Grammy-winning American singer-songwriter Rhiannon Giddens, who calls Limerick home, is to make her Broadway debut this summer in the lead role in the hit musical Shuffle Along.
Giddens, who is married to Irish musician Michael Laffan, will replace Audra McDonald in the role of Lottie in the show, which was recently nominated for 10 Tony Awards - the Oscars of the theatre world. Tony winner McDonald is taking maternity leave from Shuffle Along in July but will return.
Audra McDonald is a multiple Tony Award winner
Based on a 1921 musical, Shuffle Along Or The Making of the Musical Sensation of 1921 and All That Followed tells the story of the production of the original Shuffle Along show, its impact on Broadway and race relations.
Announcing her casting on Facebook and relocation to New York for the rest of the year, Giddens wrote: "This era of African-American musical history has obsessed me for many years and I'm so honored to get to be a part of this incredible production. I'm learning how to tap for this role, so if you see me out and about and wonder why I'm limping."
Rhiannon Giddens at the Americana Music Association Honors and Awards Show in Nashville last September
A founding member of Grammy-winning quartet Carolina Chocolate Drops, North Carolina native Giddens released her latest solo album, Tomorrow is My Turn, in 2015. It was nominated for Best Folk Album at this year's Grammys and Giddens was also named Folk Singer of the Year at the recent BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards.
TEN's Alan Corr spoke to Rhiannon Giddens about her music in March 2015:
