McKenzie Kurtz
McKenzie Kurtz | |
|---|---|
 Kurtz in 2026 | |
| Born | January 13, 1997 Milton, Georgia, United States[1] |
| Alma mater | University of Michigan |
| Occupations | Actress, singer, dancer |
| Years active | 2019–present |
| Partner | Brent Comer (2025–present) |
| Website | mckenziekurtz |
McKenzie Kurtz (born January 13, 1997) is an American stage actress, singer, and dancer. In her Broadway debut, she played the role of Anna in Frozen and Glinda in Wicked.
Early life
[edit]Kurtz grew up in Alpharetta, Georgia.[2] As a teenager, Kurtz was active in the theater program at Milton High School, playing the Lady of the Lake in the school's 2013 production of Monty Python's Spamalot,[3] as well as Mary Poppins in the school's 2015 production of Mary Poppins.[4] Kurtz was nominated for a Jimmy Award[4] both years and was also a finalist in 2015. Kurtz is a 2019 graduate of the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre, and Dance.[2]
Career
[edit]Kurtz played Ariel in a production of Footloose at The Muny directed by Christian Borle in 2019.[5]
In Kurtz's 2020 Broadway debut, she played the role of Anna in the musical Frozen opposite Ciara Renée as Elsa and Ryan McCartan as Hans.[6] According to Kurtz, her initial audition for the role did not go well, but she was personally offered a second chance by Kristen Anderson-Lopez after the co-songwriter of Frozen saw her sing at a "Women of Broadway" concert.[2]
In 2021, Kurtz appeared in the ensemble of Annie Live! on NBC as the Star-to-Be.[7]
From March 17 to April 11, 2022, Kurtz reprised her role of Anna in the Frozen US national tour. During the tour she was reunited with McCartan, her Broadway Hans.[8]
Kurtz originated the role of Penelope in the 2022 world premiere musical of Trading Places at the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta. The production was directed by Kenny Leon.[9]
On January 13, 2023, it was announced that Kurtz would assume the role of Glinda in the Broadway company of Wicked at the Gershwin Theatre on February 14, taking over for Brittney Johnson.[10] Kurtz portrayed Glinda on the 20th anniversary of Wicked's premiere on Broadway; she left the show in March 2024.[11]
Kurtz originated the role of Cassandra Stone in The Heart of Rock and Roll on Broadway in March 2024.[11] In February 2025, she performed in the world premiere of Schmigadoon! as Betsy McDonough at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC.[12] When the production transferred to Broadway in the spring of 2026, she was nominated for a Drama Desk Award.[13]
In 2025, Kurtz starred as Heather Chandler in Heathers at New World Stages.[14][15]
Personal life
[edit]Kurtz has been in a public relationship with Broadway actor Brent Comer since August 2025.[16]
Acting credits
[edit]Theatre
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Footloose | Ariel Moore | The Muny |
| 2020 | Frozen | Anna | Broadway |
| 2022 | National tour | ||
| Trading Places | Penelope | Regional (World premiere) | |
| 2023–2024 | Wicked | Glinda Upland | Broadway |
| 2024 | The Heart of Rock and Roll |
Cassandra Stone | Broadway[17] |
| 2025 | Schmigadoon! | Betsy McDonough | Kennedy Center |
| Heathers: The Musical | Heather Chandler | Off-Broadway | |
| 2026 | Schmigadoon! | Betsy McDonough | Broadway |
Filmography
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Annie Live! | Star to Be | |
| 2022 | She-Hulk: Attorney at Law | Heather | Episode: "Just Jen" |
Awards and nominations
[edit]| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Drama Desk Award | Outstanding Featured Performance in a Musical | Schmigadoon! | Nominated | [18][19] |
| Dorian Awards | Outstanding Featured Performance in an Off-Broadway Production | Heathers: the Musical | Nominated | [20][21] | |
| Actors’ Equity Foundation Awards | Clarence Derwent Award | Heathers: The Musical, Schmigadoon! | Won | [22] |
References
[edit]- ^ "Q&A: McKenzie Kurtz says Atlanta paved her yellow brick road to Broadway". ArtsATL.org. May 16, 2023.
