Priscilla Lopez
Encyclopedia
Priscilla Lopez is an American
singer, dancer, and actress.
landmarks: one of its greatest hits, the highly-acclaimed, long-running A Chorus Line
, and, as a teenager, in one of its biggest flops, the infamous musical version of Breakfast at Tiffany's
, which closed before opening night.
, where she majored in drama; her experience as a drama student are played out in the musical A Chorus Line. Had Tiffany's survived, it would have marked her debut on the Great White Way, but the production was plagued with so many problems that its creative team deemed it impossible to fix. From there she moved on to Henry, Sweet Henry
, which lasted only two months at the end of 1967, when she was 19 years old. Her luck was no better the following year, when Her First Roman
lasted a mere two weeks.
Lopez finally achieved critical and popular success as a replacement in two shows, Stephen Sondheim
's Company
(1970), followed by the 1972 hit Pippin
in 1974 (taking over the role of Fastrada from original performer Leland Palmer
). Two years later, she was invited by director and choreographer Michael Bennett
to participate in a series of tape-recorded group therapy-style sessions in which chorus boys and girls - AKA "Gypsies" - bared their souls and discussed their lives, dreams, and frustrations. From this emerged A Chorus Line (1975), and Lopez was invited to join the cast portraying Diana Morales, a character patterned very much after herself, and in which she introduced the hit song "What I Did for Love".
In her next production, A Day in Hollywood / A Night in the Ukraine
(1980), Lopez stepped out of the ensemble and into the spotlight, utilizing both her comedic and vocal skills. The show had two acts, the first a mini-musical by Dick Vosburgh and Frank Lazarus with additional material by Jerry Herman
about the early days of movie making, the second a send-up of the slapstick Marx Brothers
movies, with Lopez in the role of Harpo. Both she and the show received rave reviews, and it ran nearly a year-and-a-half. And for this, she earned a Tony Award
for Best Featured Actress. In 1982, Tommy Tune
, with whom she had worked in Hollywood/Ukraine, hired her as his assistant on Nine
, the musical version of the Federico Fellini
film 8½
. Midway through the run, she joined the cast taking over for Tony-winner Liliane Montevecchi
in the role of Liliane La Fleur. Lopez also appeared on Broadway in the critically acclaimed play Anna in the Tropics
in 2003. From 2008-2011, Lopez appeared as Camilla in the Broadway production of "In the Heights"
.
credits include Other People's Money
, Key Exchange
,
Extremities
, The Oldest Profession, Beauty of the Father and Class Mothers '68, for which she was nominated for a Drama Desk Award
as Best Actress. She also was featured in the City Center Encores!
production of Babes in Arms
.
. Lopez had a starring role in the television movie, For the Love of My Child: The Anissa Ayala Story (1993), in which she played a mother, who, along with her husband, conceives a child to provide a suitable bone-marrow donor for their older daughter in 1990. Other television work includes L.A. Law
, Law & Order
, All in the Family
, Trapper John, M.D.
and, most recently, Cosby
. She also had a key role in the short-lived 1986 medical drama Kay O'Brien
, a kind of Grey's Anatomy
for the '80s, which wound up being ahead of its time.
as the Broadway Dance Studio teacher who teaches jazz. She appeared in Maid in Manhattan
playing the mother of Jennifer Lopez
's character, and recently completed the film version of the long-running off-Broadway hit, Tony 'n' Tina's Wedding.
Nominations
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
singer, dancer, and actress.
Early life
Lopez was born in the Bronx, New York to Francisco Lopez, a hotel banquet foreman and Laura (née Candelaria), who were moved to New York from their native Puerto Rico. She has had the distinction of appearing in two BroadwayBroadway theatre
Broadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
landmarks: one of its greatest hits, the highly-acclaimed, long-running A Chorus Line
A Chorus Line
A Chorus Line is a 1975 musical about Broadway dancers auditioning for spots on a chorus line. The book was authored by James Kirkwood, Jr. and Nicholas Dante, lyrics were written by Edward Kleban, and music was composed by Marvin Hamlisch....
