Occupation Actress, singer Albums Have Faith Role Film actress | Name Mary Testa Years active 1979—present | |
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Movies and TV shows Courage the Cowardly, Eat Pray Love, The Business of Strangers, Stanley & Iris, Sleepers | ||
Actor chat ep 4 mary testa
Mary Testa (born June 4, 1955) is an American stage and film actress and singer. She is a two-time Tony Award nominee, for performances in revivals of Leonard Bernstein's On the Town (1998) and 42nd Street (2001).
Contents
- Actor chat ep 4 mary testa
- Broadwaycom LiveatFive with Mary Testa of THE PORTUGUESE KID
- Early life
- Stage
- Film television and recording
- Selected concert appearances
- Filmography
- References
Broadway.com #LiveatFive with Mary Testa of THE PORTUGUESE KID
Early life
Testa was born in Philadelphia and has one sister. At age four, her family moved to Rhode Island. She studied acting at the University of Rhode Island. Testa left school to move to New York in 1976 to pursue a performing career.
Stage
Testa made her debut Off-Broadway at Playwrights Horizons as Miss Goldberg in William Finn's one-act musical In Trousers (1979), part one of his "Marvin Trilogy." She next performed in Finn's March of the Falsettos, and later in Company, at Playwrights.
Her Broadway roles include Joyce Heth in Barnum (1982), movie columnist Hedda Hopper in Marilyn: An American Fable (1983), Angel in The Rink (1984), Domina in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (1996–1997), Madame Dilly in On the Town (1998), Magdalena in Marie Christine, Maggie Jones in 42nd Street (2001–2002), the Matron in Chicago (2005), Melpomene in Xanadu (2007–2008), General Matilda B. Cartwright in Guys and Dolls (2009) and Madame Morrible in Wicked (2014).
She is a frequent collaborator with such acclaimed musical dramatists as William Finn (Infinite Joy, A New Brain, In Trousers) and Michael John LaChiusa (Marie Christine, See What I Wanna See, First Lady Suite), while also having appeared in the works of Stephen Sondheim, Kander & Ebb, Flaherty & Ahrens, and Leonard Bernstein, among other Off-Broadway and regional theatre credits. She also frequently performs in concerts and cabaret shows.
Film, television and recording
Testa made her film debut in Going in Style (1979), and has appeared in numerous movie and television roles since, including Sophia in the 2003 sitcom Whoopi, Zia Maria Luisa in the 2014 film Big Stone Gap, and Sister Clare in the 2004 film adaptation of Tony n' Tina's Wedding. She also appeared in such films as The Business of Strangers (2001), Stay (2005), Eat Pray Love (2010), The Bounty Hunter (2010) and the TV series Law & Order, 2 Broke Girls, Smash, White Collar, Cosby, Sex and the City, and Life on Mars.
From 1999 to 2002 she appeared frequently as the voice of Shirley the Medium on Courage the Cowardly Dog.
In addition to her show albums, Testa and Michael Starobin released an album, Have Faith, in 2014. It contains contemporary interpretations of songs by artists such as Alanis Morissette, Prince, The Beach Boys, Leonard Cohen, Finn and LaChiusa.
