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Orfeh

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Orfeh
Born
Orfeh Alimorad

(1971-03-28) March 28, 1971 (age 53)
New York City, New York, United States
Occupation(s)Singer, Songwriter, Actress
Years active1998–present
SpouseAndy Karl (2001-present)
WebsiteOrfeh.com

Orfeh (born Orfeh Alimorad on 28 March 1971[1]) is an American singer, songwriter and Tony-nominated actress from New York City.

Early life

Orfeh was raised in Manhattan and began her career straight out of high school. She attended the famous LaGuardia High School for the Performing Arts, and got a record deal right after her graduation. Her first release was Life in the Movies,[2] which she released as a part of the group Genevha with her musical partner Mike More in 1987. After that, they formed Or-N-More and were signed with EMI Records.[3]

They released a self-titled album in 1991 that had mild success. They charted at number 46 on the Billboard Hot 100 with their single "Everyotherday". The song was a hit both stateside and abroad and garnered a gold album for the musical duo. "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?'"[4]

Even if Or-N-More may have been no more, Orfeh's talents as a songwriter earned her a much coveted publishing deal with Warner/Chappell Music and she has written and produced songs for many other artists. 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. More recently, Orfeh co-wrote the song "Wishing On You" which appears on the soundtrack of the Disney film Model Behavior.[5]

Career

Orfeh made her Broadway debut in 1998 as a swing in Footloose. After that, she appeared in the short-lived The Gershwin's Fascinating Rhythm. She starred in the Original Broadway Company of the London musical of Saturday Night Fever as Annette. She appeared on The Rosie O'Donnell Show to promote the show and remains friends with the comedian. In addition to winning excellent reviews, Orfeh met her soon-to-be husband, Andy Karl.[6]

Since then, she has appeared in many shows. Regionally, she has starred in Me and Mrs. Jones and Bright Lights, Big City at the Prince Theatre in Philadelphia. She played Janis Joplin in the off-Broadway show, Love, Janis. She also starred off-Broadway in critical hit The Great American Trailer Park Musical as Pippi, a stripper from the wrong side of the tracks.[7]

She made a huge splash starring in the high-profile production of Legally Blonde when it opened on Broadway. She created the role of Paulette, a down on her luck manicurist who helps Elle on her journey, as well as winning a love of her own. Orfeh garnered Drama Desk, an Outer Critics Circle and Tony Award nominations for her performance.[8][9][10] Her own husband, Andy Karl, starred opposite her as her UPS man, Kyle. The two got rave reviews.[citation needed] She stayed in the show until it closed on October 19, 2008.[11]

She has appeared on many TV shows and in movies over the course of her career. 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.[12]

In addition, she is a frequently used voiceover artist. She is one of the most commonly used voices on VH1 and MTV, and also can be heard in videogames Max Payne 2, Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas and The Warriors. She also has done voiceover work for Anthony Bourdain's television show No Reservations, and Wachovia bank.[4]

Orfeh released her first solo album, What Do You Want from Me, on September 30, 2008.[13]

In 2014, Orfeh recorded a song for Michael Mott's album, "Where The Sky Ends" which was later released as a dance mix [14]

Personal life

She is married to actor Andy Karl, who originated the role of Luke in the off-Broadway musical Altar Boyz, and played opposite her as Paulette's UPS man, Kyle in the original cast of Legally Blonde. They eloped in early 2001 and live together in Manhattan.[15]

Discography

  • Life in the Movies (1987)

Released as group Genevha with Mike More.[16]

Released as group Or-N-More with Mike More.

Provided backing vocals.

  • Freezin' Em (Level III) (1991)[19]

Provided backing vocals.

Provided backup vocals and co-wrote some of the songs.

Provided background vocals.

  • Hair Actors Fund of America Benefit CD (2004)[22]

Sang "Black Boys" with Ann Harada and Kathy Brier.

Played Pippi, featured on the album.

Played Paulette, featured on the album.

Debut solo release.

  • Where The Sky Ends (Michael Mott album) (2014) - "Hold Me Tight".
  • Where The Sky Ends: The Dance Remixes (2014) - "Hold Me Tight - (Huffnpoof Soaring Club Mix)".[14]

References

  1. ^ "bio". Orfeh -The official website. Retrieved 12 April 2016.
  2. ^ "Discogs: Genevha". Discogs. Retrieved 2008-11-04.
  3. ^ Laferla, Ruth (1991-09-08). "Fashion; Jump Starts". New York Times, Magazine. Retrieved 2008-10-27.
  4. ^ a b "Orfeh.com Official Biography". Orfeh.com. Retrieved 2008-11-04.
  5. ^ "IMDB.com: Model Behavior". IMDB. Retrieved 2008-11-04.
  6. ^ "Broadwayworld.com: Orfeh Theatre Credits". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2008-11-04.
  7. ^ "Playbill Biography: ORFEH". Playbill.com. Retrieved 2008-11-04.
  8. ^ Gans, Andrew; Zachary Pincus-Roth (2007-04-26). "Nominees for Drama Desk Awards Announced; LoveMusik Garners 12 Noms". Playbill. Retrieved 2008-11-04.
  9. ^ "Awards Archive: 2006-2007". Outer Critics Circle. Retrieved 2008-11-04.
  10. ^ Robertson, Campbell (2007-05-15). "Spring Awakening Gets 11 Tony Nominations". New York Times. Retrieved 2008-11-04.
  11. ^ Hetrick, Adam (2008-09-24). "Legally Blonde to Close on Broadway Oct. 19". Playbill. Retrieved 2008-11-04.
  12. ^ "Orfeh Biography on IMDB.com". IMDB. Retrieved 2008-11-04.
  13. ^ "Legally Blonde Star Orfeh to Release Solo CD What Do You Want From Me". Broadway.com. Retrieved 2008-11-04.
  14. ^ a b http://www.playbill.com/news/article/where-the-sky-ends-the-dance-remixes-featuring-ben-fankhauser-orfeh-and-brad-greer-released-today-333068
  15. ^ Buckley, Michael (2006-02-09). "Each Day Is Valentine's Day". Theatremania. Retrieved 2008-11-04.
  16. ^ "Orfeh". Discogs. Retrieved 2008-11-04.
  17. ^ "Or-N-More". Discogs. Retrieved 2008-11-04.
  18. ^ "Emotionally Yours". Discogs. Retrieved 2009-01-04.
  19. ^ "Freezin' Em Credits". Answers.com. Retrieved 2009-01-04.
  20. ^ "Freedom". Discogs. Retrieved 2009-01-04.
  21. ^ "M.Y.O.B." CD Universe. Retrieved 2009-01-04.
  22. ^ "Hair (Actors Fund of America Benefit)". Amazon. Retrieved 2009-01-04.
  23. ^ "Great American Trailer Park Musical". Amazon. Retrieved 2009-01-04.
  24. ^ "Legally Blonde: The Musical". CD Universe. Retrieved 2009-01-04.
  25. ^ "What Do You Want From Me". Playbill. Retrieved 2009-01-04.
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