Breaking News: Pop Star Carly Rae Jepsen to Replace Laura Osnes in Broadway's CINDERELLA
By: BWW Special Coverage Dec. 29, 2013
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A pop star will soon be slipping on Cinderella's glass slipper.
Producers have tapped 'Call Me Maybe' singer Carly Rae Jepsen to replace Tony nominee Laura Osnes in Rodgers & Hammerstein's CINDERELLA, currently playing on Broadway. Jepsen will step into the role on Feb. 4 for a limited 12-week run.
Jepsen, who just confirmed the news on Twitter, will join the previously announced Fran Drescher, who will also be making her Broadway debut as 'Madame.'
"It was essentially musical theater training with studies in singing, dancing and acting," said in a statement today. "My favorite part of the school year was our trip to New York, where we met Broadway performers and toured the theaters."
Of CINDERELLA, Jepsen said: "It's so hopeful and inspiring. I've always been one to believe in the impossible, so I relate to her character completely."
Canadian singer/songwriter Jepsen has taken America by storm after bursting onto the scene in the US with her hit single "Call Me Maybe." Unforgettably catchy, the hit song which she co-wrote quickly rose to the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart where it remained for nine consecutive weeks. The song is also an international sensation, climbing to No. 1 on the iTunes Singles charts in over 47 countries while the song has sold over 17 million singles worldwide to date. Jepsen began performing in musical theater in high school, starring in Annie, The Wiz and Grease before attending the Canadian College of Performing Arts. She released her debut album Kiss in 2012 via 604 Records/School Boy Records/Interscope Records, and won the American Music Award for Best New Artist along with two GRAMMY nominations that same year for Best Pop Solo Performance and Song of the Year. After supporting multi-platinum pop/R&B artist Justin Bieber on tour in the U.S and Europe, Carly hit the road on her first headline tour of the US, which wrapped earlier this year and she is now working on her new album for release in 2014.
With its fresh, new take on the beloved tale of a young woman who is transformed from a chambermaid into a princess, this hilarious and romantic Cinderella combines the story's classic elements - glass slippers, pumpkin, a beautiful ball and more - with some surprise twists. More than just a pretty face with the right shoe size, theCinderella of the Rodgers & Hammerstein musical now on Broadway is a surprisingly contemporary figure living in a fairytale setting: a spirited young woman with savvy and soul, eager to develop a world view, she doesn't let her rags or her gowns trip her up in her quest for kindness, compassion and forgiveness. She not only fights for her own dreams, but makes the prince, who falls in love with her, open his eyes to the world around him and realize his dreams, too.
CINDERELLA has music by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, a new book by Douglas Carter Beaneand original book by Oscar Hammerstein II. The musical is directed by Mark Brokaw. Josh Rhodes is choreographer. Music adaptation, supervision and arrangements are by David Chase. Orchestrations are by Danny Troob. Andy Einhorn is music director and conductor.
One of the legendary musical theatre duo Rodgers + Hammerstein's most popular titles, Cinderella was written for television -- debuting in 1957 starring Julie Andrews -- and only this year has made its long-overdue Broadway debut. Along with Cinderella, Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein's legendary musicals include OKLAHOMA!, CAROUSEL, THE KING AND I, SOUTH PACIFIC and THE SOUND OF MUSIC.
MR. Beane's book for RODGERS + HAMMERSTEIN'S Cinderella blends masterfully with the musical's beloved score with songs including "In My Own Little Corner," "Impossible/It's Possible," "Ten Minutes Ago" and "Do I Love You Because You're Beautiful?"
RODGERS + HAMMERSTEIN'S Cinderella has production design by a team with numerous Tony Awards and nominations to their credit: Scenic Design by Anna Louizos (Tony nominee IN THE HEIGHTS, HIGH FIDELITY, THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD); also AVENUE Q, Irving Berlin'S WHITE CHRISTMAS); Costume design by William Ivey Long (6-time Tony winner for Cinderella, HAIRSPRAY, THE PRODUCERS, GREY GARDENS, CRAZY FOR YOU, NINE); Lighting design by Ken Posner (Tony nominee Cinderella; Tony winner THE COAST OF UTOPIA; also WICKED, HAIRSPRAY, OTHER DESERT CITIES); Sound design by Nevin Steinberg (Tony nominee Cinderella; The Gershwin's PORGY AND BESS, LA BOHEME; BENGAL TIGER AT THE BAGHDAD ZOO, HAIR, IN THE HEIGHTS).
CINDERELLA is produced by Robyn Goodman, Jill Furman, Stephen Kocis, Edward Walson, Venetian Glass Productions, The Araca Group, Luigi Caiola & Rose Caiola, Roy Furman, Walt Grossman, Peter May/Sanford Robertson, Glass Slipper Productions/Eric Schmidt, Ted Liebowitz/James Spry, Blanket Fort Productions and is produced in association with Center Theatre Group. Charles Salameno is associate producer.
Tickets to RODGERS + HAMMERSTEIN'S Cinderella are on sale through Telecharge and can be purchased by calling 212-239-6200, online at www.telecharge.com. Tickets are also on sale at the Broadway Theater (1681 Broadway at 53rd Street).
Photo by: REX USA/MediaPunch Inc
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