Chilina Kennedy – the multihyphenate actress, singer, songwriter and theater leader, best known for playing Carole King in the musical Beautiful on Broadway for over 1,200 performances – is now back on Broadway as Myrtle Wilson in the hit musical The Great Gatsby.
She is here to talk about Wild About You, the musical she co-wrote that just enjoyed a reading in London, has an-star cast album out that’s enjoying a renaissance – she will perform selections from the show in a NYC concert this fall. In addition to Chilina, the all-star recording features Jenn Colella, Eric McCormack, Katharine McPhee, Jessie Mueller, Alex Newell, Paul Alexander Nolan, Lea Salonga and more. You can listen to the album on your favorite streaming service HERE.
Chilina plays tennis legend Billie Jean King in the new play, Love All, which debuted last year La Jolla Playhouse. There is a new workshop in the fall and it’s heading to a full new production soon. Chilina was honored to meet and consult with Ms. King, also attending the US Open for the first time last year.
Chilina starred in The Last Timbit, a musical produced in Toronto in June in celebration of Tim Hortons’ 60th anniversary, that was inspired by a 2010 snowstorm that forced people to shelter at a local Tim Hortons. The show’s live capture will be available on the streaming service Crave, start on August 12.
Silk, the new musical she is co-writing and co-orchestrating is based on The Ladies’ Paradise, the novel by Zola. A workshop, industry presentation and concept album are coming soon.
In addition to performing and creating new musicals, as her role as “Artistic Producer” for Eclipse Theatre Company, she takes a more hands-on approach to the stage. The company, which she co-founded, is dedicated to developing new and emerging talent out of Canada, and they have already won several Dora Awards (the Canadian equivalent of the Tonys). Eclipse will announce their new season this fall.
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