Summer Strallen

Infobox Actor
name = Summer Strallen


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birthname =
birthdate = 1985
birthplace = London, England
deathdate =
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othername =
occupation = Actress, Dancer
yearsactive = 2001 - Present
spouse =
domesticpartner =
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Summer Strallen (born 1985) is a British actress who has performed various roles on stage and screen. She is currently portraying the role of Maria Von Trapp in Andrew Lloyd Webber's revival of "The Sound of Music" at the London Palladium.

Personal life

Strallen was born in London and has been dancing since she was 18 months old. She has three sisters, Saskia and fellow actresses Zizi and Scarlettcite web
url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/article1085807.ece
title=Scarlett and Summer Strallen
accessdate=2008-09-12
work=Times Online ] . Her parents, performers Sandy Strallen and Cherida Langford, both performed in the original London production of "Cats", but had met previous to this show. Cherida is sister to Bonnie Langford (also a member of the original production of Cats), making her Summer's aunt.

Theatre career

Summer graduated from the prestigious dance school Laine Theatre Arts.cite web
url=http://www.betty-laine-management.co.uk/grad_theatre_west_end.html
title=Laine Graduates
accessdate=2008-03-09
work=Laine Theatre Arts ] She has been involved in the West End productions of "Cats", "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang", "Guys and Dolls" and "The Boyfriend".cite news | title=The Big Interview: Summer Strallen | publisher=Official London Theatre | url=http://www.officiallondontheatre.co.uk/news/interviews/view/item71620/ | date=2006-07-05 | accessdate=2008-08-17 ] During the Christmas season of 2006 she played the title role in the pantomime "Dick Whittington and His Cat". More recently, she starred in "The Drowsy Chaperone", alongside Elaine Paige. For her role in "The Drowsy Chaperone" Strallen was nominated for the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Leading Actress in a musical.cite news | last=Nathan | first=John | title=London Hairspray Breaks Record With 11 Olivier Award Nominations | publisher=Playbill.com | url=http://www.playbill.com/news/article/114886.html | date=2008-02-06 | accessdate=2008-02-10 ] Strallen voiced the part of "Princess Lucy" in "The Big Knights", a British animated children's television series.

It was announced on January 4, 2008 that Strallen would take over the role of "Maria" from Connie Fisher in Andrew Lloyd Webber's West End revival of "The Sound of Music", starting from February 26, 2008.cite news | last=Nathan | first=John | title=Lloyd Webber Solves Maria Problem – Again | publisher=Playbill.com | url=http://www.playbill.com/news/article/113974.html | date=2008-01-04 | accessdate=2008-01-05 ] As part of a publicity campaign, some months earlier on October 2, 2007, Strallen had been "planted" in the soap opera "Hollyoaks" as character Summer Shaw. [ cite web | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7220626.stm | title=Webber plants Hollyoaks actress | publisher=BBC News Online | date=2008-02-01 | accessdate=2008-02-01 ] The character's storyline eventually involved her auditioning for, and being awarded, the role of Maria in "The Sound of Music". Her character left "Hollyoaks" as Strallen debuted in the actual stage production of "The Sound of Music" at the London Palladium on February 26, 2008.

Recordings

In 2008 Strallen recorded a song for the CD "Act One - Songs From The Musicals Of Alexander S. Bermange", an album of 20 brand new recordings by 26 West End stars, released in October 2008 on Dress Circle Records.

References

External links

* [http://www.reallyuseful.com/rug/shows/cats/cast/SummerVStrallen.htm 2001 Cats Biog]