CINDERELLA Welcomes NeNe Leakes as 'Madame' Tonight on Broadway

Rodgers + Hammerstein's CINDERELLA will welcome actress and reality television sensation NeNe Leakes (THE REAL HOUSEWIVES OF ATLANTA) to the cast starting tonight, November 25, when she steps into the role of Cinderella's wicked stepmother 'Madame'.

Leakes will take over for actress and television star Sherri Shepherd (THE VIEW), now through Jan. 3, 2015. CINDERELLA will conclude its triumphant 2-year run on January 3. The show will have played 41 preview and 770 regular performances when it closes.

NeNe Leakes shot to stardom as a fan favorite on Bravo's highly-rated reality show, "The Real Housewives of Atlanta." Recently though, Leakes parlayed her reality success into several breakthrough performances on scripted television. She made her acting debut in the recurring role of Coach Roz Washington, on Fox's hit comedy "Glee." She guest-starred on BET's comedies, "The Game" and "Let's Stay Together" and appeared as series regular for three seasons as Rocky on Ryan Murphy's comedy series "The New Normal." Due to Leakes' versatility as a reality star, talk show host and correspondent as well as an actress, at one point, Leakes appeared on four different networks at the same time, showcasing her skills as a well-rounded talent. Leakes made headlines earlier this year when she performed with the cast of Cirque du Soleil's Zumanity in Las Vegas. She was the first celebrity cast member in the thirty year history of the Cirque franchise's history.

In addition to her acting credits, NeNe Leakes is also a published author and has appeared as a guest host for several talk shows that include E!'s "Live from the Red Carpet" coverage of the 61st Annual Primetime Emmy Awards, "Ellen," "The Talk," "Anderson Cooper," "The Wendy Williams Show," "The Rosie Show," "The Joy Behar Show," "Entertainment Tonight," "The Insider" and "Jimmy Kimmel Live."

Cinderella has music by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, a new book by Douglas Carter Beane and original book by Oscar Hammerstein II. The musical is directed by Mark Brokaw. Josh Rhodes is choreographer. Music adaptation, supervision and arrangements are by David Chase. Orchestrations are by Danny Troob. Constantine Kitsopoulos is currently music director and conductor. Casting for CINDERELLA for Broadway and the national tour is by Cindy Tolan and Adam Caldwell.

With its fresh, new take on the beloved tale of a young woman who is transformed from a chambermaid into a princess, this hilarious and romantic Cinderella combines the story's classic elements - glass slippers, pumpkin, a beautiful ball and more - with some surprise twists. More than just a pretty face with the right shoe size, the Cinderella of the Rodgers & Hammerstein musical now on Broadway is a surprisingly contemporary figure living in a fairytale setting: a spirited young woman with savvy and soul, eager to develop a world view, she doesn't let her rags or her gowns trip her up in her quest for kindness, compassion and forgiveness. She not only fights for her own dreams, but makes the prince, who falls in love with her, open his eyes to the world around him and realize his dreams, too.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride