Gianna Yanelli, a former Upper Darby Summer Stager, is now spending some time at the Walnut Street Theatre, starring as Adrian in the Philadelphia premiere of “Rocky The Musical”, writes Ruth Rovner for The Reporter.

The musical is based on the 1976 Academy Award-winning film.

“I was really blown away by the love story, which people don’t talk about that much,” said Yanelli. “It’s a story about two people who are misfits and find each other and fall in love.”

Adrian is a damaged character and Yanelli said she had to “dig deep to find out why she is the way she is.”

Yanelli said she is nothing like Adrian.

“I’m used to doing extrovert roles that are loud,” said the singer. “This is almost the opposite: A much softer tone that I haven’t been able to use as a performer until now.”

Yanelli has been involved in theater since she was a teenager. She’s participated in Upper Darby Summer Stage and Upper Darby Shooting Stars.

She’s worked on various TV and Broadway credits, including with “Mean Girls” on Broadway.

Yanelli actually debuted her professional theater career at the Walnut, in “Fiddler on the Roof.”

Read more about Gianna Yanelli’s lead role in “Rocky: The Musical” at The Reporter.