Patricia Welch

Background

She was born Patricia Ann Carpico in Steubenville, Ohio and grew up in the small town of Colliers, West Virginia.

Education

She attended West Virginia University in Morgantown, West Virginia where she majored in music and drama.

Career

In 1972 her vocal training was with American classical soprano opera singer Frances Yeend who was internationally known and appeared regularly with the New York City Opera and the Metropolitan Opera. In 1980 she was cast as Tuptim in the national touring company of The King and I musical. She went on to perform the 1985 revival of the King and I at the Broadway Theatre in New York City.

The production was directed by Mitch Leigh and was nominated for two Tony Awards.

Welch performed at many concerts and events as a featured soloist with various orchestras across the United States, including The Los Angeles Pops Orchestra, The Orange County Symphony, The Pacific Palisades Orchestra, The San Juan Capistrano Symphony, and The Jonathan Pops Orchestra. She recorded the singing voice in two of Home Box Office"s animated Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child series in 2000 for the character Vanna in season three number thirty-five of Rip Van Winkle, whose featured voice was Calista Flockhart, and Season three number thirty-two Henny Penny, whose featured voice was Sharon Stone.

She recorded the singing voice for the character Holly Lovell, which was performed by the actress Lindsey Haun, as well as the singing voice for Angela, which was performed by actress Barbara Mamabolo, in Brave New Girl, a 2004 television movie adapted for television from the novel A Mother"s Gift by Britney and Lynne Spears. She went on to tour as a featured soloist with Robert Goulet in his show The Manitoba and His Music in 2004.

She also recorded a duet with Robert Goulet for a 2007 Public Broadcasting Service special.

In 2005 and 2006 Welch was a guest soloist in The Wayne Newton Show.

Achievements

• The show ran for 191 performances and Brynner received a Tony Special Award honoring his 4,525 performances in The King and I. Welch was the last Tuptim to perform on Broadway with Yul Brynner prior to his death on October 10, 1985.