Just a few years ago, Linedy Genao was finding her way in the financial world, working as a banking assistant.Genao, 31, plays Cinderella in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s new musical, “Bad Cinderella.” It’s the latest chapter in a fairy tale for our times; going from... Just a few years ago, Linedy Genao was finding her way in the financial world, working as a banking assistant.Genao, 31, plays Cinderella in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s new musical, “Bad Cinderella.
How did Broadway enter the picture? Genao always loved singing, noting that her family was very involved in the church choir. She discovered musical theater in high school, where she landed roles in shows. But she didn’t think she could make a career out of it, especially given that she was rejected by colleges with strong musical theater programs. So, she saw the arts as a side passion, at first — she performed in community theater and with a community chorus in her spare time.
Did Genao get the gig? Yes. She was in the show’s ensemble, and also understudied the lead role of Gloria. “I could not believe this was happening,” says Genao. From there, she did regional shows and appeared on the first national tour of “Dear Evan Hansen,” the Tony-winning Broadway musical. Still, Genao has had to deal with the fact that “Bad Cinderella,” a cheeky take on the classic tale, has generally been panned by the theatrical press. “It hurts to see that,” she says. She adds that the show’s audience is not the critics, but the theatergoers she finds cheering on the cast with each performance: “Our show is fun and joyous and the audience every night loves it.”