Chandra Currelley-Young
Encyclopedia
Chandra Currelley-Young is an American
actress. Currelley has done extensive work with director and writer Tyler Perry
, and has played many roles in his various productions. She also has appeared in several stage plays.
Tom Jones then produced a show, through his production company, Jomandi, specifically for Chandra entitled "SLAM", which debuted at Atlanta's Jomandi Theatre and was later featured at the Studio Theatre in Washington, D.C. It was because of her incredible performance in D.C. that Chandra was nominated for a Helen Hayes award in 2000 for Outstanding Lead Actress, Resident Musical for the character "Autumn".
Her breakout role came when she starred in the David Petrarca's hit production, "Dinah Was", the story of the legendary Dinah Washington, a great songstress from the 1950s era. Chandra was picked directly by David Petrarca because of her awesome ability to embody the role of Dinah Washington. This role was a perfect fit for her from the music, the character of Dinah Washington, and the artistic expression that was allowed.There is, unforgettably, Chandra as Katisha, in "Hot Mikado", Where she plays the imposing older woman enamored of Nanki-Poo, who survives a bout of insults to almost steal the show with her thundering, bluesy, gospel numbers and torch song. She received rave reviews for her most impressive presence and strongest voice in a cast loaded with great singers. She established her acting career by appearing in Tyler Perry productions such as Madea's Big Happy Family
the play as Shirley, in the movie as Sister Laura and many other Tyler Perry
production. She can also be seen in the upcoming TV show For Better or Worse
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
actress. Currelley has done extensive work with director and writer Tyler Perry
Tyler Perry
Tyler Perry is an American actor, director, playwright, entrepreneur, screenwriter, producer, author, and songwriter. Perry wrote and produced many stage plays during the 1990s and early 2000s. In 2005, he released his first film, Diary of a Mad Black Woman...
, and has played many roles in his various productions. She also has appeared in several stage plays.
Life and career
In 1992, Chandra left "The S.O.S. Band" to pursue her career in acting and theater. Since that time, she has blazed a fiery trail in the world of theater.Because of her excellent theatrical abilities, Chandra was Selected by Debbie Allen to be the featured soloist in her production Entitled "Soul Possessed" which debuted at the Alliance Theater in Atlanta, Georgia. This was an extremely rhythmic production that consisted of interpretive dance and song. The show featured the likes of Patti Labelle, Desmond Richardson (FOSSE), Natalie Belcon (RENT), Carmen de Lavallade (Alvin Ailey), Miguel Angel, Sharon Brown, Jason Samuels-Smith (Bring Da Noise), and many other artists.Tom Jones then produced a show, through his production company, Jomandi, specifically for Chandra entitled "SLAM", which debuted at Atlanta's Jomandi Theatre and was later featured at the Studio Theatre in Washington, D.C. It was because of her incredible performance in D.C. that Chandra was nominated for a Helen Hayes award in 2000 for Outstanding Lead Actress, Resident Musical for the character "Autumn".
Her breakout role came when she starred in the David Petrarca's hit production, "Dinah Was", the story of the legendary Dinah Washington, a great songstress from the 1950s era. Chandra was picked directly by David Petrarca because of her awesome ability to embody the role of Dinah Washington. This role was a perfect fit for her from the music, the character of Dinah Washington, and the artistic expression that was allowed.There is, unforgettably, Chandra as Katisha, in "Hot Mikado", Where she plays the imposing older woman enamored of Nanki-Poo, who survives a bout of insults to almost steal the show with her thundering, bluesy, gospel numbers and torch song. She received rave reviews for her most impressive presence and strongest voice in a cast loaded with great singers. She established her acting career by appearing in Tyler Perry productions such as Madea's Big Happy Family
Madea's Big Happy Family (film)
Tyler Perry's Madea's Big Happy Family is a 2011 comedy-drama film based on Tyler Perry's 2010 play of the same name and the eleventh film in the Tyler Perry film franchise, and the fifth in the Madea franchise.-Plot:...
the play as Shirley, in the movie as Sister Laura and many other Tyler Perry
Tyler Perry
Tyler Perry is an American actor, director, playwright, entrepreneur, screenwriter, producer, author, and songwriter. Perry wrote and produced many stage plays during the 1990s and early 2000s. In 2005, he released his first film, Diary of a Mad Black Woman...
production. She can also be seen in the upcoming TV show For Better or Worse
For better or worse
For better or worse may refer to:* "for better for worse", a phrase from traditional Christian marriage vowsIn film:* For Better, for Worse , a 1919 American film...
