Russel and Helen to Headline "Kristina"

[Janki]

Posted: 5/28/09 at 3:30am

Helen Sjöholm and Russell Watson will headline the concert version of Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus? musical Kristina at Carnegie Hall. The show, directed by Lars Rudolfsson, will feature 32 actors and a 50-piece orchestra conducted by Paul Gemignani. It plays at Carnegie Hall on September 23 and 24.

Kristina features music and lyrics by ABBA songwriting partners Andersson and Ulvaeus, who also created the musical Chess and the worldwide sensation Mamma Mia!, and English lyrics by Ulvaeus and Herbert Kretzmer. Originally titled Kristina från Duvemåla, the musical premiered in the creators? native Sweden in 1995 and ran for almost four years, winning four Guldmasken Theatre Awards (Sweden?s Tony). Based on The Emigrants series of novels by Vilhelm Moberg, Kristina tells the epic story of a family?s migration from Sweden to America in the mid-19th century. A concert version was performed in Swedish in 1996 in Minneapolis, where many events in the novels take place.

In addition to her breakthrough role as the title character in Kristina från Duvemåla (which was seen by over one million Swedes), Sjöholm?s credits include playing Hodel in Fiddler on the Roof, Fantine in Les Miserables, Polly Peachum in The Threepenny Opera and starring in the Swedish production of Chess. She made her professional debut in 1988 touring with the entertainment troupe ?Just for Fun? and is currently playing Eliza in My Fair Lady at the Oscars Theatre in Stockholm. She is a lead vocalist in the Benny Andersson Band, whose song ?You Are My Man? has topped the Swedish charts for five years.



Watson was the first-ever British male to simultaneously occupy a number one spot in the U.K. and American classical charts, as well as being the first artist to have a classical album at the number one spot on the U.K. classical charts for an entire year. Having released nine albums to date and sold over six million records worldwide, he has won four classical BRIT Awards. Watson played Parson Nathaniel in the stage adaptation of Jeff Wayne?s musical version of The War of the Worlds. He has collaborated with varying artists such as Cliff Richard, Lulu, Lionel Richie, Mel C (of Spice Girls fame) and Meat Loaf.

A cast recording of the Carnegie Hall concert version of Kristina is being planned, to be released through Universal Music?s Decca Records. Further casting for the performances will be announced shortly.

OMG! I cannot wait! This girl is the most amazing performer I've ever seen! I hope America will give her a chance to shine, and if Kristina ever makes it to B'way I hope you all get to see her gorgeous Kristina come to life!

[broadwayjim42]

Posted: 5/28/09 at 7:43am

So happy about Helen.

This is the culmination of a 13-year-dream...in most cases, that would sound like an overstatement, but this time, it's true. This is the one show I've been waitng for unlike any other.

[Pgenre]

Posted: 5/28/09 at 4:11pm

As a KRISTINA fan from back in the CHESS mailing list days (twelve years ago now?) I gotta say this news could not be better. Not only do we get Helen, we get that velvet-voiced Watson as well. AND it will be recorded! What excitment!

I gotta say that I am NOT a fan of Ripley's cover of a song from this show, and Helen owns the role. Period.

I wonder if it will be filmed as well? A recording is enough for me, and I hope the lyrics aren't too simplistic, as tends to be Kretzmer (and Ulvaes's) wont, though this project certainly isn't suited to Tim Rice's sensibilities (except, perhaps, the more raucous American numbers).

A Good Nightmare Comes So Rarely,
P genre

[defyingravity07]

Posted: 5/28/09 at 4:24pm

I first heard "Du Maste Finnas" 3 years ago on Elaine Paige's radio show. It is addicting.

[RippedMan]

Posted: 5/28/09 at 4:55pm

Finally, an excuse to go see something at Carnegie Hall!!!

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 5/28/09 at 5:30pm

Wow, It won the Guldmasken!

How do you pronounce the little circle over the a's.
Updated On: 5/29/09 at 05:30 PM

[Janki]

Posted: 5/29/09 at 4:01am

CurtainPullDowner, are you talking about the å? It's like the a in war, or the a in saw (think a really thick British accent)
I'm definitely gonna buy my tickets on sunday! Cannot wait for this! It's my 30th birthday on the 13th, so what you be a better present than this concert, I ask.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 5/29/09 at 10:51am

I was hoping Ripley would play the title role, I do love her "You Have to Be There," but I've heard nothing but wonderful things about Helen so I'm sure it'll make for a great recording. I wonder if Ripley will play the role she workshopped in NY.

[Janki]

Posted: 5/29/09 at 2:01pm

Alice Ripley would be an amazing Ulrika, so lets cross our fingers and hope!!!

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 5/29/09 at 2:18pm

Now, how about the rest of the cast?!

[Scripps2]

Posted: 5/29/09 at 6:10pm

Surely this score deserves better than Russel Watson - can he even act?

[silverfang]

Posted: 6/25/09 at 6:32am

Here is a preview of one of the major songs that Kristina sings. Du måste finnas (You have to be there)

Enjoy
http://www.abbainter.net/VIDEO/ABBA_2009_%28Kristina_From_Duvemala%29_You_Have_To_Be_There_%28demo_-_sung_by_Helen_Sjoholm%29_%5Bwww.ABBAinter.net%5D.wmv