Reva Rice is an American musical theatre actress and singer, best known for originating the role of Pearl in Starlight Express on Broadway.
Rice was born in Toledo, Ohio to Flute and Pearl Esterine Shields Rice. She began training in dance, theatre, and piano at the age of five, and later graduated from the Boston Conservatory of Music.
After originating the role of Pearl in Starlight Express on Broadway, she subsequently played the role in the London production after its 1992 revision as well as on tour in the US and in Las Vegas.
In 1991 Rice became one of the finalists on the television talent show Star Search . [1] [2]
In 1999, Rice took over Valarie Pettiford's role in the Broadway production of Fosse , based on the work of choreographer Bob Fosse. Rice led the cast in both the US tour and the Japanese production of Fosse.
Her other credits include Velma in Chicago , Smokey Joe's Cafe and the television show The Watcher . She played Roz in the world premiere production of JAM: Just Another Man, a musical about the life of Clint Holmes, at the Judy Bayley Theatre at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Rice the standby for The Lady of the Lake in the Las Vegas production of Spamalot and took part in the Las Vegas tryout of the new musical, All In: The Poker Musical.
She performed in the ensemble of the US national tour of the musical version of The Color Purple, understudying the lead character Shug Avery. She performed in David Saxe's Vegas! The Show, at the Saxe Theater at the Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino. [3] She starred in Reva Las Vegas, a 90-minute revue based upon her career from Broadway to Las Vegas.
In June 2018, Rice returned to Starlight Express playing Mama, a female version of Poppa, in the Bochum production. [4] [5]
In 1993, The New Starlight Express, a cast recording of the revised London production was released featuring Rice as Pearl. As well as singing the solos "Make Up My Heart" and "He'll Whistle At Me", Rice duets on "Next Time You Fall in Love" with Greg Ellis. The track was released as a single.
Chicago is a 2002 American musical black comedy crime film based on the 1975 stage musical of the same name which in turn originated in the 1926 play of the same name. It explores the themes of celebrity, scandal, and corruption in Chicago during the Jazz Age. The film stars an ensemble cast led by Renée Zellweger, Catherine Zeta-Jones, and Richard Gere. Chicago centers on Roxie Hart (Zellweger) and Velma Kelly (Zeta-Jones), two murderers who find themselves in jail together awaiting trial in 1920s Chicago. Roxie, a housewife, and Velma, a vaudevillian, fight for the fame that will keep them from the gallows. The film marks the directorial debut of Rob Marshall, who also choreographed the film, and was adapted by screenwriter Bill Condon, with music by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb.
Chicago is a 1975 American musical with music by John Kander, lyrics by Fred Ebb, and book by Ebb and Bob Fosse. Set in Chicago in the jazz age, the musical is based on a 1926 play of the same title by reporter Maurine Dallas Watkins, about actual criminals and crimes on which she reported. The story is a satire on corruption in the administration of criminal justice and the concept of the "celebrity criminal".
Starlight Express is a 1984 British musical, with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Richard Stilgoe. It tells the story of a young but obsolete steam engine, Rusty, who races in a championship against modern engines in the hope of impressing a first-class observation car, Pearl. Famously, the actors perform on roller skates.
Hairspray is an American musical with music by Marc Shaiman and lyrics by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman, with a book by Mark O'Donnell and Thomas Meehan, based on John Waters's 1988 film of the same name. The songs include 1960s-style dance music and "downtown" rhythm and blues. Set in 1962 Baltimore, Maryland, the production follows teenage Tracy Turnblad's dream to dance on The Corny Collins Show, a local TV dance program based on the real-life Buddy Deane Show. When Tracy wins a role on the show, she becomes a celebrity overnight, leading to social change as Tracy campaigns for the show's integration.
Spamalot is a stage musical with score by John Du Prez and Eric Idle, with lyrics and book by Idle. Based on the 1975 film Monty Python and the Holy Grail, the musical offers a highly irreverent parody of Arthurian legend.
Andrea McArdle is an American singer and actress best known for originating the role of Annie in the Broadway musical Annie.
Valentine Ruth Henshall, known professionally as Ruthie Henshall, is an English actress, singer and dancer, known for her work in musical theatre. She began her professional stage career in 1986, before making her West End debut in Cats in 1987. A five-time Olivier Award nominee, she won the 1995 Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her role as Amalia Balash in the London revival of She Loves Me (1994).
Joshua Strickland is an American singer and actor from Charleston, South Carolina. He graduated from high school at the Charleston County School of the Arts, where he studied vocal with Robin A. Rogers. He attended the College of Charleston, where he studied voice with Deanna McBroom. During 5th grade, Josh was "discovered" by teacher and Producer/Founder/CEO of The Charleston Youth Company, Chuck Long. He performed with this company for 8 years receiving drama, voice, and dance instruction. This company has been serving the talented students since 1978.
Roz Ryan is an American actress who has worked for productions in film, television, and Broadway theatre for over 40 years. Ryan's first role on Broadway was in Ain't Misbehavin', a Fats Waller-influenced musical revue that debuted in 1978. She is well known for her part in the television show, Amen, for her character Amelia Hetebrink, for being the voice of Thalia, the Muse of Comedy in the 1997 Disney animated film, Hercules, and for guest starring on the Disney Channel sitcom, K.C. Undercover as Grandma Gayle.
Lisa Brescia is an American musical theatre actress who has performed as lead and understudy in several Broadway shows. Raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, she went on to pursue acting and graduated from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. She taught Acting I and IV at Missouri State University and is now set to be the head of the Musical Theatre department at Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri.
Maria Jane Hyde is an English singer and musical actress.
"Only You" is the love duet from Andrew Lloyd Webber's Starlight Express. It is performed by the protagonist, Rusty, a young steam locomotive and his true love, the observation car, Pearl.
Bianca Marroquín is a Mexican musical theatre and television actress known for being the first Mexican actress to have a starring role on Broadway. She has performed in the musical Chicago for over twenty years and is one of the few actress to play both female leads, Roxie Hart and Velma Kelly.
Lenora Nemetz is an American stage and musical theatre actress.
Velma Kelly is one of the main characters in the successful 1975 Broadway musical Chicago. Kelly is based on the character "Velma", who first appeared in the 1926 play, also called Chicago, who was in-turn inspired by the life of Belva Gaertner.
Anna-Jane Casey is an English singer, dancer and actress best known for her work in musical theatre.
Valarie Pettiford is an American stage and television actress, dancer, and jazz singer. She received a Tony Award nomination for her role in the broadway production Fosse. She is also known for her role as "Big Dee Dee" Thorne on the UPN television sitcom Half & Half.
Amra-Faye Wright is a South African stage actress best known for portraying Velma Kelly in the musical Chicago, both on Broadway and in international tours. In 2010, she became the first actress to have performed the role both in English and in Japanese.
Michael James Scott is an American actor and singer, known for his work on the Broadway stage. He is best known for playing the Genie in Disney's Aladdin musical in the Original Australian Cast, as well as in the West End, U.S. National Tour, and Broadway productions.
Thomas Krauth is a German business man, arts dealer and former musical producer.
