Tony Award-nominee and Hamilton star Phillipa Soo has a new whimsical gig lined up — she’ll lead a musical stage version of the film Amelie that hopes to land on Broadway in 2017.
Soo, who plays Eliza Schuyler in Hamilton, will take over the part in the quirky romantic comedy that brought fame to actress Audrey Tautou in the 2001 Oscar-nominated film.
The story centres on a shy and quirky young woman who goes about improving the lives of those around her in imaginative ways — but lacks the courage to pursue the object of her affections.
The musical features music by Daniel Messi, lyrics by Nathan Tysen and Daniel Messi, and a book by Craig Lucas. Tony-winning director Pam MacKinnon will helm the show.
A previous version of Amelie, A New Musical was performed a Berkeley Repertory Theatre last year with British actress Samantha Barks starring in the main role. The latest version will play CTG’s Ahmanson Theatre starting in December.
Soo’s first big role in New York was in the acclaimed off-Broadway pop opera Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812. Hamilton represents her Broadway debut.
Soo is the recipient of The Actors’ Equity Foundation’s 2015 Clarence Derwent Awards for most promising female performer and the 2015 Lortel Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Musical.
When she will leave Hamilton to start Amelie is unclear. Already, Hamilton star and creator Lin-Manuel Miranda has revealed he will leave the show on July 9 to act and write for other projects.
