Featured in Episode 87
An Olivier Award winner for her West End debut as Inez in ZORRO THE MUSICAL , Lesli made her Broadway debut originating the role of Mrs. Wormwood in MATILDA THE MUSICAL. After over 1000 performances, she bid farewell to the Broadway company of Matilda and crossed the street to The Helen Hayes to star as the diva Mona Kent in the Broadway premiere of Randy Skinner’s DAMES AT SEA. In September 2016, Lesli will return to the role she originated to close out the Broadway run of MATILDA.
Earlier this summer, Lesli created the award-winning role of Signora Psyche Zinobia in the NYMF production of A SCYTHE OF TIME (Outstanding Performance in a Leading Role). Later in the summer, she will be seen as Esmerelda in a brand new production of THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME premiering at Sacramento Music Circus. Lesli will also be seen starring opposite Topher Grace, Taye Diggs & JC Chasez in the feature film “Opening Night” which will be released theatrically in the fall.
Born and raised in California, Lesli trained at UCLA and was soon after chosen to star in MGM’s television series “Fame LA” directed by Kenny Ortega. She has gone on to star and recur on numerous television shows and pilots including “Donny!”, “The Good Wife”, “Major Crimes”, “The Suite Life On Deck”, “Charmed”, “NYPD Blue”, and “On The Lot”, produced by Steven Spielberg.
Film credits include the upcoming movie musical ‘Opening Night’ opposite Topher Grace & Taye Diggs, ‘Lucky Stiff’ with Jason Alexander, Joel Schumacher’s ‘The Number 23’, and the Sam Raimi produced ‘Boogeyman 2’. Lesli’s voice can also be heard on several animated films and shows including Disney’s ‘Cinderella 3’ and Nickelodeon’s “Sponge Bob Squarepants”.
Regional stage credits include Signora Psyche Zinobia in A SCYTHE OF TIME (NYMF; Outstanding Performance in a Leading Role), Lilli / Kate in KISS ME KATE (Reprise; Ovation Award – Best Actress), THE GRONHOLM METHOD (The Falcon ; Ovation nom. – Best Ensemble), Aldonza in MAN OF LA MANCHA opposite Davis Gaines (MTW; Ovation nom. & LADCC nom – Best Actress), Julie in SHOWBOAT (Goodspeed Opera), Audrey in LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS (La Mirada), Lady of the Lake in SPAMALOT opposite Gary Beach (Sacramento Music Circus), Ilona in SHE LOVES ME (CLOSBC), the West Coast Premiere of Michael John LaChiusa’s SEE WHAT I WANNA SEE (Blank Theatre), Rated RSO (Boston Court), and Gloria in DAMN YANKEES (Reprise; dir. Jason Alexander) .
In June 2015, Lesli published NECK PUNCH and CARRY ON: Advice from the “Queen”, a series of ‘inspirational’ messages inspired from her Twitter feed (@QueenLesli). The book, which debuted at #1 on the Humor charts, is available exclusively on iBooks.
She is the creator/star of ‘Looks Not Books’ and ‘Ship Happens’ the popular backstage vlogs commissioned by Broadway.com which can also be seen on YouTube.
Lesli’s critically acclaimed solo shows ALL HAIL THE QUEEN and BROAD continue to play to crowds in NY, SF & LA. (source)