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Orfeh
American singer, songwriter and actress From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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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] in the Broadway musicals Saturday Night Fever, Legally Blonde, Pretty Woman, and Chicago, as well as Off-Broadway in "Love, Janis", and "The Great American Trailer Park Musical". She will make her West End debut in "Burlesque the Musical" at London's Savoy Theatre in July, 2025, originating the role of Tess.
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Early life and career
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Orfeh 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]
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Theatre
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Orfeh 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 former 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 former 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 former husband Andy Karl who played Potiphar.[21]
In August 2024, she joined the cast of Chicago on Broadway as Matron "Mama" Morton for a limited engagement.[22]
On May 27, 2025, it was announced that Orfeh will be making her West End debut, originating the role of Tess in "Burlesque the Musical". The show will be staged at London's Savoy Theatre, beginning on July 10, 2025.[23]
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Television and film
Orfeh has guest starred in several television shows, appearing in episodes of Gossip Girl, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Law and Order: Criminal Intent, and Sex and the City.[24] 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
Orfeh released her first solo album, What Do You Want from Me, on September 30, 2008.[25] In 2014, Orfeh recorded a song for Michael Mott's album, "Where The Sky Ends" which was later released as a dance mix.[26] In 2015, she released the Christmas-themed single Christmas (Baby Please Come Home).[27] In 2016, Orfeh and her former 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.[28]
In 2017, Orfeh and her former husband, Andy Karl released a live concert album recorded at 54 Below titled, Legally Bound: Live at Feinstein's/54 Below.[29] She also released a mash-up single of Yesterday/Time After Time/Shallow with Karl and American singer/songwriter, Andrew Logan in 2021.[30] She released a cover single of the Eagles' song, Hotel California, on October 20, 2023.[31]
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Personal life
In 2001, Orfeh married actor Andy Karl, who 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.[32] Orfeh and Karl 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, Karl announced they had separated after 23 years of marriage.[33]
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Discography
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Releases
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References
External links
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