, and, as a teenager, in one of its biggest flops, the infamous musical version of Breakfast at Tiffany's
Breakfast at Tiffany's (musical)
Breakfast at Tiffany's is a legendary flop in Broadway musical history. The musical is based on the Truman Capote novella and 1961 film of the same name about a free spirit named Holly Golightly...
, which closed before opening night.
Broadway
Lopez graduated from Manhattan's High School of Performing ArtsHigh School of Performing Arts
The High School of Performing Arts, more formally known as The School of Performing Arts: A Division of the Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts, informally known as "PA", was a public alternative high school in New York, New York, USA that existed from 1948 through...
, where she majored in drama; her experience as a drama student are played out in the musical A Chorus Line. Had Tiffany's survived, it would have marked her debut on the Great White Way, but the production was plagued with so many problems that its creative team deemed it impossible to fix. From there she moved on to Henry, Sweet Henry
Henry, Sweet Henry
Henry, Sweet Henry is a musical with a book by Nunnally Johnson and music and lyrics by Bob Merrill.Based on the novel The World of Henry Orient by Johnson's daughter Nora and the subsequent film of the same name, the plot focuses on Valerie and Marian, two wealthy, love-struck teenagers who stalk...
, which lasted only two months at the end of 1967, when she was 19 years old. Her luck was no better the following year, when Her First Roman
Her First Roman
Her First Roman is a musical with music, lyrics, and book by Ervin Drake, based on the 1898 George Bernard Shaw play Caesar and Cleopatra.-Original production:...
lasted a mere two weeks.
Lopez finally achieved critical and popular success as a replacement in two shows, Stephen Sondheim
Stephen Sondheim
Stephen Joshua Sondheim is an American composer and lyricist for stage and film. He is the winner of an Academy Award, multiple Tony Awards including the Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre, multiple Grammy Awards, a Pulitzer Prize and the Laurence Olivier Award...
's Company
Company (musical)
Company is a musical with a book by George Furth and music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. The original production was nominated for a record-setting fourteen Tony Awards and won six....
(1970), followed by the 1972 hit Pippin
Pippin (musical)
Pippin is a musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and a book by Roger O. Hirson. Bob Fosse, who directed the original Broadway production, also contributed to the libretto...
in 1974 (taking over the role of Fastrada from original performer Leland Palmer
Leland Palmer (actress)
Leland Palmer is an American actress, dancer, and singer who has appeared on stage, in motion pictures, and on television. She appeared on Broadway in Bajour, A Joyful Noise, Hello, Dolly!, Applause, and Pippin...
). Two years later, she was invited by director and choreographer Michael Bennett
Michael Bennett
Michael Bennett was an American musical theater director, writer, choreographer, and dancer. He won seven Tony Awards for his choreography and direction of Broadway shows and was nominated for an additional eleven....
to participate in a series of tape-recorded group therapy-style sessions in which chorus boys and girls - AKA "Gypsies" - bared their souls and discussed their lives, dreams, and frustrations. From this emerged A Chorus Line (1975), and Lopez was invited to join the cast portraying Diana Morales, a character patterned very much after herself, and in which she introduced the hit song "What I Did for Love".
In her next production, A Day in Hollywood / A Night in the Ukraine
A Day in Hollywood / A Night in the Ukraine
A Day in Hollywood/A Night in the Ukraine is a musical comedy consisting of two essentially independent one-act plays, with a book and lyrics by Dick Vosburgh and music by Frank Lazarus...
(1980), Lopez stepped out of the ensemble and into the spotlight, utilizing both her comedic and vocal skills. The show had two acts, the first a mini-musical by Dick Vosburgh and Frank Lazarus with additional material by Jerry Herman
Jerry Herman
Jerry Herman is an American composer and lyricist, known for his work in Broadway musical theater. He composed the scores for the hit Broadway musicals Hello, Dolly!, Mame, and La Cage aux Folles. He has been nominated for the Tony Award five times, and won twice, for Hello, Dolly! and La Cage...
about the early days of movie making, the second a send-up of the slapstick Marx Brothers
Marx Brothers
The Marx Brothers were an American family comedy act, originally from New York City, that enjoyed success in Vaudeville, Broadway, and motion pictures from the early 1900s to around 1950...
