Michelle Lin Federer Butz ( Federer) is an American actress.
Early life and education Federer is the daughter of John and Claudia Federer. She grew up in Shaker Heights, Ohio,Stevens, Beth. "Fresh Face Michelle Federer" broadway.com, January 2, 2004 where she was a student of the Shaker Heights High School Theatre Arts Department under the direction of James Thornton,Simakis, Andrea. "James Thornton, revered founder of Theatre Arts Department at Shaker Heights High School, dies" cleveland.com, March 21, 2012 and she gained early experience working in the University School Theater Program, where she first worked and became friends with future Wicked castmate Michael Seelbach. Federer's father was a math teacher in the Shaker Heights Public School System teaching at Byron Junior High School (now Shaker Heights Middle School) and currently teaches at the Mandel Jewish Day School. As a teen, Federer attended Stagedoor Manor Performing Arts Camp, located in Loch Sheldrake, New York.Gans, Andrew. "Stagedoor Manor — Inspiration for "Camp" Film — to Celebrate 30th Anniversary" Playbill, June 13, 2005 She graduated from Ithaca College, located in Ithaca, New York, with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in musical theatre.
Career
Theatre She understudied the role of Adele Rice in the 2002 Off-Broadway production of A Man of No Importance at Lincoln Center." 'A Man of No Importance' Listing" lortel.org, accessed July 9, 2016
In February 2003, she played the role of Thelma in the Hartford Stage (Hartford, Connecticut) production of The Trip to Bountiful.Taylor, Markland. "Review: ‘The Trip to Bountiful’" Variety, February 27, 2003
She made her Broadway debut as Nessarose in Wicked, a character she originated. Following a San Francisco tryout, the show opened October 30, 2003, starring Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel, with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz."Michelle Federer Broadway" Playbill (vault), accessed July 9, 2016 Federer, the longest-running original principal cast member, left the production on January 8, 2006, and was succeeded by her understudy Cristy Candler. Federer can be heard on the Wicked cast recording.
She was the understudy for Julia Roberts in the roles of Nan and Lina in the play Three Days of Rain, which ran on Broadway from March 26, 2006 (previews) to June 18, 2006." 'Three Days of Rain' Broadway" Playbill (vault), accessed July 9, 2016
She appeared as Allison in the Atlantic Theatre Company's Off-Broadway production of Anon by Kate Robins in January to February 2007."Federer, Blackwell, Etc. Set for Atlantic Theater's 'Anon'" broadwayworld.com, January 17, 2007
On October 27, 2008, Federer took part in The Yellow Brick Road Not Taken, a fifth anniversary concert featuring a selection of scenes and songs cut from early drafts of Wicked. The concert starred former co-stars Shoshana Bean and Jennifer Laura Thompson. Gans, Andrew. "Diva Talk Special: The Yellow Brick Road Not Taken" Playbill, October 28, 2008
Federer returned to the role of Nessarose in Broadway's Wicked with performances beginning August 18, 2009, this time replacing Candler.Gans, Andrew. "Federer Returns to Broadway's 'Wicked'" Playbill, August 18, 2009 She ended her return engagement on January 10, 2010, and was replaced by Jenny Fellner.Hernandez, Ernio and Gans, Andrew. "Clarke and Fellner Join 'Wicked' on Broadway" Playbill, January 14, 2010
She appeared in The Cottage by Sandy Rustin at the Queens Theatre, Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Queens, New York in 2014. Wichman, Maytal. Love, Lust & Laughter: Don’t Miss ‘The Cottage” at Queens Theatre" themamamaven.com, November 11, 2014
Television and film Federer has also appeared in various small film roles, including the biographical film Kinsey (2004) and independent romance film Flannel Pajamas (2006).Holden, Stephen. "Movie Review. 'Flannel Pajamas'" The New York Times, November 15, 2006
Federer appeared in a recurring role on NBC's Smash in which she plays Monica Swift, the wife of Michael (Will Chase) who has an affair with Debra Messing's character Julia.Jones, Kenneth. "The 'Smash' Report: Recapping Episode 3, Or, This Is a Fine Showmance" Playbill, February 21, 2012 The series also stars Megan Hilty, who starred on Broadway alongside Federer in Wicked.Staff. "Inside the Emerald City: Wicked's Glinda" Playbill, October 25, 2013 Smash premiered in the United States on February 6, 2012.Jones, Kenneth. "The "Smash" Report: Pilot — No People Like Show People, or Heaven on Earth" Playbill, January 23, 2012
Personal life Federer married her former Wicked co-star, Norbert Leo Butz in 2007. Their daughter was born on January 2, 2011." Wicked' Sweethearts Norbert Leo Butz and Michelle Federer Welcome Baby Girl Georgia" broadway.com, January 3, 2011
Filmography
Film +YearTitleRoleNotes2000Overnight SensationJackie Cartwright2004KinseyGall Wasp Class Coed2006Flannel PajamasTara2008Rachel Getting Married12-Step Reader2022Better Nate Than EverSherrie Foster
Television YearTitleRoleNotes2005Law & Order: Criminal IntentAllison JenkinsEpisode: "Gone"2009Wainy DaysJeannie2 episodes2012SmashMonica Swift4 episodes2012ElementaryEllie WilsonEpisode: "Flight Risk"2016Blue BloodsErika RamusEpisode: "Friends in Need"2017The DefendersMichelle Raymond3 episodes2018–2021New Amsterdam Millie Tamberlay5 episodes2021Hit & RunJenny Sharon2 episodes2022Archive 81Evie CrestEpisode: "Spirit Receivers"
References
External links
BroadwayWorld.Com Biography: Michelle Federer