Carrie Manolakos is an American singer-songwriter and actress. As an actress, she is perhaps best known for her stage work, on Broadway in Mamma Mia! as Sophie Sheridan, and on the second national tour of Wicked as Elphaba. She became an internet sensation after her cover of "Creep" by Radiohead went viral after it was picked up by Gawker, under the title "Eargasm". The cover was performed at her album release party at Le Poisson Rouge in Greenwich Village.
Career
2008–11: ''Mamma Mia!'', ''Wicked'', and other stage work
Manolakos performed in the ensemble of the Mamma Mia! tour for six months before being promoted to the role of Sophie. Shortly after that, she was invited to join the Broadway company, replacing Carey Anderson. She gave her first performance on June 4, 2008. It was announced on February 9, 2009, that Manolakos would be joining the second national tour of Wicked as the standby for Elphaba. On June 25, 2010, Manolakos performed at the Yale Institute for Music Theatre Workshops as Athena in The Daughters, a musical which follows the three daughters of Zeus as they embark on separate and intersecting journeys of self-discovery. Manolakos performed in a concert celebrating Alanis Morissette on September 1, 2010. On November 1, 2010, Manolakos joined Peter Lerman for his debut concert at the Laurie Beechman Theatre, featuring tunes from his original songbook. It was announced on December 3, 2010, that Manolakos would be involved in a concert featuring the music from the musical Jawbreaker. The concert took place on December 12, 2010. Manolakos took part in a concert at Joe's Pub on March 27, 2011, celebrating the release of Joey Contreras debut album, Love Me, Love Me Not. Manolakos appeared as Night Terrors in at the La Jolla Playhouse production of Sleeping Beauty Wakes from July 19 through August 21, 2011. On September 7, 2011, it was announced that Manolakos would be starring as Katie in the rock musical Chix 6 at the Queens Theatre from September 27 to October 30, 2011.
Manolakos starred as Marianne Reilly in the first run of Seth Rudetsky's Disaster! at Triad Theatre, now renamed Stage 72, on January 22 through March 25, 2012. On February 27, 2012, Manolakos took part in Broadway Remembers Whitney Houston at Joe's Pub, a tribute concert for the late singer. Manolakos performed at Broadway Rhythm and Booze alongside Uzo Aduba on March 26, 2012. Manolakos released her debut album, Echo, on April 2, 2012, produced by Dominick Amendum and Justin Goldner. The album debuted in the top 100 of the iTunes pop charts. On April 23, 2012, Manolakos became an internet sensation when her cover of "Creep" by Radiohead went viral. It was picked up by Huffington Post, The Daily Beast, The New Yorker, and Gawker, under the title "Eargasm." Manolakos took part in Broadway Sings Adele on April 30, 2012. She performed Someone Like You. Manolakos was profiled as No. 1 of ELLE's 30 Under 30: The Essential Names to Know. Manolakos participated in Signature Theatre's Sizzlin Summer Cabaret on July 27, 2012. Manolakos took part in a private reading of QUILT: A Musical Celebration at Rosie O'Donnell's Maravel Arts Center on June 20, 2012. Manolakos performed at Dream the Impossible Dream from July 14 through 22, 2012. On November 26, 2012, Manolakos pefromed at a concert benefit titled City of Hope: Broadway Blows Back to aid New York and New Jersey communities affected by Hurricane Sandy. On December 31, 2012, she briefly appeared onstage with Phish performing "Tweezer Reprise". Manolakos performed with Lorna Luft at Birdland Jazz Club on February 18, 2013 Manolakos appeared as Lizzie Borden in Theatre Under The Stars's production of Lizzie in October 2013. In 2013 Manolakos lead Hit List, a concert based on a fictional musical created for the television series Smash. Manolakos took over for Katharine McPhee. Manolakos performed in Broadway Battles Bullying on April 14, 2014 at Skirball Center for the Performing Arts. Manolakos and Morgan Karr presented a duo-concert at Landmark Vineyards apart of the Transcendence Artist Series on August 1 and 2, 2014.
