Gabriella Pizzolo

Gabriella Pizzolo
Born
Gabriella Grace Pizzolo

(2003-03-10) March 10, 2003 (age 21)
Schenectady, New York, U.S.
Other namesGabby Pizzolo
Occupations
  • Actor
  • singer
Years active2013–present

Gabriella Grace Pizzolo (born March 10, 2003) is an American actress and singer. She first made her breakthrough on Broadway for her portrayal as Matilda in Matilda the Musical (2013) and Small Alison in Fun Home (2015). In 2019, she received widespread recognition for her role as Suzie Bingham in Stranger Things.

Career

Pizzolo appeared in several regional productions before making her Broadway debut as the title character in Matilda the Musical.[1][2] She had auditioned for the original cast of Matilda and received several callbacks but was not cast.[3] She auditioned again and was successful, giving her first performance of the role on December 22, 2013.[4] She made several public appearances as Matilda, such as Broadway at Bryant Park and a Ralph Lauren Fashion Show. Her final performance in the role was on September 13, 2014. In March 2015, Pizzolo was cast as the understudy for the roles of Small Alison, Christian and John in the musical Fun Home.[1] After the departure of Sydney Lucas in October 2015, Pizzolo assumed the role of Small Alison. During her tenure in the role, she performed "Ring of Keys" at several events, including the 20th SAGE Awards[5] and the White House.[6] Pizzolo played the role until the production closed on September 10, 2016.[7]

In October 2016, Pizzolo performed in the concert version of Sunday in the Park with George at New York City Center.[8] From January 2017, she played Opal in the musical Because of Winn Dixie at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival.[9] Pizzolo voices Cricket in the 2018 series Butterbean's Café.[10] She plays Suzie Bingham in season 3 of Stranger Things (2019), reprising her role again in the fourth season (2022).

Personal life

Pizzolo lives in upstate New York with her parents and younger sister.[3] Her mother, Natalie, is a teacher who homeschooled her when she was in Matilda.[4] Pizzolo is non-binary, using she/they pronouns, and pansexual.[11]

Filmography

Television

Year Title Role Notes
2016 BrainDead Young Laurel Healy Episode: "The End of All We Hold Dear: What Happens When Democracies Fail: A Brief Synopsis"
2017 Beaches Young CC Bloom Television film[12]
2018–2020 Butterbean's Café Cricket (voice) Main role
2019–2022 Stranger Things Suzie Bingham Recurring role (season 3–4)
2022 Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin Angela Waters Recurring role (season 1)

Film

Year Title Role Notes
2023 The Hallow Main Role Short film[13]

Theatre

Year Title Role Notes
2013–14 Matilda the Musical Matilda Wormwood Shubert Theatre
22 December 2013 – 13 September 2014
2015–16 Fun Home Swing Circle in the Square Theatre
27 March 2015 – 10 September 2016
Small Alison
2016 Sunday in the Park with George Louise New York City Center

24 October 2016 - 26 October 2016

2017 Because of Winn Dixie Opal Alabama Shakespeare Festival

27 January 2017 - 12 February 2017

References

  1. ^ a b Purcell, Carey. "The Life of Fun Home's 12-Year-Old Understudy – Covering Two Boys, One Girl and Going On at a Moment's Notice". Playbill.com. Archived from the original on August 29, 2016. Retrieved September 4, 2016.
  2. ^ Wetherell, Lauren. "Gabriella Pizzolo: from Schenectady to Broadway". timesunion.com. Times Union. Archived from the original on September 14, 2016. Retrieved September 4, 2016.
  3. ^ a b Isenhart, Rebecca. "Playing Matilda on Broadway is unforgettable". yourniskayuna.com. Your Niskayuna. Archived from the original on September 20, 2016. Retrieved September 4, 2016.
  4. ^ a b Hollander, Sophia (March 14, 2014). "For the New Matildas, a Shared Spotlight". Wall Street Journal. The Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on September 16, 2016. Retrieved September 4, 2016.
  5. ^ Lloyd Webber, Imogen. "Odds & Ends: Watch Josh Groban & Kelly Clarkson Share One Love, Check Out Gabriella Pizzolo's 'Ring of Keys' & More" Archived January 11, 2016, at the Wayback Machine, Broadway.com, November 3, 2015, accessed September 5, 2016
  6. ^ Bunster, Kate. "Gabriella Pizzolo: From Broadway to White House". yourniskayuna.com. Your Niskayuna. Archived from the original on September 20, 2016. Retrieved September 4, 2016.
  7. ^ Paulson, Michael (June 21, 2016). "'Fun Home' to Close in September". The New York Times. Archived from the original on August 16, 2017. Retrieved March 1, 2017.
  8. ^ "All-Star Supporting Cast Joins Jake Gyllenhaal-Annaleigh Ashford Sunday in the Park". Playbill. Archived from the original on August 16, 2017. Retrieved August 15, 2017.
  9. ^ "Review: 'Because of Winn Dixie' is surprisingly powerful musical". USA Today. Archived from the original on August 16, 2017. Retrieved August 15, 2017.
  10. ^ "Butterbean's Café". TVGuide.com. Archived from the original on August 23, 2020. Retrieved May 3, 2020.
  11. ^ Useche, Jose (September 28, 2022). "GLAAD 20 Under 20: Meet the 2022 Class of Outstanding Young LGBTQ+ Changemakers". Teen Vogue. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
  12. ^ "Fun Home's Gabriella Pizzolo and More Join Idina Menzel in Beaches Remake". Theater Mania. Archived from the original on September 10, 2016. Retrieved September 4, 2016.
  13. ^ "Concert, short film featuring 'Stranger Things' star to debut at UAlbany". WTEN. Retrieved October 11, 2023.