Isabella Esler
Isabella Esler | |
|---|---|
 Esler performing in the Palace Theatre in 2025 | |
| Born | February 20, 2004 |
| Occupations | Actress, singer |
| Years active | 2022–present |
| Website | www |
Isabella Esler (born February 20, 2004) is an American actress and singer of Colombian descent.[1] She starred as Lydia Deetz in the first national tour of Beetlejuice.[2]
Early life and education
Esler was born in Roseburg, Oregon and grew up in San Jose, California.[1] She attended Archbishop Mitty High School, graduating in 2022.[3] She had planned to attend Pace University but withdrew after being cast in the national tour of Beetlejuice.[4]
At age six, Esler began performing with Children's Musical Theater San Jose, appearing in youth productions of musicals such as Urinetown, Once Upon a Mattress, and American Idiot.[4] In 2022, she played Sandy Cheeks in a production of The SpongeBob Musical with the same company.[1] At her high school, Esler participated in numerous theatre productions, including a leading role in Mamma Mia!. For her performance, she received the National Youth Theatre Award for Best Lead Performance in a Musical.[5]
Career
Upon graduating high school, Esler was cast in the first national tour of Beetlejuice as Lydia Deetz.[2] The tour began in December 2022, and she remained with the tour until August 2024.[6] Esler's performance received critical acclaim.[7]
Esler next starred as Alice Carter in a Toronto engagement of the musical Life After. The musical opened at the Ed Mirvish Theatre on April 16, 2025 and played until May 10, 2025.[8] In February 2025, a music video of Esler performing "Poetry", a song from the show, was released.[9] For her performance, Esler is nominated for Outstanding Performance by an Individual at the 2025 Dora Awards.[10]
Esler made her off-Broadway debut as Veronica Sawyer in Heathers the Musical, stepping into the role on April 27, 2026.[11]
Theatre credits
| Year(s) | Production | Role | Location | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022–2024 | Beetlejuice | Lydia Deetz | First National Tour | [2] | |
| 2025 | Life After | Alice Carter | Ed Mirvish Theatre | Pre-Broadway engagement: Toronto | [8] |
| 2025 | Beetlejuice | Lydia Deetz | Palace Theatre | Broadway | |
| 2026 | Heathers: The Musical | Veronica Sawyer | New World Stages | ||
References
- 1 2 3 Perez, Andrea (16 November 2023). "Meet Isabella Esler, the young Latina who lit up Broadway as the star of 'Beetlejuice'". Hola! Magazine. Retrieved 20 February 2025.
- 1 2 3 Childs, Holly (16 May 2024). ""We're All Just Learning and Getting Better": Isabella Esler's Broadway Journey and Finding Her Path". Showstopper Magazine. Retrieved 20 February 2025.
- ↑ Harrington, Jim (19 July 2023). "San Jose teen makes triumphant homecoming in starring role of hit musical". Mercury News. Retrieved 20 February 2025.
- 1 2 Harrington, Jim (13 January 2023). "Isabella Esler graduates to 'Beetlejuice' tour, now at Playhouse Square". The News-Herald. Retrieved 20 February 2025.
- ↑ "Performing Arts Awards". Archbishop Mitty High School. Retrieved 6 April 2025.
- ↑ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 2026-07-30.
- ↑ Jones, Chris (9 November 2023). "Review: Beetlejuice the Musical at the Auditorium is unstoppable – nothing this critic can do". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 9 April 2025.
- 1 2 Gans, Andrew. "Photos: Get a 1st Look at Isabella Esler, Jake Epstein, More in Life After Musical in Toronto", Playbill, April 17, 2025
- ↑ Rosky, Nicole (5 February 2025). "Exclusive: Isabella Esler Sings 'Poetry' from Broadway-Aimed Life After". BroadwayWorld. Retrieved 20 February 2025.
- ↑ Wright, Joshua (28 May 2025). "Nominations Announced For The 2025 Dora Mavor Moore Awards". BroadwayWorld. Retrieved 29 May 2025.
- ↑ "Isabella Esler and John Cardoza Joining the Cast of Heathers - TheaterMania.com". 2026-03-09. Retrieved 2026-05-08.