If you want an actress with a big voice who knows a thing or two about stopping a show, look no further than Keala Settle, who serves up way more than pie as feisty Becky in the hit musical Waitress, had you LOLing as Madame Thénardier in Les Miz, and gave a new meaning to praise hand moment in Hands on a Hardbody.
The Tony nominee makes her solo debut as a concert artist in New York at Birdland Jazz Club on Monday, August 22 with Grammy and Tony nominee Frank Wildhorn (Jekyll & Hyde, The Scarlet Pimpernel, Bonnie and Clyde) in For the First Time Live
. She'll sing brand new original songs Wildhorn wrote for her, along with highlights from Wildhorn’s pop/jazz/theatre catalogue. (Tbh, I might pass out during "Bring On the Men".)"One of the very first songs I ever sang in public was a Frank Wildhorn song, and I’ve been a huge fan of his work ever since. To have been gifted this opportunity to collaborate with him as a solo artists is beyond a dream come true. Now I will get to show other people what I see in his music and how truly powerful it can be."
Now that she can cross NYC concert debut off her bucket list, BroadwayBox caught up with Keala to find out what else is on that list, mainly what three roles she's itching to play.
Mama Rose (Gypsy)
I had the privilege of playing the role my last year at university, and I secretly dream of getting a chance to do it again on a big stage someday.
Puck (A Midsummer Night's Dream)
There's a playfulness and a presence to that character that has always been a draw for me, and I have always been in love with the Bard.
Sonja (The Life)
Lillias KNOWS how much I love her and what she has inadvertently taught me as a performer. And this role is EPIC. BRING IT!
Don't miss Keala Settle and Frank Wildhorn in 'For the First Time Live' at Birdland on August 22, and check her out in 'Waitress' at Broadway's Brooks Atkinson Theatre.
