Lindsay Mendez Explained

Lindsay Mendez
Birth Date:1 March 1981
Birth Place:Norwalk, California, U.S.
Occupation:Actress, singer
Known For:Wicked, Dogfight, Band Geeks, 21 Chump Street, Godspell, Grease, Carousel, 35MM, Merrily We Roll Along, Actor Therapy NYC
Spouse:
Children:2[4]
Awards:Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical (for Carousel)

Lindsay Michelle Mendez (born March 1, 1981) is an American actress and singer, best known for her work in American musical theatre. She won the 2018 Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical for her performance as Carrie Pipperidge in a Broadway revival of Carousel. Her other credits on Broadway include Elphaba in Wicked (performing during the production's tenth anniversary), Godspell, and Jan in Grease.[5] Mendez starred alongside Jonathan Groff and Daniel Radcliffe in the first Broadway revival of Merrily We Roll Along, which opened to critical acclaim on Broadway in October 2023.[6]

From September 2019 to November 2023, Mendez co-starred on the CBS drama series All Rise as court stenographer Sara Castillo.

Early life and career

Mendez was born in Norwalk, California. Her father is of Mexican descent and her mother is of Russian Jewish ancestry.[7] Her brother, Michael Mendez, is also a Broadway performer.[8] She played Lizzie in a preview of A Little More Alive, written by Nick Blaemire, in Kansas City. Other credits include roles in The Marvelous Wonderettes, 35MM, Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris, and Princesses.[9]

She made her Broadway debut in 2007 as part of the second Broadway revival of the musical Grease.[10]

In 2012, Mendez appeared opposite Derek Klena in the off-Broadway musical Dogfight as Eddie and Rose, and from May 2013 in Wicked as Fiyero and Elphaba respectively.[11] [12] She was nominated for her role as Rose in Dogfight for the 2013 Drama League Award for Distinguished Performance, the 2013 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actress in a Musical, and the 2013 Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Actress in a Musical.[13] [14] [15] Mendez and Klena frequently perform together at the Broadway supper club 54 Below.[16] They released a jazz album entitled This Time in 2013. Mendez also sings jazz and blues at other cabarets and dining clubs with pianist Marco Paguia.

While performing in Wicked, Mendez filmed a series of video blogs for Broadway.com entitled "Fly Girl: Backstage at Wicked with Lindsay Mendez", giving an inside look at the smash musical, including interviews with current cast members, glimpses of costumes, sets, props, and how Mendez herself was transformed into the musical's protagonist, Elphaba, the green-skinned girl who becomes the Wicked Witch of the West.

Mendez, along with composer Ryan Scott Oliver, founded and runs Actor Therapy: a five-week training experience for young actors in NYC.[17]

In 2014, Mendez played Naomi Rodriguez in Lin Manuel Miranda's one-act musical 21 Chump Street and then in 2015, Laura in the play Significant Other.[18] [19]

In early 2016 she was set to star in the Broadway premiere of the musical Nerds alongside Rory O'Malley, Patti Murin and others.[20] The show was cancelled during a rehearsal session two weeks before the first preview due to not having the financial resources for a Broadway mount.[21]

Mendez played Carrie in the 2018 Broadway revival of Carousel, for which she won the Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical.[22] The production also starred Jessie Mueller and Joshua Henry.[23]

In the 2022 she played Mary Flynn in the off-Broadway revival of Merrily We Roll Along at New York Theater Workshop alongside Daniel Radcliffe and Jonathan Groff as well as former Wicked co-star Katie Rose Clarke.[24] Mendez reprised the role in 2023 in the first Broadway revival of Merrily We Roll Along. She received a second nomination for the Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical for her performance.[25]

Mendez had a main role as a court reporter on the legal drama series All Rise which ran from 2019 to 2023.[26] She appeared in the Ryan Murphy produced anthology series American Sports Story.[27]

Personal life

Mendez has one daughter named Lucy from a previous relationship.[28] Mendez married her All Rise co-star J. Alex Brinson in April 2024 in Central Park. The ceremony included Merrily castmates Jonathan Groff as the officiant and Daniel Radcliffe as the ring bearer.[29] Their daughter Ruby Beck Brinson was born on September 19, 2024.[30]

