Julia Knitel | |
|---|---|
 Knitel in Dead Outlaw 2025 | |
| Born | (1993-01-30) January 30, 1993 Fair Lawn, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Alma mater | Marymount Manhattan College (no degree)[1] |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 2009–present |
| Spouse | PJ Adzima (2019-2025) |
Julia Nicole Knitel (born January 30, 1993) is an American actress and singer known for her work in theater.[2] In 2025, she was nominated for her first Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical for her role as Maggie/Helen in Dead Outlaw.
Early life and career
Knitel was born and raised in Fair Lawn, New Jersey, and was introduced to the arts at a young age by her parents who were actors.[3] Knitel was a 2009 Jimmy Awards nominee for her performance as Millie in Thoroughly Modern Millie at Fair Lawn High School and performed at the Paper Mill Playhouse as a child.[3][4]
Broadway and performing career
In 2009, Knitel made her Broadway debut at age sixteen in the ensemble of the revival of Bye Bye Birdie at the Henry Miller Theatre.[5]
She played the lead role of Carole King in the biographical musical Beautiful: The Carole King Musical on Broadway and on tour.[6] She also played the role of Janice in Come from Away on tour. In 2018, she played Louise opposite Beth Leavel as Mama Rose in a production of Gypsy at The Muny in St. Louis. Also in 2018 she starred in the Off-Broadway musical Letter to Harvey Milk as Barbara Katsef, for which she was nominated for a Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Musical.[7]
In 2024, she originated the dual roles of Millicent / Maggie / Helen in the Off-Broadway musical Dead Outlaw, and reprised the role in the 2025 Broadway production. She was nominated for an Outer Critics Circle Award and a Tony Award for her performance.[3][8][9]
Personal life
Knitel married actor P.J. Adzima[3][10] and separated in 2025.
Stage
| Year | Title | Role | Venue | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Bye Bye Birdie | Teenager, Fan Club Girl | Henry Miller's Theatre, Broadway | [11][12] |
| 2013 | Volley Girls | Ingrid | The New York Music Theatre Festival | [11][13] |
| 2014 | Beautiful: The Carole King Musical | Ensemble | Stephen Sondheim Theatre, Broadway | [11][14] |
| Brighton Beach Memoirs | Nora Morton | Portland Stage, Regional | [11][15] | |
| 2015 | Beautiful: The Carole King Musical | Carole King | U.S. National Tour | [11][16] |
| 2018 | Letter to Harvey Milk | Barbara | Acorn Theatre, Off-Broadway | |
| Gypsy | Louise | The Muny, Regional | ||
| The Constant Wife | Martha Culver | Denver Center for the Performing Arts, Regional | [11][17] | |
| 2019 | The Producers | Ulla | Casa Mañana, Regional | |
| Come From Away | Janice & Others | U.S. National Tour | [11][18] | |
| 2022 | The Panic of '29 | Performer | 59E59 Theatres, Off-Broadway | |
| 2024 | Beautiful: The Carole King Musical | Carole King | Cape Playhouse, Regional | [11][19] |
| Dead Outlaw | Helen/Maggie | Minetta Lane Theatre, Off-Broadway | ||
| 2025 | Longacre Theatre, Broadway | |||
| Beautiful: The Carole King Musical | Carole King | Asolo Repertory Theatre, Regional |
Awards and nominations
| Award | Year | Category | Work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lucille Lortel Awards | 2018 | Outstanding Lead Actress in a Musical | Letter to Harvey Milk | Nominated | [11][20] |
| Outer Critics Circle Awards | 2024 | Outstanding Featured Performer in an Off-Broadway Musical | Dead Outlaw | Nominated | |
| Tony Awards | 2025 | Best Featured Actress in a Musical | Nominated |
References
- ^ "So proud of MMC's Julia Knitel and Mike Longo, who are both in BEAUTIFUL, which just celebrated 2-years on Broadway!". www.mmm.edu. Retrieved April 28, 2025.
- ^ Julia Knitel Interview, Accessed April 20, 2025.
- ^ a b c d "N.J. actor on Broadway’s Dead Outlaw, the true story of a body with many lives", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, April 27, 2025. Accessed April 29, 2025. "Julia Knitel stars in Dead Outlaw, a musical opening Sunday (April 27) at the Longacre Theatre.... The actor, who grew up in Fair Lawn, also played Carole King in a national tour of Beautiful: The Carole King Musical.... In 2009, Knitel won Paper Mill’s Rising Star Award for her performance in Thoroughly Modern Millie at Fair Lawn High School."
- ^ 2009 Jimmy Awards, Accessed April 20, 2025.
- ^ NorthJersey.Com Julia Knitel Interview, Accessed April 20, 2025.
- ^ Julia Knitel Interview, Accessed April 20, 2025.
- ^ Playbill.Com Julia Knitel Profile, Accessed April 20, 2025.
- ^ Julia Knitel Interview, TheatreMania.Com, Accessed April 20, 2025.
- ^ Culwell-Block, Logan (May 1, 2025). "2025 Tony Award Nominations: Buena Vista Social Club, Death Becomes Her, Maybe Happy Ending Lead the Pack". Playbill. Retrieved May 2, 2025.
- ^ The Book of Mormon’ Star PJ Adzima ’15 to Host MMC’s Legacy Gala, Accessed April 20, 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Cite error: The named reference
Julie Knitelwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Julia Knitel, Accessed July 18, 2025.
- ^ Julia Knitel, Accessed July 18, 2025.
- ^ Julia Knitel, Accessed July 18, 2025.
- ^ Julia Knitel, Accessed July 18, 2025.
- ^ Julia Knitel, Accessed July 18, 2025.
- ^ Julia Knitel, Accessed July 18, 2025.
- ^ Julia Knitel, Accessed July 18, 2025.
- ^ Julia Knitel, Accessed July 18, 2025.
- ^ Julia Knitel, Accessed July 18, 2025.
External links
- Julia Knitel at the Internet Broadway Database
- Julia Knitel at IMDb
