The actress full plate includes, being in pre-production for In the Heights, a star in Tanya Saracho’s Vida dramatic Starz series
By Elia Esparza
Mexican actress-singer Melissa Barrera and Irish thespian, Jamie Dornan (Fifty Shades of Grey franchise, Robin Hood), have been cast to headline in the feature film, Carmen, a contemporary version based on the Bizet’s opera masterpiece, “Carmen.”
Not since 1984, has anyone attempted to make another film based on this celebrated opera. In the older film version of Carmen, that starred Julia Migenes and Placido Domingo, which today is considered a classic among film aficionados. Let’s hope that the new Carmen will create its own modern time classic with wonderful reviews. We wish Roger Ebert was still with us because he absolutely raved about the 1984 film, enthusiastically stating, “Cheers! As Bizet’s towering masterpiece blazes across the screen! Cry bravo! To passion, romance, adventure….!”
Sony Pictures Classic has acquired rights for Benjamin Millepied’s debut film, Carmen, in what they are calling a “modern-day reimaging of one of the world’s most adored operas.” Producing is Dimitri Rassam (Playmobil). In addition, the Pulitzer-Prize winning playwright, Nilo Cruz (Anna in the Tropics), is finalizing the shooting script. Composing the original score is composer Nicholas Britell (Moonlight, Vice).
Barrera is also in pre-production for the movie adaptation of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Broadway musical, In the Heights, in the role of Vanessa. In addition, the 2nd season of the critically acclaimed drama series Starz’ Vida, in which she stars as Lyn, premieres May 23, 2019.
Born in Monterey, Nuevo Leon Mexico, Barrera attended and graduated from American School Foundation of Monterrey. Her love of theater started during her middle school years and participated in school plays and musicals: The Wizard of Oz, Footloose, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and Aida). At 18, she headed to New York to attend college. She auditioned and 2009, she became part of the Collaborative Arts Project 21 (CAP21) as part of the Tisch School of Arts in New York University.
As a singer, Barrera has recorded her first album with “Melissa y Sebastian” and had her first top ten radio hit with their first single “Mamma Maria”. WIth her singing talent she is sure to dazzle audiences with both of her upcoming performances in Carmen and In the Heights.
Melissa Barrera is repped by United Talent Agency (UTA) and Cross Over Entertainment, and Wolf-Kasteler Public Relations.
Follow Melissa on social media:
Twitter — @MelissaBarreraM
Instagram — @melissabarreram