Orfeh

Orfeh (born March 28, 1971[2] as Orfeh Or[1]) is an American singer, songwriter and Tony-nominated actress from New York City. Orfeh and her husband, Andy Karl, performed at the Lincoln Center's American Songbook Series in 2016,[3] and in the Broadway musical Pretty Woman.

Orfeh
Born
Orfeh Or[1]

(1971-03-28) March 28, 1971[2]
New York City, U.S.
OccupationSinger, songwriter, actress
Spouse(s)
(
m. 2001)
Websitewww.orfeh.com

Early life and career

Orfeh was born and raised in New York City.[4] She attended the LaGuardia High School for the Performing Arts and received a record deal shortly after graduation.[5] Her first release was Life in the Movies,[6] which she released as a part of the group Genevha with her musical partner Mike More in 1987. After the release, the duo formed the group Or-N-More and signed with EMI Records.[7]

In 1991, the duo released a self-titled album, their single "Everyotherday" reached number 46 on the Billboard Hot 100. The album was awarded gold status, but shortly after the album's success, the duo found out their business manager had mis-managed their finances.[8] She has been quoted about the situation, "My recording career went wrong," she has said. "Really, really wrong. We had the business manager that stole all the money, the hit record that was about to become a mega-hit record and suddenly the rug was pulled out from under us. After being on the road for years and devoting my life to recording, I found myself at home saying, 'What do I do now?'"[9]

After Or-N-More disbanded, Orfeh signed a publishing deal with Warner/Chappell Music and continued to write and produce songs for other artists.[5] She also remains a member of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, which gives her nominating and voting privileges for the Grammy Awards. She also co-wrote the song "Wishing On You," which appears on the soundtrack of the Disney film Model Behavior that was released in 2000.[10]

Broadway

Orfeh made her Broadway debut in 1998 as a swing in Footloose.[5] In early 1999, Orfeh joined the ten-member company of The Gershwins 'Fascinating Rhythm' with Adriane Lenox, Sara Ramirez and Patrick Wilson.[11][12] She then starred in the Original Broadway Company of London musical of Saturday Night Fever as Annette, and in addition to winning positive reviews, Orfeh met her husband, Andy Karl, while playing the role.[13] In 1999, she appeared on The Rosie O'Donnell Show to promote the musical and perform her solo from the show, If I Can't Have You.[14]

After Saturday Night Fever closed, Orfeh starred in Me and Mrs. Jones and Bright Lights, Big City at the Prince Theatre in Philadelphia. In 2001, she played Janis Joplin in the off-Broadway show, Love, Janis. In 2005, she starred in the off-Broadway musical The Great American Trailer Park Musical as Pippi, a stripper from the wrong side of the tracks.[15]

In 2007, Orfeh was nominated for a Tony Award for her performance in the Legally Blonde musical. She played the role of Paulette, a down on her luck hairdresser who helps Elle on her journey, while finding love of her own. She also received Outer Critics Circle and Drama Desk nominations for her performance.[16][17][18] Her husband, Andy Karl, starred opposite her as her UPS man, Kyle. Orfeh stayed with the show until it closed on October 19, 2008.[19] From 20 July 2018 - 18 Aug 2019, Orfeh played the role of Kit De Luca in "Pretty Woman - The Musical" on Broadway. [20]

Television and film

She has appeared on many TV shows and in movies. Her TV appearances include: Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Sex and the City, MTV's Made and Chappelle's Show on Comedy Central. Movies include Kiss Me Again and Julie Taymor's Across the Universe, where she sang "Come Together" with Joe Cocker.[21][4] In addition to television appearances, she is a frequently used voiceover artist and has voiced characters for the videogames Max Payne 2, Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas and The Warriors.[4] She also has done voiceover work for Wachovia bank.[9]

