Eden Espinosa Launches Kickstarter to Fund New Album

Eden Espinosa is headed back to the recording studio.

The former WICKED star announced today that she has plans to release her sophomore album, with some help from her fans.

"I am very excited to announce the launch of my second album! Thanks to your amazing support on the last album, we were able to make a recording that we were very proud of... Now we're back to do it all again!"

Espinosa hinted at the album earlier today when she tweeted, "Big news coming soon!!! Maybe today??? #staytuned."

"To make the dream of a second album a reality," Espinosa continues, "We will need the help of our supporters. Our plan for this album is to continue building on the sound that we developed during our last project. But this time we're going to amp it up...more energy, more high powered vocals, and maybe even a few more original songs. The support that you give will help us to afford the cost of studios, musicians, editing, mixing, mastering, packaging, shipping, and every detail involved in the huge task of making an album."

She shares that the success of her first Kickstarter-funded album has made her a big fan of the site.

"I was a bit apprehensive the first time I came to Kickstarter to help fund an album but now I can't imagine doing it any other way. The sense of community and friendship that happens when everybody comes together to make art is nothing short of amazing!"

She concludes by writing, "I can't wait to do this with you all again. The last time was such an amazing experience and I know that this will be even better!"

Eden Espinosa was born and raised in Southern California. She is most recognized for her portrayal of Elphaba in the Broadway production of "Wicked." She has also performed the role of the green witch in both Los Angeles and San Francisco to critical acclaim.

Other musical theater accomplishments include originating the title character in "Brooklyn the Musical" from the original workshop through its Broadway run, starring as Flora in the Reprise Theater Company's production of "Flora the Red Menace," and playing Maureen in the closing company of "Rent," the final performance of which was filmed live for Sony, and is available on DVD and Blu-ray.

Eden is also well recognized from her many television appearances on shows such as The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Good Morning America, The Today Show, The 2008 Tony Awards, The 2008 Alma Awards performing with Bebe Winans, Law and Order, and Ugly Betty. Her voiceover credits include several episodes of Robot Chicken, MAD TV, and Sasha Caylo in Titan Maximum

Known for her powerful and emotionally charged vocal style, she was the featured soloist in "Magical," the fireworks spectacular at the Disneyland Resort and can be heard on such recordings as "Hair" (BCEFA benefit recording), "The Maury Yeston Songbook," "Bright Lights, Big|Brave City," "John McDaniel Live at Joe's Pub," and Scott Alan's "Dreaming Wide Awake."

Eden made her solo concert debut in Los Angeles with her show "ME" in December 2008. She then took the show to New York where she performed to four sold out audiences at Joe's Pub in March 2009. On July 24, 2009, she brought the show back to Los Angeles and performed to a sold out audience at the Ford Amphitheatre, with special guest, Grammy Award-winning and Decca recording artist Paula Cole. In 2010, her show "From Eden With Love" was performed to sold out crowds in New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco.

Recently she has been seen performing with the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra, The Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, and as a featured soloist with the Shanghai Orchestra for the opening of the new Shanghai Culture Square in China.