Carmello to Star in Signature's 'Saving Aimee'

Carolee Carmello will star in the world premiere musical Saving Aimee at the Signature Theatre April 10 – May 13.  Saving Aimee features a book and lyrics by Kathie Lee Gifford, music by David Pomeranz and David Friedman and is directed by directed by Eric Schaeffer.  The cast also stars E. Faye Butler, Ed Dixon, and Florence Lacey.

"Long before Gloria Steinem there was a feminist who stood up against a male-dominated religious society," states press notes, "Long before O.J. Simpson there was a famous defendant in the trial of the century.  Long before Madonna there was a free spirit who ignored the sexual mores of her day and married three times.  And long before Marilyn Monroe there was a beloved American treasure who mysteriously died from an overdose of barbiturates.  Based on the life of Aimee Semple McPherson, Saving Aimee is the story of one woman's life from her humble upbringing in a 'Salvation Army' family to her ascension as the charismatic founder of the Four Square Gospel Church.  She changed the face of the pulpit, but was she a true woman of God or just one hell of a woman?"

Carolee Carmello made her Broadway debut in City of Angels and has since appeared in Falsettos, 1776, The Scarlett Pimpernel, Parade, Kiss Me Kate, Urinetown, Mamma Mia and Lestat.  She has appeared off-Broadway in A Class Act, Elegies and john & jen and in the national tours of Chess, Les Miserables, and Big River.  Carmello has garnered two Tony Award-nominations and earned the 1999 Drama Desk Award for Best Actress in a Musical for Parade.

Saving Aimee plays April 10 - May 13, 2007 with the following schedule: Tuesday & Wednesday at 7:30PM; Thursday & Friday at 8:00PM; Saturday at 2 & 8:00PM and Sunday at 2 & 7:00PM.

The Signature Theatre is located at 3806 S. Four Mile Run, Arlington, VA 22206.  For tickets ($37-$63) or more information call 703-820-9771 or visit www.sig-online.org.

Carolee Carmello: Photo by Walter McBride