Urban Cowboy Lead Cowgirl Colella Ankled at NBC's "Today Show" Taping

By Ernio Hernandez
14 Mar 2003

Jenn Colella.
Jenn Colella.

At the March 14 live performance of "Boot Scootin' Boogie" on NBC's "The Today Show," Urban Cowboy female lead Jenn Colella sprained her ankle. The actress will still perform in the Broadway musical, but with a slight costume change.

As a result of the slight sprain, Colella's doctor advised the actress — who plays the lead role of Sissy (Debra Winger's role in the movie the stageshow is based upon) — not to wear the cowboy boots she dons in the show.

Instead, a production spokesperson confirmed, she will be singing and dancing around in more foot-friendly sneakers through the weekend.

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Lonny Price (A Class Act) directs Urban Cowboy with choreography by Melinda Roy. Aaron Latham, who co-wrote the original screenplay for the movie, shares credit for the book of Urban Cowboy with the late Phillip Oesterman. Chase Mishkin and Leonard Soloway produce the show set to open March 27 at the Broadhurst Theatre.

The new musical features an eclectic collection of old and new music. Popular country music by Shania Twain, Clint Black and Brooks & Dunn will be interpolated among songs from the movie — including the signature "Lookin' For Love" — as well as original works by Jeff Blumenkrantz, Bob Stillman and the production's musical director-conductor Jason Robert Brown (The Last Five Years.)

Tickets to Urban Cowboy at Broadway's Broadhurst, 234 West 44 St., can be purchased by calling (212) 239-6200 or online at www.telecharge.com.