Today we’d like to introduce you to Andrea Canny.
Hi Andrea, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
As a Cincinnati native, I fell into singing at age 16, and with the help of some incredible mentors, I quickly realized that singing and entertaining is why I was put on this planet. It became my goal to make a successful career in entertainment. I began my professional career at Kings Island, where I sang, learned how to dance, and got the best foundation for how to work as a professional in this industry with integrity. I did a singer/dancer contract on the SS Norway, moved to NYC, did some cabaret and modeling… and waitressing… and temping. Then I ended up overseas, tap dancing my heart out for a year doing the European tour of 42nd Street.
When I returned from Europe, I wanted to visit longtime friends who worked at Disney. I said to them, “Get me an audition so I can write this trip off!” to which they replied, “There is a new show they are mounting, Beauty & the Beast, that is having auditions, so come on down!” I flew in on Friday, auditioned on Saturday, and got the job offer on Sunday. When the director told me they were offering me the job as Belle in the opening cast, she also said, “We know you don’t live here, so what will it take for us to relocate you here?” I smiled and said, “I can start rehearsal with you on the 30th, fly home on the 6th, get divorced on the 7th, pack on the 8th and be back to rehearsal by the 9th… does that work for you?” Stunned, she batted her eyes and I filled the silence by saying, “… because Mama’s not missing THAT appointment!”
And thus began my 30-year love affair with Orlando, its talented people, and my long Disney career. I opened Beauty and the Beast as Belle, Hunchback of Notre Dame as Laverne, Doug Live as Patty Mayonnaise-1st sub cast, Studio 7 and spent years subbing at Hoop Dee Doo as Flora and went full-time there in 2010 as Dolly, did all three female roles at Pleasure Island’s beloved Adventurers Club, and many other shows, TV parades and conventions. I did three contracts in Tokyo for Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo Disney Sea.
In 2015, I moved into full-time production work while I still did cabarets, performed musicals with Orlando Philharmonic, won Orlando Sentinel Critic’s Pick: Best Actress in a Musical 2018 and Vocalist of the Decade on Broadwayworld.com for my performance of Mama Rose in Gypsy at the Garden Theatre. I have also done TV/film work (WITS Academy-Nickelodeon and The Right Stuff-Nat Geo) and directed and produced many fundraising events/concerts, including From Broadway with Love: Orlando and From Broadway with Love: Parkland after both the Pulse and Stoneman Douglas tragedies. I’ve been very active in performing, directing and producing shows at Orlando International Fringe Festival and much more in this amazing community.
During the pandemic, I started co-hosting and producing a podcast called, The Rise: Highlighting the rise of Arts and Culture in Central Florida with my podcast partner and friend, Ray Fournier. I recently came on board as the podcast producer for the successful podcast, 10K Dollar Day. During this time of our industry’s near decimation, I am also co-producing a feature documentary film called Billy Flanigan: The Happiest Man on Earth, which is currently in post-production and seeking distribution.
I have also started my own dōTERRA essential oils business and created my own brand, Vision & Voice, where I do everything from brainstorming and content creation to performance and industry coaching and more. I moved to Winter Garden from downtown two years ago and I love it! I’m in love with this whole Central Florida region and all its amazingly talented and supportive people!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I’ve had plenty of ‘regular people’ jobs during lean times of the industry. I spent a year out of work due to an ankle break that just wouldn’t heal well. I’ve worked in toxic workplaces where my strengths weren’t utilized, leadership was seriously lacking, and employees weren’t set up for success. I’ve had healthy doses of self-doubt, as any artist does. Now in July 2021, I am still out of work since March 2020, seeking a full-time job that financially values me and my talents.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a natural-born connector who makes friends easily and nurtures those relationships. Therefore, after 30 years in this town, I know a lot of people, and I love connecting people to the right client, work, industry partner, etc. It is very common (just happened again last week) that people who are new to Orlando in this industry are directed by mutual friends to consult with me to learn how to properly navigate this region in this industry. I also run by a high standard of integrity, so I do my best to keep everyone safe by steering them to the right connection that will help them thrive and let them shine.
I am also known as the Queen of Do-Goodery. I have produced many fundraising benefits for friends in need, raising money to assist them when they really needed it. I naturally have a healthy dose of “Not on MY watch!” When someone needs a benefit, I’m the first call.
Singing and acting are my 1st love and passion. I put my all into roles and am committed to giving audiences the very best of me and my gifts. In Orlando, I am known for some fun solid female roles such as Adelaide in Guys & Dolls with Orlando Philharmonic, Belle/Little Mermaid in Disenchanted, EBJ in Spank!, Lizzie in Lizzie Borden the Musical, and Mama Rose in Gypsy at the Garden Theatre. I’m also known for the many cabarets I’ve done that include personal, funny stories, intimate shares, and a whole lot of great music.
I think what sets me apart from others is that I don’t look at this business as a competition. I truly believe, ‘It’s either my gig or it’s not.’ And being a good human is at the top of my list, along with doing the very best performance I can possibly do. I’m most proud of the teams I’ve led as producer and director. From Broadway with Love: Orlando was one of the best fundraisers I ever produced. Putting that team together and making it into the magic it was in just under a month was the most satisfying hard work to help our community heal.
And as far as performing, I’m most proud of my Mama Rose. She was very difficult to layer, but my director and dear friend, Tom Vazzana, was able to get me to the place I needed to go to add those final layers of her character. And I was so pleased to be recognized as Best Actress in a Musical 2018 by Orlando Sentinel’s critic, Matt Palm, and to be voted Vocalist of the Decade by Broadwayworld.com for that same performance. It was worth the hard work!
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
I’m available for performance and industry coaching, consultation as well as project/event producer. People can visit my website, www.andreacanny.com to see the various ways I can help them or they can email me at acannyvisionandvoice@gmail.com for a free consultation!
Contact Info:
- Email: acannyvisionandvoice@gmail.com
- Website: www.andreacanny.com, www.therise.today
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pupbutt
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/andreacannysings
- Twitter: @AndreaCanny
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFs7Gf2eplxj5N18WdEClNw
Image Credits
Michael Cairns – some photos are by him 10K Dollar Day logo designed by Jacob McAlister Cab Fab CD design- Cheri Riechers
