Isabelle McCalla (born June 15, 1993) is an American actress and singer. She is best known for playing Alyssa Greene in the Broadway musical The Prom and playing Jasmine in the Broadway musical version of Disney's Aladdin.
Isabelle McCalla | |
|---|---|
| Born | June 15, 1993 Queens, U.S. |
| Other names | Izzy McCalla |
| Education | University of Michigan (BFA) |
| Occupation(s) | Actress, singer, dancer |
| Years active | 2015–present |
Early life and education
editMcCalla was born in Queens and grew up in Suffern, New York. She has a younger brother named Colin. McCalla attended Rockland Country Day School. She studied dance at Coupé Theater Studio from a young age. McCalla was enrolled in ballet class in third grade to learn discipline, and she took more classes as she entered high school.[1] She attended the University of Michigan and graduated in 2015.[2][3]
Career
editMcCalla made her Broadway debut in January 2018, as Jasmine in Disney's Aladdin. She had previously originated the role in the first national tour.[4]
Later in 2018, McCalla originated the role of Alyssa Greene in The Prom on Broadway.[5] She had previously performed as an ensemble member in the show's Atlanta premiere in 2016.[6] McCalla and co-star Caitlin Kinnunen's kiss during their performance at the 2018 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade made national news as the first LGBT kiss in the parade's history.[7]
McCalla appeared across the US performing beloved songs as part of the Disney Princess — The Concert tour.[1]
McCalla replaced Caroline Innerbichler as Maizy in Shucked on Broadway at the Nederlander Theater in early September 2023.[8] In 2024, she will star with Grant Gustin in the Broadway musical adaptation of the novel, Water for Elephants.[9]
Personal life
editMcCalla's father is from Haiti.[10]
In 2019, McCalla came out as queer and bisexual on the Thank You For Coming Out podcast.[11]
Filmography
editFilm
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TBA | Aladdin: The Broadway Musical | Jasmine | Filmed recording of 2019 West End Musical |
Television
edit| Year | Network | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | PIX11 | Broadway Profiles with Tamsen Fadal | Episode: "A New Year On Broadway " | ||
| 2017 | CBS | Bull | Erica | Episode: "E.J." |
Web
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Gallery View | Lulu | Youtube web series written by Ellyn Marsh and Gavin Lodge |
Stage credits
edit| Year(s) | Production | Role | Location | Category | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Aladdin | Ensemble | The Muny | Regional | |
| 2013 | 42nd Street | Benedum Center | |||
| West Side Story | Rosalia | The Muny | |||
| 2014 | Singin' in the Rain | Zelda Zanders | Benedum Center | ||
| Legally Blonde | Pilar | ||||
| Footloose | Ensemble | ||||
| Cabaret | Sally Bowles | University of Michigan | |||
| 2015 | Mary Poppins | Mrs. Corry | Benedum Center | ||
| 2016 | West Side Story | Anita | Miracle Theatre | ||
| Mary Poppins | Mrs. Corry | Sarofim Hall | |||
| 42nd Street | Ensemble | The Muny | |||
| The Prom | Alliance Theatre | ||||
| 2017–18 | Aladdin | Jasmine | National Tour | Touring | |
| 2018 | New Amsterdam Theatre | Broadway | |||
| 2018–19 | The Prom | Alyssa Greene | Longacre Theatre | ||
| 2019 | Footloose | Ariel | Kennedy Center | Regional | |
| Fun Home | Joan | Plaza Jewish Community Chapel | Benefit Reading | ||
| 2020 | Fly | Tink | La Jolla Playhouse | Regional | |
| 2021 | Clue | Yvette | Paper Mill Playhouse | ||
| 2023 | Hercules | Meg | |||
| Water for Elephants | Marlena | Alliance Theatre | |||
| 2023–24 | Shucked | Maizy | Nederlander Theater | Broadway | |
| 2024 | Water for Elephants | Marlena / June | Imperial Theater |
Awards and nominations
edit| Year | Award | Category | Nominated Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Broadway.com Audience Awards[12] | Favorite Onstage Pair (with Caitlin Kinnunen) | The Prom | Nominated |
| Favorite Breakthrough Performance (Female) | Nominated | |||
| 2024 | Favorite Leading Actress in a Musical | Water for Elephants | Nominated |
References
edit- ^ Kramer, Peter D. (November 14, 2018). "From Rockland to Broadway to 'The Prom': 13 things about Isabelle McCalla". lohud.com. Retrieved 6 November 2019.
- ^ McCalla, Isabelle [@izzymccalla] (May 1, 2015). "So...this happened today...WHAT?!?!". Retrieved November 7, 2019 – via Instagram.
- ^ "Musical Theatre Alumni". University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance. December 14, 2018. Archived from the original on April 22, 2021. Retrieved March 24, 2021.
- ^ Rickwald, Bethany (February 22, 2017). "Full Cast Announced for Aladdin North American Tour". TheatreMania. Retrieved 7 November 2019.
- ^ Sullivan, Lindsey (January 28, 2018). "Beth Leavel, Brooks Ashmanskas & More to Star in Broadway's The Prom". Broadway.com. Retrieved 7 November 2019.
- '^ Moynihan, Caitlin (2019-07-10). "The Proms Isabelle McCalla on 'Choosing Joy,' Bringing Miss Congeniality to Broadway & More". Broadway.com. Retrieved 2020-12-17.
- ^ Romano, Nick (November 22, 2018). "'The Prom' celebrates 'first LGBTQ kiss' in Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade history". EW.com. Retrieved 2019-06-08.
- ^ Russo, Gillian (2023-07-27). "Isabelle McCalla to join 'Shucked' Broadway cast | Official NY Theatre Guide". New York Theatre Guide. Retrieved 2023-09-04.
- ^ Evans, Greg (2023-11-03). "'The Flash's Grant Gustin To Make Broadway Debut In 'Water For Elephants' Musical". Deadline. Retrieved 2023-11-06.
- ^ Farrell, Paul (November 23, 2018). "Caitlin Kinnunen & Isabelle McCalla: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know". Heavy.com. Retrieved 7 November 2019.
- ^ Schindler, Paul (July 18, 2019). "Isabelle McCalla, Thank You For Coming Out". Gay City News. Retrieved 7 November 2019.
- ^ Wontorek, Paul (May 7, 2019). "Fan-Picked 2019 Broadway.com Audience Choice Award Nominations Announced; Be More Chill Leads With 12". Broadway.com. Retrieved 2019-06-06.