Wanda Richert

Wanda Richert (born April 18, 1958) is an American former musical theatre actress, singer, dancer, choreographer, and director.

Wanda Richert
Born (1958-04-18) April 18, 1958
Chicago, Illinois, US
Occupation(s)Actress, singer, dancer, choreographer, director
Years active1975–2007

Early life and career

Early life

Born in Chicago, Illinois, Wanda Richert was the daughter of George Richert, a chief petty officer in the Coast Guard, and his wife, Lola, an executive secretary. Richert began studying tap and ballet at the age of five. By the time she was in high school, she was already dancing at a Chicago dinner theater, and soon after, began working full-time on the regional theatre circuit.[1]

Career

Richert got her big break in 1976 when she joined the national company of A Chorus Line. For two and a half years she understudied and played several roles in the production including the role of Cassie.[2]

On August 25, 1980, Wanda Richert made her Broadway debut as Peggy Sawyer in the original Broadway production of 42nd Street. However, the opening night triumph was overshadowed by tragedy. After a lengthy curtain call and a standing ovation, producer David Merrick came onstage and announced that Gower Champion, the director and choreographer of 42nd Street, had died earlier that day.[3]

Richert was nominated for a Tony for Best Featured Actress in a Musical for her performance in 42nd Street. She won the Theatre World Award in 1981 in recognition of her outstanding New York City stage debut performance.[4]

In 1983, Richert replaced Anita Morris in the Broadway production of Nine.[5] In 1985 Michael Bennett asked her to come back into A Chorus Line on Broadway and she played the role of Cassie intermittently for the next five years.[6]

Broadway credits

Film and television credits

References
  1. Chambers, Andrea (September 22, 1980). "One Light on Broadway Goes Out, Another Goes Up: a Star Named Wanda Richert Is Born". People. Retrieved September 12, 2020.
  2. Biederman, Patricia Ward (January 26, 1992). "Now She'll Star in Show That Gave Her a Start in '76 : Theater: A dancer moves here from the East and comes home again to the musical 'Chorus Line,' in which she was an understudy as a teen-ager". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 12, 2020.
  3. 42nd STREET opening night announcement (1980, Broadway)
  4. "Wanda Richert Awards". Internet Broadway Database. Retrieved September 12, 2020.
  5. Keating, Rian (August 1983). "Wanda Richert Public Access Interview". YouTube.com. Retrieved September 12, 2020.
  6. Walsh, Winifred (November 26, 1991). "'Chorus Line' actress a survivor on stage and in real life, too". Baltimore Evening Sun. Retrieved September 12, 2020.
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