A First Lady and Leading Lady:
Meet Valerie Perri

When theatergoers hear the name of Valerie Perri, more than likely they recall her still legendary performance as Eva Peron in Evita. “This Evita beats the Broadway Original. Valerie Perri is brilliant,” enthused Seattle’s Valley Daily News of Valerie’s appearance in the first National Touring production of the award-winning musical. “Her voice sails through the difficult role with ease, making the most of every musical opportunity, while her dancing is equally impressive.”

But Valerie’s artistry extends bringing the First Lady of Argentina to resplendent life for audiences across the United States and Canada. She has also played starring roles in such Broadway blockbusters as Fiddler on the Roof; West Side Story; Gypsy; Jesus Christ Superstar; I Do, I Do; And the World Goes Round; Man of La Mancha; Annie Warbucks; City of Angels; I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change; and Jerome Robbins Broadway.

Without exception, critics have been as thrilled by Valerie’s performances as her fans. “Valerie Perri is electrifying and sensational,” raved the Boston Globe. Added the Cleveland Press, “Valerie Perri is everything you can ask for and more.” But perhaps the American-Statesman summed it up best: “I cannot heap enough praise on Valerie Perri’s performance. The woman can sing.”

Valerie has earned more than rave reviews, however. She has received a Los Angeles Drama Critics Award for her performance in the Pasadena Playhouse production of Harry Chapin: Lies and Legends and bravos from concert hall audiences worldwide, from Wolf Trap in Virginia and Copley Symphony Hall in San Diego to the Opera House in Frankfort, Germany and the London Palladium. In February 2009, Valerie will appear as guest vocalist with the Santa Rosa Symphony, singing “My Kind of Broadway.”

However, the actress is as at home in Hollywood as she is onstage. Her television and film credits include ER, Another World, Brooklyn Bridge, Who’s the Boss, Gepetto with Drew Carey, The Out of Towners with Goldie Hawn and Steve Martin; George of the Jungle with Brendan Frasier; Grease with John Travolta; and Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star with David Spade.

Valerie is a successful recording artist as well, and her compact disc ”Sweet Conversation,” featuring beloved popular standards and Broadway classics, is available through iTunes, cdbaby.com, or through her website at www.valerieperri.com

Valerie is married to CBS photographer Cliff Lipson and they have two 16-year-old twin sons. Both children now attend the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts – proving, once again, that acorns rarely fall far from the tree.