Wagner College freshman Brianna Horne experienced a Cinderella moment, sharing the stage with stars Jonathan Pryce and Lucie Arnaz in the hit musical comedy "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels."
"It was a ball. It was a blast," Horne said, stealing a line from one of the show's big numbers.
Horne, who is from Magnolia, N.J., and Andrew Arrington, 21, a junior at the University of Michigan, landed the one-night gig by winning an "American Idol"-type contest put on by "The Early Show" on CBS.
The pair beat out about 500 contestants from across the nation for the chance to strut their stuff at the Imperial Theatre on W. 45th St.
Horne and Arrington performed a show-stopping sexy dance number in the second act, and played beachgoers in the south of France in the finale.
They received a standing ovation and were showered with roses during a curtain call, and invited to Pryce's dressing room for a postperformance champagne toast.
Minnelli rushed backstage to offer congratulations and encouragement.
"Isn't it something standing up there?" Minnelli asked the wide-eyed Horne. "Doesn't the house look beautiful from the stage? It's so great to be up there, and it's just your first time."
Originally published on June 7, 2006
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