movies, with Lopez in the role of Harpo. Both she and the show received rave reviews, and it ran nearly a year-and-a-half. And for this, she earned a Tony Award
Tony Award
The Antoinette Perry Award for Excellence in Theatre, more commonly known as a Tony Award, recognizes achievement in live Broadway theatre. The awards are presented by the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League at an annual ceremony in New York City. The awards are given for Broadway...
for Best Featured Actress. In 1982, Tommy Tune
Tommy Tune
Thomas James "Tommy" Tune is an American actor, dancer, singer, theatre director, producer, and choreographer. Over the course of his career, he has won nine Tony Awards and the National Medal of Arts.-Early years:...
, with whom she had worked in Hollywood/Ukraine, hired her as his assistant on Nine
Nine (musical)
Nine is a musical with a book by Arthur Kopit, music and lyrics by Maury Yeston. The story is based on Federico Fellini's semi-autobiographical film 8½...
, the musical version of the Federico Fellini
Federico Fellini
Federico Fellini, Cavaliere di Gran Croce OMRI , was an Italian film director and scriptwriter. Known for a distinct style that blends fantasy and baroque images, he is considered one of the most influential and widely revered filmmakers of the 20th century...
film 8½
8½
8½ is a 1963 Italian fantasy film directed by Federico Fellini. Co-scripted by Fellini, Tullio Pinelli, Ennio Flaiano, and Brunello Rondi, it stars Marcello Mastroianni as Guido Anselmi, a famous Italian film director...
. Midway through the run, she joined the cast taking over for Tony-winner Liliane Montevecchi
Liliane Montevecchi
Liliane Montevecchi is a French actress, dancer, and singer.Montevecchi began her career as a prima ballerina in Roland Petit's dance company...
in the role of Liliane La Fleur. Lopez also appeared on Broadway in the critically acclaimed play Anna in the Tropics
Anna in the Tropics
Anna in the Tropics is a play by Nilo Cruz.When Cuban immigrants brought the cigar-making industry to Florida in the 19th Century, they carried with them another tradition. As the workers toiled away in the factory hand rolling each cigar, the lector, , would read to them...
in 2003. From 2008-2011, Lopez appeared as Camilla in the Broadway production of "In the Heights"
.
Off-Broadway
Her off-BroadwayOff-Broadway
Off-Broadway theater is a term for a professional venue in New York City with a seating capacity between 100 and 499, and for a specific production of a play, musical or revue that appears in such a venue, and which adheres to related trade union and other contracts...
credits include Other People's Money
Other People's Money
Other People's Money is a 1991 drama/romantic comedy film starring Danny DeVito, Penelope Ann Miller and Gregory Peck. It is based on the play of the same name by Jerry Sterner. The director was Norman Jewison and the screenplay was credited to Alvin Sargent.-Plot:Corporate raider Lawrence...
, Key Exchange
Key exchange
Key exchange is any method in cryptography by which cryptographic keys are exchanged between users, allowing use of a cryptographic algorithm....
,
Extremities
Extremities
Extremities may refer to:* Extremities , a play by William Mastrosimone* Extremities , a film based on the play* limbs of the body, in medical terminology...
, The Oldest Profession, Beauty of the Father and Class Mothers '68, for which she was nominated for a Drama Desk Award
Drama Desk Award
The Drama Desk Awards, which are given annually in a number of categories, are the only major New York theater honors for which productions on Broadway, Off-Broadway, Off-Off-Broadway compete against each other in the same category...
as Best Actress. She also was featured in the City Center Encores!
Encores!
Encores! Great American Musicals in Concert is a program that has been presented by New York City Center since 1994. Encores! is dedicated to performing the full score of musicals that rarely are heard in New York City...
production of Babes in Arms
Babes in Arms
Babes in Arms is a 1937 musical with music by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Lorenz Hart and book by Rodgers and Hart. It concerns a teen-age boy who puts on a show with his friends to avoid being sent to a work farm.- Production history:...
.
