Actor and singer Teresa De Gennaro realises Hollywood dream despite having multiple sclerosis
Payneham actor Teresa De Gennaro realised her dream to work in Hollywood despite being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and brings her own story to the stage in a new show.
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EVEN being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis couldn’t stop Payneham singer and actor Teresa De Gennaro from achieving her childhood dream to perform in Hollywood.
Now Ms Gennaro has brought her own story to the stage with Alien in LA, which will have a special preview to raise funds for the MS Society at Star Theatres on Wednesday, October 21.
The title of the show comes from the US work visa she was granted for two years as an “alien (foreign resident) of extraordinary ability”.
“They want to include talent from other parts of the world that can contribute to the US industry,” she said.
“It was great – I got to be in four TV shows and an award-winning movie called Elsewhere.”
Ms Gennaro, 42, first experienced MS symptoms when she was 18 but it took six years for the condition to be diagnosed.
She has relapsing-remitting MS, where symptoms can ease or go away during remission, but has had to relearn to walk three times.
“I hid my MS for 20 years because I was afraid it would affect my job opportunities and people would treat you differently.”
Alien in LA also has performances on October 25 and 30 as part of Star Theatres’ Back 2 Back Festival of short shows.
“I sing 30 songs but they are all chopped up … in a variety of genres from hip-hop to music theatre. I released a song while I was in the US as well.”
Ms Gennaro now hopes to secure a Green Card for the US, which would enable her to work for major film and TV studios.
Tickets for Wednesday’s preview are available at trybooking.com
Other performances can be booked at startheatres.com.au