Peyton Ella, age 7, is excited and grateful to have been cast in the role of Gretl in NBC's Sound of Music airing live on December 5th. She is currently in rehearsal in New York City with a star-studded cast including the amazing Carrie Underwood, Stephen Moyer. Audra McDonald, Christian Borle and Laura Benanti.
Peyton is loving every second of this amazing journey which started from an open call audition where she was #545 in line.
The youngster says the best part of this experience is learning every day from her "on set" Von Trapp siblings, which include Ariane Rinehart, Ella Watts-Gorman, Michael Nigro, Joe West, Sophia Caruso & Grace Rundhaug.
Peyton has been dancing long before she could walk and singing long before she could talk. Instead of wanting birthday parties, she would ask to see Broadway shows to celebrate the milestones in her young life.
It wasn't long before Peyton began asking how she, too, could perform on stage someday. Her mom knows exactly what that passion to perform feels like. Peyton is proud to be following in the footsteps of her mother, who also began her theatrical career at the same age of 7. Ironically, her mom's first role was in Richard Rodgers's last Broadway musical entitled
"I Remember Mama". It is very similar situation to Peyton, who also now has the privilege of singing Richard Rodgers' songs in a professional atmosphere.
Prior to Peyton's first professional auditions, she trained rigorously, often several days a week at studios in Manhattan. Dance lessons began at age 3, and singing lessons started at age 6.
The first role Peyton landed was in the Random Farms Kids Theater's prestigious "mainstage" in Westchester County, NY. Peyton was cast as young Shrek, Grumpy the dwarf, & ensemble in SHREK THE MUSICAL, and gained invaluable, hands-on theatrical experience. In addition, Peyton performed the title role in CINDERELLA, also for RFKT, and played a Who-girl in a local production of SEUSSICAL. Next, she was cast as one of the "Young Cosettes/Young Eponines" in a regional production of LES MISERABLES, which has been a dream role since since seeing the movie last year.
Peyton would like to thank the incredible teachers at her school who have supported her in this journey, as well as the team of professional singing, acting and dance teachers in New York City, without whom none of this would be possible.
Much gratitude to Peyton's great representatives, Nancy Carson and the Carson-Adler team, as well as Kim Pedell/Zoom Management. Finally, Peyton is forever grateful to Bernard Telsey, Abbie Brady-Dalton, & Telsey & Co. for giving her a chance.
Peyton is the fourth daughter out of five children, and is in 2nd grade.
From: Photo Coverage: The Cast of Paper Mill Playhouse's ANNIE Celebrate Opening Night
From: Photo Coverage: Angela Lansbury & More Attend GREY GARDENS THE MUSICAL Opening Night
From: Photo and Video Preview: NBC's THE SOUND OF MUSIC Live Special Airs Tonight at 8pm!
BroadwayWorld is taking our readers behind the scenes of The Muny's production of ANNIE this Sunday on our Instagram!
Annie, based on the popular 1920s Harold Gray comic strip, Little Orphan Annie, is a seven-time Tony Award-winner and considered one of the most acclaimed musicals of all time. It features unforgettable hits like 'It's the Hard Knock Life,' 'Easy Street' and the iconic Broadway standard 'Tomorrow.' You can bet your bottom dollar this is one beloved, multigenerational Muny favorite guaranteed to entertain the entire family.
BroadwayWorld is taking our readers behind the scenes of The Muny's production of ANNIE this Sunday on our Instagram!
You'd better gussy yourself up and get over to The Muny this week for the seven-time Tony Award-winning musical, Annie. This family show has it all - hope, heart, and a heaping helping of humanity, and Peyton Ella shines in the title role like the superstar she is.
Annie, based on the popular 1920s Harold Gray comic strip, Little Orphan Annie, is a seven-time Tony Award-winner and considered one of the most acclaimed musicals of all time. It features unforgettable hits like "It's the Hard Knock Life," "Easy Street" and the iconic Broadway standard "Tomorrow." You can bet your bottom dollar this is one beloved, multigenerational Muny favorite guaranteed to entertain the entire family.
The sun's on its way out at the Muny with the approaching opening of Annie, get a sneak peek below!
The Muny announced today its full cast, design and production teams for the theatre's centennial season production of Annie, July 18 -25.
Annie composer Charles Strouse recently visited the production currently running at Paper Mill Playhouse! Check out the photo.
Watch a new, exclusive clip of Tony Award winner Beth Leavel and company performing 'Easy Street' below!
A new trailer has been released for Annie at Paper Mill Playhouse. Watch the cast performing iconic hits like 'Tomorrow' and 'It's The Hard Knock Life' below!
