Monday, May 3, 2010
Carmen Miranda Musical Premieres at The Hudson
Previewing May 21 is the world premiere musical, Carmen Miranda – The Lady in the Tutti Frutti Hat, by Sam Mossler. Dennis Kaye musical directs, choreography is by Daniel Coffman and Adam Schlachter will direct.
Magi Avila stars in the title role and began her own professional career as an opera singer at the age of 15. She is a familiar face on Mexican television, where she additionally worked as a newscaster, and has appeared in stage productions in Mexico, San Diego, (San Diego Rep) and Los Angeles (Casa 0101).
In addition to Avila, the cast will include Dennis Kaye, Robson Vieira, Edgar Lopez, Marcello Olivas, Jeff Markgraf, Geremy Dingle, Larry Meregillano, Ron Hershewe, Cengis Yaltkaya and Michael Solomon.
Carmen Miranda became a successful radio singer, making a transition first into Brazilian films, and then to America, first on Broadway and then to Hollywood. She was a sensation, making 13 Hollywood movies and, at one point (1946), becoming Hollywood’s highest earning star. The singer, dancer, actress was known for her unabashedly Latin screen persona, her musical talent, her sex appeal, and her distinctive headgear.
She was the lady in the tutti frutti hat, like the title of the song in her film “The Gang’s All Here.” A disastrous marriage to an exploitive husband/manager who overworked her and allegedly beat her contributed to her early demise. She succumbed to a fatal heart attack the night after her final television appearance. Miranda has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and her footprints are preserved in cement as part of the Grauman’s Chinese Theatre collection.
The show, suitable for family audiences, will feature sixteen of Miranda’s songs and production numbers and celebrates the life and career of a unique and legendary entertainer who brought joy to millions.
Tickets are available at www.Plays411.com/carmen. For more about the musical go to www.carmenmirandashow.com/.
