Kerstin Anderson
Anderson in 2013
Born
Kerstin Bridget Anderson

(1994-09-10) September 10, 1994
South Burlington, Vermont, U.S.
Alma materPace University
Years active2015–present

Kerstin Anderson (born September 10, 1994) is an American stage actor and singer. She starred as Maria Von Trapp in the 2015 U.S. national tour of The Sound of Music, for which she received warm praise.[1] She made her Broadway debut as the alternate for Eliza Doolittle in the 2018 revival of My Fair Lady.[2]

Early life and education

Anderson was raised in South Burlington, Vermont, the daughter of Frederick G. "Ted" Anderson, a scientist with IBM,[3][4] and Kathleen "Kathy" Kilcoyne, a college athletic director.[4][5] She lived in Galway, Ireland, during her father's sabbatical year, and her interest in acting began when her sister appeared in a play there. She grew up singing but never took it seriously until high school.[6] While attending South Burlington High School, she played the title role in Peter Pan (2010) with the nearby Lyric Theatre Company,[7] and in high school productions, she played Asaka in Once on This Island (2011)[8] and Elle Woods in Legally Blonde (2012).[9] As a junior in high school, she directed the first musical, You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown (2011), given by a new community theatre company, Spotted Pup Productions. She then played Heidi in their production of [title of show] (2012).[10] She also competed on the high school's dance team, which won the state championship her junior year.[11][12]

After graduating from high school in 2013, Anderson attended Pace University. During her two years there, she starred as Clara in the university's production of The Light in the Piazza, directed by Victoria Clark, and as Annie in The Visit.[13] During her summer break in 2014, Anderson played Shy in the Forestburgh Playhouse production of The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.[14] Anderson interrupted her education after her second year when she was cast as Maria Von Trapp in the 2015–2017 national tour of The Sound of Music.[15][16] She stated in an interview that she might return to Pace, after the tour finished, while continuing her career.[15]

The Sound of Music

The national tour began in September 2015.[17][18] Anderson saw the 1965 film version of The Sound of Music as a child on VHS tape.[6][19] She recalled visiting Stowe, Vermont as a child, where the real Maria Von Trapp and her family settled in the U.S. and built the Trapp Family Lodge.[6][20]

Reviews of Anderson's performances as Maria were strongly positive. Jordan Riefe of The Hollywood Reporter wrote, "Her crisp, clear soprano voice isn’t the strongest in the cast, but Anderson makes a fine fit for the tricky role."[21] Margaret Gray of the Los Angeles Times commented, "Anderson takes charge with a spirit so joyful, a physicality so lithe and coltish, and a soprano so flawlessly soaring, that only Frau Schraeder ... could possibly resist her charm."[22] Tim Smith of The Baltimore Sun agreed: "She shines right from her first scene.... She is ... persuasive an actor, effortlessly connecting with the children and making Maria's spiritual struggle register. She is especially adept at conveying Maria's gradual falling in love with von Trapp".[23] In Variety, Bob Verini commented that Anderson has a "natural glow (though she ... seems to have no control over her hands)".[17]

Broadway

Anderson made her Broadway debut as Eliza in the 2018 Broadway revival of My Fair Lady. Originally an understudy for the role, she became the alternate for Saturday matinée performances beginning on July 8, 2018, with Lauren Ambrose continuing on other nights.[2] By late October, Anderson switched to Tuesday nights, continuing as an alternate during Laura Benanti's term as Eliza.[24]

References

  1. ↑ Toppman, Lawrence (November 24, 2015). "'The Sound of Music' has never rung so profoundly". The Charlotte Observer (online ed.). Retrieved 2018-12-22.
  2. 1 2 Fierberg, Ruthie (2018-07-02). "Kerstin Anderson to Play Eliza Doolittle at Select My Fair Lady Performances". Playbill (online ed.). Retrieved 2018-12-22.
  3. ↑ "Ted Anderson | LinkedIn". www.linkedin.com. Retrieved 2016-01-20.
  4. 1 2 "Kerstin Bridget Anderson", Vermont Vital Records, 1760–2008, FamilySearch, accessed January 21, 2016
  5. ↑ "Kathy Kilcoyne | LinkedIn". www.linkedin.com. Retrieved 2016-01-20.
  6. 1 2 3 "Putting college on hold for The Sound of Music". Southern California Public Radio. 2015-10-12. Retrieved 2016-01-20.
  7. ↑ "Backstage: Peter Pan", Lyric Theatre Company, 2005, accessed January 21, 2016
  8. ↑ "SBHS Drama Presents Once on This Island", The Spotlight, Lyric Theatre Company, October 2011, accessed January 21, 2016
  9. ↑ "Legally Blonde Cast List", SBHS Drama, 2012, accessed January 21, 2016
  10. ↑ "Past Productions", Spotted Pup Productions, accessed January 21, 2016
  11. ↑ "Chittenden County dance, cheerleading preview capsules", USA Today High School Sports, December 13, 2012, accessed January 25, 2016
  12. ↑ "Dance Team Wins State Championship", The Other Paper (South Burlington, Vermont), February 23, 2012, accessed January 25, 2016
  13. ↑ Bios: Kerstin Anderson (Maria Rainer), The Sound of Music on Tour, accessed February 22, 2016
  14. ↑ Di Bello, J. A. "This Ain’t No Junior Prom, Ya Know", The Catskill Chronicle, July 18, 2014, accessed February 22, 2016
  15. 1 2 Elkon, Gadi. "Dallas Summer Musicals – Sound of Music – Interview with Kerstin Anderson (Maria Rainer)", Selig Film News, November 3, 2015
  16. ↑ Tour stops were scheduled into 2017. Tickets, The Sound of Music on Tour, accessed February 22, 2016
  17. 1 2 Verini, Bob. "L.A. Theater Review: The Sound of Music, Directed by Jack O’Brien", Variety, October 1, 2015
  18. ↑ "'Sound of Music' tour starts with a tomboy leading the way". www.denverpost.com. Retrieved 2016-01-20.
  19. ↑ "How one actress solves a problem like Maria". miamiherald. Retrieved 2016-01-20.
  20. ↑ "The Sound Of Music – North American Tour: Meet Kerstin Anderson", Youtube, 2015-11-12, retrieved 2016-01-20
  21. ↑ Riefe, Jordan. "The Sound of Music: Theater Review", The Hollywood Reporter, October 1, 2015
  22. ↑ "The Sound of Music at the Ahmanson is fresh and lively", Los Angeles Times, October 1, 2015
  23. ↑ Smith, Tim. "The Sound of Music gets classy revival at Hippodrome", The Baltimore Sun, December 14, 2015
  24. ↑ Paulson, Michael (2018-08-23). "Laura Benanti to Join 'My Fair Lady' on Broadway". New York Times (online ed.). Retrieved 2018-12-22.
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