I *love* the role of Carlotta. It is very challenging vocally. It required a lot of discipline and a lot of work. The costumes, of course, are extraordomary (and did you know that they are very heavy? The first one weighs 50 lbs.)
I went into theatre because I *loved* to sing. I also love what good theatre makes a person think about. Good plays and great classics all stimulate the imagination so the audience is not only stimulated and entertained but drawn into another's life (a certain character). Therefore one learns compassion and respect for all people. Theatre is so fascinating on every level as an audience member. (I guess that's the way some people feel about baseball.)
My favorite part of the show? Croaking like a frog! I have spent tens of thousands of dollars in my life on voice lessons and thousands of hours practicing to sing beautifully and my favorite part is *croaking*!!
Press release on her performing Mme Giry in NY
MARILYN CASKEY, an acclaimed Carlotta from the New York, San Francisco and National Touring productions, will be returning to Broadway. This time, however, instead of playing the feisty prima donna, she'll tackle the role of Madame Giry. Her debut as the strict and secretive ballet mistress will be Tuesday evening, April 24th.
Miss Caskey most recently played Aldonza in the national tour of Man of La Mancha, garnering a Best Actress nomination from the innaugural National Broadway Theater Awards. In addition to PHANTOM, she has appeared on Broadway in The American Clock and the infamous musical The Utter Glory of Morrissey Hall.
Among her additional and extensive credits are playing Norma Desmond in the Canadian production of Sunset Boulevard, a sensational turn as Rebecca in Paper Mill Playhouse's recent production of Rags and a Bistro Award for Oustanding Performance in Rainbow & Stars' The Bernstein Review.
Miss Caskey replaces long-running, original cast member LEILA MARTIN, who will give her final performance on Saturday evening, April 21st.
Ms. Caskey's bio from October 1997, NYC
Marilyn Caskey returns to the role of Carlotta in "The phantom of the Opera" after playing the leading role of Norma Desmond (as standby to Diahann Carroll) in the Toronto production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Sunset Boulevard" and, most recently, Lilli Vanessi in "Kiss Me Kate" in Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera's 1997 season. Other Broadway credits include "The American Clock" and "The Utter Glory of Morrissey Hall." As a member of the Arena Stage Company in Washington, D.C., she was seen as Cunegonde in "Candide", Gwendolyn in "The Importance of Being Ernest", Kate in "apssion Play", Natasha in "Three Sisters", Angelique in "Imaginary Invalid", Phoebe in "As you Like It" and Hallelujah Lil in "Happy End" (which was later broadcast on PBS). Her career in regional theater and opera across the U.S. includes leading roles in "Twelfth Night", "Heartbreak House", "Stepping Out" as well as Rosalinda in "Die Fleidermaus" and Marie in "Daughter of the Regiment." She received the Bistro Award for Outstanding Performance in the Bernstein revue "A Helluva Town" in which she starred at New York's Rainbow and Stars.
An old playbill bio..
Marilyn Caskey appeared on Broadway in The American Clock as Doris/Isabel and The Utter Glory of Morrisey Hall as Elisabeth, the secretary. As a memeber of the arena Stage Company in Washington D.C., she was seen as Cunegonde in Candide, Gwendolyne in The Importance of Being Earnest, Kate in Passion Play, Natasha in Three Sisters, Angelique in Imaginary Invalid, Phoebe in As You Like It and Hallelujah Lil in Happy End. She has played leading roles in many theatres around the country including Olivia in Twelfth Night at the Folger, Elly in Heartbreak House at the Huntington and Vera in Stepping Out at the McCarter. Television credits include Another World, All My children and the PBS broadcast of the Arena Stage production of Happy End.
Marilyn can be heard on the cast recording of Toronto's Ragtime and as Heather/2nd Masseusse in Toronto's cast recording of Sunset Blvd.
