By Ernio Hernandez
07 Apr 2003

Carolee Carmello in Elegies.
photo by Joan Marcus

Carolee Carmello will join the cast of the Broadway musical Urinetown in the role of Penelope Pennywise, the actress told Playbill On-Line. Carmello will begin rehearsals next week and start the show at the end of April.

Carmello, currently starring in Elegies: A Song Cycle, garnered a Tony Award nomination for her turn in Parade. Her numerous Broadway credits include Kiss Me, Kate, The Scarlet Pimpernel, 1776, Falsettos and City of Angels. She has also appeared Off-Broadway in A Class Act, The Vagina Monologues and john & jen.

The role of Pennywise was originated on Broadway by Nancy Opel (now playing in David Ives' Polish Joke). Victoria Clark, who replaced Opel, currently stars in the role.

Other recent cast changes include the return of Tony Award-nominated original stars Jennifer Laura Thompson and Spencer Kayden. Hunter Foster, who created the role of Bobby Strong, left the production March 20 to begin rehearsals for Little Shop of Horrors. Foster will assume the role of Seymour in the Broadway-bound musical.

Urinetown features a book by Greg Kotis, music by Mark Hollmann and lyrics by both. The production is directed by John Rando. Kotis, Hollmann and Rando took home 2002 Tonys for their work. Musical staging is by John Carrafa.

The Urinetown cast also includes, John Cullum as Caldwell B. Cladwell and Jeff McCarthy as Officer Lockstock, with David Beach, Jennifer Cody, Rachel Coloff, Rick Crom, John Deyle, Joanna Glushak, Victor W. Hawks, Ken Jennings, Stacie Morgain Lewis, Daniel Marcus, James Moye, Charlie Pollock, Don Richard, Lawrence E. Street and Kay Walbye.

For tickets to Urinetown the Henry Miller Theatre, 124 West 43 Street, call (212) 239-6200 or click here.