Lauren Kennedy (born September 3, 1973) is an American actress and singer who has performed numerous times on Broadway. She is now the producing artistic director of Theatre Raleigh in her home state of North Carolina.

Education

Kennedy was born and raised in

Raleigh, North Carolina Raleigh (; ) is the capital city of the state of North Carolina and the seat of Wake County in the United States. It is the second-most populous city in North Carolina, after Charlotte. Raleigh is the tenth-most populous city in the Southe ...

and graduated from Needham Broughton High School in 1991. She started acting at the North Carolina Theatre while in high school. Kennedy attended the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music where she pursued a B.F.A. in Musical Theatre. She left school at the age of 19, when she was cast in the 1993 Los Angeles production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's ''

Sunset Boulevard Sunset Boulevard is a boulevard in the central and western part of Los Angeles, California, that stretches from the Pacific Coast Highway in Pacific Palisades east to Figueroa Street in Downtown Los Angeles. It is a major thoroughfare in ...

'', After a nine-month run, she moved to New York for the musical's 1994 Broadway opening.

Career

Kennedy frequently appeared in the original cast of the short-lived '' Side Show'' as the standby for Emily Skinner. She has also starred in '' Monty Python's Spamalot'' on

Broadway Broadway may refer to: Theatre * Broadway Theatre (disambiguation) * Broadway theatre, theatrical productions in professional theatres near Broadway, Manhattan, New York City, U.S. ** Broadway (Manhattan), the street **Broadway Theatre (53rd Stree ...

as a replacement for the Lady of the Lake. She has been seen on Broadway in ''

Les Misérables ''Les Misérables'' ( , ) is a French historical novel by Victor Hugo, first published in 1862, that is considered one of the greatest novels of the 19th century. In the English-speaking world, the novel is usually referred to by its origin ...

'', ''

'' with

Glenn Close Glenn Close (born March 19, 1947) is an American actress. Throughout her career spanning over four decades, Close has garnered numerous accolades, including two Screen Actors Guild Awards, three Golden Globe Awards, three Primetime Emmy Awards ...

, ''Side Show'', and ''

Cinderella "Cinderella",; french: link=no, Cendrillon; german: link=no, Aschenputtel) or "The Little Glass Slipper", is a folk tale with thousands of variants throughout the world.Dundes, Alan. Cinderella, a Casebook. Madison, Wis: University of Wisconsi ...

'' with the

New York City Opera The New York City Opera (NYCO) is an American opera company located in Manhattan in New York City. The company has been active from 1943 through 2013 (when it filed for bankruptcy), and again since 2016 when it was revived. The opera company, du ...

. She originated the role of Cathy in

Jason Robert Brown Jason Robert Brown (born June 20, 1970) is an American musical theatre composer, lyricist, and playwright. Brown's music sensibility fuses pop-rock stylings with theatrical lyrics. He is the recipient of three Tony Awards for his work on ''Parad ...

's ''

The Last Five Years ''The Last Five Years'' is a musical written by Jason Robert Brown. It premiered at Chicago's Northlight Theatre in 2001 and was then produced Off-Broadway in March 2002. Since then it has had numerous productions both in the United States an ...

'' in its Chicago premiere, but opted to do '' South Pacific'' at the National Theatre in London instead of following the show Off-Broadway (she was replaced by

Sherie Rene Scott Sherie Rene Scott (born February 8, 1967)Some sources give 1969, but Scott herself, at thOfficial Sherie Rene Scott Myspace Pageand at Lovece, Frank"Sherie Rene Scott is caught up in the 'Rapture'", ''Newsday'', May 6, 2010, gives 1967 is an Ame ...

