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Ashley Marie Spencer (born March 8, 1985) is an American actress, singer, and dancer. Spencer was a contestant on the 2007 NBC show Grease: You're the One that I Want! She was the understudy for Barbie in the Barbie in Fairytopia tour, in which she sang and danced ballet.

Career

Grease: You're the One that I Want!

Spencer was known as "Ballerina Sandy" because of her ballet background. She made it to the finals, where she came in second place behind Laura Osnes.[1]

Hairspray

Spencer made her Broadway debut in July 2007 as Amber Von Tussle in Hairspray, replacing Brynn O'Malley. She played her final performance as Amber in the Broadway company on July 13, 2008, after being in the production for a year. She was succeeded by Aubrey O'Day.[2] She reprised the role of Amber in The Muny production of Hairspray in St. Louis which ran from August 3–9, 2009.[3] She played the role again at Pittsburgh CLO's production of Hairspray, which ran from July 20 to August 1, 2010.

Grease

It was announced on June 25, 2008, that Spencer would replace Laura Osnes as Sandy in the Broadway production of Grease.[4] She began her run on July 22, 2008, and co-starred opposite Derek Keeling as Danny. Keeling was also a runner-up on Grease: You're the One that I Want.[5] The production closed on January 4, 2009.[6]

Regional work

Spencer played the role of Éponine in Les Misérables at the Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera which ran from July 7–19, 2009.[7]

She reprised her role of Amber in the 2009 Summer production of Hairspray at The St. Louis Muny.[8]

She returned to Pittsburgh CLO in 2010 to play the role of Niki Harris in Curtains from June 22–27, 2010.[9] Spencer then played the role of Ulla in their production of The Producers, as well as at Paper Mill Playhouse, and then reprised her role as Amber in their production of Hairspray.

In 2014, Spencer returned to CLO for their production of Singin' in the Rain where she played the role of Lina Lamont.

From November 7, 2017, to January 14, 2018, Spencer held the role of Polly Baker in Crazy for You at Signature Theatre (Arlington, Virginia).[10]

Priscilla, Queen of the Desert

Spencer played one of the Divas in the Broadway production of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, which opened in March 2011 at the Palace Theatre. The show also had a pre-Broadway tryout beginning October 12, 2010, at the Princess of Wales Theatre in Toronto.[11]

Rock of Ages

She took over the role of Sherrie in the Broadway production of Rock of Ages from Emily Padgett on May 10, 2012, and was succeeded by fellow "You're The One That I Want" contestant, Kate Rockwell, in January 2013.[12]

Personal life

She married fellow theatre actor Jeremy Jordan on September 8, 2012.[13][14] They have a daughter together, Clara Eloise Jordan, born April 21, 2019.[citation needed]

References

  1. ^ "Max Crumm and Laura Osnes Win Roles of Danny and Sandy in Grease on Broadway". Broadway.com. March 25, 2007. Retrieved January 8, 2019.
  2. ^ Jones, Kenneth (June 27, 2008). "Pop Singer Aubrey O'Day Is Next Amber in Hairspray". Playbill. Retrieved May 29, 2023.
  3. ^ Gans, Andrew (May 6, 2009). "Cuccioli, Hoty, Leavel, Von Essen, Bogardus, Baldwin, Engel Set for Muny Season". Playbill. Retrieved May 29, 2023.
  4. ^ Gans, Andrew; Jones, Kenneth (June 26, 2008). "Keeling and Spencer Will Be Danny and Sandy in Grease in July". Playbill. Retrieved May 29, 2023.
  5. ^ Gans, Andrew (July 22, 2008). "Keeling and Spencer Are Danny and Sandy in Broadway's Grease Beginning July 22". Playbill.
  6. ^ Thielman, Sam (December 3, 2008). "Goodbye is the word for 'Grease'". Variety. Retrieved May 30, 2023.
  7. ^ Pittsburgh CLO cast pittsburghclo.org; accessed March 10, 2017.
  8. ^ Gans, Andrew (July 22, 2009). "Mujica, Vogt, Teeter, Marino, Rousouli and Spencer to Star in Muny Hairspray". Playbill.
  9. ^ "Upcoming Broadway Musicals". Pittsburgh CLO. Retrieved March 10, 2012.
  10. ^ "Crazy for You® — Signature Theatre". Signature Theatre. Retrieved November 15, 2017.
  11. ^ Lewis, Jessica (August 18, 2010). "Spencer, McGowan, Gurr, Marsh & Metzler Complete Pre-Broadway PRISCILLA Cast! Page 2". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved March 11, 2017.
  12. ^ Gans, Andrew (April 26, 2012). "Grease Star Ashley Spencer Will Join Cast of Broadway's Rock of Ages". Playbill. Retrieved May 30, 2023.
  13. ^ "Jeremy Jordan on Instagram: "Happy 8 years to the most beautiful goofball I know. I love you, @ajbway."". Instagram. September 8, 2020. Archived from the original on December 26, 2021. Retrieved January 3, 2021.
  14. ^ "Get to Know Broadway's Next Matinee Idol, Newsies and Bonnie & Clyde Star Jeremy Jordan". Broadway.com. September 22, 2011. Retrieved March 11, 2017.

External links