a romance manhwa by Baek Hye-Kyung
Film and stage
* ''Bring It On'' (film series), an American series of teen comedy cheerleading films capit ...
''- Bridget (2011), dir.
Andy Blankenbuehler
Andy Blankenbuehler (born March 7, 1970) is an American dancer, choreographer and director primarily for stage and concerts. He has been nominated for the Tony Award for Best Choreography five times, and has won three times: for '' In the Height ...
, National Tour
*''
Hairspray
Hairspray may refer to:
* Hair spray, a personal grooming product that keeps hair protected from humidity and wind
* ''Hairspray'' (1988 film), a film by John Waters
** ''Hairspray'' (1988 soundtrack), the film's soundtrack album
** ''Hairspray ...
''- Tracy Turnblad (2015), dir.
Dan Knechtges Dan Knechtges () is a director and choreographer, for musicals, opera, television, film and music videos. , at
The Muny
The St. Louis Municipal Opera Theatre (commonly known as The Muny) is an amphitheater located in St. Louis, Missouri. The theatre seats 11,000 people with about 1,500 free seats in the last nine rows that are available on a first come, first s ...
*''
Legally Blonde
''Legally Blonde'' is a 2001 American comedy film directed by Robert Luketic in his List of directorial debuts, feature-length directorial debut, and scripted by Karen McCullah, Karen McCullah Lutz and Kirsten Smith (writer), Kirsten Smith from ...
''- Enid Hoopes (2016), dir. Michael Heitzman, at Music Circus
Other Theatre
*''String'', Clotho (Reading)
*''Zombies on Broadway'', Gertrude/Melissa (Reading)
*''Girls Just Wanna Have Fun'', Harriet (Reading)
*''City Of'', Cammie (Reading)
*''
If/Then
''If/Then'' is a musical with a libretto by Brian Yorkey and a theatrical score by Tom Kitt, directed by Michael Greif. It tells the story of a 38-year-old woman named Elizabeth who moves back to New York City for a fresh start.
''If/Then'' be ...
'', Paulette and others, (2013),
Washington D.C.
)
, image_skyline =
, image_caption = Clockwise from top left: the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall, United States Capitol, Logan Circle, Jefferson Memorial, White House, Adams Morgan, Na ...
tryout
*''Too True to Be Good'', Mops, workshop
*''
High Fidelity Reunion'', Singer
*''Coney Island Christmas'', Evie Slotnik (Reading)
*''Rockwell: Life on a Palette'', Jill (Reading)
*''
Bring it On Bring It On may refer to:
Books
* ''Bring It On'' (book), by Pat Robertson
* ''Bring It On!'' (manhwa), a romance manhwa by Baek Hye-Kyung
Film and stage
* ''Bring It On'' (film series), an American series of teen comedy cheerleading films capit ...
'', Bridget,
Atlanta
Atlanta ( ) is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Georgia. It is the seat of Fulton County, the most populous county in Georgia, but its territory falls in both Fulton and DeKalb counties. With a population of 498,715 ...
tryout
*''Books Cook! A Children's Vaudeville'', Pigeon,
Atlantic Theatre Company
Atlantic Theater Company is an Off-Broadway non-profit theater, whose mission is to produce great plays "simply and truthfully utilizing an artistic ensemble." The company was founded in 1985 by David Mamet, William H. Macy, and 30 of their acti ...
*''The House of Bernarda Alba'', Prudencia,
Playwrights Horizons
Playwrights Horizons is a not-for-profit Off-Broadway theater located in New York City dedicated to the support and development of contemporary American playwrights, composers, and lyricists, and to the production of their new work.
Under the ...
TV
*''Local Attraction'', Tracy (web series), dir. Connor Hines
*''Cheer Factor Video Blog,'' Self (
Broadway.com
The John Gore Organization (JGO), formerly known as Key Brand Entertainment (KBE), is a producer and distributor of live theater in North America, as well as an e-commerce company, focused on theater. KBE was founded in the UK in 2004 by 14-time ...
Show)
*''
Younger
Younger or Youngers may refer to:
People
* Younger (surname)
* List of people known as the Elder or the Younger
Arts and entertainment
* ''Younger'', an American novel by Pamela Redmond Satran
** ''Younger'' (TV series), an American sitcom base ...
'', Dora, 1 episode
Concerts
*54 Below, March/September 2015
Reviews
''
If/Then
''If/Then'' is a musical with a libretto by Brian Yorkey and a theatrical score by Tom Kitt, directed by Michael Greif. It tells the story of a 38-year-old woman named Elizabeth who moves back to New York City for a fresh start.
''If/Then'' be ...
'' reviews:
"Stealing every second that she appears on stage as Paulette and others – Ryann Redmond is someone to keep your eye on."-
Oscar E. Moore "from the rear mezzanine" for Talk
Entertainment.com
"In the fourth song on the album,
Jerry Dixon's character, Stephen, asks Elizabeth to join forces with him for a new urban planning job, and we finally get to hear some of the unique voices of the If/Then ensemble. (Look out for standout voices in Ryann Redmond at 1:21 and Tamika Lawrence at 1:33!)"