Music

Orfeh released her first solo album, What Do You Want from Me, on September 30, 2008.[22] In 2014, Orfeh recorded a song for Michael Mott's album, "Where The Sky Ends" which was later released as a dance mix.[23] In 2015, she released the Christmas-themed single Baby Please Come Home.[24] In 2016, Orfeh and her husband performed at the Lincoln Center's American Songbook series.[3] That same year, she was featured on the single What the World Needs Now is Love with other Broadway artists and released the solo single, Forget My Name.[25]

Personal life

In 2001, she married actor Andy Karl, a three-time Tony-nominated actor who she met during her time in Saturday Night Fever, and played opposite her as Paulette's UPS man, Kyle in the original cast of Legally Blonde.[26] The couple splits their time between Manhattan and Los Angeles.[27]

Discography

Releases

Artist/album Date Label Credits
Genevha with Mike More/Life in the Movies (1987) CBS Associated Records Vocals[28]
Or-N-More/Or-N-More (1991) EMI America Vocals/writing[29]
The O'Jays/Emotionally Yours (1991) EMI America Vocals[30]
Freedom Williams/Freedom (1993) Columbia Records Vocals[31]
Various Artists/Model Behavior Soundtrack (2000) Disney Writer[32]
Deborah Gibson/M.Y.O.B (2001) Golden Egg Records Vocals[33]
Actors Fund of America/Dreamgirls (2002) Nonesuch Records Vocals, photography[34]
Actors Fund of America/Hair (Benefit recording) (2004) Ghostlight Records Vocals[35]
The Great American Trailer Park Musical/ Cast Recording (2005) Ghostlight Records Vocals[36]
Various Artists/Carols For a Cure Volume 7 (2005) Rock-it Science Records Vocals
Legally Blonde/Cast Recording (2007) Ghostlight Records Vocals[37]
Various artists/Carols For a Cure Volume 9 (2007) Rock-it Science Records Vocals
Orfeh/What Do You Want From Me (2008) Ghostlight Records Vocals, executive producer[38]
Various artists/Carols For a Cure 14 (2012) Rock-it Science Records Vocals[39]
Michael Mott/Where The Sky Ends (2014) Broadway Records Writing
Michael Mott/Where the Sky Ends:The Dance Remixes (2014) Broadway Records Vocals, writing[23]
Orfeh/Baby Please Come Home (2015) Self-released Vocals[40]
Broadway for Orlando/What the World Needs Now is Love (2016) Broadway Records Vocals[41]
Orfeh/Forget My Name (2016) Self-released Vocals[42]
gollark: Besides, what's wrong with murder, *really*?
gollark: I backported some changes from it.
gollark: Nobody's was mostly based on mine.
gollark: yes.
gollark: Temporary food break.

