“X-Factor” Runner-Up Meets Bermuda Star

Broadway’s friendly neighbourhood Bermuda diva Rebecca Faulkenberry spent time with the “X Factor’s” pint-sized powerhouse Carly Rose Sonenclar and a group of ailing school children during a special backstage visit following a performance of her hit musical “Spider-Man, Turn Off the Dark” on Sunday [Jan. 20].

“X Factor” runner-up and Broadway veteran Carly Rose, 13, is an ambassador for the Starlight Children’s Foundation — a US charity which provides entertainment, education and family activities to children with chronic and life-threatening illnesses and injuries. In December Carly Rose became the runner-up on the second season of Fox’s “The X Factor”. She began her acting career in 2006, soon making her Broadway debut in “Les Miserables” as Young Cosette.

The teen singing prodigy headed backstage at New York’s Foxwoods Theatre with some of the Starlight kids so they could say hello to their favorite superhero, meeting “Spider-Man’s” high-flying stars Ms Faulkenberry and Reeve Carney [Carly Rose is pictured with Ms Faulkenberry and Mr. Carney at top].

“Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark” preview

Ms Faulkenberry plays the title character’s love interest Mary Jane Watson in “Spider-Man”, joining the cast of the Broadway blockbuster in November, 2011. The former Bermuda High School student — a veteran of many Bermuda Musical & Dramatic Society and Bermuda Gilbert & Sullivan Society productions — had only made her Broadway debut earlier that year in the 1980s-era musical “Rock Of Ages” after appearing in its US national touring production.

“Super-proud” of her  Bermuda roots, Ms Faulkenberry has appeared at Bermuda Tourism Department promotions in New York City — greeting surprised commuters at a 2012 Grand Central Station event publicising the island with a cheerful “Have a Bermuda-ful day!”

Rebecca Faulkenberry discusses “Spider-Man” and Bermuda in this backstage interview

Inspired by more than 40 years of the Marvel Comics character co-created by writer/editor Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko, “Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark” follows the story of teenager Peter Parker, whose unremarkable life is turned upside-down when he’s bitten by a genetically altered spider and must learn that with great powers comes great responsibility.

The “Spider-Man” production — the most expensive ever mounted on Broadway — features original direction by “The Lion King’s” Julie Taymor, music and lyrics by Bono and The Edge from U2 and a book co-written by Ms Taymor, Glen Berger and Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa.

Photographs courtesy of Broadway.com

Rebecca Faulkenberry, Reeve Carney, Carly Rose Sonenclar and Starlight Children’s Foundation group

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Category: All, Entertainment, Music