BWW TV EXCLUSIVE: Carolee Carmello & George Hearn Talk Returning to Broadway in SCANDALOUS, Career-Changing Roles, and More!

Welcome to BWW's exclusive talk show, BACKSTAGE WITH Richard Ridge. Follow Richard as he visits the theater's best and brightest in their dressing rooms, on their stages and favorite hang outs to talk about their lives, careers and all of the things you don't know, but want to know.

Featuring book and lyrics by Kathie Lee Gifford and music by David Pomeranz and David Friedman, SCANDALOUS begins performances at Broadway's Neil Simon Theatre (250 W. 52nd St.) on Saturday, October 13, 2012. SCANDALOUS is led by two-time Tony Award nominee Carolee Carmello (Sister Act, Mamma Mia, Parade) as Aimee Semple McPherson, two-time Tony Award winner George Hearn (Sunset Blvd., La Cage aux Folles, Sweeney Todd) as James Kennedy and Brother Bob. In this edition, Richard chats with the Broadway-bound duo about bringing the story to Broadway, some of their favorite past roles, and so much more! Click below to watch the full interview.

SCANDALOUS marks Carolee Carmello's 12th Broadway show. Ms. Carmello's recent Broadway credits include Mother Superior in Sister Act; Alice Beineke in The Addams Family (Drama Desk nomination); Donna Sheridan in the long-running hit Mamma Mia!; Penelope Pennywise in Urinetown and Lilli Vanessi in the revival of Kiss Me, Kate; in addition to her Tony-nominated performances as Gabrielle in Lestat and Lucille Frank in Parade.

George Hearn created the role of Max von Mayerling in the Los Angeles premiere and Broadway production of Sunset Boulevard for which he received his second Tony Award. He won his first Tony Award for originating the role of Albin in La Cage aux Folles, a role that he reprised in London and earned him an Olivier Award nomination.He received Tony Award nominations for Putting It Together, A Doll's Life and Watch on the Rhine. He won an Emmy Award for his portrayal of the title role in Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber Of Fleet Street after having played the role on Broadway and the national tour with Angela Lansbury. He returned to the role in May, 2000 with the New York Philharmonic and in the summer of 2001 with the San Francisco Symphony and the Ravinia Festival in Chicago for a concert version that co-starred Patti LuPone.

Richard Ridge fell in love with the theatre at the age of five when he went through his parents record cabinet and stumbled upon their original cast album collection and the rest is history.He has toured the world as a performer and for the past twenty years he has been the host of the television program Broadway Beat and now, BACKSTAGE WITH RICHARD RIDGE.

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