Jessica most recently appeared on Broadway in A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC with Bernadette Peters and Elaine Stritch. Her other Broadway credits include: SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE (Celeste 2), THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE (Miss Dorothy), and LES MISÉRABLES (Eponine).
At age 15, Jessica originated the role of Dorothy in THE WIZARD OF OZ at New York City’s Madison Square Garden, as well as on the National Tour, performing alongside legends Mickey Rooney and Eartha Kitt. She received a Jefferson Award nomination for her portrayal, and can be heard on the 1998 Grammy nominated cast recording.
Jessica played Polly on the National tour of THE BOY FRIEND (directed by Julie Andrews), recreating the same role Ms. Andrews created in the 1954 Broadway production.
Jessica’s Off-Broadway credits include Cryer and Ford’s ANNE OF GREEN GABLES (Diana Barry), Peter Mills’s ILLYRIA (Viola), and the World Premieres of IRON CURTAIN (Prospect Theatre Company), TRANSPORT (Irish Repertory Theatre), and THE UNDERCLASSMAN (Prospect Theatre Company).
Regionally, Jessica has starred as The Baker’s Wife in INTO THE WOODS (Wilde Award), Mother in A CHRISTMAS STORY - THE MUSICAL (Wilde Award), Ariel in Disney’s THE LITTLE MERMAID, Belle in Disney's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, Eliza in MY FAIR LADY (Wilde Award Nom.), The Witch in INTO THE WOODS (Wilde Award Nom.), Amalia in SHE LOVES ME (Connecticut Critics Circle Award Nom.), Maria in THE SOUND OF MUSIC, Sarah Brown in GUYS AND DOLLS, Lil’ Luz in GIANT (World Premiere), Laurey in OKLAHOMA! (with the film’s Laurey, Shirley Jones, as Aunt Eller), Cinderella in Rodgers and Hammerstein’s CINDERELLA with the Nashville Symphony, Luisa in THE FANTASTICKS, Eva in EVITA, Dorothy in WAS (World Premiere), Anne Frank in YOURS, ANNE (Columbus Dispatch Award, Best Actress), and Fleur-de-Lys and Esmeralda in NOTRE DAME DE PARIS (U.S. and English Language Premiere in Las Vegas).
Jessica founded The Jessica Grové Fund for the Performing Arts, which financially assists students in her hometown in pursuing their dreams in the arts. She is married to fellow Broadway Actor, Daniel Cooney, who is the Founding Artistic Director of The Encore Musical Theatre Company in Dexter, Michigan https://theencoretheatre.org. Jessica is the director of marketing for The Encore Musical Theatre Company in Dexter, Michigan. Her best productions to date are her two children, Gavin and Lolly.