Charlotte Crossley

Charlotte Crossley, nicknamed "Charlo", is an American singer and actress, best known for her roles in the musical theatrical productions of Hairspray, The Color Purple, Jesus Christ Superstar, as a member of the Harlettes in Bette Midler's Clams On The Half-Shell Revue, and for her appearance in 20 Feet from Stardom. She has been described as a comedienne.[1][2][3][4]

Charlotte Crossley
BornChicago, Illinois, U.S.
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Singer
  • actress
Instrument(s)Vocals
Years active1971–present
Labels

Crossley won the 2005 NAACP Theatre Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in the first national tour of Hairspray.[5]

Early life

Crossley grew up in Chicago, where she studied music and theatre.[6]

Career

In the early '70's, Crossley auditioned for Jesus Christ, Superstar and was chosen to join the cast. She sang in the choir of the original Broadway cast album of Jesus Christ Superstar (a Decca Broadway Original Cast). In those years, she appeared in Hair.[2]

Crossley joined Bette Midler, "The Divine Miss M", in 1973.

Crossley has performed as a featured artist in musicals and films including Hairspray, taking over the role of Motormouth Maybelle on Broadway on September 2, 2008, Jesus Christ Superstar, 20 Feet From Stardom, Sister Act, Sister Act 2, and supported Robin Williams' performance of "Blame Canada" on the Oscars, among others.[5][7][8][9]

As a session singer, Crossley has recorded feature and background vocals for Bette Midler, Luther Vandross, David Lasley, Boz Scaggs, Marc Shaiman, Kiss, Chaka Khan, Brenda Russell, Barry Manilow, and The Brecker Brothers, among others. She is a featured artist on The Dreamgirls Dance Project singing "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" and with Merry Clayton, Scherrie Payne and Pam Vincent singing "Dreamgirls".[10]

The Harlettes

She was a member of the Harlettes performing on stage in Bette Midler tours and concerts including The Divine Miss M Tour, Clams On The Half-Shell Revue, The Depression Tour, Intimate Evening with Bette, and recording as The Harlettes and Formerly Of The Harlettes.[11]

Full Swing

Crossley was a member of the group Full Swing, a trio of singers, alongside Lorraine Feather and Steve March. She was cited by a journalist of the Los Angeles Times as "the group's strongest vocal personality, singing with a burry-edged sound that brought character..."[12][13][14][15]

The Springfield Leader wrote ""Full Swing" Lorraine Feather, Charlotte Crossley and Steve March recreate the vitality and romance of 'the swing era music with today's technology .. and style."[16]

20 Feet From Stardom

Crossley appears in the Academy Award-winning documentary 20 Feet From Stardom.[3][17]

Live appearances

Crossley makes live appearances in venues including 54 Below and Lincoln Center, where she performed in a tribute Laura Nyro show in August 2012 along with Sarah Dash, Nona Hendryx, Melba Moore, Desmond Child & Rouge, Felix Cavaliere, Toni Wine, Ula Hedwig, and others.[18][19]

References
  1. Wildman, Sarah (2008-12-13). "After the Show, a Pedicure". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-09-27.
  2. "Why 'Hair' Has Endured". The New York Times. 2020-04-13. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-09-27.
  3. Gallo, Phil (2013-05-22). "Columbia to Release 'Twenty Feet from Stardom' Soundtrack". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2021-09-27.
  4. "Charlotte Crossley". Playbill. Retrieved 2021-09-27.
  5. Jones, Kenneth (August 29, 2008). "Crossley, Rousouli, Loprest on Deck for Broadway's Hairspray". Playbill. Retrieved 2021-09-27.
  6. MacDonald, Leon (2020-08-03). "Interview with The Harlettes". routes-mag.com. Retrieved 2021-09-27.
  7. "Hairspray First National Tour 2003–2006 at Various Venues and others 2003-2006". www.abouttheartists.com. Retrieved 2021-09-27.
  8. "AFI|Catalog". catalog.afi.com. Retrieved 2021-09-27.
  9. Dietz, Dan (2015-09-03). The Complete Book of 1970s Broadway Musicals. Rowman & Littlefield. ISBN 978-1-4422-5166-3.
  10. "Charlotte Crossley | Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 2021-09-27.
  11. "Harlettes Regroup". The New York Times. 1977-05-05. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-09-27.
  12. Wilson, John S. (1983-06-30). "'A SALUTE TO SWING ERA'". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-09-27.
  13. "JAZZ REVIEW : Full Swing, Under Full Steam After a Tuneup". Los Angeles Times. 1988-06-02. Retrieved 2021-09-27.
  14. "MEL TORME AND FRIENDS : A GRAB BAG OF JAZZ STYLES AT THE HOLLYWOOD BOWL". Los Angeles Times. 1986-09-05. Retrieved 2021-09-27.
  15. "Top Album Picks, Recommended LPs pop Full Swing". Billboard. September 4, 1982. p. 62.
  16. "Springfield Leader and Press from Springfield, Missouri on March 26, 1983 · 12". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2021-09-27.
  17. "Charlotte Crossley from the Academy Award-Winning Movie Twenty Feet From Stardom Discusses The Movie on The Total Celebrity Show, a Division of The Simply G Media Network". PRWeb. Retrieved 2021-09-27.
  18. "Charlotte Crossley & Ava Nicole Frances: Mutual Admiration, with guests Kate Loprest & Ula Hedwig". Feinstein's/54 Below. Retrieved 2021-09-27.
  19. Friedman, Roger (August 10, 2012). "NYC Soul Music Weekend Laura Nyro".
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