Orfeh

Orfeh
Born	New York City, New York, United States
Spouse	Andy Karl (2001 – present)
Website
Orfeh.com

Orfeh is an American singer, songwriter and Tony-nominated actress from New York City.

Biography

Orfeh, born and raised in Manhattan, began her career straight out of high school. She attended the famous LaGuardia High School for the Performing Arts, and got a record deal right after her graduation. Her first release was "Life in the Movies",^[1] which she released as a part of the group Genevha with her musical partner Mike More in 1987. After that, they formed Or-N-More^[2] and were signed with EMI Records. They released a self-titled album in 1991 that had mild success. They charted at #46 on the Billboard Chart with their single "Everyotherday". The song was a hit both stateside and abroad and garnered a gold album for the musical duo. "My recording career went wrong," she has said. "Really, really wrong. We had the business manager that stole all the money, the hit record that was about to become a mega-hit record and suddenly the rug was pulled out from under us. After being on the road for years and devoting my life to recording, I found myself at home saying, 'What do I do now?'"^[3] Even if Or-N-More may have been no more, Orfeh's talents as a songwriter earned her a much coveted publishing deal with Warner/Chappell and she has written and produced songs for many other artists. She also remains a member of NARAS, which gives her nominating and voting privileges for the Grammy Awards. More recently, Orfeh co-wrote the song "Wishing On You" which appears on the soundtrack of the Disney film Model Behavior.^[4]

Orfeh made her Broadway debut in 1998 as a swing in Footloose. After that, she appeared in the short-lived The Gershwin's Fascinating Rhythm. She starred in the Original Broadway Company of the London musical of Saturday Night Fever as Annette. She appeared on Rosie O'Donnell's show to promote Saturday Night Fever, and remains friends with the comedian. In addition to winning excellent reviews, Orfeh met her soon-to-be husband in Saturday Night Fever, Andy Karl.^[5]

Since then, she has appeared in many shows. Regionally, she has starred in Me and Mrs. Jones and Bright Lights, Big City at the Prince Theatre in Philadelphia, PA. She played Janis Joplin in the Off-Broadway show, Love, Janis. She also starred Off-Broadway in critical hit The Great American Trailer Park Musical as Pippi, a stripper from the wrong side of the tracks.^[6]

She made a huge splash starring in the high-profile production of Legally Blonde: The Musical when it opened on Broadway. She created the role of Paulette, a down on her luck manicurist who helps Elle on her journey, as well as winning a love of her own. Orfeh garnered Drama Desk,^[7] Outer Critics Circle^[8] and Tony Award^[9] nominations for her performance. Her own husband, Andy Karl, starred opposite her as her UPS man, Kyle. The two got rave reviews. She stayed in the show until it closed on October 19, 2008.^[10]

She has appeared on many TV shows and in movies over the course of her career. Her TV appearances include: Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Sex and The City, MTV's Made and Chappelle's Show on Comedy Central. Movies include Kiss Me Again and Julie Taymor's Across the Universe, where she sang "Come Together" with legend Joe Cocker.^[11]

In addition, she is one of the top voiceover artists around. She is one of the most commonly used voices on VH1 and MTV, and also can be heard on videogames Max Payne 2 and Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (as Millie Perkins). She also has done voiceover work for Anthony Bourdain's television show No Reservations, and Wachovia bank.^[3]

Orfeh released her first solo album, What Do You Want from Me, on September 30, 2008.^[12]

She is married to actor Andy Karl, who originated the role of Luke in the off-Broadway musical Altar Boyz, and played opposite her as Paulette's UPS man, "Kyle" in the original cast of Legally Blonde: The Musical. They eloped in early 2001, and live together in Manhattan.^[13]

Discography

• Life in the Movies (1987)

Released as group Genevha with Mike More.^[14]

• Or-N-More (1991)^[15]

Released as group Or-N-More with Mike More.

• "Emotionally Yours" (The O'Jays) (1991)^[16]

Provided backing vocals.

• "Freezin' Em" (Level III) (1991)^[17]

Provided backing vocals.

• "Freedom" (Freedom Williams)^[18]

Provided backup vocals and co-wrote some of the songs. (1993)

• "M.Y.O.B." (Deborah Gibson) (2001) ^[19]

Provided background vocals.

• "Hair Actors Fund of America Benefit CD" (2004) ^[20]

Sang "Black Boys" with Ann Harada and Kathy Brier.

• "The Great American Trailer Park Musical" (Original Broadway Cast) (2005) ^[21]

Played "Pippi", featured on the album.

• "Legally Blonde: The Musical" (Original Broadway Cast) ^[22]

Played "Paulette", featured on the album.

• What Do You Want from Me (Orfeh) (2008.) ^[23]

Debut solo release.

