Carol Lawrence
Carol Lawrence (born September 5, 1932) is an American actress, most often associated with musical theatre, but who has also appeared extensively on television.
Biography
Early years
Born as Carol Maria Laraia in Melrose Park, Illinois, her parents were of Italian ancestry. Her father was born in Trivigno, province of Potenza and her maternal family came from the same town. She spent one year at Northwestern University and then left to pursue her career.
Career
Lawrence made her Broadway debut in 1952, in Leonard Sillman's New Faces of 1952. She achieved success in the role of Maria in the original Broadway production of West Side Story in 1957, and received a nomination for Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical for this role. She played the role for two years, and after an appearance in the short-lived show Saratoga in 1959 she returned to West Side Story for its 1960 season. Among her other Broadway successes were I Do! I Do! (replacement "She/Agnes", 1967) and Kiss of the Spider Woman (1992-93, replacement Spider Woman/Aurora).