The six time Melodifestivalen participant, who made it through to the grand final last week with her 7th attempt Undo, has revealed that she will be taking on the lead role of Lara in Dr Zhivago musical later this year.
Sanna Nielsen first entered Melodifestivalen back in 2001 and her best placing was with Empty Room at the 2008 final at the Globen Arena. Her entry in 2014 with the Fredrik Kempe, Undo sees Nilesen go into the grand final at the Friends Arena on the 8 March as one of the hot favourites to win the golden ticket to this years Eurovision.
Nielsen was approached by the Malmö Opera to take on the female lead role of Lara in Dr Zhivago the musical. She accepted and had the following to say about a role she describes as a Dream come true.
Nielsen is quoted as saying I would just go to Greece on vacation and had no thought of anything else other than my vacation. As you can probably understand how my thoughts were buzzing in my head. I can not really describe all the emotions.
She went further to talk about how she decided to accept the challenge of such a role I was so flattered that the offer came to me and I thought for a while, but decided nonetheless quite soon after I googled what it was about and felt that this would be a real challenge for me, something I always strive after!
Nielsen also further expressed her excitement at the forthcoming musical project “I am extremely pleased to be doing this , along with amazing actors, directors , producers, and additionally at the Malmö Opera . In Malmö, which I love, in Skåne!
This is a dream come true and I will do my absolute best to portray Lara in a fair manner. I look forward to this adventure!
This promotional picture shows Sanna as Lara, Christopher Wollter as Yuri Zhivago and Philip Jalmelid as Pasha.
Doctor Zhivago will have its Scandinavian premiere on 29 August 29 2014 at the Malmö Opera.
Nielsen will be in good company as the role of Pasha Antipov will be played by Malmö Opera favorite Philip Jalmelid . Jalmelid has previously had lead roles in Les Misérables and Miss Saigon at the Malmö Opera.
The musical is based on Nobel Prize winner Boris Pasternak’s novel. It tells the story of four young people growing up in revolutionary Russia and the young Soviet state during the first half of the 1900s.
Tickets go on sale 13 February at 09:00 am CET via Malmö Opera’s box office in the foyer at the Malmö Opera . It is also possible to book through the website or by phone.
Nielsen is currently one of the favorites in Melodifestivalen 2014 with the song Undo. That coupled with a new album to promote, the possibility of representing her country on the international stage in Copenhagen and the lead role in this new musical is proving to be a busy and fulfilling year for Sanna.
Stay tuned to esctoday.com for more news on Sanna Nielsen, Sweden, Melodifestivalen 2014 and the Eurovision Song Contest.
