Her early roles on Broadway include in the musicals Wicked , Legally Blonde , and Hair She also starred in the Broadway revival of Sunday in the Park with George She released her debut album Lost in the Stars: Live at 54 Below in Ashford was born on June 25, [ 2 ] the daughter of Holli Swanson, an elementary school gym teacher, and Chris Swanson, a small-business owner.
She acted and sang in numerous performances and competitions in her hometown. Ashford's professional career began at age nine in Denver, when she was cast as Tina Denmark, the lead in the musical Ruthless! She graduated from Wheat Ridge High School in three years, at the age of 16, and then attended Marymount Manhattan College , where she earned a degree in theatre in another three years, at the age of Soon after graduating from college, Ashford got her big break performing as one of Glinda's friends, Pfanne, and understudying the role of Glinda on the first national tour of Wicked.
She joined the cast in December and left in September She understudied the lead role of Elle Woods, but only played it once. She was featured on the original cast recording and appeared in the MTV televised airing. Ashford left the show in September She previously did a staged reading for the project under the Tony Award -winning director of Hairspray , Jack O'Brien. Ashford then returned to Wicked, this time playing the lead role of Glinda in the Broadway production.
She replaced Kendra Kassebaum on October 9, Ashford played a counter girl. However, it was later announced that Ashford and her colleague Michael Longoria were no longer in the cast of the show. Ashford was originally slated to stay in the production from its premiere in Chicago until sometime in Ashford starred as Jeanie in the Broadway revival of Hair. She succeeded Kacie Sheik in the role from March 9, , through June 27, , when the production closed.
The concert was met with rave reviews, including a notice for Ashford's "thoughtfully put together" directorial style.
