LaChanze & Rachel York to Star in Dessa Rose

Broadway.com has learned that LaChanze and Rachel York will star in the new Lynn Ahrens/Stephen Flaherty musical Dessa Rose at Lincoln Center.

LaChanze, who has long been attached to Dessa Rose, received a Theatre World Award and a Tony nomination for her acclaimed performance as Ti Moune in Ahrens and Flaherty's Once on This Island. She also appeared on the Great White Way in Uptown…It's Hot!, Dreamgirls, Company and Ahrens and Flaherty's Ragtime. Her off-Broadway credits include Once on This Island which originated at Playwrights Horizons, The Vagina Monologues and The Bubbly Black Girl Sheds Her Chameleon Skin. She recently starred in the world premiere of the musical version of The Color Purple at Atlanta's Alliance Theatre.

York recently appeared on the Great White Way in Sly Fox, opening the show as working girl Miss Fancy and then switching roles to play the virginal Mrs. Truckle. York's other Broadway credits include Les Miserables, City of Angels, Victor/Victoria for which she won a Drama Desk Award and The Scarlet Pimpernel. She starred in the national tour and West End mounting of the Kiss Me, Kate revival. Her other theatrical credits include Reprise! mountings of Anything Goes and Babes in Arms. Last year, she was seen playing the title character in the television movie Lucy, based on the life of legendary comedienne Lucille Ball.

This musical Dessa Rose is based on Sherley A. Williams' novel of the same name. It tells the story of a runaway slave LaChanze and the woman York who harbors her on a secluded farm.

Dessa Rose, directed and choreographed by Graciela Daniele, will begin performances off-Broadway at the Mitzi E. Newhouse Theatre on February 17 in preparation for a March 21 opening.