Beth Fowler is an American actress and singer, best known for her performances on Broadway and for her role as Sister Ingalls, on Orange Is the New Black. She is a two-time Tony Award nominee, as well as two-time winner for the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series for her role as Sister Ingalls in the ensemble cast of Orange is the New Black.
Life and career Born in Jersey City, New Jersey, Fowler attended Caldwell University in New Jersey and was a music teacher for several years, as well as performing in community theater.Delhauer, Patricia. omagdigital.com, September 5, 2018 "Actress Beth Fowler Visits Her Alma Mater Caldwell University" caldwell.edu, March 24, 2015 Fowler attended Catholic schools and planned to enter a convent before becoming a music teacher.
She had a fondness for Broadway theatre when she decided to audition for Gantry in 1970. She was signed for the chorus and as understudy for the lead, but the show closed on opening night. She had better luck with her next outing, Stephen Sondheim's A Little Night Music. Additional Broadway credits include 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue; Peter Pan; Baby; Take Me Along; Teddy & Alice; the 1989 revival of Sweeney Todd, in which she portrayed Mrs. Lovett; Beauty and the Beast, in which she originated the role of Mrs. Potts; Bells Are Ringing; and The Boy from Oz, where she portrayed Peter Allen's mother Marion.
Fowler has been nominated for two Tony Awards: as Best Featured Actress in a Musical for The Boy From Oz and as Best Actress in a Musical for Sweeney Todd, which garnered her a Drama Desk Award nomination as well.
During her career, Fowler appeared in a number of films, including Sister Act and Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit, Friends & Family, Did You Hear About the Morgans?, I Don't Know How She Does It, and Mulan, in which she sang "Honor to Us All". On television, Fowler guest-starred on Law & Order, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Ed, and Gossip Girl. In 2013, she began appearing in the recurring role as Sister Jane Ingalls in the comedy-drama series Orange Is the New Black. Along with cast, Fowler received the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series.
Personal Since 2000, Fowler has been a resident of New Milford, New Jersey, having previously resided in Rutherford, Teaneck, Hawthorne, and Glen Rock.Beckerman, Jim. "Fowler draws on salon ties for role" , The Record (Bergen County), March 12, 2008. Accessed March 12, 2008. "Born in Jersey City, raised in Rutherford (she cut her acting teeth with the Bergen County Players in Oradell), she lived in Teaneck, Hawthorne and Glen Rock before settling, eight years ago, in New Milford."Klein, Alvin. "Theater; A Musical Powerhouse Returns to the Stage" The New York Times, November 26, 2000
Fowler married Jack Witham in 1976.
Filmography Year Title Role Notes1991In the Line of Duty: Manhunt in the DakotasJoan KahlTV movie1992Sister ActChoir Nun1993Law & OrderMrs. WrennEpisode: "Virus"1993Sister Act 2: Back in the HabitChoir Nun1998 MulanBatherVoice2000EdMolly's MomEpisode: "The Whole Truth"2001Friends & FamilyMrs. Torcelli2006Law & Order: Criminal IntentMargaret ColloEpisode: "On Fire"2008Back to MeBethShort2009Did You Hear About the Morgans?Ma Simmons2010The Extra ManMs. Marsh2011SilhouettePaige2011I Don't Know How She Does ItClark's Secretary 2007–2012 Gossip Girl Mistress of Ceremonies 3 episodes 2013–2016 Orange Is the New Black Sister Jane Ingalls 32 episodesRecurring roleScreen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series (2015, 2016)
Stage credits YearTitleRoleVenueRef.1970GantryDeaf Man's WifeBroadway, George Abbott Theatre1973A Little Night MusicMrs. SegstromBroadway, Shubert Theatre19761600 Pennsylvania AvenueEnsembleBroadway, Mark Hellinger Theatre1979Peter PanMrs. DarlingBroadway, Lunt-Fontanne Theatre1983BabyArlene McNallyBroadway, Ethel Barrymore Theatre1985Take Me AlongLily MillerBroadway, Martin Beck Theatre1987Teddy & AliceEdith RooseveltBroadway, Minskoff Theatre1989Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet StreetMrs. LovettBroadway, Circle in the Square Theatre1994Beauty and the BeastMrs. PottsBroadway, Palace Theatre2001Bells are RingingSueBroadway, Plymouth Theatre2003The Boy from OzMarion WoolnoughBroadway, Imperial Theatre2007Inherit the WindMrs. BradyBroadway, Lyceum Theatre
Awards and nominations YearAwardCategoryWorkResultRef.1989Drama Desk AwardsDrama Desk Award for Outstanding Actress in a MusicalSweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street1990Tony AwardsBest Actress in a MusicalOuter Critics Circle AwardsOutstanding Actress in a Musical2004Tony AwardsBest Featured Actress in a MusicalThe Boy from Oz2015Screen Actors Guild AwardsOutstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy SeriesOrange is the New Black2016
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