Selected concert appearances
Filmography
Actress
2023
The Gag (Short)
2023
The Blacklist (TV Series) as
Early Bird
- The Sicilian Error of Color (2023) - Early Bird
2022
Stomach People (Short) as
Ruth Stein
2020
The Good Fight (TV Series) as
Amy Ann Howard / Ann Howard
- The End of the Yips (2022) - Amy Ann Howard
- And the Fight Had a Détente- (2021) - Amy Ann Howard
- The Gang Deals with Alternate Reality (2020) - Ann Howard
2021
Ratatouille: The TikTok Musical (Video) as
Skinner
2020
9 to 11 Minute Plays and Stories: Inspired by the Events of 9/11 (TV Series) as
Nereida
- 4th Annual 9 to 11 Minute Plays and Stories (2020) - Nereida
2020
Almost Family (TV Series) as
Patti Fletcher
- Courageous AF (2020) - Patti Fletcher
2019
Divorce (TV Series) as
Doctor
- Knock Knock (2019) - Doctor
- Charred (2019) - Doctor
2018
Most Likely to Murder as
Mrs. Lipman
2018
A Vigilante as
Eva Greenberg
2018
The Portuguese Kid as
Mrs. Dragonetti
2017
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (TV Series) as
Drina Romanoff
- Ya Shivu v Bolshom Dome Na Kholme (2017) - Drina Romanoff
- Mrs. X at the Gaslight (2017) - Drina Romanoff
2017
SMILF (TV Series) as
Dr. Jessica Sommers
- A Box of Dunkies & Two Squirts of Maple Syrup (2017) - Dr. Jessica Sommers
2017
Bull (TV Series) as
Rita
- Bring It On (2017) - Rita
2016
Looking for the Jackalope as
Barb
2016
Love on the Run as
Nadine
2015
Difficult People (TV Series) as
Floy
- Premium Membership (2015) - Floy
2015
The Mother (Short) as
Grace Russo
2014
Big Stone Gap as
Zia Maria Luisa
2014
Deadbeat (TV Series) as
Julep Donaldson
- Calamityville Horror (2014) - Julep Donaldson
2014
The Actress (TV Series) as
Elise
- No Broadway (2014) - Elise
2013
Smash (TV Series) as
Hostess
- The Nominations (2013) - Hostess
2013
Tio Papi as
Principal Rosen
2013
Over/Under (TV Movie) as
Carla
2009
Jack in a Box (TV Series) as
Jack's Mother / Mom / Mother
- The Grilling (2012) - Mom
- The Surprise (2011) - Mother
- The Buzz (2010) - Jack's Mother
- The Family (2010) - Jack's Mother
- The Mother (2009) - Jack's Mother
2012
Archaeology of a Woman as
Senior Center Director
2012
2 Broke Girls (TV Series) as
Esther Rachael
- And the Kosher Cupcakes (2012) - Esther Rachael
2011
Submissions Only (TV Series) as
Rosie Lomenda
- The Miller/Hennigan Act (2011) - Rosie Lomenda
2011
White Collar (TV Series) as
Nancy
- Power Play (2011) - Nancy
2010
Eat Pray Love as
Laundromat Gal
2010
Nurse Jackie (TV Series) as
Mrs. Fogulson
- Candyland (2010) - Mrs. Fogulson
2010
The Bounty Hunter as
Maid at the Taj
2008
The Battery's Down (TV Series) as
Blue Bull Casting Director / Casting Director
- The Party's Over (2009) - Casting Director
- The Bronx Is Up (2008) - Blue Bull Casting Director
- Intermission (2008) - Blue Bull Casting Director
- Roller Coaster Highway (2008) - Blue Bull Casting Director
2009
Life on Mars (TV Series) as
Phyllis
- Revenge of Broken Jaw (2009) - Phyllis
2009
Four Single Fathers as
Maria
2008
Cashmere Mafia (TV Series) as
Wendy the Editor
- Dog Eat Dog (2008) - Wendy the Editor
- The Deciders (2008) - Wendy the Editor
2007
Goodbye Baby as
Casting Director
2006
Conviction (TV Series)
- Breakup (2006)
2005
Stay as
Waitress #1
2004
Tony & Tina's Wedding as
Sister Clare
2003
Whoopi (TV Series) as
Sophia
- Sins of the Sister (2004) - Sophia
- Strange Bedfellows (2004) - Sophia
- Identity Crisis (2004) - Sophia
- The Squatters (2004) - Sophia
- Don't Hide Love (2004) - Sophia
- What Child Is This? (2004) - Sophia
- No Sex in the City (2004) - Sophia
- The Last Dance (2004) - Sophia
- Is Rita Pregnant? (2004) - Sophia
- Airplane! (2004) - Sophia
- American Woman (2004) - Sophia
- The Fat and the Frivolous (2003) - Sophia
- Mother's Little Helper (2003) - Sophia
- Sticky Fingers (2003) - Sophia
- Rita Plays Poker (2003) - Sophia
- She Ain't Heavy, She's My Partner (2003) - Sophia
- The Vast Right Wing Conspiracy (2003) - Sophia
- Smoke Gets in Your Eyes (2003) - Sophia
- Shout (2003) - Sophia
- Don't Hide Your Bag (2003) - Sophia
1999
Courage the Cowardly Dog (TV Series) as
Shirley the Medium
- Remembrance of Courage Past/Perfect (2002) - (voice)
- Cabaret Courage/Wrath of the Librarian (2002) - (voice)
- Courageous Cure/Ball of Revenge (2002) - (voice)
- Last of the Starmakers/Son of the Chicken from Outer Space (2002) - (voice)
- Squatting Tiger, Hidden Dog/Muted Muriel (2002) - Shirley the Medium (voice)
- Aqua-Farmer/Food of the Dragon (2002) - (voice)
- The Mask (2002) - (voice)
- Muriel Blows Up/Profiles in Courage (2002) - (voice)
- Bride of Swamp Monster/Goat Pain (2002) - (voice)
- The Uncommon Cold/Farmer-Hunter, Farmer-Hunted (2002) - (voice)
- Le Quack Balloon/The Windmill Vandals (2002) - (voice)
- Rumpledkiltskin/Housecalls (2002) - (voice)
- A Beaver's Tale/The Nutcracker (2002) - (voice)
- Dome of Doom/Snowman's Revenge (2002) - (voice)
- Fishy Business/Angry Nasty People (2002) - (voice)
- Mondo Magic/Watch the Birdies (2002) - (voice)
- So in Louvre Are We Two/Night of the Scarecrow (2002) - (voice)
- Feast of the Bullfrogs/Tulip's Worm (2002) - (voice)
- Katz Under the Sea/Curtain of Cruelty (2002) - (voice)
- Scuba-Scuba Doo/Conway the Contaminationist (2002) - (voice)
- Hard Drive Courage/The Ride of the Valkyries (2002) - (voice)
- Stormy Weather/The Sandman Sleeps (2002) - (voice)
- Campsite of Terror/Record Deal (2002) - Shirley the Medium (voice)
- King of Flan/Courage Under the Volcano (2002) - (voice)
- Muriel Meets Her Match/Courage vs. Mecha-Courage (2002) - (voice)
- The Quilt Club/Swindlin' Wind (2002) - Shirley the Medium (voice)
- The Tower of Dr. Zalost (2001) - (voice)
- The House of Discontent/The Sand Whale Strikes (2001) - (voice)
- Evil Weevil/McPhearson Phantom (2001) - (voice)
- Nowhere TV/Mega Muriel the Magnificent (2001) - (voice)
- Car Broke, Phone Yes/Cowboy Courage (2001) - (voice)
- Courage the Fly/Katz Kandy (2001) - (voice)
- Human Habitrail/Mission to the Sun (2001) - (voice)
- Courage Meets the Mummy/Invisible Muriel (2001) - (voice)
- Serpent of Evil River/The Transplant (2001) - (voice)
- Bad Hair Day/Forbidden Hat of Gold (2001) - (voice)
- Family Business/1000 Years of Courage (2000) - (voice)
- The Curse of Shirley/Courage in the Big, Stinkin' City (2000) - Shirley the Medium (voice)
- The Magic Tree of Nowhere/Robot Randy (2000) - (voice)
- Little Muriel/The Great Fusilli (2000) - (voice)
- Revenge of the Chicken from Outer Space/Journey to the Center of Nowhere (2000) - (voice)
- Heads of Beef/Klub Katz (2000) - (voice)
- The Snowman Cometh/The Precious, Wonderful, Adorable, Loveable Duckling (2000) - (voice)
- Queen of the Black Puddle/Everyone Wants to Direct (2000) - (voice)
- The Hunchback of Nowhere/The Gods Must Be Goosey (2000) - (voice)
- King Ramses' Curse/The Clutching Foot (2000) - (voice)
- The Duck Brothers/Shirley the Medium (2000) - Shirley the Medium (voice)
- Night of the Weremole/Mother's Day (1999) - (voice)
- The Demon in the Mattress/Freaky Fred (1999) - Shirley the Medium (voice)
- Courage Meets Bigfoot/Hothead (1999) - (voice)
