This cover image released by Random House Children's Books and Random House Studio shows "Piper Chen Sings" by Phillipa Soo and Maris Pasquale Doran with illustrations by Qin Leng. ( Random House Children's Books and Random House Studio via AP)
NEW YORK (AP) – Broadway star Phillipa Soo has not forgotten her childhood stage fright.
The Grammy-winning actor and singer known for her roles in “Hamilton,” “Into the Woods” and other musicals is collaborating with her sister-in-law Maris Pasquale Doran and illustrator Qin Leng on a picture book about a girl more at ease singing to her stuffed animals than in front of a crowd. Random House Studio, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books, announced Wednesday that “Piper Chen Sings” will come out next April.
“I have often been asked, “˜If you could say anything to your younger self, what would it be?’ “˜Piper Chen Sings’ is certainly an answer to that question,” Soo, 32, said in a statement. “This book comes straight from the heart and is inspired by my own life and experiences – a little girl who loves to sing, but is overwhelmed with nervousness about singing in front of others.”
Soo originated the role of Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton, Alexander Hamilton’s wife, in Lin-Manuel Miranda’s celebrated play. She has since starred in Broadway revivals of “Into the Woods” and “Camelot,” and was featured in a Kennedy Center production of “Guys and Dolls.” Soo won Grammys for her work on the soundtracks to “Hamilton” and “Into the Woods.”
