Carol Nielsson

 

Singer & Actress

Carol Nielsson resume/performances:

Carol Nielsson was born in the UK, but spent her formative years as a native of Reykjavik, Iceland, where she sang publicly for the first time on radio at the age of 8.

At the age of 20 she played her first leading role in the musical 'Hair' followed by Andrew Lloyd Webber's 'Jesus Christ Superstar'.

In 1976 Carol moved to Sweden with her six piece band 'LAVA', and spent the next 2 years touring Scandinavia. In Sweden she won a Nationwide singing contest, and had her debut record at No.10 in the Swedish charts.

She subsequently returned to the UK where she worked for six months as backing vocalist for the renowned comedian Freddie Starr.

She successfully auditioned for the original cast of Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical "Evita" at the Prince Edward Theatre, London. After two years she then went on to act as standby for Marti Webb in the starring role in the original version of Andrew Lloyd Webber's new musical "Song & Dance" at the Palace Theatre, London. During the rehearsals and creation of Song & Dance, the author Gay Search was researching, and in the process of writing a book about the preparation and staging of 'Song & Dance'. It was then that Andrew Lloyd Webber said to Gay that Carol Nielsson was 'Probably the most exciting discovery since Edith Piaff'. Gay Search approached Carol asking whether this it was ok to mention Andrew's quote in the book, to which Carol replied, 'You can write it twice if you like!!!'.

1 year later Carol left "Song & Dance" to appear as Mary Magdalene in Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical "Jesus Christ Superstar" in its first regional repertory productions at the Theatre Royal, York and the Theatre Royal, Norwich, UK.

After which Carol then 'rushed to the for' to the Palace Theatre, London to perform the starring role of "Song & Dance", where 'Lulu' had been starring for 3 months. Lulu and her understudy were both ill. Carol was asked at 6pm whether she would consider singing the starring role that evening so as not to close down the theatre. Carol agreed and even thought the show went up 30 minutes late, received a standing ovation and was subsequently offered to finish the 3 months that was left of 'Lulu's' contract.  This led to Andrew and Cameron McIntosh offering Carol the lead in 'Cats' the part of 'Grizabella' singing the hit song 'Memory'  during 1984 and 1985.  

In 1986 at the invitation of The National Theatre in Reykjavik, Iceland Carol returned to Iceland to star as Roxy Hart in the hit musical "Chicago" . 

There after Carol moved to Los Angeles, USA furthering her career as an actor while studying drama at Estelle Harman's Actor Workshop. Carol played Jennie in Neil Simon's 'Chapter Two', and Dianne in 'California Suite' in Los Angeles

She also performed the leading role in 'Jesus Christ Superstar' in Baltimore MD and cabaret in Washington DC.

 

Carol performances on Television and Radio include:

Live recordings with the BBC-2 Symphony Orchestra. 

Seven shows, BBC-2 Songs from the Shows. Where she was named 'Best Artist on Radio' by renowned TV and Radio host Terry Wogan (BBC radio). 

Guest starred in various Variety Specials on TV.

'Garibaldi'  the musical  directed by John Bell

'Six for Gold' the musical produced by Michael Reed (The Musicals original recording).

Rick Friends musical 'Atlantis' (The Musicals original recording).

Headliner Performances include:

The Ritz, London  

Donmar Warehouse, London

The London Rooms

Al Bustan Palace Hotel, Muscat, Oman (By invitation of The Sultan of Oman)

 

Films:  ABBA

 

Carol currently is a resident in Seattle, Washington and is available for venues in the USA. In the last year Carol has been moving towards Jazz, a new "Genre" for her career.

Since Carol arrived in Seattle from London she has been performing at different venues with various renowned musicians: Bill Anschell, Bob Hammer, Clarence Acox, Dan O'Brian, Darin Clendenin, Jeff Davies, Jon Goforth, Hans Brehmer, Keith Terhune, Overton Berry, Phil Sparks, Randy Halberstadt, Rick Spanner and Tony Rondalone. Last December Carol performed at the "Winterfest - Seattle's Best Jazz" at the Seattle Center with Clarence Cox and his Garfield High School Jazz Ensemble.