- The Shadow of Courage/Dr. Le Quack, Amnesia Specialist (1999) - (voice)
- A Night at the Katz Motel/Cajun Granny Stew (1999) - (voice)
2002
Sex and the City (TV Series) as
Cabaret Singer Debbie Cass
- Critical Condition (2002) - Cabaret Singer Debbie Cass
2001
The Lullaby of Broadway: Opening Night on 42nd Street (TV Movie) as
Maggie Jones
2001
The Business of Strangers as
Receptionist
2000
Nikki (TV Short) as
Mom (voice)
2000
Cosby (TV Series) as
Mrs. Clark
- Kids Eat the Darndest Things (2000) - Mrs. Clark
1999
The Out-of-Towners as
Dominatrix
1998
Buster & Chauncey's Silent Night (Video) as
Additional Voices (voice, as Mary L. Testa)
1998
Witness to the Mob (TV Movie) as
Roseanne
1996
Sleepers as
Nun
1995
Two Bits as
Housewife
1995
Guiding Light (TV Series) as
Dawn
- Episode #1.12219 (1995) - Dawn
1994
Cagney & Lacey: The Return (TV Movie) as
Celia Sanchez
1991
Law & Order (TV Series) as
Dilbeck
- Asylum (1991) - Dilbeck
1990
A Different World (TV Series) as
Waitress
- 21 Candles (1990) - Waitress
1990
Stanley & Iris as
Joanne
1989
True Blue (TV Series) as
Janey
- Pilot: Part 1 (1989) - Janey
1989
Kojak: Fatal Flaw (TV Movie) as
Carmen Guzman
1987
Leg Work (TV Series) as
Daphne
- Peaches (1987) - Daphne
1987
At Mother's Request (TV Mini Series) as
Jennie Coles
- Part 2 (1987) - Jennie Coles
- Part 1 (1987) - Jennie Coles
1979
Going in Style as
Teller
1979
In Trousers as
Miss Goldberg
Soundtrack
2021
Ratatouille: The TikTok Musical (Video) (performer: "I Knew I Smelled a Rat")
2019
The 73rd Annual Tony Awards (TV Special) (performer: "Oklahoma")
2014
Big Stone Gap (performer: "The Lonesome Pine")
2011
Submissions Only (TV Series) (performer - 1 episode)
- The Miller/Hennigan Act (2011) - (performer: "Dry From the Rain")
2009
The 63rd Annual Tony Awards (TV Special) (performer: "Sit Down, You're Rockin' The Boat")
2002
Sex and the City (TV Series) (performer - 1 episode)
- Critical Condition (2002) - (performer: "All That Jazz" - uncredited)
Self
-
Broadway: The Next Generation (Documentary) (filming) as
Self
2022
Thrash 'n Treasure (Podcast Series) as
Self (Guest)
- The Finn That Makes You Go MMM w/ Mary Testa! (2022) - Self (Guest)
2021
Broadway: Beyond the Golden Age (Documentary) as
Self
2021
Stars in the House (TV Series) as
Self
- William Finn Birthday Celebration (2021) - Self
2021
Save Birdland: A Celebration of Music, History, and Community (TV Special) as
Self
2020
Save West Bank Cafe (TV Special) as
Self
2020
One Night Only: The Best of Broadway (TV Special) as
Archival
2019
The 73rd Annual Tony Awards (TV Special) as
Self - Performer
2017
Broadway.com #LiveatFive (TV Series) as
Self
- Mary Testa (2019) - Self
- Mary Testa (2017) - Self
2014
Russian Broadway Shut Down (Short) as
Putin's Mother
2013
From Broadway with Love: A Benefit Concert for Sandy Hook (TV Special) as
Self
2009
The 63rd Annual Tony Awards (TV Special) as
Self - Performer
2005
Working in the Theatre (TV Series documentary) as
Self
- Production: See What I Wanna See (2005) - Self
2004
Broadway: The American Musical (TV Mini Series documentary) as
Self
- I Got Plenty o' Nuttin': 1929-1942 (2004) - Self (voice)
2003
Broadway: The Golden Age, by the Legends Who Were There (Documentary) as
Self
2003
Listen to Her Heart: The Life and Music of Laurie Beechman (Documentary) as
Self
2001
The 55th Annual Tony Awards (TV Special) as
Self - Nominee
1999
The 53rd Annual Tony Awards (TV Special) as
Self - Nominee
1987
The Smithsonian Salutes Disney Music (TV Movie) as
Self (Singer)
References
Mary Testa Wikipedia(Text) CC BY-SA