Betsy Wolfe has recently garnered buzz for taking over the role of Madeleine Ashton in Death Becomes Her, but her work on Broadway dates back to 2007. Let’s take a look at Betsy Wolfe’s career across Broadway stages.
2007: 110 in the Shade, Studio 54
Though her first prominent professional role was as Evelyn Nesbit in the 2005 Paper Mill Playhouse production of Ragtime, Betsy Wolfe made her Broadway debut in the 2007 revival of the musical 110 in the Shade at Studio 54. She played Katheryn Brawner in the show’s first Broadway revival since its original production in 1963. The production also featured Audra McDonald, who starred as the protagonist, Lizzie Curry.
2010: Everyday Rapture, American Airlines Theatre (now the Todd Haimes Theatre)
Everyday Rapture, a semi-autobiographical musical written by and starring Sherie Rene Scott, follows Scott’s journey from a Mennonite upbringing to a career in show business. It premiered Off-Broadway at Second Stage Theater in 2009. Wolfe was a member of the four-person cast, which also included Lindsay Mendez, who would later star as Elphaba in Wicked. Wolfe remained with the cast when it transferred to Broadway in 2010, marking her first time originating a new role on Broadway. The production played a limited engagement of 85 performances at the American Airlines Theatre, now the Todd Haimes Theatre.
2012: The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Studio 54
The Mystery of Edwin Drood is a musical adaptation by Rupert Holmes of Charles Dickens’ final, unfinished novel of the same name. Premiering at the New York Shakespeare Festival in 1985 before transferring to Broadway that same year, it was the first Broadway musical with multiple endings, decided by audience vote. The Mystery of Edwin Drood was revived by Roundabout Theatre Company in 2012, where Wolfe joined the cast as Drood’s fiancée, Rosa Bud. Edwin Drood himself was played by Wolfe’s future Falsettos co-star Stephanie J. Block. The 2012 revival, directed by Scott Ellis, ran for 136 performances at Studio 54, closing in March 2013.
2014: Bullets Over Broadway, St. James Theatre
This jukebox musical, which premiered on Broadway at the St. James Theatre in 2014, featured a score of jazz and pop standards from between World War I and 1930, with additional lyrics by Glen Kelly. Wolfe played the character of Ellen for the duration of the show’s run, from April to August 2014.
2016: Falsettos, Walter Kerr Theatre
This sung-through musical by William Finn and James Lapine, centered on themes of family, AIDS, and Judaism, was initially conceived as a trio of one-act musicals that premiered Off-Broadway in 1979, 1981, and 1990. The latter two installments, March of the Falsettos and Falsettoland, were later produced together as Falsettos on Broadway in 1992 at the John Golden Theatre. Wolfe joined the cast of the 2016 revival at the Walter Kerr Theatre as Cordelia. She starred alongside Andrew Rannells, Christian Borle, Brandon Uranowitz, Stephanie J. Block, Tracie Thoms, and Anthony Rosenthal. The production played a limited engagement of 84 performances from September 2016 to January 17 and was later filmed for a PBS pro shot.
2017: Waitress, Brooks Atkinson Theatre (now the Lena Horne Theatre)
In 2017, Wolfe took over the starring role of Jenna in the original Broadway production of Waitress. With music and lyrics by Sara Bareilles, the musical is based on the 2007 film of the same name. It premiered with a tryout at American Repertory Theater in 2015 before opening on Broadway at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre (now the Lena Horne Theatre) in 2016. Wolfe departed the production in 2018.
2022: & Juliet, Stephen Sondheim Theatre
This jukebox musical, featuring a score of 2000s and 2010s hits by producer Max Martin, asks the question: what would happen next if Juliet didn’t end it all over Romeo? Wolfe originated the role of Anne, the wife of William Shakespeare—yes, Shakespeare and Anne Hathaway are characters alongside those from Romeo and Juliet. Wolfe earned her first Tony Award nomination for this performance, receiving a nod for Best Featured Actress in a Musical at the 2023 Tony Awards. While she departed the production in October 2024, & Juliet is still playing at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre.
2026: Death Becomes Her, Lunt-Fontanne Theatre
Betsy Wolfe returns to Broadway in the Tony Award-winning musical comedy Death Becomes Her at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre. She stars as Madeleine Ashton, the most beautiful actress (just ask her) ever to grace the stage and screen. Jennifer Simard stars opposite Wolfe as Helen Sharp, the long-suffering author (just ask her) who lives in Madeleine’s shadow. They have always been the best of frenemies…until Madeline steals Helen’s fiancé away. As Helen plots revenge and Madeline clings to her rapidly fading star, their world is suddenly turned upside down by Viola Van Horn, a mysterious woman with a secret that’s to die for. Get tickets now to join Madeleine and Helen in their new era of life (and death).