Joy Franz (born June 13, 1941 in Modesto, California) is an American actress and singer, best known for her stage work. She most recently appeared as the Dowager Empress in US National Tour of Anastasia.[1] She also played Susan in the original 1972 West End production of Stephen Sondheim's Company, and the role of Cinderella's Stepmother in the original 1987 Broadway production of Sondheim's Into the Woods.[2] (She also understudied the role of the Witch). She was also in the ensemble of the 1965 New York City Center production of Guys and Dolls and understudied the female lead Sarah Brown.[3]

Joy Franz
Born
Joy Franz

(1941-06-13) June 13, 1941 (age 83)
Occupation(s)Theater actress, singer

She reprised her role of Cinderella’s Stepmother in Into the Woods twice. First, in the 1988-90 US Tour,[4] and then again in the 2002 Broadway revival. In the Broadway revival she also played Little Red’s Granny and understudied the role of Jack’s Mother.[5]

She was one of the Street Singers in the world premiere of Leonard Bernstein's Mass at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on September 8, 1971. She currently portrays the role of the Mother in My Damn Channel's television series Horrible People.

References

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  1. ^ In ‘Anastasia,’ Veteran Joy Franz Steels the Show, The Georgetowner, Gary Tischler, November 15, 2018
  2. ^ Broadway veteran Joy Franz brings decades of music and magic to ‘Triumph of Love’ Archived 2019-07-06 at the Wayback Machine, Doylestown Intelligencer, April 21, 2018
  3. ^ Joy Franz Credits Playbill
  4. ^ Joy Franz Credits About the Artists
  5. ^ Into the Woods 2002 Cast Playbill
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