"Receiving the Legacy Robe and being a part of this tradition is one of the greatest honors I could ever imagine. From the time I was five years old, I knew exactly what I wanted to do with my life: be a performer on Broadway.
Any time my family would take a trip to the theatre, I’d be first in line for autographs at the stage door dreaming of the day I’d be up there myself. More specifically, I dreamt of being a member of the ensemble -- the backbone of every show. They work so hard - acting, singing, dancing their butts off (sometimes even playing instruments) to portray a million different parts and help bring the story to life. It blows my mind that I’ve been lucky enough to achieve that dream.
"I am so proud to be an ensemblist! To receive the Robe for Bad Cinderella -- a company with 15 Broadway debuts(!), and the most incredible ensemble filled with the most talented, wonderful humans brings me an overwhelming amount of joy. Their support and love during and after the ceremony brought tears to my eyes. I’ll treasure that memory forever! "
Photo by Jeffrey Bateman.
Name: Kaleigh Cronin
Show: Bad Cinderella
Opening Night: March 23, 2023
Hometown: Manchester, NH
Broadway Debut: My Broadway debut was the 2014 Revival of Cabaret starring Alan Cumming and Michelle Williams/Emma Stone/Sienna Miller. I played Lulu/Two Ladies and played saxophone in the ensemble and understudied Sally Bowles and Fraulein Kost. It was an absolute dream that I’m still in disbelief about many years later.
Professional Training: I worked at the Palace Theatre in NH from the time I could walk until I graduated High School and learned on the job from fabulous directors (Carl Rajotte, Roger Scruggs) and talented NY performers. I went on to study acting/musical theatre at Carnegie Mellon University which was the best preparation for a career in NY. Shout out to Thomas Douglas -- my favorite CMU professor turned mentor!
Year Joined Equity: 2011
How I Got My Equity Card: I got my Equity Card playing Betty Schaefer in Sunset Boulevard at Music Theater Wichita, where I spent my summers in college and loved every second! That show reaffirmed my love of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s music and I feel so fortunate to sing it nightly in Bad Cinderella!
Broadway Chorus Credits: Cabaret, A Bronx Tale, Summer: The Donna Summer Musical, Mrs. Doubtfire, Bad Cinderella
Fun Fact: My first Equity audition in New York was an ECC for the (then) brand new national tour of Jersey Boys. It was the day I moved to the city and my mom dropped me off in her minivan. I ended up getting the job (beginner's luck), touring the country and falling in love with the show’s saxophone player, John De Simini, who would eventually become my husband!
We’ve since done two different Broadway shows together, most recently Mrs. Doubtfire -- which happened to be the movie we watched on our very first date! This business has given me so much and I’m so, so grateful to be a member of this community!!
Kaleigh Cronin blesses the company of Bad Cinderella. Photo by Jeffrey Bateman.
Kaleigh Cronin and the cast members of Bad Cinderella who are making their Broadway debuts. Photo by Jeffrey Bateman.
Watch the video of the ceremony