Filmography
| Film | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Film | Role | Notes | |
| 1999 | I Know I've Been Changed I Know I've Been Changed I Know I've Been Changed was the first major successful play from famed playwright Tyler Perry. Tyler was homeless and decided to give the theater scene one more chance. The play focuses on critical issues including child abuse and rape... |
Emma | ||
| 2003 | Madea's Class Reunion Madea's Class Reunion Madea's Class Reunion: The Class That Had No Class is a 2003 U.S. teleplay directed, written, and starring Tyler Perry. The live performance that was released on DVD was taped in Detroit.-Plot:... |
Emma | Direct-to-DVD release Direct-to-video Direct-to-video is a term used to describe a film that has been released to the public on home video formats without being released in film theaters or broadcast on television... |
|
| 2005 | Diary of a Mad Black Woman | Herself | ||
| 2007 | What's Done in the Dark What's Done in the Dark What's Done in the Dark is a play written and directed by American playwright Tyler Perry. The show first opened in September 2006. The play is a mixture of comedy, drama, and music, set in a hospital emergency room, and focuses on two nurses, one of whom is a single mother and the other of whom is... |
Brenda | Direct-to-DVD release Direct-to-video Direct-to-video is a term used to describe a film that has been released to the public on home video formats without being released in film theaters or broadcast on television... |
|
| 2009 | Laugh to Keep from Crying Laugh to Keep from Crying Laugh to Keep from Crying is a play written and directed by American playwright Tyler Perry. The show first opened in the fall of 2009. The play is a mixture of comedy, drama, and music, set at a inner-city building in a predominantly African-American neighborhood.-Plot:The story revolves around a... |
Belinda | Direct-to-DVD release Direct-to-video Direct-to-video is a term used to describe a film that has been released to the public on home video formats without being released in film theaters or broadcast on television... |
|
| 2010 | Madea's Big Happy Family Madea's Big Happy Family Madea's Big Happy Family is a 2010 American musical play created, written, produced, and directed by Tyler Perry. It stars Tyler Perry as Mabel "Madea" Simmons, Cassi Davis as Aunt Bam, Palmer Williams, Jr. as Uncle Monroe, and Chandra Currelley-Young as Shirley.Perry began writing "Big Happy... |
Shirley | Direct-to-DVD release Direct-to-video Direct-to-video is a term used to describe a film that has been released to the public on home video formats without being released in film theaters or broadcast on television... |
|
| 2011 | Madea's Big Happy Family (film) Madea's Big Happy Family (film) Tyler Perry's Madea's Big Happy Family is a 2011 comedy-drama film based on Tyler Perry's 2010 play of the same name and the eleventh film in the Tyler Perry film franchise, and the fifth in the Madea franchise.-Plot:... |
Sister Laura | ||
| 2011 | A Madea Christmas A Madea Christmas A Madea Christmas is a 2011 American musical play created, written, produced, and directed by Tyler Perry. It stars Tyler Perry as Mabel "Madea" Simmons and Cassi Davis as Aunt Bam.-Plot:... |
Lilian | Direct-to-DVD release Direct-to-video Direct-to-video is a term used to describe a film that has been released to the public on home video formats without being released in film theaters or broadcast on television... |
|
| Television | ||||
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | |
| 2011 | Tyler Perry's For Better Or Worse Tyler Perry's For Better or Worse Tyler Perry's For Better or Worse is an American comedy-drama series created and produced by playwright/director/producer Tyler Perry. The series is based on Perry's 2007 film Why Did I Get Married? and its 2010 sequel Why Did I Get Married Too?... |
Miss V. | N\A episode | |
External links
- http://www.chandracurrelley.com
- http://www.tylerperry.com/