Television
In 1983 she was the voice of Herself the Elf in the animated TV special The Magic of Herself the ElfThe Magic of Herself the Elf
The Magic of Herself the Elf is a 1983 animated television special produced by the Canadian animation company, Nelvana Limited. Directed by John Celestri and Raymond Jafelice, it stars the voices of Jerry Orbach, Georgia Engel and Priscilla Lopez...
. Lopez had a starring role in the television movie, For the Love of My Child: The Anissa Ayala Story (1993), in which she played a mother, who, along with her husband, conceives a child to provide a suitable bone-marrow donor for their older daughter in 1990. Other television work includes L.A. Law
L.A. Law
L.A. Law is a US television legal drama that ran on NBC from September 15, 1986 to May 19, 1994. L.A. Law reflected the social and cultural ideologies of the 1980s and early 1990s and many of the cases featured on the show dealt with hot topic issues such as abortion, racism, gay rights,...
, Law & Order
Law & Order
Law & Order is an American police procedural and legal drama television series, created by Dick Wolf and part of the Law & Order franchise. It aired on NBC, and in syndication on various cable networks. Law & Order premiered on September 13, 1990, and completed its 20th and final season on May 24,...
, All in the Family
All in the Family
All in the Family is an American sitcom that was originally broadcast on the CBS television network from January 12, 1971, to April 8, 1979. In September 1979, a new show, Archie Bunker's Place, picked up where All in the Family had ended...
, Trapper John, M.D.
Trapper John, M.D.
Trapper John, M.D. is an American television medical drama and spin-off of the film MASH, concerning a lovable surgeon who became a mentor and father figure in San Francisco, California. The show ran on CBS from September 23, 1979, to September 4, 1986....
and, most recently, Cosby
Cosby
Cosby is a situation comedy television series broadcast on CBS from September 16, 1996 to April 28, 2000, loosely based on the British sitcom One Foot in the Grave. The program starred Bill Cosby, Phylicia Rashād...
. She also had a key role in the short-lived 1986 medical drama Kay O'Brien
Kay O'Brien
Kay O'Brien is an American television series set at fictional Manhattan General Hospital, that aired for one season on CBS during the 1986-87 television season.-Overview:...
, a kind of Grey's Anatomy
Grey's Anatomy
Grey's Anatomy is an American medical drama television series created by Shonda Rhimes. The series premiered on March 27, 2005 on ABC; since then, seven seasons have aired. The series follows the lives of interns, residents and their mentors in the fictional Seattle Grace Mercy West Hospital in...
for the '80s, which wound up being ahead of its time.
Films
She had a brief role in Center StageCenter Stage
Center Stage is a 2000 American drama film, directed by Nicholas Hytner, about a group of young dancers from various backgrounds who enroll at the fictitious American Ballet Academy in New York City...
as the Broadway Dance Studio teacher who teaches jazz. She appeared in Maid in Manhattan
Maid in Manhattan
Maid in Manhattan is a 2002 romantic comedy film directed by Wayne Wang about a hotel maid and a high profile politician who fall in love starring Jennifer Lopez, Ralph Fiennes, and Natasha Richardson. It is based on a story by John Hughes who is credited using a pseudonym. The original music score...
playing the mother of Jennifer Lopez
Jennifer Lopez
Jennifer Lynn Lopez is an American actress, singer, record producer, dancer, television personality, and fashion designer. Lopez began her career as a dancer on the television comedy program In Living Color. Subsequently venturing into acting, she gained recognition in the 1995 action-thriller...
's character, and recently completed the film version of the long-running off-Broadway hit, Tony 'n' Tina's Wedding.
Awards and nominations
Awards- 1976 Obie Award - A Chorus Line
- 1976 Theatre World Special Award Ensemble Performance Award - A Chorus Line
- 1980 Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical - A Day in Hollywood / A Night in the Ukraine
- 2002 Rita Moreno HOLA Award for Excellence from the Hispanic Organization of Latin ActorsHispanic Organization of Latin ActorsThe Hispanic Organization of Latin Actors is an active arts service and advocacy organization. It is in the United States and dedicated to Hispanic artists and actors....
Nominations
- 1976 Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical - A Chorus Line