References

1. ^ "Discogs: Genevha". Discogs. http://www.discogs.com/artist/Genevha. Retrieved 2008-11-04. 
2. ^ Laferla, Ruth (1991-09-08). "Fashion; Jump Starts". New York Times, Magazine. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D0CE1DB1331F93BA3575AC0A967958260. Retrieved 2008-10-27. "Orfeh, the singing half of the rhythm and blues duo Or-N-More" 
3. ^ ^{a b} "Orfeh.com Official Biography". Orfeh.com. http://orfeh.com/page_bio.html. Retrieved 2008-11-04. 
4. ^ "IMDB.com: Model Behavior". IMDB. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0218121/. Retrieved 2008-11-04. 
5. ^ "Broadwayworld.com: Orfeh Theatre Credits". BroadwayWorld.com. http://www.broadwayworld.com/people/Orfeh_/. Retrieved 2008-11-04. 
6. ^ "Playbill Biography: ORFEH". Playbill.com. http://www.playbill.com/celebritybuzz/whoswho/biography/5425.html. Retrieved 2008-11-04. 
7. ^ Gans, Andrew; Zachary Pincus-Roth (2007-04-26). "Nominees for Drama Desk Awards Announced; LoveMusik Garners 12 Noms". Playbill. http://www.playbill.com/news/article/107626.html. Retrieved 2008-11-04. "Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical [...] Orfeh, Legally Blonde" 
8. ^ "Awards Archive: 2006-2007". Outer Critics Circle. http://www.outercritics.org/AwardArchives.aspx?_y=2006-2007. Retrieved 2008-11-04. 
9. ^ Robertson, Campbell (2007-05-15). "‘Spring Awakening’ Gets 11 Tony Nominations". New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/15/theater/theaterspecial/15cnd-tony.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin. Retrieved 2008-11-04. "On the musical side, the featured actors nominated are [...] Orfeh (“Legally Blonde”)" 
10. ^ Hetrick, Adam (2008-09-24). "Legally Blonde to Close on Broadway Oct. 19". Playbill. http://www.playbill.com/news/article/121695.html. Retrieved 2008-11-04. "The Broadway production of Legally Blonde...will play its final performance at the Palace Theatre Oct. 19.)" 
11. ^ "Orfeh Biography on IMDB.com". IMDB. http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1294108/. Retrieved 2008-11-04. 
12. ^ "Legally Blonde Star Orfeh to Release Solo CD What Do You Want From Me". Broadway.com. http://www.broadway.com/Legally-Blonde-Star-Orfeh-to-Release-Solo-CD-What-Do-You-Want-From-Me/broadway_news/569581. Retrieved 2008-11-04. 
13. ^ Buckley, Michael (2006-02-09). "Each Day Is Valentine's Day". Theatremania. http://www.theatermania.com/content/news.cfm/story/7644. Retrieved 2008-11-04. "It was during the run of Broadway's Saturday Night Fever that Orfeh met Andy Karl...Adds Karl, "Five-and-a-half months later, we were engaged -- and we eloped two weeks after that."...They celebrated their fifth anniversary in January." 
14. ^ "Orfeh". Discogs. http://www.discogs.com/artist/Orfeh. Retrieved 2008-11-04. 
15. ^ "Or-N-More". Discogs. http://www.discogs.com/release/353454. Retrieved 2008-11-04. 
16. ^ "Emotionally Yours". Discogs. http://www.discogs.com/release/1501955. Retrieved 2009-01-04. 
17. ^ "Freezin' Em Credits". Answers.com. http://www.answers.com/topic/freezin-em. Retrieved 2009-01-04. 
18. ^ "Freedom". Discogs. http://www.discogs.com/release/770846. Retrieved 2009-01-04. 
19. ^ "M.Y.O.B.". CD Universe. http://www.cduniverse.com/search/xx/music/pid/1637815/a/M.Y.O.B..htm. Retrieved 2009-01-04. 
20. ^ "Hair (Actors Fund of America Benefit)". Amazon. http://www.amazon.com/Hair-Actors-America-Benefit-Recording/dp/B000929ADW. Retrieved 2009-01-04. 
21. ^ "Great American Trailer Park Musical". Amazon. http://www.amazon.com/Great-American-Trailer-Park-Musical/dp/B000CNE13M. Retrieved 2009-01-04. 
22. ^ "Legally Blonde: The Musical". CD Universe. http://www.cduniverse.com/search/xx/music/pid/7450092/a/Legally+Blonde:+The+Musical.htm. Retrieved 2009-01-04. 
23. ^ "What Do You Want From Me". Playbill. http://www.playbillstore.com/neorwhdoyouw.html. Retrieved 2009-01-04. 

External links

• Orfeh's official page at MySpace
• Orfeh at the Internet Movie Database
• Orfeh at the Internet Broadway Database
• Star File: Orfeh at Broadway.com
• Q&A: Orfeh at Broadway.com

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