- ^ a b c Moynihan, Caitlin (April 22, 2020). "Frozen's McKenzie Kurtz on the Cruise that Changed Everything & Seeing Herself as a Princess for the First Time". Broadway.com.
- ^ "Resume – McKenzie Kurtz". Retrieved 2026-05-02.
- ^ a b "Listen to Frozen's New Star McKenzie Kurtz with These Incredible Clips from Her Past". Broadway.com. January 15, 2020.
- ^ "BWW Review: FOOTLOOSE at The Muny is a Timeless Smash Hit". Broadwayworld.com. July 20, 2019.
- ^ Tran, Diep (March 4, 2020). "See Why Ciara Renée, McKenzie Kurtz & Ryan McCartan Are Excited to Put Their Stamps on Frozen". BroadwayW.com.
- ^ "Full Cast Revealed for ANNIE LIVE! on NBC". BroadwayW.com. November 16, 2021.
- ^ Rabinowitz, Chloe (March 10, 2022). "McKenzie Kurtz to Join the National Tour of FROZEN as 'Anna'". BroadwayWorld. Retrieved February 15, 2023.
- ^ "Aneesa Folds, Bryce Pinkham, Marc Kudisch, More Cast in World Premiere of Trading Places Musical". Playbill.com. March 23, 2022.
- ^ "Broadway's Wicked Will Welcome a New Glinda in February". Playbill.com. January 13, 2023.
- ^ a b Scheps, Leigh (2024-02-29). "Alyssa Fox & McKenzie Kurtz Reflect on Time in Wicked Ahead of Final Show". Broadway Direct. Retrieved 2025-07-20.
- ^ Hereford, André (2025-02-09). "'Schmigadoon!' is a Love Letter to Broadway's Golden Age". Metro Weekly. Retrieved 2025-07-20.
- ^ Gordon, David Schmigadoon!, Two Strangers Land Drama Desk Best Musical Nominations TheaterMania, April 29, 2026
- ^ "McKenzie Kurtz, Olivia Hardy and Elizabeth Teeter to Play the Heathers in Heathers the Musical". Broadway.com. Retrieved 2025-07-20.
- ^ Tosti, Carole Di (2025-07-18). "Theater Review: 'Heathers: The Musical' with Casey Likes, Lorna Courtney, McKenzie Kurtz". Blogcritics. Retrieved 2025-07-20.
- ^ Kurtz, McKenzie (August 27, 2025). Mckenzie Kurtz on the Off-Broadway return of 'Heathers the Musical'. New York Live. Event occurs at 2:48. Retrieved 2026-01-28.
- ^ Dilella, Frank. "Corey Cott and McKenzie Kurtz on Starring in The Heart of Rock and Roll". Broadway Direct. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
- ^ "2026 Drama Desk Award Nominations Announced: Full List". Broadway.com. April 29, 2026. Retrieved May 2, 2026.
- ^ Culwell-Block, Logan (April 29, 2026). "Beau, Mexodus Lead 2026 Drama Desk Award Nominations; Read the Full List Here". Playbill. Retrieved May 2, 2026.
- ^ and Lee D'Amato (2026-05-13). "Dorian Theater Awards announces 2026 nominees". Broadway News. Retrieved 2026-05-14.
- ^ Mandell, Jonathan (June 1, 2026). "2026 Dorian Theater Award winners: Schmigadoon. Prince Faggot. Ragtime: Joshua. Junior. Quincy. Qween". New York Theater. Retrieved June 1, 2026.
- ^ Rabinowitz, Chloe (2026-05-20). "Ruben Santiago-Hudson, Ali Louis Bourzgui and More to Receive Actors' Equity Foundation '26 Awards". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2026-05-23.