The 'Real Housewives of Atlanta' star will play the evil Madame, replacing 'The View' host Sherri Shepherd.
- Sep 4, 2014
AceShowbiz - NeNe Leakes is adding Broadway star to her resume. The Bravo reality star and "Glee" actress is cast as Madame, the stepmother in Rodgers and Hammerstein's "Cinderella", as the musical is preparing to take a bow early next year after a triumphant 2-year run.
Leakes will portray the villain from November 25 to the closing date. The female character in the stage production was previously played by Tony winner Harriet Harris and then by Emmy nominee Fran Drescher before Nancy Opel took it over.
Tony nominee Opel is playing the role through September 7. Sherri Shepherd is scheduled to assume the role from September 9 to November 22. "The View" star is currently in rehearsals prior to her 11-week, limited engagement in the star-studded play.
The main character, Cinderella, was first portrayed by Laura Osnes when the show opened in March 2013. Canadian singing sensation Carly Rae Jepsen replaced her for a few months earlier this year before Paige Faure slipped into the glass slipper.
Former Nickelodeon star Keke Palmer is tapped to replace Faure when the latter is departing on September 7 to play the lead role on a national tour starting October 10. Palmer becomes the first African-American to portray Cinderella on Broadway.
