Marlene Danielle is an American actress and dancer. She performed in the original Broadway production of Cats from 1982 to 2000 for its entire run. She formerly held the Guinness World Record for Longest Standing Musical Performer.
Cats History[]
Broadway - 07/10/1982 - 07/1983 - Swing (cover Bombalurina, Cassandra, Demeter, Tantomile)
Broadway - 07/1983 - 01/1984 - Demeter
Broadway - 09/01/1984 - 07/1990 - Bombalurina
(Break)
Broadway - 08/1990 - 07/1997 - Bombalurina
(Vacation break)
Broadway - 03/10/1997 - 11/1999 - Bombalurina
(Out due to injury)
Broadway - 01/2000 - 10/09/2000 - Bombalurina
Biography[]
Career[]
Marlene Danielle made her Broadway debut in 1979 in the ensemble of Sarava, and went on to play Estella (understudy Anita and Rosalia) in the 1980 Broadway revival of West Side Story. She originated the role of Chiffon in the off-Broadway production of Little Shop of Horrors in 1982. She was offered the role of Chita Rivera's understudy in Kiss of the Spider Woman in 1993, but declined it in order to remain in Cats.[1] She has voice acted for "Monty", "The Talking Eggs" and "The Land of the Four Winds".[2]
Danielle auditioned three times for Cats.[3] She was offered her initial role as an understudy for four parts (Bombalurina, Cassandra, Demeter, Tantomile) only after another actress backed out,[1][4] by which time rehearsals had been underway for two weeks.[3] She performed at the 1983 Tony Awards as Demeter and took over the role full-time later that year. She then took over the role of Bombalurina in 1984 and remained in this role until the show closed on Broadway in 2000.
1982[]
MARLÈNE DANIELLE (Standby) appeared on Broadway in Sarava, Marlowe and West Side Story. Off-Broadway she portrayed Chiffon in the musical comedy Little Shop of Horrors. Television and film credits include "The Today Show" and Fort Apache the Bronx. Marlene is also featured in Andre De Shields' critically acclaimed cabaret act.
1987[]
MARLÈNE DANIELLE (Bombalurina) was seen on Broadway in Sarava, Marlowe and as Anita in West Side Story. Off-Broadway, was Chiffon in Little Shop of Horrors and was featured in Damn Yankees at Jones Beach. Other credits include Fort Apache, Tootsie, choreographer/principal of her latest national commercial. Among many achievements, most rewarding has been collaboration on Black by Popular Demand with Andre De Shields.
2000[]
MARLENE DANIELLE (Bombalurina) pronounced Mar-lay-na Dan-yell, was seen as Anita in the Broadway revival of West Side Story and as Chiffon in Little Shop of Horrors Off-B'way. Other credits: Fort Apache, the Bronx; Tootsie; choreographer/principal of national commercial. She has supplied the voice of several animated characters, and is featured on the Atlantic recording Christmas Eve and Other Stories, and the sequel The Christmas Attic.
Personal Life[]
Danielle grew up in Greenwich Village, New York City.[1][5] She was named after Marlene Dietrich.[1][5] Her parents divorced when she was seven.[5] She has been divorced once[1][5] and has sons and grandchildren.[6]
Gallery[]
Demeter
Bombalurina
.png "Jennyanydots Bombalurina Rum Tum Tugger Cats PSA - US Dept Of Transportation - Broadway 12 06 1984 01 (1).png (302 KB)")
Trivia[]
- The tyre prop from the Broadway set is on her lawn.[6]
- She collected the Austrian crystals which fell off Mistoffelees' song costume and kept them in a vase in her dressing room.[3]
- Part of the Cats alumni cast in the Cats in Quarantine video.
Reference[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 "'DARLING, YOU WERE PURR-FECT' Marlene Danielle hangs up her whiskers", NY Daily News. September 3, 2000.
- ↑ IMDB Credits
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "A DANCER'S NINE LIVES", Washington Post. June 15, 1997.
- ↑ "THEY'VE 'CAT'-APULTED INTO RECORD BOOK", NY Daily News. June 18, 1997
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 "A Cat Now and for 17 Years (Nearly Forever)", New York Times. February 25, 2000.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 "'Cats' on Broadway: 10 things to know about the revival", newsday.com. July 28, 2016.