Carmello has appeared on Broadway as Donna in Mamma Mia!, Ms. Pennywise in Urinetown, Kate in Kiss Me, Kate, Marguerite in The Scarlet Pimpernel, Abigail in 1776, Oolie in City of Angels, Cordelia in Falsettos, Gabrielle in Lestat and Lucille Frank in Parade, earning Tony nominations for the latter two roles.
Carmello's screen credits include episodes of "Late Night with Conan O'Brien," "Law & Order: SVU," "Frasier," "Ed" and "Remember W.E.N.N." She can be heard on numerous cast albums and compilations. Visit www.caroleecarmello.com.
| Full given name: | Carolee Ann Carmello |
| Hometown: | Albany, New York (The capital of our Empire State!) |
| Zodiac Sign: | Virgo (Perfectionist? Yes! Laid-back? Not so much.) |
| Audition song/monologue: | In the olde days, I used to sing the last verse of "Golden Rainbow" (from the show of the same name) because it ended with a belted E flat. Back then I figured the loudest girl got the job... I guess I haven't changed much. |
| Special Skills: | I can bring home the bacon, fry it up in a... well, I can order take-out. |
| First Broadway or West End show ever saw: | Ain't Misbehavin'. I guess I'll never be able to do a revival for old time's sake. |
| If you could go back in time and catch any Broadway show, what would it be? | I'm such a huge fan of Judy Holliday. I would love to see her do Bells Are Ringing, one of my very favorite shows. I can't promise I wouldn't steal some of her bits. |
| Current show you have been recommending to friends: | I hear that Addams Family got great reviews! |
| Favorite show tune: | Showtunes are for nerds, aren't they? |
| MAC or PC? | I've finally submitted to the Mac Overlord... but I went kicking and screaming. |
| Most played song on your iPod: | I hardly ever listen to music on my iPod or in the car. I listen to audio books or podcasts. Mostly public radio shows like "Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me!" and "Stuff You Should Know." Talk about nerdy! |
| Web obsession: | OMG! Scrabble! I play it every day! |
| Last book you read: | "The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest" by Stieg Larsson |
| Must-see TV show: | I don't often get control of the remote in my house, so I watch a lot of Nickelodeon and Cartoon Network. |
| Last movie you saw: | "The Karate Kid." See above explanation. |
| Pop culture guilty pleasure: | I did watch a couple of episodes of "The Real Housewives of New Jersey" hoping to see some of my neighbors. |
| First CD/Tape/LP you owned: | When I was about 10, I used to dance around with my girlfriend, Kitty (a person, not a stuffed toy) in her basement and sing to the cast recording of Godspell. |
| Favorite or most memorable onstage role as a child/teenager: | I never did theatre as a kid, but I do remember a pivotal moment in grade school. I was supposed to sing this trio in the Christmas concert with two other little girls.
On the day of the concert, they were both out. The teacher asked if I wanted to cut the song or do it alone. I decided to do it, and although I messed up a few lyrics, I felt more power in that moment than I had ever felt in all my 7 years. |
| Favorite post-show meal: | Cereal with cold milk is my reward for getting through a long day at the "office." I'm salivating now just thinking about it. |
| Worst costume ever: | I had this beautiful dress in Kiss Me, Kate that I wore for a little scene where I literally crossed from one side of the stage to the other. It was a complete change including jewelry, hat, shoes, hose, bra... I spent more time getting it on and off than I did wearing it onstage! |
| Who would play you in the movie? | Betty White! She's totally hot right now! |
| Worst job you ever had: | Perfume sprayer in Macy's Herald Square. People hate you and they let you know about it! |
| "I'll never understand why…" | ...cellulite was invented! Why! Why! Why! |
