Christmas in New York: Theatre Review

Christmas in New York has been brought back by Speckulation Entertainment after a four year absence. This year Broadway Leading Lady, best known for her portrayal of Elphaba, Eden Espinosa headlines the event. Besides playing Elphaba in Wicked to extensive acclaim on Broadway, in LA and San Francisco, Espinosa's other credits include playing Maureen in the closing cast of RENT on Broadway and the title role in Brooklyn the musical. Joined by a West End line up including Tori Allen-Martin (RENT, Hair), Lucy May Barker (Sweeney Todd, Spring Awakening), Andy Coxon (Les Miserables, Rocky Horror Show), Scott Garnham (I Can’t Sing!, Les Miserables), Luke Kempner (Avenue Q, South Pacific) and Zoe Rainey (Wicked, Hairspray) with special guest Julie Atherton (Sister Act, Avenue Q). The show played the Palace Theatre in Manchester on the 7th December before returning to the West End, playing the Palace Theatre where The Commitments currently resides. 

Eden Espinosa | Interview

Eden is best known for her portrayal of the Green Witch Elphaba in the smash hit musical, WICKED. She performed the role to critical acclaim on Broadway, Los Angeles and San Francisco. Her other musical theatre credits include originating title role in Brooklyn the Musical on Broadway, Maureen in the closing cast of RENT on Broadway (this was also filmed and is available on DVD and Blu-Ray), the title role in Flora the Red Menace and the Fairy godmother in Cinderella alongside Alli Mauzey. Her television credits include Law & Order, Robot Chicken, Dog Whisperer, Titan Maximum, Ugly Betty, The Today Show, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and the 2008 Tony Awards. Eden made her solo concert debut in Los Angeles with her show 'ME' in December 2008.  She then took the show to New York where she performed to sold out audiences at Joe’s Pub.  She then brought the show back to Los Angeles and performed to a sold out audience at the Ford Amphitheatre, with special guest, Grammy Award-winning and Decca recording artist Paula Cole.  In 2010, her show “From Eden With Love” was performed to sold out crowds in New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. Eden released a solo album in late 2012 entitled 'Look Around' which is available for purchase here. 

Growing up, what was the thing that made you want a career in musical theatre?

Growing up I always loved musicals. But it really wasn’t until I reached high school and met so many kids my age that loved to sing and act like me.  It was around the age of 15 and a whole new world was opened up to me.  So many musicals I never knew, the dream of being on Broadway, living in New York City.  That’s when a spark ignited the flame.