). In 2004, she starred as Emma Carew in the concert-style version of Jekyll & Hyde – The Musical entitled Resurrection, opposite

Kate Shindle Katherine Renee Shindle (born January 31, 1977) is an American actress, singer, dancer, and AIDS activist. She is currently serving as the President of the Actors' Equity Association. She was Miss America 1998 in 1998 and Miss Illinois in 1997. ...

and Rob Evan. However, she left the tour before it concluded, to be replaced by Brandi Burkhardt, who is heard on the recording of the tour. In 2005, Kennedy starred in the world premiere of

Frank Wildhorn Frank Wildhorn (born November 29, 1958) is an American composer of both musicals and popular songs. His musical ''Jekyll & Hyde'' ran for four years on Broadway. He also wrote the #1 International hit song "Where Do Broken Hearts Go" for Whitne ...

& Jack Murphy's ''Waiting for the Moon'', as

Zelda Fitzgerald Zelda Fitzgerald (; July 24, 1900 – March 10, 1948) was an American novelist, painter, dancer, and socialite. Born in Montgomery, Alabama, she was noted for her beauty and high spirits, and was dubbed by her husband F. Scott Fitzgerald ...

, which took place in Marlton, NJ. She was nominated for a Barrymore Award for Best Leading Actress in a Musical. In 2006, Kennedy played the role of Princess Nefertari in '' The Ten Commandments: The Musical'' opposite

Val Kilmer Val Edward Kilmer (born December 31, 1959) is an American actor. Originally a stage actor, Kilmer found fame after appearances in comedy films, starting with ''Top Secret!'' (1984) and ''Real Genius'' (1985), as well as the military action film ...

. From 2007 through 2009, Lauren has worked actively with the new Wildhorn / Murphy musical '' Wonderland: Alice's New Musical Adventure''. She released two solo albums on

PS Classics PS Classics is a record label that specializes in musical theatre and standard vocals, founded in 2000 by Grammy-nominated freelance producer Tommy Krasker and singer/actor Philip Chaffin. Recent Broadway cast recordings from PS Classics includ ...

, an album of

material entitled ''Songs of Jason Robert Brown'', and an album dedicated to new musical writers, titled ''Here and Now''. Kennedy starred in the musical '' Vanities'' at the

Pasadena Playhouse The Pasadena Playhouse is a historic performing arts venue located 39 S. El Molino Avenue in Pasadena, California, United States. The 686-seat auditorium produces a variety of cultural and artistic events, professional shows, and community engage ...

, in California from August to September 2008. She then followed the musical to its Off-Broadway venue

Second Stage Theatre Second Stage Theater is a theater company founded in 1979 by Robyn Goodman and Carole Rothman and located in Manhattan, New York City. It produces both new plays and revivals of contemporary American plays by new playwrights and established wri ...

. Lauren is the artistic director of Theatre Raleigh, a theatre company in

. She portrayed Diana Goodman, a mother struggling with bipolar disorder, in the North Carolina Theatre's 2015 production of ''

Next to Normal ''Next to Normal'' (stylized in all lowercase) is a 2008 American rock musical with book and lyrics by Brian Yorkey and music by Tom Kitt. The story centers on a mother who struggles with worsening bipolar disorder and the effects that managing ...

''.

Theatre credits

Broadway

* '' Monty Python's Spamalot'' – The Lady of the Lake (First Replacement) (2006–2007) * ''

'' –

Fantine Fantine (French pronunciation: ) is a fictional character in Victor Hugo's 1862 novel ''Les Misérables''. She is a young '' grisette'' in Paris who becomes pregnant by a rich student. After he abandons her, she is forced to look after their chil ...

(2002–2003) * '' Side Show'' – Daisy Hilton (Standby for Emily Skinner) (1997) * ''

'' – Mary/1st Masseuse, understudy for Betty Schaeffer (under

Alice Ripley Alice Ripley (born December 14, 1963) is an American actress, singer, songwriter and mixed media artist. She is known, in particular, for her various roles on Broadway in musicals, including the Pulitzer Prize-winning ''Next to Normal'' (2009 To ...