References
  1. Hernandez, Ernio (2007-04-25). "PLAYBILL.COM'S CUE & A: Orfeh". Playbill. Retrieved 2018-06-03.
  2. "bio". Orfeh.com. Retrieved 2018-06-03.
  3. "BWW TV Exclusive: Husband & Wife, Andy Karl & Orfeh Team Up Onstage for American Songbook; Watch Highlights!". Broadway World. February 27, 2016.
  4. Michael Buckley (February 13, 2005). "Stage to Screens: A Chat with Orfeh". Playbill. Retrieved November 11, 2016.
  5. Peter James Zielinski (September 29, 2008). "Photo Coverage: Orfeh Has Her Portrait Unveiled at Tony's Dinapoli". Broadway World. Retrieved November 11, 2016.
  6. "Discogs: Genevha". Discogs. Retrieved 2008-11-04.
  7. Laferla, Ruth (1991-09-08). "Fashion; Jump Starts". New York Times, Magazine. Retrieved 2008-10-27.
  8. Ryan Rice. "Orfeh and Andy Karl". Life and Dog. Retrieved November 11, 2016.
  9. "Orfeh.com Official Biography". Orfeh.com. Retrieved 2008-11-04.
  10. "IMDB.com: Model Behavior". IMDB. Retrieved 2008-11-04.
  11. Peter Marks (April 26, 1999). "Theater Review; Gershiwn Suaveness As the Art of Quick Change". The New York Times. Retrieved November 11, 2016.
  12. Kenneth Jones (April 2, 1999). "The Gershwins' Fascinating Rhythm Dances Into Broadway Previews April 2". Playbill. Retrieved November 11, 2016.
  13. "Broadwayworld.com: Orfeh Theatre Credits". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2008-11-04.
  14. Robert Simonson (November 3, 1999). "Fever's Orfeh to Belt on TV's 'Rosie', Nov. 3". Playbill. Retrieved November 11, 2016.
  15. "Playbill Biography: ORFEH". Playbill.com. Retrieved 2008-11-04.
  16. Gans, Andrew; Zachary Pincus-Roth (2007-04-26). "Nominees for Drama Desk Awards Announced; LoveMusik Garners 12 Noms". Playbill. Retrieved 2008-11-04.
  17. "Awards Archive: 2006-2007". Outer Critics Circle. Archived from the original on 2013-05-03. Retrieved 2008-11-04.
  18. Robertson, Campbell (2007-05-15). "Spring Awakening Gets 11 Tony Nominations". New York Times. Retrieved 2008-11-04.
  19. Hetrick, Adam (2008-09-24). "Legally Blonde to Close on Broadway Oct. 19". Playbill. Archived from the original on April 28, 2009. Retrieved 2008-11-04.
  20. Gans, Andrew (Aug 18, 2019). "Pretty Woman: The Musical Ends Broadway Run August 18". Playbill. Retrieved Sep 30, 2019.
  21. "Orfeh Biography on IMDB.com". IMDB. Retrieved 2008-11-04.
  22. "Legally Blonde Star Orfeh to Release Solo CD What Do You Want From Me". Broadway.com. Retrieved 2008-11-04.
  23. Gioia, Michael (October 14, 2014). ""Where The Sky Ends: The Dance Remixes," Featuring Ben Fankhauser, Orfeh and Brad Greer, Released Today". Playbill.
  24. "Orfeh Discography of CDs". CD Universe.
  25. "Orfeh & Andy Karl "Songs From the Crypt"". Bird's Basement.
  26. Whitney Spaner (May 9, 2015). "How Orfeh and Andy Karl's Passion Caught Fire During Saturday Night Fever". Playbill. Retrieved November 11, 2016.
  27. Buckley, Michael (2006-02-09). "Each Day Is Valentine's Day". Theatremania. Retrieved 2008-11-04.
  28. "Genevha-Life In the Movies". Discogs. Retrieved October 21, 2016.
  29. "Or-N-More". Discogs. October 21, 2016.
  30. "Emotionally Yours". Discogs. Retrieved 2009-01-04.
  31. "Orfeh". Discogs. Retrieved October 21, 2016.
  32. "Model Behavior Soundtrack". Ringos Track. Retrieved October 21, 2016.
  33. "M.Y.O.B." CD Universe. Retrieved 2009-01-04.
  34. "Various Artists Dreamgirls in Concert". Nonesuch Records. Retrieved October 21, 2016.
  35. "Hair (Actors Fund of America Benefit)". Amazon. Retrieved 2009-01-04.
  36. "Great American Trailer Park Musical". Amazon. Retrieved 2009-01-04.
  37. "Legally Blonde: The Musical". CD Universe. Retrieved 2009-01-04.
  38. "What Do You Want From Me". Playbill. Retrieved 2009-01-04.
  39. Rafter Keddy, Genevieve (August 23, 2012). "BWW Photo Exclusive: Jersey Boys Cast Records for 'Carols For A Cure'". Retrieved October 21, 2016.
  40. "Orfeh Discography of CDs". CD Universe. Retrieved October 21, 2016.
  41. "What the World Needs Now is Love". Broadway for Orlando. Retrieved October 21, 2016.
  42. "Orfeh & Andy Karl "Songs From the Crypt"". Bird's Basement. Retrieved October 21, 2016.
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