Paige Davis Succeeds Molly Ringwald in Sweet Charity Tour

Broadway and TV star Paige Davis will succeed Molly Ringwald as the title character of Sweet Charity, which is currently playing on national tour.

Davis will begin performances as vulnerable taxi dancer Charity Hope Valentine on June 19th, when the show comes to San Antonio's Majestic Theatre. 

Directed by Scott Faris and choreographed by Tony-winner Wayne CilentoWayne CilentoWayne Cilento (Wicked), the tour also features Guy Adkins (The Cherry Orchard at Steppenwolf, Floyd Collins at the Old Globe) as Oscar, Amanda Watkins (Urinetown, Cabaret, Grease) as Nickie, Francesca Harper (The Color Purple) as Helene, Aaron Ramey (Thoroughly Modern Millie) as Vittorio Vidal, Richard Ruiz as Herman, and David Glaspie as Big Daddy.

The tour is based on the recent hit revival, which was directed by Walter Bobbie and choreographed by Cilento.  The revival of Sweet Charity, which ran for 25 previews and 279 regular performances at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre, received 3 2005 Tony Award nominations including Best Choreography, Best Revival of a Musical and Best Actress in a Musical (Christina Applegate).

With a book by Neil Simon based on an original screenplay by Federico Fellini, Tullio Pinelli and Ennio Plaiano, "Sweet Charity is a funny, poignant and tender look at the misadventures of Charity Hope Valentine, a dance hall hostess who always gives her heart and earnings to the wrong man," according to press notes. The show's score by Cy Coleman and Dorothy Fields includes the show-stopping "If My Friends Could See Me Now," "Big Spender" and "I'm A Brass Band," among others.  The original 1966 production, which ran for 608 performances, starred Gwen Verdon and was directed and choreographed by Bob Fosse (who won a Tony Award for his dances).

Davis, who is known to TV audiences for her work on "Trading Spaces," has appeared on Broadway as Roxie Hart in Chicago.  She has also been seen on tour as Babette in Beauty and the Beast.  Regional credits include The Sound of Music, A Chorus Line, Hello, Dolly! and Pippin.

Visit this link for more on the Sweet Charity tour and to view its schedule.  Visit www.paigedavis.com for more on Davis.

Photo of Paige Davis by Walter McBride/Retna Ltd.