) (1994–1995)

Off-Broadway

* ''Good Ol' Girls'' – Several roles, leading actress (2010) * ''

Vanities, A New Musical ''Vanities, A New Musical'' is a musical theatre, musical with music and lyrics by David Kirshenbaum and a book by Jack Heifner, based on the book and 1976 Vanities, play of the same name. The musical premiered Off-Broadway in 2009, after an engage ...

'' – Mary (2009)

West End

* '' South Pacific'' – Ensign Nellie Forbush (2001–02), National Theatre

Regional stage

* '' 9 to 5 –'' Violet Newstead (2021), North Carolina Theatre *'' Mamma Mia!'' – Donna Sheridan (2019), North Carolina Theatre * ''

Big Fish ''Big Fish'' is a 2003 American fantasy comedy-drama film directed by Tim Burton, and based on the 1998 novel of the same name by Daniel Wallace. The film stars Ewan McGregor, Albert Finney, Billy Crudup, Jessica Lange, Helena Bonham Car ...

'' – Sandra Templeton Bloom (2018), Theatre Raleigh * ''

The Mystery of Edwin Drood ''The Mystery of Edwin Drood'' is the final novel by Charles Dickens, originally published in 1870. Though the novel is named after the character Edwin Drood, it focuses more on Drood's uncle, John Jasper, a precentor, choirmaster and opium ...

'' – Miss Alice Nutting/Edwin Drood (2016), Theatre Raleigh * ''

'' – Diana Goodman (2015), North Carolina Theatre * '' Parade'' – Lucille Frank (2014), Theatre Raleigh * ''

'' – Fantine (2014), North Carolina Theatre * '' August: Osage County'' – Karen Weston (2012), Theatre Raleigh * '' Zelda: An American Love Story'' – Zelda Fitzgerald (2012), The Flat Rock Playhouse, Flat Rock, North Carolina * ''

Into the Woods ''Into the Woods'' is a 1987 musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by James Lapine. The musical intertwines the plots of several Brothers Grimm fairy tales, exploring the consequences of the characters' wishes and quests. T ...

'' – The Witch (2012),

Westport Country Playhouse Westport Country Playhouse, is a not-for-profit regional theater in Westport, Connecticut, Westport, Connecticut. It was founded in 1931 by Lawrence Langner, a New York theater producer. Langner remodeled an 1830s tannery with a Broadway-quality ...

Westport, Connecticut Westport is a town in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States, along the Long Island Sound within Connecticut's Gold Coast. It is northeast of New York City. The town had a population of 27,141 according to the 2020 U.S. Census. History ...

* ''Evita'' – Eva Perón (2011), North Carolina Theatre * '' Violet'' – Violet Karl (2011), Theatre Raleigh * '' Evita'' –

Eva Perón María Eva Duarte de Perón (; ; 7 May 1919 – 26 July 1952), better known as just Eva Perón or by the nickname Evita (), was an Argentine politician, activist, actress, and philanthropist who served as First Lady of Argentina from June 19 ...

(2011),

Casa Mañana Casa Mañana Theatre (also known as the "House of Tomorrow") is located in the Fort Worth Cultural District, Texas. Originally an outdoor amphitheater, Casa opened in 1936 as part of the official Texas Centennial Celebration. Casa Mañana is a ...

Fort Worth, Texas Fort Worth is the fifth-largest city in the U.S. state of Texas and the 13th-largest city in the United States. It is the county seat of Tarrant County, covering nearly into four other counties: Denton, Johnson, Parker, and Wise. Accord ...

* ''

1776 Events January–February * January 1 – American Revolutionary War – Burning of Norfolk: The town of Norfolk, Virginia is destroyed, by the combined actions of the British Royal Navy and occupying Patriot forces. * Januar ...

'' – Martha Jefferson (2009),

Paper Mill Playhouse Paper Mill Playhouse is a regional theater with approximately 1200 seats, located in Millburn, New Jersey on the Rahway River. Due to its relatively close location to Manhattan, it draws from the pool of actors (and audience members) who live i ...

, Millburn, New Jersey * '' Annie Get Your Gun'' –

Annie Oakley Annie Oakley (born Phoebe Ann Mosey; August 13, 1860 – November 3, 1926) was an American sharpshooter who starred in Buffalo Bill's Wild West show. Oakley developed hunting skills as a child to provide for her impoverished family in western ...

(2008), North Carolina Theatre * ''

Lone Star Love ''Lone Star Love, or, The Merry Wives of Windsor, Texas'' is a musical based on Shakespeare's ''The Merry Wives of Windsor''. The score is by Jack Herrick (of the Red Clay Ramblers), and the book is by John L. Haber and Robert Horn. The setting ...

'' – Agnes Ford (2007), Seattle, Washington *

's '' Waiting for the Moon'' –

( Marlton, NJ, Lenape Performing Arts Center) (2005) (World premiere) * ''

Beauty and the Beast ''Beauty and the Beast'' (french: La Belle et la Bête) is a fairy tale written by French novelist Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve and published in 1740 in ''La Jeune Américaine et les contes marins'' (''The Young American and Marine ...

'' – Belle (2005), North Carolina Theatre * '' The Ten Commandments: The Musical'' – Nefertari (2004),

Los Angeles Los Angeles ( ; es, Los Ángeles, link=no , ), often referred to by its initials L.A., is the List of municipalities in California, largest city in the U.S. state, state of California and the List of United States cities by population, sec ...

, Kodak Theatre * '' Jekyll & Hyde'' – Emma Carew ( Marlton, NJ, Lenape Performing Arts Center, and Mohegan Sun, CT) (2004) * '' Breakfast at Tiffany's'' – Holly Golightly (2004), St. Louis, MUNY) * ''

'' – Cathy (2001), Chicago * ''The Rhythm Club'' – Petra (2000), Washington, D.C. * '' White Christmas'' – Judy Haines, (2000),

St. Louis St. Louis () is the second-largest city in Missouri, United States. It sits near the confluence of the Mississippi and the Missouri Rivers. In 2020, the city proper had a population of 301,578, while the bi-state metropolitan area, which e ...

, MUNY * ''Hot Shoe Shuffle'' – Maddy( Theatre Under the Stars, Houston) * ''

'' – Mary/1st Masseuse, understudy for Betty Schaeffer (under

Judy Kuhn Judy Kuhn (born May 20, 1958) is an American actress and singer, known for her work in musical theatre. A four-time Tony Award nominee, she has released four studio albums and sang the title role in the 1995 film '' Pocahontas'', including her r ...

) (1993–1994) (Los Angeles) * '' Good News'' – Corda (1993), Wichita, Kansas

Tour

* ''Sunset Boulevard'' – Betty Schaeffer (1995–1997)

Film

* '' The Ten Commandments: The Musical''

Discography

* Good Ol' Girls: Original Off-Broadway Cast Recording *

: Original Off-Broadway Cast Recording * Lauren Kennedy: Here and Now (solo album) * Lauren Kennedy: Songs of Jason Robert Brown (first solo CD) * The Ten Commandments: The Musical World Premiere at Kodak Theatre, DVD * Dracula: The Musical: Concept Recording * I Sing, the new musical: Original Cast Recording * South Pacific: 2002 Royal National Theatre Recording * Side Show: Original Broadway Cast Recording *

: Original Cast Recording * Good News! * This Ordinary Thursday, The Music of Georgia Stitt * Life Upon the Wicked S.T.A.G.E: A Tribute to Jerome Kern * Paul Simon.LaurenKennedy.com: Music
Official site.

References

External links

Lauren Kennedy's official website
* * http://www.theatreraleigh.com/about-us/ {{DEFAULTSORT:Kennedy, Lauren 1973 births Actresses from North Carolina American musical theatre actresses Living people University of Cincinnati – College-Conservatory of Music alumni Musicians from Raleigh, North Carolina 20th-century American actresses 20th-century American singers 21st-century American actresses 21st-century American singers Needham B. Broughton High School alumni 20th-century American women singers 21st-century American women singers