Sarah Manninen has received a Gemini Award nomination for Best Actress in a Mini-Series for her portrayal of Pennsylvanian, Rose Cherry in “Keep Your Head Up, Kid: The Don Cherry Story”.

The Gemini Awards are the Canadian equivalent of the American Emmy Awards or the British BAFTA Awards, so this is a big deal.

Ex-Newfoundlander, Sarah, worked diligently to honor the memory of the real, Rose Cherry, who hailed from Hershey, PA (land of the chocolate Hershey Kisses). She wanted to do her absolute best with this role, to capture the heart of Rose Cherry.

Rose Cherry (née Martini) was born into a hard working Italian American family. Rose actually worked at the Hershey Chocolate factory. She was working there when she first met the infamous Canadian hockey legend, Don Cherry. Sarah and I incorporated all that we learned about Rose, including her accent and how she used tone.

As part of my research, I interviewed Rose’s real cousin still living in Hershey. He mentioned how Rose spoke differently than her immediate family, she had a crispness and a particular lilt to her sound, that was unlike the others around her.

Sarah and I also had to have Rose’s accent evolve, as she spent so much time in Canada that her accent changed a little. We had limited audio on Rose but it was enough for Sarah’s brilliant ear.

Sarah did an absolutely brilliant job. The Gemini nomination (her second one, actually) is icing on the cake, as she enjoyed the entire process of working on this mini-series.

The Gemini Awards will air in Canada on Saturday, November 13th at the historic Winter Garden Theatre and will be broadcast live-to-tape on Global and Showcase.

Sarah is represented by Kass & Stokes Management in Los Angeles and The Characters Talent Agency in Toronto.

E1 Entertainment, 5 for Fighting and Frantic Films in association with CBC Television announced a wrap on principal photography on the original Canadian bio-pic, Keep Your Head Up, Kid: The Don Cherry Story. This four-hour mini-series chronicles the life of Canada’s most prominent hockey personality and top sportscaster, Don Cherry.


KEEP YOUR HEAD UP, KID: THE DON CHERRY STORY stars Jared Keeso as Don Cherry, and Sarah Manninen as Rose Cherry. The script is written by Tim Cherry, Don Cherry’s son. Jeff Woolnough (CSI; SUPER NATURAL, BATTLESTAR GALLACTICA, BONES and CÉLINE) is directing.

Canadian actress, Sarah Manninen and I worked on a Hershey, Pennsylvania accent for this star making vehicle as Rose Cherry. I was honored to work with Sarah, as her work ethic is so high, she wouldn’t settle for less than perfect. With limited audio of the real Rose Cherry, Sarah created a seamless and honest portrayal of this lovely woman and devoted wife.

The real Don Cherry said in an article for the National Post, “I went out for the last week or so of filming and I got there for the final scene with Rose. The girl [actor Sarah Manninen], she looks exactly like Rose. She even had the Pennsylvania accent down.”

Sarah Manninen is a graduate of Toronto’s George Brown Theatre School and was nominated for a Gemini Award (Canadian Emmy) as Best Leading Actress in a Dramatic Program or Miniseries for the BBC/CTV film AKA THE ALBERT WALKER STORY. She played opposite Lou Diamond Phillips as Natasha in the feature, NEVER FORGET and was a recurring character in the TV series, THE LINE, with Sharon Lawrence.

Sarah is currently shooting the CBS movie, THE LOIS WILSON STORY starring Winona Ryder and has played lead roles in CBS’ MARTIN AND LEWIS; BEAUTIFUL GIRL for ABC and MOLLY: AN AMERICAN GIRL ON THE HOMEFRONT produced by Julia Roberts’ Red Om Films.

Sarah Manninen met with TORO Magazine photographer, Franco Deleo, for an exclusive photo shoot and shared more insights into her personality in this Q&A.

Q: What is the quality you like most in a man?

A: Compassion. Loyalty for sure. And a sense of humour!
Q: The quality you like most in a woman?

A: Well, the same kind of things. Also, non-judgmental. And fun-loving. I want to have fun too!
Q: Which living person do you most admire?

A: I find it hard not to say Barack Obama, but I’ll also say for the Canadian side Michael Ignatieff. I’ve been interested in him for the past four years. I was doing a little volunteering for him too. I love politics. I’m a huge fan of politics. My parents have always been very passionate about it, so I come by it naturally.
Q: What is your motto?

A: Be appreciative of the present moment.

Sarah Manninen IMDB
http://www.imdb.com

CBC Television
http://www.cbc.ca

National Post
http://nationalpost.com



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