Lea DeLaria Lea DeLaria

LEA DELARIA has distinguished herself in every form of entertainment that she touches. She is a Jazz Musician, Broadway Diva, Actor, Writer and Standup Comic. It is plain to see why Ben Brantley describes Lea as “every inch a star!” Her book “Lea’s Book of Rules for the World,” is in its fourth printing. Lea is currently performing as ‘Vera Charles’ alongside Andrea McArdle’s “Mame” at The Bucks County Play House. She was the first openly gay comic to appear on television in the United States (Arsenio Hall 1993). From that point forward Lea toured the world with her one of a kind blend of cool Jazz and in your face comedy, sometimes causing stirs as when she was officially “criticized” by congress in 1993 but usually winning accolades such as a Regional Emmy for “The World According to Us,” “Best of the Fest” in both The Edinburgh and Wellington Theater Festivals as well as being the first to be given a one-man show at Just For Laughs. In 1998 Lea won An Obie Award, Theater World Award, and a Drama Desk Nomination for her performance as ‘Hildy’ in “On The Town” and since then She has been a regular face in the NYC Theater scene performing both on and off Broadway (“The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” “The Most Fabulous Story Ever Told,” “Little Abner,” “Little Fish,” “Happy Days,” “Cinderella,” and many more) playing both men and women, gay and straight! Besides her comedy specials on HBO, SHOWTIME and COMEDY CENTRAL, Lea’s acting work in television is as unique as it is varied. She recurred as ‘Madam Delphina’ and ‘Prof. Fina’ on “One Life to Live” for over a decade. She has appeared on “Matlock,” “Friends,” “Saved by the Bell,” Will and Grace,” “Law & Order: SVU,” and is the voice of ‘Helga’ in “The Oblongs.” Lea is also recently a series regular on The Netflix original series, “Orange is the New Black,” which premiers July 11, and portrays ‘Ms. Bruntford’ in the made for TV musical “Dear Dumb Diary,” which will air on The Hallmark channel Labor Day weekend. Lea has cameoed in major films such as “The First WivesLea has cameoed in major films such as “The First Wives which will air on The Hallmark channel Labor Day weekend. Lea has cameoed in major films such as “The First Wives Club,” but most often plays the lead in independent films such as, “Rescuing Desire,” “Mercury in Retrograde,” Homo Heights,” “Fat Rose and Squeaky,” and is probably best known as ‘Angie’ in “Edge of Seventeen.” She has 5 records out on The Warner Jazz and Classics label and has given concerts in Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Sydney Opera House, Royal Albert Hall, Festival Hall, Chicago and Boston Symphony, The Hollywood Bowl, and was the featured vocalist for the 50th Anniversary of The Newport Jazz Festival.

 
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