From a housewife to a wicked stepmother! Us Weekly reported that Real Housewives of Atlanta star Neke Leaks will play Madame, the evil stepmother in Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella.
"It's official! I am headed 2 BROADWAY CINDERELLA Nov 25th," Leakes tweeted on Thursday. "Ain't God good 2 a little black girl from Athens Ga."
According to Broadway World, this marks the Broadway debut for the reality star, who will officially hit the stage on Nov. 25 until its closing date on Jan. 3, 2015. Leakes will be replacing "The View" former co-host Sherri Shepherd, who will hit the stage from Sept. 9 to Nov. 22.
Shepherd has reportedly been busy in rehearsals for her 11-week engagement. During its two-year run, the character of the wicked stepmother has been played by Tony winner Harriet Harris, Emmy nominee Fran Drescher and Nancy Opel.
The musical is preparing to take its final bow early next year.
The star-studded cast will also include former Nickelodeon star Keke Palmer, who will be replacing actress Paige Faure. Palmer will be the first African American female to portray Cinderella on Broadway.
"I feel like the reason I'm able to do this is definitely because Brandy did it on TV," Palmer told the Associated Press about being cast on the Broadway show, according to Us Weekly. "In me doing this, it shows everybody that everything is possible ... Every girl's dream is that story, so to be able to play [Cinderella] is going to be a dream come true for me. Not to mention that Stuart Weitzman made the glass slippers I'll be wearing."
