In Andrew Lloyd Webber's new Broadway musical, Cinderella has some badass attitude

Linedy Genao sat in the "tippy top" of the audience at Lin-Manuel Miranda's "In the Heights" on Broadway and wept.

"When I heard the words 'Dominican Republic! I love it! Jesus, I'm jealous of it,' ... I started hysterically sobbing, like it was an out-of-body experience," she said in a recent interview. "That was the first show and time where I was like, 'I can be in that. I can do this. There's a place for me on the stage where I can be myself. I don't have to pretend.' "

And she was right. Genao made her Broadway debut in 2015 with "On Your Feet!," the story of Gloria and Emilio Estefan.

She went on to become the first Latina to play Zoe in "Dear Evan Hansen" on tour, later playing the role on the Great Bright Way. She returned to "On Your Feet!" late last year as Gloria Estefan in the regional production at Millburn's Paper Mill Playhouse.

Next up is the lead role in "Bad Cinderella," a modern take on the classic story, with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, lyrics by David Zippel and a book by Emerald Fennell. Now in previews, it opens Thursday, March 23.

Making history

Genao becomes the first Latina to originate a leading lady role in Webber's canon.

"It means everything to me," she said. "It's one of the honors of my life to represent the Latin community and give a voice, and hopefully be able to help people see themselves represented on stage now in different ways."

There has been a transition going from an ensemble member to a leading lady. She's lost some of the backstage camaraderie to stage time and vocal rest.

But she still has a connection with her fellow actors.

Before every show, the cast gathers in a circle and takes breaths together. They talk about anything on their minds. Often, they say one word about what they're feeling in the moment.

"It's been really, really special because I don't want to feel that separation," Genao said. " ... I'm glad that I had the experience of being in the ensemble to know what that's like and how special that is."

'Unconventional fairy tale'

So what's the rundown on the new musical comedy, which comes to Broadway direct from London?

"It's the unconventional fairy tale," she said. "Everything you thought you knew about the Cinderella tale you don't because it's very different."

There are a lot of twists and turns, Genao said.

".. The show is just full of joy, so much fun, color and happiness," she said. "You're going to walk out having a great time and laughing and crying."

Her character has a heaping dose of badass attitude.

"She's rebellious in the way she dresses and the way that she composes herself and the way that she presents herself," Genao said. "She does not want to conform to what her whole society is pressuring her to be like. ... So she speaks her mind. She takes up space and demands that people know how she feels.

"She doesn't keep her mouth shut," she added. "And I think that's important, especially as a woman, to let people know when they're wrong or when you disagree, or when you don't believe in it and it's just not right."

On Andrew Lloyd Webber

Working with Webber has been an incredible journey, Genao said.

At the final audition, "I was just so overwhelmed and grateful," she said. "I couldn't believe that I was in a room with Andrew Lloyd Webber, that he was looking at my headshot and he was holding my hands and he was talking to me. I was like, 'Oh my God.' "

She credits Webber with helping her confidence.

"He has taught me to believe in myself," Genao said. " ... He wants to make sure that I'm happy and really make sure that I'm a part of the process. He'll be like 'Linedy, forget what I wrote on the paper, forget the note, sing it however you want.' He has really helped me embrace my artistry and bring my individuality to it."

Today, she's no longer nervous around him.

"It's just so crazy," she said. "It feels super chill and normal now. ... I'm just like, 'Hey, Mr. A! Hey Andrew!' "

Moment to remember

There's a memory Genao now carries with her at every performance — as she stands alone on a stripped-down stage singing Act II's "I Know I Have A Heart."

"The first time I actually sang it in tech rehearsal, I started bawling. I was overwhelmed with emotion. It was my first time as an artist ... on a bare stage by myself.

" ... Then I looked out in the audience and that's when I had this overwhelming feeling of 'Oh my god, this is real,' " she added. "... It's such a beautiful and powerful moment. And so I always take that with me every time I run on stage for that part because it's something we dream about. It's the ultimate Cinderella moment."

Go: "Bad Cinderella," Imperial Theatre, 249 W. 45th St.; badcinderellabroadway.com.

Ilana Keller is an award-winning journalist and lifelong New Jersey resident who loves Broadway and really bad puns. Reach out on Twitter: @ilanakeller; ikeller@gannettnj.com

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Bad Cinderella: Andrew Lloyd Webber Broadway musical opens soon