It's the hard-knock life! Paper Mill Playhouse, recipient of the 2016 Regional Theatre Tony Award, presents the hit Broadway Tony Award-winning musical Annie, based on 'Little Orphan Annie,' with book by Thomas Meehan, music by Charles Strouse, and lyrics by Martin Charnin, directed by Paper Mill's Producing Artistic Director Mark S. Hoebee, with choreography by JoAnn M. Hunter and musical direction by Jeffrey Saver.
Everybody's favorite redhead returns to Paper Mill Playhouse to delight metro area audiences this holiday season. A marvelous production of Annie is now on the Millburn stage through December 31. Directed by the Playhouse's Producing Artistic Director, Mark S. Hoebee, choreographed by Joann M. Hunter, with music supervision and direction by Jeffrey Saver, it features a brilliant cast.
It's the hard-knock life! Paper Mill Playhouse, recipient of the 2016 Regional Theatre Tony Award, presents the hit Broadway Tony Award-winning musical Annie, based on 'Little Orphan Annie,' with book by Thomas Meehan, music by Charles Strouse, and lyrics by Martin Charnin, directed by Paper Mill's Producing Artistic Director Mark S. Hoebee, with choreography by JoAnn M. Hunter and musical direction by Jeffrey Saver. BroadwayWorld attended opening night and you can check out photos from the cast's opening night party below!
It's the hard-knock life! Paper Mill Playhouse, recipient of the 2016 Regional Theatre Tony Award, presents the hit Broadway Tony Award-winning musical Annie, based on 'Little Orphan Annie,' with book by Thomas Meehan, music by Charles Strouse, and lyrics by Martin Charnin, directed by Paper Mill's Producing Artistic Director Mark S. Hoebee, with choreography by JoAnn M. Hunter and musical direction by Jeffrey Saver. BroadwayWorld attended opening night and you can check out photos of the cast's opening bows below!
It's the hard-knock life! Paper Mill Playhouse, recipient of the 2016 Regional Theatre Tony Award, presents the hit Broadway Tony Award-winning musical Annie, based on 'Little Orphan Annie,' with book by Thomas Meehan, music by Charles Strouse, and lyrics by Martin Charnin, directed by Paper Mill's Producing Artistic Director Mark S. Hoebee, with choreography by JoAnn M. Hunter and musical direction by Jeffrey Saver.
It's the hard-knock life! Paper Mill Playhouse, recipient of the 2016 Regional Theatre Tony Award, presents the hit Broadway Tony Award-winning musical Annie. A friendly reminder that performances begin tomorrow, Wednesday, November 22, 2017, at 7:00 p.m., for a limited run through Sunday, December 31, 2017, at Paper Mill Playhouse (22 Brookside Drive) in Millburn, NJ.
It's the hard-knock life! Paper Mill Playhouse, recipient of the 2016 Regional Theatre Tony Award, presents the hit Broadway Tony Award-winning musical Annie, based on 'Little Orphan Annie,' with book by Thomas Meehan, music by Charles Strouse, and lyrics by Martin Charnin, directed by Paper Mill's Producing Artistic Director Mark S. Hoebee, with choreography by JoAnn M. Hunter and musical direction by Jeffrey Saver. BroadwayWorld visited the company in rehearsal and you can check out photos below!
It's the hard-knock life! Paper Mill Playhouse, recipient of the 2016 Regional Theatre Tony Award, presents the hit Broadway Tony Award-winning musical Annie, based on 'Little Orphan Annie,' with book by Thomas Meehan, music by Charles Strouse, and lyrics by Martin Charnin, directed by Paper Mill's Producing Artistic Director Mark S. Hoebee, with choreography by JoAnn M. Hunter and musical direction by Jeffrey Saver. BroadwayWorld met the company and you can check out photos below!
It's the hard-knock life! Paper Mill Playhouse, recipient of the 2016 Regional Theatre Tony Award, presents the hit Broadway Tony Award-winning musical Annie, based on 'Little Orphan Annie,' with book by Thomas Meehan, music by Charles Strouse, and lyrics by Martin Charnin, directed by Paper Mill's Producing Artistic Director Mark S. Hoebee, with choreography by JoAnn M. Hunter and musical direction by Jeffrey Saver. BroadwayWorld visited the company in rehearsal and got to see Christopher Sieber get his head shaved for his role as Daddy Warbucks! Check out photos below!
It's the hard-knock life! Paper Mill Playhouse, recipient of the 2016 Regional Theatre Tony Award, presents the hit Broadway Tony Award-winning musical Annie, based on 'Little Orphan Annie,' with book by Thomas Meehan, music by Charles Strouse, and lyrics by Martin Charnin, directed by Paper Mill's Producing Artistic Director Mark S. Hoebee, with choreography by JoAnn M. Hunter and musical direction by Jeffrey Saver.
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