Christiane Noll Tapped for Broadway-Bound Mambo Kings Musical

Broadway.com has learned that Christiane Noll has won the role of Vanna Vane, the cigarette girl who attracts the attention of Cesar Castillo, in the upcoming Broadway musical version of The Mambo Kings. She is currently in talks to join previously reported stars Esai Morales appearing as Cesar, Jaime Camil, Billy Dee Williams, Albita and Justina Machado in the tuner.

Noll originated the role of Emma Carew in Jekyll & Hyde on Broadway. She also appeared on the Great White Way in It Ain't Nothin' But the Blues and off-Broadway in Call The Children Home and the Encores! staging of New Moon. Her other notable theatrical credits include Kept at TheatreWorks, The Baker's Wife and Mack & Mabel at Goodspeed Opera House and national tours of Grease!, Miss Saigon, City of Angels and Urinetown. Noll also has three solo albums: Christiane Noll - A Broadway Love Story, Live at the Westbank Café and The Ira Gershwin Album.

The story of The Mambo Kings is based on Oscar Hijuelos' novel, The Mambo Kings Play Songs of Love, which was made into a 1992 film featuring Cathy Moriarty as Lanna. Set in 1949, the plot centers on the Castillo brothers, Cesar Morales and Nestor Camil, who work by day and by night become stars of the dance halls, where their orchestra plays the pulsing music that earns them the title of the Mambo Kings.

The stage version features lyrics and direction by Arne Glimcher who produced, directed and wrote lyrics for The Mambo Kings film and a book by Glimcher and Hijuelos. Music is by Carlos Franzetti, who worked with Glimcher on the film. Sergio Trujillo will provide the choreography.

The Mambo Kings will try out at San Francisco's Golden Gate Theatre from May 24 through June 19. It is then scheduled to begin performances at the Broadway Theatre on July 20 in preparation for an August 18 opening.

A production spokesperson could not confirm the casting of Noll.