Kerry Ellis

Infobox actor


imagesize = 150px
name = Kerry Ellis
bgcolour =
birthname =
birthdate = birth date and age|1979|5|6
birthplace = Suffolk, England
occupation = Stage actress and singer
yearsactive = 2000 - current
website = http://www.kerryellis.co.uk

Kerry Ellis (born May 6, 1979) is a British stage actress who recently starred as Elphaba in the West End production of the musical "Wicked" before moving to the Broadway production on June 17, 2008. She took over the London role from Idina Menzel, for whom she originally served as standby. Among her previous notable roles are as Fantine in the West End production of "Les Miserables" and as Meat in the original London production of "We Will Rock You".

Personal life

Kerry Ellis was born in 1979 in Haughley, a small village near Stowmarket, Suffolk, which is where she grew up with her older brother Andrew. She attended Stowmarket High School and in 1995, Ellis joined the team of Starmakers at the age of 16, with which she was involved until 1997. Following this, Ellis returned to formal stage training at Laine Theatre Arts.

Theatre career

In 1996 and 1997, as a member of Starmakers, Ellis performed musical numbers such as Memory from "Cats" and Sun and Moon from "Miss Saigon". In 2000, Kerry became a member of the "My Fair Lady" cast and became second understudy to Martine McCutcheon for the lead role of Eliza Dolittle, which she got to play on five occasions. During 2000 Ellis also understudied Marti Webb in "Magic Of The Musicals".

In 2002, Ellis originated the role of Meat in "We Will Rock You", and played this role for two years, making appearances for performances such as "Party in the Park", "Party in the Palace" and "Parkinson". Ellis left the cast of "We Will Rock You" on April 17, 2004 and went on to play Ellen in Cameron Mackintosh's UK tour of "Miss Saigon". On June 7, 2005 she joined the cast of "Les Misérables" at the Queen's Theatre, portraying the character Fantine.

In 2006, Ellis joined the cast of West End's new production of "Wicked" at the Apollo Victoria Theatre, where she was the standby for Idina Menzel, who originated the lead role. Effectively, Ellis is the first British actress to play the role of Elphaba. On January 1, 2007 Ellis took over the role full-time. For this performance, Ellis won "Best Takeover in a Role" at the 2008 Theatregoer's Choice Awards.cite web|title= Your Theatregoers’ Choice Award Winners|publisher= Whatsonstage.com|date= 2008-02-22|url= http://www.whatsonstage.com/index.php?pg=207&story=E8821203624757&title=Full+List%3A+Your+Theatregoers%92+Choice+Award+Winners|accessdate= 2008-02-22] On February 25, 2008 it was announced that Ellis would transfer to the Broadway production of "Wicked" with performances starting from June 17, 2008.cite news | last=Gans | first=Andrew | title=London's Kerry Ellis Will Join Broadway's Wicked in June | publisher=Playbill.com |date=2008-02-25 | url=http://www.playbill.com/news/article/115331.html | accessdate=2008-02-26] Ellis replaced actress Stephanie J. Block, making her the first Elphaba to transfer from West End to Broadway, mirroring original Broadway cast member Idina Menzel who transferred to London to open the production. Following her run on Broadway which will end on November 9 2008, Ellis will return to the same role in the West End production from Monday the 1st of December 2008.

On May 12 and 13 2008, Ellis performed alongside Idina Menzel, Adam Pascal and Josh Groban in a special performance of "Chess in Concert" at the Royal Albert Hall in London. Ellis was drawn to this role not only for the challenge it presented in terms of its vocal dynamics, but also given Ellis' passion for playing chess throughout high school and in her free time.

Ellis has also done the workshops for "Way Beyond Blue", written by Imogen Stubbs and directed by Trevor Nunn and the title role in "Helen of Troy", directed by Gary Griffin.

inging career

In 1999 Ellis sung on a recording for Children in Need and did a jingle for Capital Radio. In 2004 Kerry Ellis worked with Queen lead guitarist Brian May to record an orchestral version of the song No-One but You (Only the Good Die Young), originally a Queen song and featured in the musical "We Will Rock You"Kerry Ellis performs No-One But You. [http://queenonline.com/kerryellisdownload/] ] .

Ellis recently worked with Steve Sidwell to produce new recordings of the "Wicked" songs "I'm Not That Girl" and "No Good Deed". It was expected that a teaser CD of her forthcoming debut album, produced by Brian May in the time since Ellis left "We Will Rock You" and featuring drum tracks by Taylor Hawkins, would become available in June before she left for Broadway. [cite news | last=Walker | first=Tim | title=The Wicked Witch of the West End is off to cast her spell over Broadway | publisher=The Independent | date=2008-05-25 | url=http://www.independent.co.uk/extras/sunday-review/regulars/closeup-kerry-ellis-832514.html | accessdate=2008-05-29]

The teaser CD is confirmed as entitled "Wicked In Rock" and features rock versions of "Wicked" songs "I'm Not That Girl", "Defying Gravity" and a remastered version of her "We Will Rock You" song, "No One But You". The planned release date is 7th July and is on sale in London musical shop, Dress Circle, at the Gershwin Theatre and will be available on iTunes. Dress Circle selling "Wicked In Rock" [http://www.dresscircle.co.uk/product.asp?StockID=33943] ]

During her time performing as Elphaba in Wicked on Broadway, Ellis has recorded a new song for Scott Alan entitled "Behind these Walls". Scott Alan confirms he will be working with Kerry Ellis [http://scottalanmusic.blogspot.com/] ]

Theatre

References

External links

* [http://www.kerryellis.co.uk Official Kerry Ellis Site]
* [http://www.wickedthemusical.co.uk/ Official West End Wicked Site]
* [http://www.kerry-ellis.net/ kerry-ellis.net - Online Fan Resource]
* [http://kerryellis.proboards79.com/ kerry-ellis.net - Fan Forum]
* [http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=30265787 Kerry Ellis Fan Myspace]
* [http://www.theatre.com/ask_a_star/id/3005578 Kerry answers fan questions on Theatre.com]
* [http://www.freewebs.com/kerryellis/ Fansite]
* [http://noonebutyou.co.uk/ Kerry Ellis Fan Forum]
* [http://www.wickedfansonly.moonfruit.com/ Wicked and Kerry Fansite]