Cynthia Erivo

Cynthia Erivo
Born Cynthia Erivo
(1987-01-08) 8 January 1987
Stockwell, London, England, UK
Alma mater Royal Academy of Dramatic Art
Occupation Actress, singer, songwriter
Years active 2011–present

Musical career

Genres
Instruments Vocals

Cynthia Erivo (born 8 January 1987) is a British actress, singer, and songwriter.

Erivo won the 2016 Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her performance as Celie in the Broadway revival of The Color Purple. She performed the role in the 2013 Menier Chocolate Factory production as well. Erivo is also known for her performance as Deloris Van Cartier/Sister Mary Clarence in the U.K. tour of Sister Act.

Early life and education

Erivo was born to Nigerian immigrants in Stockwell, South London.[1] She attended La Retraite R.C Girls School. Erivo began a music psychology degree at the University of East London, however a year into her degree, she applied[2] and subsequently trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.[3]

Career

Erivo first appeared in roles on British television programmes such as Chewing Gum and The Tunnel. Her first stage role was in Marine Parade by Simon Stephens at the Brighton Festival.[4]

In 2013, Erivo played the role of Celie Harris in the Menier Chocolate Factory production of The Color Purple.[5][6] Erivo had previously portrayed Sister Mary Clarence/Deloris Van Cartier in the UK tour of the musical stage version of Sister Act[7] which Goldberg also originated in its film adaptation.

Erivo originated the role of Chenice in the West End musical I Can't Sing! The X Factor Musical,[8] which opened on 26 March 2014, at the London Palladium.[9] The production closed on 10 May,[10] just six weeks and three days since its official opening night.[11]

She is also featured as a recording artist, co-writing and performing "Fly Before You Fall" on the soundtrack to the American musical drama Beyond the Lights.[1]

She made her Broadway debut in the 2015 Broadway revival transfer of the Menier Chocolate Factory production of The Color Purple,[12] reprising her role as Celie Harris alongside American actresses Jennifer Hudson as Shug Avery and Danielle Brooks as Sofia.[13] The production began performances at Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre, from 10 December 2015.[14] Among other awards for her performance, Erivo won the 2016 Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical.

Erivo starred as Cathy alongside Joshua Henry in a one-night benefit concert performance of Jason Robert Brown's The Last Five Years on September 12, 2016. Proceeds from the performance went to the Brady Center, a national gun violence organization.[15]

Personal life

Erivo is in a relationship with British actor Dean John-Wilson.[16]

Theatre credits

Year(s) Production Role Location Category
2011–12 Sister Act Deloris Van Cartier / Sister Mary Clarence N/A UK Tour
2013 Lift Lap Dancer Soho Theatre Off-West End
The Color Purple Celie Harris Johnson Menier Chocolate Factory Off-West End
2014 I Can't Sing! The X Factor Musical Chenice London Palladium West End
2015 A Midsummer Night's Dream[17] Puck Liverpool Everyman Regional
2015–16 The Color Purple Celie Harris Johnson Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre Broadway
2016 The Last Five Years Cathy The Town Hall Brady Center Benefit Concert

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Nominated work Result
2016 Tony Award Best Actress in a Musical[18] The Color Purple Won
Drama Desk Award Outstanding Actress in a Musical[19] Won
Drama League Award Distinguished Performance[20] Nominated
Outer Critics Circle Award Outstanding Actress in a Musical[21] Won
Theatre World Award[22] Honoree

References

  1. 1 2 Wolf, Matt (17 July 2013). "A Star Is Born! Meet Cynthia Erivo, Who Plays Celie in John Doyle's London Premiere of The Color Purple". Theatre.com. Retrieved 19 June 2016.
  2. ↑ John, Emma (27 July 2015). "Move over Whoopi! How Cynthia Erivo made The Color Purple her own". The Guardian. Retrieved 13 December 2015.
  3. ↑ Bosanquet, Theo (19 November 2014). "Leading Ladies: Cynthia Erivo 'I want to do everything'". What's On Stage. Retrieved 13 December 2015.
  4. ↑ Hemley, Matthew (26 July 2015). "Cynthia Erivo: 'You have to drag me off the stage'". The Stage. Retrieved 13 December 2015.
  5. ↑ McCrum, Robert (20 July 2013). "The Color Purple – review". The Guardian. Retrieved 13 December 2015.
  6. ↑ Gilbert, Ryan (3 June 2013). "Complete Casting Announced for The Color Purple at London's Menier Chocolate Factory". Theatre.com. Retrieved 13 December 2015.
  7. ↑ Shenton, Mark (22 June 2011). "U.K. Tour of Sister Act Will Be Led by Denise Black, Michael Starke and Cynthia Erivo". Playbill. Retrieved 13 December 2015.
  8. ↑ Bosanquet, Theo (30 August 2013). "Nigel Harman and Cynthia Erivo star in X Factor musical I Can't Sing!". What's On Stage. Retrieved 13 December 2015.
  9. ↑ McNally, Kelby (22 May 2013). "'I Can't Sing': Harry Hill reveals name of his X Factor musical". Sunday Express. Retrieved 13 December 2015.
  10. ↑ "X Factor musical I Can't Sing! to close early". BBC News. 27 April 2014. Retrieved 27 April 2014.
  11. ↑ Osley, Richard (27 April 2014). "X Factor musical I Can't Sing! to close after less than two months". The Independent. Retrieved 27 April 2014.
  12. ↑ "The Color Purple: Cynthia Erivo wows critics in Broadway debut". BBC News. 11 December 2015. Retrieved 13 December 2015.
  13. ↑ "Cynthia Erivo to join Jennifer Hudson in 'The Color Purple'". Daily Mail. 16 March 2015. Retrieved 13 December 2015.
  14. ↑ Viagas, Robert (16 March 2015). "Breakout London Star Cynthia Erivo Wins Plum Lead in Broadway Color Purple Revival". Playbill. Retrieved 13 December 2015.
  15. ↑ Piepenburg, Erik (August 11, 2016). "Cynthia Erivo and Joshua Henry to Star in 'Last Five Years' Benefit". New York Times. Retrieved 13 Aug 2016.
  16. ↑ John, Emma (27 July 2015). "Move over Whoopi! How Cynthia Erivo made The Color Purple her own". The Guardian. Retrieved 4 July 2016.
  17. ↑ http://www.everymanplayhouse.com/whats-on/midsummer-nights-dream
  18. ↑ "Tony Awards Nominations: Complete List", Variety, May 3, 2016
  19. ↑ Cox, Gordon (28 April 2016). "Drama Desk Nominations: 'She Loves Me,' 'American Psycho' Earn Most Nods". Variety. Retrieved 19 June 2016.
  20. ↑ Gans, Andrew (20 May 2016). "Zachary Levi and Megan Hilty Host 82nd Annual Drama League Awards Today". Playbill. Retrieved 19 June 2016.
  21. ↑ Gordon, David (9 May 2016). "Cynthia Erivo, Danny Burstein, Steve Martin, and More Win 2016 Outer Critics Circle Awards". Theater Mania. Retrieved 19 June 2016.
  22. ↑ Gans, Andrew (2 May 2016). "Theatre World Awards Announce 2016 Winners". Playbill. Retrieved 19 June 2016.

External links

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 11/24/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.