Credits

Broadway
Off-Broadway
Readings
Regional Theater
Encores!
Concerts

Filmography

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
2013SmashHerselfEpisode: "The Transfer"
2018Murphy BrownRachelEpisode: "The Wheels on the Dog Go Round and Round"
2019Modern FamilyBel Air Black WidowEpisode: "SuperShowerBabyBowl"
2019ElementaryDr. Angela HardyEpisode: "The Latest Model"
2019–2023All RiseSara CastilloMain cast
2019HelpstersDoctor DevinEpisode: "Rita Reader / Cody Gets a Cold"
2021Station 19LawyerEpisode: "A House Is Not a Home"
2024American Sports StoryTanya SingletonMain role

Discography

Awards and nominations

YearAwardCategoryWorkResult
2013Drama Desk AwardOutstanding Actress in a MusicalDogfight
Drama League AwardDistinguished Performance
Outer Critics Circle AwardOutstanding Actress in a Musical
2014Broadway.com Audience Choice AwardFavorite Replacement (Female)Wicked
2017Broadway.com Audience Choice AwardFavorite Featured Actress in a PlaySignificant Other
2018Tony AwardBest Featured Actress in a MusicalCarousel
Drama Desk AwardOutstanding Featured Actress in a Musical
Outer Critics Circle AwardOutstanding Featured Actress in a Musical
2019Grammy AwardBest Musical Theater Album[33]
2023Drama Desk AwardOutstanding Lead Performance in a MusicalMerrily We Roll Along
Lucille Lortel AwardOutstanding Lead Performer in a Musical
Outer Critics Circle AwardOutstanding Featured Performer in an Off-Broadway Musical
2024Tony AwardBest Featured Actress in a Musical
Drama League AwardDistinguished Performance
Broadway.com Audience AwardFavorite Featured Actress in a Musical
2025Grammy AwardBest Musical Theater Album

