Raised in New York and New Jersey

Began singing at the age of five

Became the lead singer for a wedding band at 15 years old

Made stage debut, playing vampy performance artist Maureen Johnson, in Jonathan Larson's off-Broadway musical, "Rent"

Continued on with "Rent" in its move to Broadway; nominated for a Tony Award for her performance

Signed with Hollywood Records and released her first solo album, "Still I Can't Be Still"; the single "Follow If You Lead" was featured on the soundtrack of "The Other Sister" (1999)

Returned to the stage and appeared in Andrew Lippa's successful "The Wild Party"

Originated the role of Dorothy in "Summer of '42" at the Goodspeed theater

Joined Heather Headley and played Amneris as a replacement in "Aida" at the Palace Theatre

Made her feature debut in "Kissing Jessica Stein"

Became a young Wicked Witch of the West in "Wicked," a musical adaptation of the Gregory Maguire book and a prequel to "The Wizard of Oz"

Reprised the role of Maureen Johnson for the big-screen adaptation of Jonathan Larson's Tony-winning musical, "Rent"

Cast in the indie film "The Tollbooth," alongside Marla Sokoloff, Liz Stauber and Tovah Feldshuh

Co-starred with Colin Farrell in the Robert Towne-directed adaptation of John Fante's Depression Era novel, "Ask the Dust"

Co-starred in the part live-action, part animated feature, "Enchanted"