Orfeh (born March 28, 1971[2] as Orfeh Or[1]) is an American singer, songwriter and actress. She performed at the Lincoln Center's American Songbook Series in 2016,[3] and in the Broadway musicals Saturday Night Fever, Legally Blonde, and Pretty Woman.
Orfeh | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Orfeh Or[1] March 28, 1971[2] New York City, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter, actress |
| Spouse | |
| Website | www |
Early life and career
editOrfeh 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. 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]
Theatre
editOrfeh 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 July 20, 2018, through August 18, 2019, she played the role of Kit De Luca in Pretty Woman on Broadway.[20] In February 2020, she played in an Off-Broadway 50th anniversary concert version of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat as Potiphar's Wife, playing opposite her husband Andy Karl who played Potiphar.[21]
In August 2024, she joined the cast of Chicago on Broadway as Morton for a limited engagement.[22]
Television and film
editOrfeh has guest starred in several television shows, appearing in episodes of Gossip Girl, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, and Sex and the City.[23] In addition to television appearances, she is a frequently used voiceover artist and has voiced characters for the video games Max Payne 2, Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas and The Warriors.[4] She also has done voiceover work for Wachovia bank.[9]
Music
editOrfeh released her first solo album, What Do You Want from Me, on September 30, 2008.[24] In 2014, Orfeh recorded a song for Michael Mott's album, "Where The Sky Ends" which was later released as a dance mix.[25] In 2015, she released the Christmas-themed single Baby Please Come Home.[26] 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.[27]
In 2017, Orfeh and her husband, Andy Karl released a live concert album recorded at 54 Below titled, Legally Bound: Live at Feinstein's/54 Below.[28] She also released a mash-up single of Yesterday/Time After Time/Shallow with Karl and American singer/songwriter, Andrew Logan in 2021.[29] Most recently, she released a cover single of the Eagles' song, Hotel California, on October 20, 2023.[30]
Personal life
editIn 2001, Orfeh married actor Andy Karl, a three-time Tony-nominated actor whom she met during her time in Saturday Night Fever, and who played opposite her as Paulette's UPS man, Kyle, in the original cast of Legally Blonde.[31] Andy and Orfeh performed together in Me and Mrs. Jones, Nights on Broadway II, Bright Lights, Big City, Legally Blonde, Pretty Woman: The Musical, and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. In May 2024, they announced they had separated after 23 years of marriage.[32]
Discography
editReleases
| Artist/album | Date | Label | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Genevha with Mike More/Life in the Movies | (1987) | CBS Associated Records | Vocals[33] |
| Or-N-More/Or-N-More | (1991) | EMI America | Vocals/writing[34] |
| The O'Jays/Emotionally Yours | (1991) | EMI America | Vocals[35] |
| Freedom Williams/Freedom | (1993) | Columbia Records | Vocals[36] |
| Various Artists/Model Behavior Soundtrack | (2000) | Disney | Writer[37] |
| Deborah Gibson/M.Y.O.B | (2001) | Golden Egg Records | Vocals[38] |
| Actors Fund of America/Dreamgirls | (2002) | Nonesuch Records | Vocals, photography[39] |
| Actors Fund of America/Hair (Benefit recording) | (2004) | Ghostlight Records | Vocals[40] |
| The Great American Trailer Park Musical/ Cast Recording | (2005) | Ghostlight Records | Vocals[41] |
| Various Artists/Carols For a Cure Volume 7 | (2005) | Rock-it Science Records | Vocals |
| Legally Blonde/Cast Recording | (2007) | Ghostlight Records | Vocals[42] |
| 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[43] |
| Various artists/Carols For a Cure 14 | (2012) | Rock-it Science Records | Vocals[44] |
| Michael Mott/Where The Sky Ends | (2014) | Broadway Records | Writing |
| Michael Mott/Where the Sky Ends:The Dance Remixes | (2014) | Broadway Records | Vocals, writing[25] |
| Orfeh/Baby Please Come Home | (2015) | Self-released | Vocals[45] |
| Broadway for Orlando/What the World Needs Now is Love | (2016) | Broadway Records | Vocals[46] |
| Orfeh/Forget My Name | (2016) | Self-released | Vocals[47] |
| Orfeh/Forever I Do | (2023) | Self-released | Vocals[48] |
References
edit- ^ a b Hernandez, Ernio (April 25, 2007). "PLAYBILL.COM'S CUE & A: Orfeh". Playbill. Retrieved June 3, 2018.
- ^ a b "bio". Orfeh.com. Archived from the original on September 17, 2018. Retrieved June 3, 2018.
- ^ a b "BWW TV Exclusive: Husband & Wife, Andy Karl & Orfeh Team Up Onstage for American Songbook; Watch Highlights!". Broadway World. February 27, 2016.
- ^ a b Michael Buckley (February 13, 2005). "Stage to Screens: A Chat with Orfeh". Playbill. Retrieved November 11, 2016.
- ^ a b c Peter James Zielinski (September 29, 2008). "Photo Coverage: Orfeh Has Her Portrait Unveiled at Tony's Dinapoli". Broadway World. Retrieved November 11, 2016.
- ^ "Discogs: Genevha". Discogs. Retrieved November 4, 2008.
- ^ Laferla, Ruth (September 8, 1991). "Fashion; Jump Starts". New York Times, Magazine. Retrieved October 27, 2008.
