Broadway superstar Jessica Vosk will be spotlighted on Thursday, September 19th at Pepperdine University’s Malibu campus in a very special engagement called IN MY LIVING ROOM: Jessica Vosk Celebrates Broadway, Film, and the Ladies of the Laurel Canyon.
Long as it may be, the title is suitable as it specifically details exactly what attendees can expect and the variety of ways Vosk will regale with stories and captivate with her remarkably strong voice — known for its powerful vibrato and unwaveringly clean tones.
Vosk’s gift of voice has been the driving force behind an inimitable career in musical theater, notable for her tremendous turn as Elphaba in the national tour of Wicked when she confidently took the baton — or broom — from Idina Menzel, spellbinding audiences as much as the role’s originator did. Her consistently gratifying performance as the witch swiveled enough heads that she became part of the phenomenon’s lore, recognized by Broadway and its fans alike, for her portrayal and show-stopping pipes, not the least of all being her rendition of “Defying Gravity.”
Certainly, musical-theater aficionados can be assured that Wicked will be vocally highlighted in one way or another on the 19th in what will be a cabaret extravaganza of sorts as Vosk will be accompanied by music director and pianist Matthew Antonio Perri as well as percussionist Rich Mercurio.
But even beyond Wicked, Vosk has an impressive list of stage credits to her name, including West Side Story, The Bridges of Madison County, Finding Neverland, Fiddler on the Roof (revival), and more. Outdoing herself even further, the New Jersey native voices a character named Lute on Amazon Prime’s Hazbin Hotel and, in the last six years, released two albums (Wild and Free, A Very Coco Christmas) teeming with big-time collaborations and catchy songs. The additions to her discography have been another catalyst in why Vosk has been touring to capacity houses as of late.
Vosk’s accomplishments are so vast — and she makes it all look so effortless — that one might think her whole life has been building up to a storied career in front of rapt theatregoers and bowled-over listeners. However, the truth is that the artist, at one time, made the difficult decision of leaving behind her profession in investor relations on Wall Street for the improbable chance of realizing her dream as an acclaimed performer.
That risk not only paid off, it opened the doors to opportunities that have tallied countless memories in show business which the voluntarily vulnerable Vosk is happy to share in a “fireside living room chat.” This will transpire in conjunction with sonic reminders about her world-class vocal belt, at Pepperdine’s Smothers Theatre, which will soon join the Gershwin Theatre, Royal Albert Hall, Lincoln Center, and Carnegie Hall as venues the versatile Vosk has performed at.
Cover image caption: Jessica Vosk will sing and share stories at Pepperdine University’s Smothers Theatre on Thursday, September 19th in Malibu, CA. Photo credit: Jenny Anderson
IN MY LIVING ROOM: Jessica Vosk Celebrates Broadway, Film, and the Ladies of the Laurel Canyon will take place at Pepperdine University’s Smothers Theatre on Thursday, September 19th at 7:30 pm. For more information, and to purchase tickets to the event, visit arts.pepperdine.edu.
