Christy Altomare

Christine "Christy" Altomare (born June 23, 1986) is an American actress and singer-songwriter.

Altomare has played the role of Wendla in the first national tour of the rock musical Spring Awakening and made her Broadway Debut as Sophie in Mamma Mia!.^[1] She is currently originating the titular role in the Broadway premiere of Anastasia after earning critical acclaim with the production's world premiere Pre-Broadway tryout in Hartford, Connecticut.

Early life

Altomare began performing at age 5 in community theater productions in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. At Pennsbury High School, she was a part of choirs and school productions before attending University of Cincinnati's Conservatory of Music, where she performed in a number of productions. In 2004, she was a National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts winner in the musical theater category.^[2] She graduated from CCM in 2008 with a BFA in Musical Theater.^[3]

Career

Altomare began writing songs at the age of twelve. She has three independent CDs: Not Yet Over You (2000), Waiting For You (2007), and an EP entitled After You (2008). When she was sixteen, she signed with her current manager, Edie Robb.^[3] She looks to Jewel and Joni Mitchell as her biggest influences.^[4]

In 2008, Altomare joined the first national touring cast of the hit Broadway musical Spring Awakening in the lead role of Wendla, beginning previews on August 15, 2008 in San Diego.^[3] She traveled to 44 different cities and gave over 600 performances. She stayed with the tour until its final performance on May 23, 2010.^[5] Altomare received generally positive reviews throughout the tour. Seth Kubersky of Orlando Weekly called her "appropriately innocent and adorable as the inevitable victim"^[6] while Eric Rezsnyak of the Rochester City Paper praised her "piercing, haunting soprano voice," and how "even her most difficult melodic passes seem totally effortless."^[7]

Following the Spring Awakening tour, Altomare appeared as Sue Snell in MCC Theater's limited engagement run of the Off-Broadway revival of Carrie at the Lucille Lortel Theatre. She can be heard on the official cast recording of the production, released by Ghostline and Sh-K-Boom Records.^[8]

On June 4, 2012, Altomare made her Broadway debut in Mamma Mia! at the Winter Garden Theatre, where she replaced Liana Hunt resuming the role of Sophie Sheridan. She stayed with the Broadway company for a year, ending her contract on June 1, 2013, and was replaced by Laurie Veldheer.

From October 30, 2014 until January 4, 2015, she starred as Guinevere in the Drury Lane Theatre's production of Camelot.

On March 9, 2016, it was announced that Altomare will be starring in the World Premiere of the musical adaptation of the 1997 animated film Anastasia in the title role (nicknamed Anya). The show ran from May 13 - June 19, 2016 at Hartford Stage in Connecticut.^[9] Altomare received critical acclaim for her performance, winning the Connecticut Critics Circle Award. She is currently reprising the role on Broadway.^[10] Previews began March 23rd, 2017 and the show officially opened April 24th, 2017 at the Broadhurst Theatre.^[11] Her performance in the Broadway production earned her positive reviews and numerous Award nominations.

Theatre

Awards and nominations

Notes

External links

• Christy's Website
• Christy's Myspace
• Christy Altomare at the Internet Broadway Database
• Christy Altomare at Internet Off-Broadway Database