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Lindsay Mendez. 11 June 2018.
  2. Web site: After 5 years of marriage, 'Wicked' actress Lindsay Mendez files for divorce from her husband. ⋆ Ceng News. 14 January 2022. 7 January 2022.
  3. Web site: Daniel Radcliffe and Jonathan Groff Take Part In 'Merrily We Roll Along' Co-Star Lindsay Mendez's Wedding. April 23, 2024. Entertainment Tonight.
  4. Web site: @lindsaymendez on Instagram: "Thanks to everyone for your well-wishes and love for our family. We are over-the-moon that our daughter. Ruby Beck Brinson has joined us earthside and made our family complete. @jalexbrinson …you are my hero and the best girl dad on the planet. Lucy is the greatest big sister, and is doing her job showing her sissy all the ropes. And I, sit in awe, watching all of it, in complete gratitude. And, moreover, pride. I am so proud to be the mama to these girls. And to have grown both of these babies while working full time in an industry that can be unforgiving to expectant mothers. It’s been quite a year. Celebrating our new family of 4, and holding onto every precious moment together.".
  5. Web site: Lindsay Mendez. 7 January 2021. Playbill.
  6. News: Green . Jesse . 2023-10-10 . Review: 'Merrily We Roll Along,' Finally Found in the Dark . 2023-10-26 . The New York Times . en-US . 0362-4331.
  7. Web site: Wong. Curtis M.. 5 June 2018. In 'Carousel,' Broadway's Lindsay Mendez Helps Raise The Bar For Latina Inclusion. 29 November 2018. Huffington Post.
  8. Web site: Photos! Walk Down the Aisle with Significant Other Stars Lindsay Mendez & Gideon Glick on Opening Night . 17 January 2024. Broadwaycom.
  9. Web site: Bio. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20140612054450/http://lindsaymendez.net/Lindsay_Mendez/Bio.html. 2014-06-12. 2014-06-08. LindsayMendez.net.
  10. Web site: Grease . August 20, 2024 . Playbill.
  11. Web site: Ferri . Josh . April 24, 2013 . Lindsay Mendez to Defy Gravity as Broadway's Next Elphaba in Wicked . Broadway.com.
  12. Web site: Jones . Kenneth . July 16, 2012 . Dogfight, New Musical About Cruelty and Hope, Opens in NYC; Lindsay Mendez and Derek Klena Star . Playbill.
  13. Web site: Evans . Suzy . 23 April 2013 . 2013 Drama League Awards Nominees Announced . 11 June 2018 . Backstage .
  14. Web site: Gans . Andrew . 29 April 2013 . Nominations Announced for 58th Annual Drama Desk Awards; Giant and Hands on a Hardbody Lead the Pack . 7 January 2021 . Playbill.
  15. Web site: Cox . Gordon . 22 April 2013 . 'Pippin' Hot With Outer Critics Circle Nominators . 11 June 2018 . Variety .
  16. Web site: Lindsay Mendez and Derek Klena: #Klendez. 11 June 2018. Time Out.
  17. Web site: Home. Actor Therapy. 11 June 2018.
  18. Web site: 25 March 2020. VIDEO: Anthony Ramos and Lindsay Mendez Star In Lin-Manuel Miranda's 21 CHUMP STREET. 7 January 2021. Broadway World. en.
  19. Web site: Levitt. Hayley. 20 April 2017. Final Bow: Lindsay Mendez Parts With Significant Other — and That's the Way It Is. 7 January 2021. TheaterMania. en-US.
  20. Web site: February 22, 2016 . Wicked's Lindsay Mendez and More Set for Broadway's Nerds . August 20, 2024 . Theatermania.
  21. Web site: Abramovitch . Seth . 2019-04-12 . The Fyre Festival of Broadway? How a Bill Gates-Steve Jobs Musical Became a "Trail of Disappointment, Anger and Unpaid Vendors" . 2024-08-20 . The Hollywood Reporter . en-US.
  22. Web site: Lefkowitz. Andy. 10 June 2018. Carousels Lindsay Mendez Wins Her First Tony Award: 'Be Your True Self and the World Will Take Note'. 7 January 2021. Broadway.com. en.
  23. https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Official-Lindsay-Mendez-Joins-Broadways-CAROUSEL-20171012 "Official: Lindsay Mendez and John Douglas Thompson Join Broadway's CAROUSEL!"
  24. Web site: Rabinowitz . Chloe . MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG Starring Radcliffe, Groff & Mendez Announces TodayTix Lottery & Two-Week Extension . 2024-08-20 . BroadwayWorld.com . en.
  25. News: Green . Jesse . 2023-10-10 . Review: 'Merrily We Roll Along,' Finally Found in the Dark . en-US . The New York Times . 2023-10-26 . 0362-4331.
  26. Web site: Petski . Denise . 2019-03-25 . 'Courthouse': Lindsay Mendez & Ruthie Ann Miles Cast In CBS Legal Drama Pilot . 2024-08-20 . Deadline . en-US.
  27. Web site: Petski . Denise . Andreeva . Nellie . November 3, 2023 . Lindsay Mendez Joins Josh Andrés Rivera & Patrick Schwarzenegger In 'American Sports Story' Season 1 . August 20, 2024 . Deadline.
  28. Web site: @lindsaymendez on Instagram: "This year has been….challenging, to say the least. It’s also been the greatest of my life, because through these challenges, I was given the gift of a lifetime. I became a mommy. My sweet daughter was born during a pandemic and carried being hidden behind big bags and desks on a tv series (a #lifegoalz situation). She makes me happier than anything in the world. And I now know the deepest love there is. Lucille, you make my heart burst everyday. The holidays will never be the same again, and I am so excited for all the magical days ahead of us. Thank you for choosing me to be your mom! Hoping everyone’s holidays are filled with joy, family, and love. I know mine are. ❤️".
  29. News: Kircher . Madison Malone . 2024-05-10 . A Broadway Star Gets Married on Her Day Off . 2024-08-20 . The New York Times . en-US . 0362-4331.
  30. Web site: Sacks . Hannah . Quinn . Dave . September 24, 2024 . Broadway's Lindsay Mendez Welcomes Second Baby, Her First with Husband J. Alex Brinson: 'Over the Moon' (Exclusive) . People.
  31. Web site: The Rose Tattoo - Williamstown Theatre Festival. wtfestival.org. 11 June 2018.
  32. Web site: Ryan . McPhee . Carousel Revival Cast Recording Available Digitally June 8 . Playbill . June 8, 2018.
  33. Web site: Kaitlin . Milligan . 7 December 2018. The Band's Visit, Carousel & More Nominated for 2019 Grammy Awards. 7 December 2018. Broadway World. en.

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