Show Stopper Dance Competition

Meredith Patterson (born November 24, 1975) is an American musical theatre actor known for her Broadway performances, as well as her television and film work.

Biography

Patterson was born in Concord, California and raised in Pleasant Hill in California's Bay Area. She is the youngest of four children.

Meredith 'Merie' Patterson has been dancing since the age of 2, and excelled at classical ballet, tap, and jazz. She competed in famous dance competitions around the country such as Tremaine & Show Stoppers. She began singing at age 8, and taking acting class at age 9. She made her stage debut at Concord Citi Arts production of Cinderella at age of 13.

Patterson toured the country at age 17 as a teacher for The Universal Dance Association.

Patterson left home at age 18 and headed to New York City intent upon becoming a dancer on Broadway. She was nominated for a Barrymore Award at 19, starring in two national tours at 20, and signing her first Equity production contract with Madison Square Garden's show A Christmas Carol with choreographer Susan Stroman at 21.

She made her Broadway debut in 2000 in The Green Bird (score) , a play directed by Julie Taymor. The following year she made her musical debut in the original chorus of the Tony Award winning revival of 42nd Street . Three months after opening, she was given the starring role of Peggy Sawyer, which she performed from August 2001 to August 2002 and her performance was taped for The Lincoln Center Archives. Later, Patterson was asked to star in a production of 42nd Street in Moscow, Russia making her the first American actress to star in an English speaking musical in Russia and the first Peggy Sawyer to ever be billed above the title.

In 2003, actress Julie Andrews made her directorial debut with the musical The Boy Friend . Ms. Andrews met Patterson and cast her in the starring role of Miss Polly Browne, coincidentally the same role that Ms. Andrews made her Broadway debut with some 50 years earlier. For this role, Patterson received critical acclaim.

Ms. Andrews took a liking to Ms. Patterson and set up a meeting with film director Garry Marshall for the movie Princess Diaries II. Mr Marshall decided to put Meredith in the movie as Lord Nicholas Chris Pine's girlfriend, Lady Alyssa Wells. Named after Garry Marshall's daughter in law, and Julie Andrews real last name.

Patterson made her Los Angeles theater debut starring as Louise Maske in Steve Martin's adaptation of the play The Underpants at the Geffen Playhouse, for which she received more rave reviews. In addition, she originated the role of Judy Haynes in the highly anticipated world premiere of Irving Berlin's White Christmas which she originated on Broadway at The Marquis Theater November 14 through January 4 2009.

In addition to stage work, Patterson has made several television and film appearances, including Tom Selleck's silly singing and snorting wife Missy on ABC's Boston Legal and in the films Every Little Step , My Father's Will , Before the Devil Knows You're Dead , Broken Flowers , The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement , and Company Man . She is currently making her soap opera debut playing the recurring role of Francesca on ABC's All My Children.

Patterson is self taught singer/songwriter. She has been writing music and lyrics since she was 18 years old, and recently released one self-produced debut album entitled MerieNYC . Only 1,000 physical copies exist (digitally available on CDBaby and ITunes). Having a physical autographed copy of the album has become somewhat of a rarity, as Meredith only signs them through her website and for her chosen charity, The Huntington's Disease Society of America.

Her official website is www.meredithpatterson.com. Her fan page can be found on Facebook, and you can follow her on Twitter @MerPatterson

Meredith resides in New York City with her husband, Broadway actor Shonn Wiley

Philanthropy

In support of families affected by Huntington’s Disease, Meredith Patterson hosts the Huntington’s Disease Society of America’s annual Curtains Up For A Cure concert on Monday, December 7th at Playwright’s Horizons, at 416 W. 42nd Street in Manhattan, a holiday concert featuring fellow Broadway stars.

Co-hosted by Katie Moser, who has been profiled by the New York Times and Cosmopolitan Magazine, Curtains Up for a Cure brings together an exclusive list of Broadway A-listers who perform their favorite holiday numbers for an audience that runs the gamut from scenesters to scientists, doctors to divas thanks to its diverse blend of talent. This year attendees have an opportunity to chat with the stars before the show at an exclusive cocktail hour meet and greet, featuring hors d' oeuvres and signature drinks. Signed memorabilia from entertainment legends of the large and small screen as well as the stage grace the offerings at the silent auction, which also features some of the best holiday shopping in the city. Get into the spirit of the season by giving the best of gifts to families affected by HD…the gift of hope.

The Huntington’s Disease Society of America (HDSA) is the only national non-profit organization dedicated to finding a cure for Huntington’s Disease while providing support and services. Huntington’s Disease (HD) destroys one’s physical control and mental capacity over a period of 10-15 years. Currently, one in 10,000 Americans, including 5,000 children between the ages of six months and 18 years, have already been diagnosed with Huntington’s Disease. Presently, there is nothing that can be done to slow or stop the disease’s relentless course. There is limited treatment and the cure remains unknown.

REVIEWS

"She has about her the virtually indescribable quality of a real star, a glowing presence that permeates every note she sings, every step she dances and every line she speaks."- The Moscow Times for 42nd Street

"Patterson has the peachy skin and the lilting ladylike English chip reminiscent of her famous director along with a pleasantly grave undercurrent that grounds the character through the dance happy plot confusions." -NewsDay for The Boy Friend

"Polly Browne, played with lit-from-within radiance and drop dead beauty by Meredith Patterson. Ms. Patterson at times seems like a channeling of the teenage Julie Andrews. She's adorable, as are the deliveries of the two ballads "I Could be Happy with You" with its gentle tap and "Room In Bloomsbury" with its endearing soft-shoe." - Southhampton Express for The Boy Friend

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