Photos By: Franklin Navarro Photography
www.franklinnavarro.com
Daniella Dalli is originally from Los Angeles, California, and currently resides in NYC with her photographer husband Franklin Navarro and their beagle Charlie. She is a singer and actress with a career in musical theater, commercials, voice overs, and recording, and is a proud member of Actors Equity. Notable theatrical credits include Lady of the Lake in "Spamalot" (MSMT, Fulton Theatre), Balthazar Republic in "A Cappella Humana (Delaware Theater Company), Eponine in "Les Miserables" (Fulton Theatre), Eve in "In The Beginning" (Sight & Sound Theatres, original cast), Singer in "The King and I" (Starlight Theater, with Lou Diamond Phillips), Eve in "Creation" (Crystal Cathedral, original cast), Bathsheba in "Bathsheba-The Musical" (LimonCarr Productions, original cast), Aldonza in "Man of La Mancha", Mary Magdalene in "JC Superstar", Witch/Bakers Wife in "Into the Woods", and the West Coast Premiere of "Parade" (Los Angeles Musical Theatre Guild). Coming up next Daniella will be playing Irene Molloy along side Broadway stars Faith Prince and Gary Beach in "Hello, Dolly!" at The Maltz Jupiter Theater, directed by Tony nominated director Marica Milgrom Dodge. You can currently see Daniella on your TV screens in the Dunkin Donuts national commercial campaign, "What are you drinkin?".
Mommas Little Baby Loves Shortnin Bread
Daniella was born on February 21, 1983 in Pasadena, CA. She started singing at the tender age of 2. When her mother would bathe her in the tub, she would teach her vocal scales, how to correctly pronounce latin vowels, and sing fun childrens songs. Her favorites were Mommas Little Baby Loves Shortnin Bread, Somewhere Over The Rainbow, and Do Re Mi (although in this song she would only sing the vowel sounds, no consonants).
At the age of 5, Daniellas father started to teach her how to play tennis. She loved playing tennis she got to spend more time with her Dad, she enjoyed competition, she was excited to learn new skills, and was very proud when she could beat the older kids! Even though she was now a tennis player, she never stopped singing she would hum while eating, sing along with cast recordings she would check-out from the library, and even sing on the tennis court (usually at the baseline waiting for the opponent to serve).
At the age of 8, Daniella did her first musical It was The Wizard of Oz, and she was a member of the Lollipop Guild. Daniella was a VERY shy child and was incredibly nervous to audition for the show. She decided to sing Somewhere Over The Rainbow. During the audition, she held up the piece of paper with the lyrics to the song over her face so no one could see her sing. When she finished singing, everyone in the room started clapping. There was a boy next to her, auditioning next, who was 10 or 11 that told her that she had a beautiful voice. Although incredibly embarrassed, she knew at that very moment that she wanted to be a singer one day!
The balancing act!
After the Wizard of Oz, Daniella got the performing bug. She started doing shows back-to-back school plays, community theater productions, semi-professional productions anything that she could do to be on the stage! When she got in to middle school, she joined both choir and drama.
At the same time, Daniella was still playing tennis every day and was also a player in the USTA Junior Team Tennis program. She was on her Dads team and was usually the youngest kid on the team. She also enjoyed playing in other tennis tournaments especially mixed-doubles matches with her brother Damien. Damien is 363 days younger than Daniella, and the two grew up as best friends! So playing tennis together, on the same team, was so much fun!
Trying to balance school, performing, and tennis was getting to be way too much for Daniella. At the age of 16 she decided to go on independent study through the school district, so that way she could do all of her classwork and studying on her own terms. She could also audition for bigger shows, which usually rehearsed during school hours or would take her out of the state for a little while. She also decided to cut back on her tennis training so she could commit more time and energy to her performing.
College? Performing? Bueller?
By going on independent study, Daniella was able to test-out and graduate early. The next step, she thought, was college. She signed up for choir and some general education classes at Fullerton Community College, hoping to one day have a back-up plan and get a degree in Marketing Management. But she hated it. College just wasnt for her. After only attending for 6 months, Daniella dropped out.
Soon after dropping out, Daniella was offered a performing job with a Gilbert and Sullivan opera company called Opera a la Carte. She was the youngest person in the company, but loved admiring and learning from the seasoned professionals! She was in the chorus of H.M.S. Pinafore, Peep-Bo in The Mikado, and Kate in Pirates of Penzance. They toured regionally, but also performed out of state at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center in Florida.
During this time, Daniella fell in love with her future husband Franklin Navarro. Ooo la la! (To find out more about our story, check out the video page Specifically the DoWop Medley!). You would think that this would have been a distraction for Daniella, but it was the complete opposite. Being with Franklin inspired her to be more successful, to audition for more shows, and to believe in herself. In a way, he gave her the kick-in-the-butt that she needed!
Mary Magdalene, Bathsheba, Eve, etc.
Daniella became a Christian in 2004. Soon after, she started getting offered more and more biblical roles. She played Mary Magdalene in JC Superstar, Bathsheba in Bathsheba - The Musical, Eve in Creation, and Mary in Glory of Christmas. She also had the opportunity to be a featured soloist on the TV show Hour of Power taped at the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, CA.
Daniella saw an audition notice for a Christian theater in Lancaster, PA called Sight and Sound. At the time they were auditioning for a show called Ruth. Daniella very much wanted to audition, but she just didnt have the money to travel to PA and audition. She kept in touch with their casting director, just in case there were any opportunities in the future. She got an e-mail from S&S the next year asking her to audition for their new production. She flew out to PA for the audition, and at the end of the day she knew that she booked it!
After a couple of weeks, she got the formal offer S&S wanted her to play Eve in In The Beginning. What an amazing opportunity! After talking it over with the hubby, Daniella accepted the job and now they were preparing for their move across the country! The moved in January of 2008, and Daniella performed at Sight and Sound for the next 2 years portraying the roles of: Eve in ITB, Miriam in Daniel and The Lions Den, and Elizabeth in Miracle of Christmas.
The Fulton Theatre
By being in Lancaster, PA, Daniella was introduced to The Fulton Theatre (a prestigious regional theater producing Broadway-caliber productions). She appeared in a couple of cabarets in their 4th floor studio, which introduced her to Aaron Young (managing director), Harvey Owen (current President of the Board), and Marc Robin (artistic director). Daniella never would have thought that by performing a couple of songs in a cabaret and meeting these gentlemen would change her life forever!
Daniella was looking for a change of pace, so she decided to audition for The Fultons upcoming production of Les Miserables. She went in, auditioning for the ensemble. She had some good credits from California, but she didnt have any Broadway or New York credits and she was pretty sure that the leads were going to come from New York or Chicago. But apparently Marc Robin had seen Daniella at Sight & Sound, and also in a benefit cabaret at The Fulton hosted by Randall Frizado, and he had a different idea for her. In the audition room, he asked her to sing On My Own which was Eponines song. She knew the song, but had never sang the song before because she never saw herself in that role. But he did. And after seeing over a 1,000 actors in New York, a couple hundred specifically for Eponine, Daniella was offered the role.
After Les Mis, The Fulton gave Daniella her Equity Card, and offered her other roles like Irene Molloy in Hello, Dolly!, Cinderella in Cinderella, and The Lady of the Lake in Spamalot, and gave her the opportunity to be a Cabaret Artist.
In just a years time Daniella went from that girl who does Christian theater, to a professional actress with the potential for much more. Daniella now has a career in theater, voice overs, recording, film, and commercials (currently being featured in the Dunkin Donuts national commercial campaign What are you drinkin?).
I dont know what the future holds, but I know that there are exciting things in store and I really owe it all to Marc Robin, Harvey Owen, Aaron Young, and The Fulton Theatre!
10 Fun Facts!
Daniella
1. Has no formal singing or acting training.
2. Is Egyptian, Italian, Polish, German, Spanish, Russian, and Aztec.
3. Is the same age as her younger brother Damien for 3 days.
4. Didnt have a drivers liscene until she was 21.
5. Got braces at the age of 20.
6. Inherited clubbed thumbs They are kind of short, stubby, and funny looking, but are a sign of royalty. Thanks Mom or Dad .
7. Got her first tooth at 3 months old and had 19 teeth by 9 months old.
8. Favorite band is Led Zeppelin (favorite song is Stairway to Heaven)!
9. Has handled many exotic animals, including a skunk, and stepped barefoot in Bison poop. Thanks Sight and Sound!
10. Used to co-own a design company with her brother called Dd-Design. They designed websites, graphics, and print advertisements.
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DaniellaDalli_GageGroup.pdf
T A L E N T A G E N T S
450 SEVENTH AVENUE TEL: (212) 541-5250
SUITE 1809 FAX: (212) 956-7466
NEW YORK, NY 10123 gageny_verizon.net
DANIELLA DALLI
AEA / SAG-Eligible
Vocal Range: Mezzo Soprano (F3 - C6)
Height: 5'7"
Weight: 140 lbs.
UPCOMING PRODUCTIONS
Hello, Dolly! as Irene Molloy
Maltz Jupiter Theater
Marcia Milgrom Dodge, dir.
REGIONAL THEATER
A Cappella Humana as Balthazar Republic
Delaware Theatre Company
Kevin Ramsey, dir.
The All Night Strut as Daniella
Marc Robin, dir.
Spamalot as The Lady of the Lake
Maine State Music Theatre/Fulton Theatre
The King and I as a Royal Wife/Singer
(w/ Lou Diamond Phillips)
Starlight Theatre
Susan Kikcuhi, dir.
Les Miserables as Eponine
Phantom as Ensemble/Carlotta u/s
My Fair Lady (in concert) as Mrs. Pierce
Lancaster Symphony
Man of La Mancha as Aldonza
West End Dinner Theater
Kent Johnson, dir.
Glory of Christmas as Mary
Crystal Cathedral
Paul David Dunn, dir.
Jesus Christ Superstar as Mary Magdalene
STAGES Theatre
Brian Kojac, dir.
Parade as Ensemble/Lucille u/s
(West Coast Premiere)
L.A. Musical Theatre Guild
Calvin Remsberg, dir.
Sweeney Todd as Ensemble/Beggar Woman u/s
Performance Riverside
Into the Woods as The Witch
Westminster Playhouse
Mark Torreso, dir.
In the Beginning as Eve
(Original Cast)
Sight and Sound Theatres
Earl Grove, dir.
Creation as Eve's Voice
Linda Simmons, dir.
Bathsheba - The Musical as Bathsheba
LimonCarr Productions
Joshua Carr, dir.
TOURS
Pirates of Penzance as Edith
Opera a la Carte
Richard Sheldon, dir.
The Mikado as Peep-Bo
FILM
Unsorted as Kate (Lead)
Red 11 Films, PA
J. Peyton Spencer, dir.
Kill [repeat] as Victim #2 (Lead)
533 Films, PA
Allen Clements, dir.
*24 Hour Film Race, Philadelphia - Best Actress Award
Road Kill as Asena (Lead)
Spector as Beth (Lead)
J. Peyton Spencer,dir.
The Big Catch as Julie (Lead)
Douglas Hamilton, Dir.
COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL
Dunkin Donuts (national) as Young Professional
Acne Media, CA (filmed in PA)
Language Training Demo - Berlitz as Leilani
Richard Tolsma Productions, PA
NCTA - Broadband Nation as Host
Renegade Studios, MD
West Point Ethics as Atropian Woman
Will Interactive, PA
Good Shepard Hospital as Jogger
Max Films, PA
In The Beginning Trailer as Eve
S & S Films, PA
Creation at the Crystal Cathedral as Eve
Eric Vogelvang Enterprises, CA
VOICEOVER
Voveo Marketing Group - Maas360 as Spokesperson
Eric Lee Productions, PA
Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Radio Spot as Jogging Girl
The Story of Noah as The Queen
PRINT
Rite Aid (Promotional/Training Materials) as Customer
Rite Aid Corporation, PA
2009/2010 Season - Promotion as Christine Daae
Fulton Theatre, PA
In The Beginning Promotional as Eve
TRAINING
Acting/Improv: Ann Gillette (Max Films), Mark Torreso (Disney), Daniel Halkyard
Voice: Michael Skidgel, Mallory Walker, Jim Brown
Dance: Premiere Danse Academy, Susquehanna Dance Center
SPECIAL SKILLS
Dialects: British, Southern, Latina. Character Voices: Valley Girl, Baby Voice. Skills: Some Spanish; Strong Harmony Skills; Teleprompter Proficient; Studio Recording; Professional Level Tennis Player, Golf, Softball, Volleyball; Biking; Swimming; Heelying, Rollerblading, Rollerskating; Firearms/Handguns; Fishing; Knitting; Licensed Driver (automatic and manual); Martial Arts (Shorin-Ryu); Exotic Animal Handling.
"Spamalot" at The Fulton Theatre
Silliness is Spamalot
King Arthur and the killer rabbit join Daniella Dalli in her return to the Fulton for musical mayhem, Monty Python-style.
Sunday News
September 05, 2010
Lancaster, PA
By Stephen Kopfinger
And then there's that Lady of the Lake, who bequeathed the sword of Excalibur to Arthur, enabling the king to carry out his destiny. In the "Holy Grail" movie," the great lady is dismissed in passing as "some watery tart" who "threw a sword" at Arthur. In "Spamalot," the play, she gets a far bigger role, one played by Daniella Dalli. If that name is familiar, Dalli played the Fulton in such dignified roles as Irene Malloy in "Hello, Dolly" in 2009 and Eponine in 2008's "Les Miserables." There's dignity in her "Spamalot" role as well, but also a lot of fun.
"The Lady of the Lake is almost a mystical being," Dalli said via phone from Maine, where the "Spamalot" cast recently wrapped up having a good time and honing their craft at the Maine State Music Theatre in Brunswick (Fulton alum Curt Dale Clark was along for the ride as well). Dalli said she's never seen people laugh so hard. And she loves her costumes. At one point the Lady of the Lake gets to channel Cher, which was certainly not in the "Holy Grail" movie. And she does a parody of one of those over-the-top Andrew Lloyd Webber ballads (generically titled "The Song That Goes Like This.") That wasn't in the movie, either. Or, as Dalli puts it "what happens in Camelot stays in Camelot."
But even those who haven't seen "Monty Python and the Holy Grail" Dalli herself never has, she said can still get in on the joke. "Spamalot," Robin said, "is so much more than Monty Python. It's homage to musical theater."
Fulton 'Spamalot' is Holy Grail of humor
September 12, 2010
By Marty Crisp
The 12-piece orchestra, conducted by musical director Edward Reichert, is fully into the spirit of silliness and often provides a foil Finally, we must not forget the Lady of the Lake, diva extraordinaire Daniella Dalli, who steals scenes, but, as her character says, needs more stage time. "Spamalot" is more than irreverent; let's call it anti-reverent. It takes to heart the threat pronounced by one of Monty Python's original TV sketches: "We have ways of making you laugh."
'Spamalot' is gleefully irreverent entertainment
Intelligencer Journal
Lancaster New Era
September 17, 2010
By Emily Jones
...The script is written with a United Kingdom mindset, and so the fact that the American actors appear to struggle a bit with it is not entirely surprising. They do a good job, but one can sometimes sense uncertainty in their comedic timing. It seems unfair to criticize the actors for being the "wrong" nationality, but it is hard not to imagine a cast of British actors in these roles, with their mellifluous accents and confident grasp of that sort of smooth and subtle humor. However, as "Spamalot" continues its run and the actors tighten up their English accents and allow their lines to settle, perhaps the performances will seem more natural. The exception to this issue is Dalli as the Lady of the Lake. In Spamalot, Dalli proves her abilities as a comedian and as a singer, demonstrating her value to the Fulton as skillfully as she did in the role of Eponine in last summer's "Les Miserables."...
Silly 'Spamalot' is a lot of fun
September 10, 2010
By Jane Holahan
A refreshing reign of silliness has descended upon the Fulton, where "Monty Python's Spamalot" opened Thursday night Curt Dale Clark is a hoot as the vain Sir Galahad and even sends up his "Phantom" persona in "The Song That Goes Like This," a duet with the Lady of the Lake, played by Daniella Dalli. Dalli is a powerhouse, especially during the hilarious "The Diva's Lament," in which she wonders what happened to her storyline
Review by Fulton Patron
By Carl Bakey
September 11, 2010
As two hooded figures ominously stepped onto the Fulton stage Thursday night and threw back their hoods to reveal the beaming faces of Marc Robin and Aaron Young, the audience knew they were in for a hilarious night of theatre Notable performances came from Daniella Dalli, Adam Pelty, and Jeremy Webb. Dalli as the Lady of the Lake brought together beauty, comedic timing, sheer vocal power into an enchanting performance (with a small cameo from Eponine - a treat for subscribers and a smart move from Robin) Marc Robin along with the rest of the crew, orchestra, and actors of the Fulton really created a fantastically entertaining show. Everyone needs a good laugh once in a while and SPAMalot has them! Everyone in this show is talented. There are too many outstanding dancers and ensemble members to mention in a short review, but I know I will be trying to see this show at least one more time. As always, Fulton Theatre has pulled through and has yet to leave me unfulfilled. "SPAMalot" runs until October 3. Get your tickets now!
By Brenda Eichelman
Zany! Hilarious! Those are just some of the words that describe last nights performance of Spamalot. What a show! There was so much talent bursting out from all of the performers that you could miss some of the actors' expressions. You had the feeling that the actors were really enjoying the play and the Lady of the Lake, played by Daniella Dalli who is SO beautiful, an unbelievably talented singer and funny!
Spamalot at Maine State Music Theatre
The Coastal Journal
August 19th, 2010
Spamalot pure and zany entertainment
By Will Gottlieb
My favorite performance was that of Daniella Dalli, who plays The Lady of the Lake. Dalli is a newcomer to MSMT, who possesses a major set of pipes and a brilliant stage prescenece. She sings, she dances, she acts, she kills! Hope to see her next year.
Maine Sunday Telegram
August 15, 2010
Strong Spamalot cast takes hilarity to musical heights
By April Boyle
Looking for a meaty comedy of questionable content? Then grab your cocobuthalves and trot over to Maine State Music Theatre for an evening of roll-in-the-aisles ridiculousness from the twisted genius of Monty Pythons Eric Idle Marc Robin directs an amazing cast that has wholeheartedly taken on the challenge of performing this wonderfully asinine production Dalli is a powerhouse as the Lasy of the Lake
The Times Record
August 13, 2010
Spamalot brings down the house
By Elizabeth Lardie
Its safe to say The Lady of the Lake stole the show her grandstanding, after all, is written into the script. Embodying the ultimate Broadway diva, Spamalots resident leading lady showboated, descanted and modulated her was through the story.
And even if the character had been kept at bay, cast standout Daniella Dallis sensational performance of the fabled femme could not have been subdued. Dalli was a welcome sight each and every time she strutted her way back to center stage. The her energy and comedic timing matched her vocal chops only sealed the deal.
