Julia Knitel | |
|---|---|
 Knitel in Dead Outlaw 2025 | |
| Born | January 30, 1993 Fair Lawn, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Education | Marymount Manhattan College (no degree) |
| Occupations |
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| Years active | 2009–present |
| Spouse | PJ Adzima (2019-2025) |
Julia Nicole Knitel (born January 30, 1993) is an American actress and singer known for her work in theater. In 2025, she was nominated for her first Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical for her role as Maggie/Helen in Dead Outlaw.
Knitel was born and raised in Fair Lawn, New Jersey, and was introduced to the arts at a young age by her parents who were actors. Knitel was a 2009 Jimmy Awards nominee for her performance as Millie in Thoroughly Modern Millie at Fair Lawn High School and performed at the Paper Mill Playhouse as a child.
In 2009, Knitel made her Broadway debut at age sixteen in the ensemble of the revival of Bye Bye Birdie at the Henry Miller Theatre.
She played the lead role of Carole King in the biographical musical Beautiful: The Carole King Musical on Broadway and on tour. She also played the role of Janice in Come from Away on tour. In 2018, she played Louise opposite Beth Leavel as Mama Rose in a production of Gypsy at The Muny in St. Louis. Also in 2018 she starred in the Off-Broadway musical Letter to Harvey Milk as Barbara Katsef, for which she was nominated for a Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Musical.
In 2024, she originated the dual roles of Millicent / Maggie / Helen in the Off-Broadway musical Dead Outlaw, and reprised the role in the 2025 Broadway production. She was nominated for an Outer Critics Circle Award and a Tony Award for her performance.
In February 2026, it was announced that she would be taking over the role of Ewen Montagu & Others in the Broadway production of Operation Mincemeat from original cast member and writer Natasha Hodgson.
Knitel married actor P.J. Adzima and separated in 2025.
| Year | Title | Role | Venue | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Bye Bye Birdie | Teenager, Fan Club Girl | Henry Miller's Theatre, Broadway | |
| 2013 | Volley Girls | Ingrid | The New York Music Theatre Festival | |
| 2014 | Beautiful: The Carole King Musical | Ensemble | Stephen Sondheim Theatre, Broadway | |
| Brighton Beach Memoirs | Nora Morton | Portland Stage, Regional | ||
| 2015 | Beautiful: The Carole King Musical | Carole King | U.S. National Tour | |
| 2018 | Letter to Harvey Milk | Barbara | Acorn Theatre, Off-Broadway | |
| Gypsy | Louise | The Muny, Regional | ||
| The Constant Wife | Martha Culver | Denver Center for the Performing Arts, Regional | ||
| 2019 | The Producers | Ulla | Casa Mañana, Regional | |
| Come From Away | Janice & Others | U.S. National Tour | ||
| 2022 | The Panic of '29 | Performer | 59E59 Theatres, Off-Broadway | |
| 2024 | Beautiful: The Carole King Musical | Carole King | Cape Playhouse, Regional | |
| Dead Outlaw | Helen/Maggie | Minetta Lane Theatre, Off-Broadway | ||
| 2025 | Longacre Theatre, Broadway | |||
| Beautiful: The Carole King Musical | Carole King | Asolo Repertory Theatre, Regional | ||
| A Christmas Carol | Belle | PAC NYC | ||
| 2026 | Operation Mincemeat | Ewen Montagu & Others | John Golden Theatre, Broadway |
| Award | Year | Category | Work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lucille Lortel Awards | 2018 | Outstanding Lead Actress in a Musical | Letter to Harvey Milk | Nominated | |
| Outer Critics Circle Awards | 2024 | Outstanding Featured Performer in an Off-Broadway Musical | Dead Outlaw | Nominated | |
| Tony Awards | 2025 | Best Featured Actress in a Musical | Nominated |