Scandalous: musical starring Carolee Carmello

Two-time Tony Award nominee Carolee Carmello will star in the new Broadway musical Scandalous: The Life and Trials of Aimee Semple McPherson.

With book and lyrics by Kathie Lee Gifford and music by David Pomeranz and David Friedman, Scandalous will open at the Neil Simon Theatre on 15 Nov 2012, following previews from 13 Oct 2012.

Directed by David Armstrong, scandalous is based on the life of Aimee Semple McPherson (1890-1944), the world's first media superstar evangelist - a woman whose passion for saving souls equaled her passion for making sensational headlines and attracting overflow crowds of thousands throughout the world. Time Magazine named Aimee Semple McPherson one the most influential people of the twentieth century.

Set in 1920's Los Angeles, holiness collides with Hollywood in this extraordinary tale of one remarkable woman's charismatic rise to fame amidst scandalous love affairs and growing controversy, inevitably ending in her much-publicized fall from grace.

Scandalous marks Carolee Carmello's 12th Broadway show. Carmello's recent Broadway credits include 'Mother Superior' in 'Sister Act,' 'Alice Beineke' in 'The Addams Family,' 'Donna Sheridan' in the long-running hit 'Mamma Mia!,' 'Penelope Pennywise' in 'Urinetown' and 'Lilli Vanessi' in the revival of 'Kiss Me, Kate,' in addition to her Tony-nominated performances as 'Gabrielle' in 'Lestat' and 'Lucille Frank' in 'Parade.'

Additional casting will be announced soon.

With choreography by Lorin Latarro and musical direction by Joel Fram, Scandalous features scenic design by Walt Spangler, costume design by Gregory A. Poplyk, lighting design by Natasha Katz and sound design by Ken Travis.

Scandalous: The Life and Trials of Aimee Semple McPherson is produced by Dick and Betsy DeVos, Foursquare Foundation and Jeffrey Finn, Executive Producer, in association with The 5th Avenue Theatre (David Armstrong, Executive Producer and Artistic Director; Bernadine Griffin, Managing Director; Bill Berry, Producing Director).