Randy Graff (born May 23, 1955) is an American actress and singer known for her work in Drexell's Class and Les Misérables.
Early years Born in Brooklyn, New York on May 23, 1955,Benjamin, Ruth (2006). Who Sang What on Broadway, 1866-1996. Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Company. p. 307. . "3735. Randy Graff (May 23, 1955- ) B: Brooklyn, NY. Les Miserables (Broadway, “Fantine,” Mar. 12, 1987)" Graff was part of a musically oriented family. Her grandmother "was the lead soprano in temple", and her uncle sang with, and arranged for, vocal groups of the swing era. She graduated from Port Richmond High School and Wagner College.
Career Graff's professional debut occurred at the Village Dinner Theater in Raleigh, North Carolina, in 1976. She has been in feature films such as Keys to Tulsa and Rent as well as being in television shows such as NBC's Law & Order a number of times. In addition to film and television, Graff has been in several Broadway shows.
In 1990 Graff won a Tony Award and a Drama Desk Award for her work in City of Angels, and in 2001 she was nominated for a Tony Award for her performance in A Class Act.
She originated the role of Fantine in the musical Les Misérables when the production opened on Broadway in 1987, which included "I Dreamed a Dream", also on the soundtrack released in 1990.
While Graff points out that she was the first person to sing "I Dreamed a Dream" in the U.S., She has also appeared in Broadway revivals of the musicals Damn Yankees and Fiddler on the Roof.
Graff teaches at the Manhattan School of Music.
Filmography Working It Out: "Pilot" (1990) TV Episode – Andy #1 Law & Order "Sonata for Solo Organ" (1991) TV Episode – Dr. Martha Kershan "Attorney Client" (2002) TV Episode – Hillary Morton "Publish and Perish" (2005) TV Episode – Helen DeVries Drexell's Class (1991) TV Series – Principal Francine E. Itkin Mad About You: "Bedfellows" (1993) TV Episode – Sharon, Paul's older sister Bless This House: "Pilot" (1995) TV Episode – Marion Keys to Tulsa (1997) – Louise Brinkman Ed: "The Stars Align" (2001) TV Episode – Attorney Rent (2005) - Mrs. Cohen Learning to Drive (2014) – Attorney
Theatre Broadway Grease (1972) Saravá (1979) Les Misérables (1987) – Original Broadway cast City of Angels (1989) – Original Broadway cast, Tony Award winner for Best Featured Actress in a Musical Falsettos (1992) Laughter on the 23rd Floor (1993) Moon Over Buffalo (1995) High Society (1998) A Class Act (2001) – Original Broadway cast, Tony Awards nominee for Best Actress in a Musical Fiddler on the Roof (2004) – Revival Mr. Saturday Night (2022)
Off-Broadway A... My Name Is Alice (1983 and 1984)Rich, Frank."Theater: 'My Name Is Alice,' At American Place", The New York Times, February 27, 1984 Do Re Mi (1999) Encores!, New York City – Kay Cram Hotel Suite (2000) – Millie A Class Act (2000) – Sophie Damn Yankees (2008) – Revival The Babylon Line (2016–2017) Lincoln Center Newhouse Theater – Frieda Cohen; Lucille Lortel Award for Featured Actress
Regional A Little Night Music (2002) – "Charlotte", Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Washington, DCGans, Andrew. "Sixth Sondheim Starts: A Little Night Music Begins Perfs. in D.C. Aug. 2", Playbill.com, August 2, 2002. Elegies: A Song Cycle (2006) – "Reprise! Broadway's Best "Marvelous Musical Mondays", Los Angeles, CaliforniaGans, Andrew."L.A. Elegies — with Randy Graff, Liz Callaway and Malcolm Gets — Offered Sept. 11", Playbill.com, September 11, 2006 Hello, Dolly! (2007) – "Dolly", The Muny, St. Louis, MissouriGans, Andrew."Well, Hello, Randy: Tony Winner Graff Begins Dolly! Run at the Muny July 9", Playbill.com, July 9, 2007 Broadway: Three Generations (2008) – Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Washington, DCGans, Andrew.Graff, Ashmanskas, Brescia, Osnes, von Essen Explore Broadway: Three Generations Oct. 2-5", Playbill.com, October 2, 2008 Damn Yankees (2008) – The New York City Center Motherhood Out Loud (2009) – Bay Street Theatre, Sag Harbor, New YorkHetrick, Adam.Graff and Kellerman Added to Motherhood Out Loud at Bay Street", Playbill.com, July 27, 2009
References
External links
The Official Website for Randy Graff
TonyAwards.com Interview with Randy Graff