Article Type: Press Release


"At 21, Garel was at the top of the Canadian pop charts "
Canadian Recording Artist Saskia Garel stars as "Mimi" in the Canadian production of RENT

New "Mimi" debuts March 11, 1998 at the Royal Alexandra Theatre in Toronto

Saskia Garel, formerly one-half of the hit Canadian recording duo LOVE & SAS, is slated to step into the starring role of Mimi in the Canadian production of RENT on Wednesday, March 11, 1998. (Krysten Cummings who originated the role in Toronto will move to London, England to play Mimi in the British premiere of the multi award-winning musical.)

Garel has been a member of the Canadian production of RENT from the very first performance at Toronto's Royal Alexandra Theatre as an ensemble member and "Mimi" understudy. Her rise to the starring role is in keeping with the rest of her career; in a few short years, this twenty-something talent sprang out of nowhere to sky rocket onto the top of the pop charts with LOVE & SAS and then onto the theatre scene in one of the most sought-after roles in the history of musical theatre. RENT marks Garel's theatrical stage debut.

At 21, Garel was at the top of the Canadian pop charts with the girl group LOVE & SAS. The duo toured Canada, the US and the UK; received two consecutive Juno Awards for Best R&B Recording for CALL MY NAME (1992) and for ONCE IN A LIFETIME (1993); and had five music videos running on MuchMusic. Garel, a singer/songwriter is currently working toward a solo album on the BMG Canada label.

Born in Kingston, Jamaica, Garel is of Chinese, Spanish and West Indian descent. She moved to Toronto when she was 6 years old. She is a graduate of the Claude Watson School of the Arts, The Royal Conservatory of Music and York University. Her credits are extensive. In 1995, she was on the Raptor's Dance Team and recorded their theme song Higher in 1996. She has appeared in numerous commercials, television shows (STREET LEGAL and NEWSROOM) and films (including MISTRIAL, TEAMMATES, and WOO, slated for a spring release).