![]() The product is a camp-infused take on the classic tale filled with heart, humor, and a happily ever after focused on Cinderella finding herself, not just her Prince Charming.īad Cinderella is famed composer Andrew Lloyd Webber’s latest Broadway venture since School of Rock, which closed in 2019 after a four-year run. In the seemingly idyllic kingdom of Belleville, Prince Charming is dead, the Fairy Godmother is a terrifying plastic surgeon hellbent on upholding the town’s impossibly high beauty standards, and Cinderella is a rebellious spray-painting outcast who dreams of running away and creating her destiny. “It has been a dream come true to be in an Andrew Lloyd Webber production on Broadway,” said Rey, who's originally from San Juan, Puerto Rico, and has dedicated his performance to his Tío (Uncle) Carlos.At Bad Cinderella, forget everything you knew about the glass slipper-wearing princess. “I feel like producers and collaborators want to see more change, and I believe that this movement toward greater diversity will last.” He has already performed in that role, meaning that, occasionally, the production has two Latino leads - which is unusual for a non-Latino-themed show. Julio Rey is making his Broadway debut in “Bad Cinderella” as part of the ensemble and as an understudy for Prince Sebastian. “Now I feel like it is our responsibility to be visible and loud - I am proud to be Puerto Rican and be showcasing to audiences and other Latinos that this is an art form where we belong, and where we can thrive.” "Bad Cinderella" cast member Angel Lozada says he's proud of showcasing to audiences that "this is an art form where we belong." Courtesy of DKC/O&M In the past, Lozada said many of his auditions were for Latino-themed projects, until he reminded his agents that he could play a variety of roles. “We have been asked to bring our whole selves to these roles, not just part of ourselves, so I feel like my Latinidad is being celebrated in this process.” “It has been so cool to be in this space as a Latino, and to have other Latinos here as well there is a sense of our home and our culture in this space,” he said. The show’s multicultural cast includes Ángel Lozada, a member of the ensemble. “Then I went to the auditions, with just my high school and community theater credits. I printed it out at Walgreens because I didn’t have a headshot,” Genao said. “I thought, Hey, I’m Latina - check! I grew up on Gloria’s music - check! Let’s just go and try I believe in that expression, "lo que es pa’ ti, nadie te lo quita” (what is meant for you, no one can take it away). From left, Yasmin Alers, Eric Ulloa and Linedy Genao backstage at “On Your Feet!” which was Genao's first musical. ![]() She was working in the banking industry when a friend told her about an open call for “On Your Feet!” - the musical based on the life story of Gloria and Emilio Estefan. So instead, she studied business at the University of Connecticut and performed in community theater productions. While in high school, Genao auditioned for several top theater schools and was rejected by all of them. This is a far cry from how Genao began her career. But Genao is the first Latina to play the role on Broadway.Īndrew Lloyd Webber has called Genao “spectacular,” while she described working with him as “an incredible, incredible experience.” The famed composer and theater impresario has encouraged Genao to bring her authentic self to the part, and Genao has flown to London and recorded an English and a Spanish version of the show’s title track, “Bad Cinderella.” She is following in the footsteps of Camila Cabello in the 2021 movie version, and Dania Ramirez in ABC’s “Once Upon a Time” in 2017. Genao is not the first Latina to play Cinderella. ![]() “I just connect with myself and my background and everything else I’ve been through, along with the story of Cinderella that we’ve all grown up with.” I feel very much myself in this role, which is beautiful and also a little scary,” she said. ![]() “My Brooklyn-Dominican accent is there in some of the joke lines. She is not afraid of being herself.” Famed composer and theater impresario Andrew Lloyd Webber has called Genao "spectacular." Emilio Madridīorn in Brooklyn and raised in Connecticut, Genao is of Dominican American heritage. “She takes up space and is authentic in the way that she conducts herself. “What I like about her is that she is sassy, speaks her mind and is unapologetically herself,” Genao said. In this updated take on Cinderella, the princess is a nonconformist who rebels against traditional norms of beauty and behavior. The show, currently in previews at New York’s Imperial Theatre, opens March 23. Genao, 31, is the first Latina to originate a leading role in an Andrew Lloyd Webber musical.
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