"Hey, I just met you / And this is crazy / But Carly Rae Jepsen is making her Broadway debut in the title role of 'Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella' starting Feb. 4 / So buy a ticket, maybe?"
Okay... so that doesn’t flow as well as the original lyrics to Jepsen’s 2012 hit “Call Me Maybe.” But it will be the tune Jepsen sings this winter, when she steps into the Tony-nominated production for a 12-week run as the glass slipper-wearing Ella.
The New York Times broke news of Jensen’s casting late Sunday evening. As previously reported, Fran Drescher will also join the production Feb. 4, as Cinderella’s stepmother, Madame.
Jepsen took to Twitter to express her excitement about the casting, calling it a “Dream come true.” She also reached out to Laura Osnes, who originated the role of Ella and will be departing the show in January.
“I think you are truly lovely,” Jepsen said. “Big shoes to fill! It will be an honor to try on the Cindy shoes!”
Osnes, perhaps responding to any online backlash of Jepsen’s casting, tweeted her support, saying, “Have we learned nothing from Ella about charity, generosity, and kindness?”
No word on whether Santino Fontana, who stars alongside Osnes as Topher, will also depart the production in the coming months. Though if the producers of "Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella" are looking for replacements, might we suggest Jepsen’s longtime friend Justin Bieber?