Carolee Carmello is a modern theater icon, having graced the Broadway stage over 15 times. Her vast career has included performances in Mamma Mia!, The Addams Family, and perhaps most notably, originating the role of Lucille Frank in Parade, for which she received her first of three Tony Award nominations.
Last seen on Broadway in 2016 in both Tuck Everlasting and Finding Neverland, this season marked Carmello’s return to Broadway with not one, but two musicals. First up, she starred as John Dickinson in the revival of 1776 which opened in October 2022, and directly followed that up with her current role as the devilish Stepmother in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s new musical Bad Cinderella.
Fresh off opening the musical at Broadway’s Imperial Theatre, Carmello answered 5 questions with Broadway Direct, telling us how show business wasn’t her first business of choice, why the many lyricists she has worked with inspire her, and the gorgeous aspects of Bad Cinderella.
1. What inspired you to become an actor?
I never planned to have an acting career. My dream was always to be an executive in the business world. But I did love movie musicals growing up (The Sound of Music, 1776, West Side Story) and when I finally did a musical on a lark during college, I started to love performing.
2. Who in your field inspires you?
I’m really inspired by great lyrics that tell a story. I’m lucky to have worked with some amazing lyricists! David Zippel (Bad Cinderella), Michael John LaChiusa (Hello Again), William Finn (Falsettos), Jason Robert Brown (Parade)…it’s such a rare talent to be able to communicate through song the way they do.
3. What will audiences be most excited about seeing in Bad Cinderella?
It’s quite a spectacle! Beautiful costumes and sets, lush orchestrations, gorgeous Andrew Lloyd Webber melodies, but it’s also really funny, which I LOVE!
4. If you didn’t need to sleep at night, what would you spend your time doing?
I’d probably spend my time eating, so it’s good that I sleep!
5. What is your favorite NYC spot?
Central Park…I think it’s such a marvel that it exists in the middle of this crazy city!
