Simone Kleinsma

Following her training at the Kleinkunstacademie in Amsterdam, Simone Kleinsma won the 1978 Pisuisse Prize for the most promising graduate. This early recognition served as a good platform for her career, and she was soon starring in Dutch cabarets, revues, TV comedies, and musicals. Her debut solo album, 'N Deel van Mij (A Part of Me) appeared in 1990, and five years later she issued Met Open Ogen (With Open Eyes). After two solid decades of performance, further decoration came in the form of a Golden Harp in 2000 for her contribution to cabaret in the Netherlands. Next, in 2004, she issued a CD/DVD tribute to one of her idols, titled Simone Kleinsma Sings Doris Day. The new century also brought three John Kraaijkamp Musical Awards for her appearances in both 2004's Mamma Mia and 2009's Sunset Boulevard, as well as for her own theater show, 2010's Simone: Songs from the Heart. The companion live album for the latter show was released during the same year and was closely followed by Songbook, which featured her interpretations of material by Bon Jovi and the Beatles, among others. With appearances in the 2012 rock musical Next to Normal and a key role in the 2013 Dutch production of Sister Act, her passion for musical theater continued to be evident well into the new decade. ~ James Wilkinson, Rovi