-Michael Gioia,
Playbill
''Playbill'' is an American monthly magazine for theatergoers. Although there is a subscription issue available for home delivery, most copies of ''Playbill'' are printed for particular productions and distributed at the door as the show's pr ...
''
Bring it On Bring It On may refer to:
Books
* ''Bring It On'' (book), by Pat Robertson
* ''Bring It On!'' (manhwa), a romance manhwa by Baek Hye-Kyung
Film and stage
* ''Bring It On'' (film series), an American series of teen comedy cheerleading films capit ...
'' reviews:
"There are winning comic turns from Redmond and Haney, in particular. Their be-yourself anthem, 'It Ain't No Thing,' sung by La Cienega, Nautica and Bridget, is the show's best number." -David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter
"Her fellow redistrictee, the chubby Bridget (an endearing Ryann Redmond), finds the outré fashion sense that qualified her as a freak at Truman gives her some street cachet at Jackson. Both girls acquire adoring, cute boyfriends with skin tones a few shades darker than theirs." -Charles Isherwood, The New York Times
"But things start cooking at the black school, with help from characters like chubby white girl, winningly played by Ryann Redmond, who's got pipes, charm, and a future that should take her beyond just Hairspray revivals."
Michael Musto, The Village Voice
"It's nearly impossible to overcredit this thrilling young cast, most of them Broadway newcomers.
As for show-stealers, well, it's a talent melee: Ryann Redmond slays us as Bridget, a nerdy, big-boned laugh-track of a cheer-wannabe who ends up with her own storyline." -Scott Brown, New York Magazine
"Stealing the show are Ryann Redmond and Nicolas Womack as Bridget, Campbell's chunky sidekick, and Twig, the skinny rapper who likes his girls full-figured. I kept imagining the two as Hildy and Chip in 'On the Town.' They'd be terrific." -Erik Haagensen, Backstage.com
"The delightful Ryann Redmond all but steals the show as an outcast-turned-cool-girl." -Joe Dziemianowicz, NY Daily News
"Redmond as Bridget is an astounding triple threat talent to keep one's eyes on." -Don Grigware, BroadwayWorld Los Angeles
"One standout, Ryann Redmond, nails every scene she's in." -Timothy Kuryak, BroadwayWorld Los Angeles
"Redmond has a strong voice and does some amazing vocal gymnastics –not to mention some stupendous actual gymnastics toward the end of the show." -Linda Hodges, BroadwayWorld San Francisco
"The scene-stealer is Redmond, who is a star in the making. She possesses impeccable comic timing and a pleasant singing style. She shines in the morality piece "It Ain't No Thing," which addresses feeling good about yourself."- Jeff Favre, L.A. Downtown News
"It's Ryann Redmond as oddball Bridget, rapping about her extra junk in the trunk who steals the show with a little extra sweat."-CBS Los Angeles
Awards and nominations
*2011 Atlanta Theatre Fan Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical for
Bring It On Bring It On may refer to:
Books
* ''Bring It On'' (book), by Pat Robertson
* ''Bring It On!'' (manhwa), a romance manhwa by Baek Hye-Kyung
Film and stage
* ''Bring It On'' (film series), an American series of teen comedy cheerleading films capit ...
(nominated)
*2011
Suzi Bass Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical for
Bring It On Bring It On may refer to:
Books
* ''Bring It On'' (book), by Pat Robertson
* ''Bring It On!'' (manhwa), a romance manhwa by Baek Hye-Kyung
Film and stage
* ''Bring It On'' (film series), an American series of teen comedy cheerleading films capit ...
(nominated)
*2011 Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical for
Bring It On Bring It On may refer to:
Books
* ''Bring It On'' (book), by Pat Robertson
* ''Bring It On!'' (manhwa), a romance manhwa by Baek Hye-Kyung
Film and stage
* ''Bring It On'' (film series), an American series of teen comedy cheerleading films capit ...
(nominated)
*2011 BroadwayWorld Atlanta Award for Best Actress in a Musical (Professional) for
Bring It On Bring It On may refer to:
Books
* ''Bring It On'' (book), by Pat Robertson
* ''Bring It On!'' (manhwa), a romance manhwa by Baek Hye-Kyung
Film and stage
* ''Bring It On'' (film series), an American series of teen comedy cheerleading films capit ...
(won)
*2011 LA Ticketholder Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Musical for
Bring It On Bring It On may refer to:
Books
* ''Bring It On'' (book), by Pat Robertson
* ''Bring It On!'' (manhwa), a romance manhwa by Baek Hye-Kyung
Film and stage
* ''Bring It On'' (film series), an American series of teen comedy cheerleading films capit ...
(won)
*2012
Back Stage Garland Award for Best Performance in a Musical for
Bring It On Bring It On may refer to:
Books
* ''Bring It On'' (book), by Pat Robertson
* ''Bring It On!'' (manhwa), a romance manhwa by Baek Hye-Kyung
Film and stage
* ''Bring It On'' (film series), an American series of teen comedy cheerleading films capit ...
(won)
References
External links
*
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Redmond, Ryann
Living people
American musical theatre actresses
People from Alpharetta, Georgia
People from Cumming, Georgia
Actresses from Georgia (U.S. state)
Year of birth missing (living people)
21st-century American women