- ^ Ryan Rice. "Orfeh and Andy Karl". Life and Dog. Archived from the original on November 12, 2016. Retrieved November 11, 2016.
- ^ a b "Orfeh.com Official Biography". Orfeh.com. Retrieved November 4, 2008.
- ^ "IMDB.com: Model Behavior". IMDB. Retrieved November 4, 2008.
- ^ Peter Marks (April 26, 1999). "Theater Review; Gershiwn Suaveness As the Art of Quick Change". The New York Times. Retrieved November 11, 2016.
- ^ Kenneth Jones (April 2, 1999). "The Gershwins' Fascinating Rhythm Dances Into Broadway Previews April 2". Playbill. Retrieved November 11, 2016.
- ^ "Broadwayworld.com: Orfeh Theatre Credits". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved November 4, 2008.
- ^ Robert Simonson (November 3, 1999). "Fever's Orfeh to Belt on TV's 'Rosie', Nov. 3". Playbill. Retrieved November 11, 2016.
- ^ "Playbill Biography: ORFEH". Playbill.com. Retrieved November 4, 2008.
- ^ Gans, Andrew; Zachary Pincus-Roth (April 26, 2007). "Nominees for Drama Desk Awards Announced; LoveMusik Garners 12 Noms". Playbill. Retrieved November 4, 2008.
- ^ "Awards Archive: 2006–2007". Outer Critics Circle. Archived from the original on May 3, 2013. Retrieved November 4, 2008.
- ^ Robertson, Campbell (May 15, 2007). "Spring Awakening Gets 11 Tony Nominations". New York Times. Retrieved November 4, 2008.
- ^ Hetrick, Adam (September 24, 2008). "Legally Blonde to Close on Broadway Oct. 19". Playbill. Archived from the original on April 28, 2009. Retrieved November 4, 2008.
- ^ Gans, Andrew (August 18, 2019). "Pretty Woman: The Musical Ends Broadway Run August 18". Playbill. Retrieved September 30, 2019.
- ^ Andy Karl and Orfeh Join Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat Concert
- ^ Orfeh Is Joining Broadway's Chicago as Matron 'Mama' Morton for Limited Engagement
- ^ "Orfeh | Actress, Music Artist, Soundtrack". IMDb. Retrieved March 1, 2024.
- ^ "Legally Blonde Star Orfeh to Release Solo CD What Do You Want From Me". Broadway.com. Retrieved November 4, 2008.
- ^ a b Gioia, Michael (October 14, 2014). ""Where The Sky Ends: The Dance Remixes," Featuring Ben Fankhauser, Orfeh and Brad Greer, Released Today". Playbill.
- ^ "Orfeh Discography of CDs". CD Universe.
- ^ "Orfeh & Andy Karl "Songs From the Crypt"". Bird's Basement. Archived from the original on August 6, 2017. Retrieved October 21, 2016.
- ^ Legally Bound: Live at Feinstein's/54 Below by Orfeh & Andy Karl on Apple Music, August 18, 2017, retrieved February 29, 2024
- ^ Yesterday / Time After Time / Shallow - Single by Andy Karl, Orfeh & Andrew Logan on Apple Music, March 5, 2021, retrieved March 1, 2024
- ^ Hotel California - Single by Orfeh on Apple Music, October 20, 2023, retrieved February 29, 2024
- ^ Whitney Spaner (May 9, 2015). "How Orfeh and Andy Karl's Passion Caught Fire During Saturday Night Fever". Playbill. Retrieved November 11, 2016.
- ^ Quinn, Dave (May 14, 2024). "Broadway's Orfeh and Andy Karl Separating After 23 Years of Marriage". People. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
- ^ "Genevha-Life In the Movies". Discogs. Retrieved October 21, 2016.
- ^ "Or-N-More". Discogs. October 21, 2016.
- ^ "Emotionally Yours". Discogs. Retrieved January 4, 2009.
- ^ "Orfeh". Discogs. Retrieved October 21, 2016.
- ^ "Model Behavior Soundtrack". Ringos Track. Retrieved October 21, 2016.
- ^ "M.Y.O.B." CD Universe. Retrieved January 4, 2009.
- ^ "Various Artists Dreamgirls in Concert". Nonesuch Records. May 29, 2008. Retrieved October 21, 2016.
- ^ "Hair (Actors Fund of America Benefit)". Amazon. Retrieved January 4, 2009.
- ^ "Great American Trailer Park Musical". Amazon. Retrieved January 4, 2009.
- ^ "Legally Blonde: The Musical". CD Universe. Retrieved January 4, 2009.
- ^ "What Do You Want From Me". Playbill. Retrieved January 4, 2009.
- ^ Rafter Keddy, Genevieve (August 23, 2012). "BWW Photo Exclusive: Jersey Boys Cast Records for 'Carols For A Cure'". Retrieved October 21, 2016.
- ^ "Orfeh Discography of CDs". CD Universe. Retrieved October 21, 2016.
- ^ "What the World Needs Now is Love". Broadway for Orlando. Archived from the original on November 22, 2019. Retrieved October 21, 2016.
- ^ "Orfeh & Andy Karl "Songs From the Crypt"". Bird's Basement. Archived from the original on August 6, 2017. Retrieved October 21, 2016.
- ^ Forever I Do - Single by Orfeh on Apple Music, July 28, 2023, retrieved March 1, 2024
