Showing posts with label theater people. Show all posts
Showing posts with label theater people. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 19, 2014
Theater People: Jerry Mitchell
Patrick brings us another amazing episode this week starring Tony Award winner Jerry Mitchell! The man who choreographed Hairspray, Catch Me If You Can, directed and choreographed Legally Blonde and Kinky Boots, and started Broadway Bares which has raised over $12 million dollars for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids (BCEFA). Is there anything he can't do? (The answer is no.)
Jerry Mitchell tells the fantastic story of how Kinky Boots came be exist in its current form. Harvey Fierstein writing the book, Cyndi Lauper writing the music, the casting, and of course Jerry directing and choreographing. What does he look for when casting? He looks, first and foremost, to look at the person who's right for the part. He does also tend to draw in people who look at the glass as half full and theatre is all about collaboration so that's an important aspect of casting as well. He goes on to discuss the technical process of the show in both Chicago and Broadway, the biggest changes that the show underwent from Chicago to Broadway and his Tony win.
Taking it back to the beginning, Jerry discusses touring with A Chorus Line, being an ensemble member in Brigadoon, getting a part in Woman of the Year with Lauren Bacall, doing the Best Little Whorehouse in Texas movie, being in Barnum and On Your Toes, and the incredible and dynamic story of becoming the assistant to the choreographer for Jerome Robbins' Broadway. He discusses in detail how he got into choreography and dance in general.
The mentor-ship of Micheal Bennett, Jerome Robbins, and Jack O'Brien is a great story, and particularly interesting throughout the story is how they shaped him as a director and choreographer.
Patrick leads a comparison of Hairspray and Catch Me If You Can and specifically the process that went into choreographing them. And everyone wants a finale like "You Can't Stop the Beat" which can be paired with amazing choreography, but only if someone writes it. Legally Blonde was a different journey and his directorial debut. It was his first time out as a director, but he was supported by the four lead producers who helped him prosper as a director and make his own directorial choices. He also discusses the importance of the show in terms of what it teaches young girls.
He tells the story of how Broadway Bares, a great show for an even better cause, came to be. Creating the event also served as calling card for his career. He encourages other choreographers who want to get involved in the community to do something from their heart because who knows how it could pay off for them.
For anyone who loves theater, this episode is a must listen!
Don't forget to subscribe to the Theater People Podcast on iTunes if you don't already!
Theater People: Twitter | Website | Facebook
Jerry Mitchell: Twitter
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Monday, July 21, 2014
Theater People - Robin de Jesus
Patrick brings us another spectacular episode of Theater People. This week's guest is Robin de Jesus, a movie and theater actor whom you may have seen in the 2003 movie Camp (which also starred Anna Kendrick) or remember from his amazing portrayal of Sonny in In the Heights.
He started his Broadway career as an understudy/replacement in Rent, and went on to star as Sonny in the 2008 Broadway production of In the Heights and as Jacob in La Cage aux Folles receiving Tony nominations for both roles. He can be seen in the New York Music Theater Festival's production of Mother Jones and the Children's Crusade.
I don't want to spoil why Mother Jones and the Children's Crusade is so special because no one can tell the story as well as he can, and it is an amazing story! The show is about Mary Harris "Mother" Jones, a turn of the century crusader working to end child labor.
His experience with Camp, the audition process, and what the movie meant for him is a great story and worth the listen! It is a great movie and worth the watch! I also love the way that Patrick brings in his own theatre camp experiences and takes the audience's connection with the story one step further.
Robin de Jesus and Joanna Chilcoat in Camp
After quitting his job at Bubba Gump's, and on a recommendation from his friend, he got a reading for In the Heights after the producers and creative team had seen Camp. He was supposed to go to college a month later, but when his loans didn't go through and a few months later the same producers from In the Heights were doing Rent and cast him in the show. And while he was in Rent, they workshopped In the Heights.
Directors, especially those who had seen Camp, would only consider him for gay roles. As an actor he wanted to play a larger multitude of roles and be seen as more than one dimensional/avoid typcasting, something that is hard for young actors to achieve. As a result, he turned down a lot of roles, and has made a name for himself that is known for more versatile roles. The take away from his experiences is that you can be in control of your own career; which parts you choose and your work ethic are the only things you can control, so control them well because so many things are not in your power.
He shares an in-depth look at his experience with In the Heights which began in 2005. It begins with the experience of building a show and the changes the script goes through to Karen Olivo almost punching a guy out to defend Robin at a restaurant. It is a must listen (and you won't want to miss the laughing attack that it sends Patrick into).
Robin goes on to discuss the Tony nomination that sent him to therapy, and The Secret and vision boards that helped get the show to Broadway. He finally had everything he wanted, but it was overwhelming and there was a lot of pressure that he put on himself. He needed to figure out why he was unhappy and work on it in therapy to find his happiness which he was able to do.
He also gives a detailed account of his experience with La Cage aux Folles. He had quit In the Heights without having another job. It is a wonderful story about being cast, being at a place in his life where he could turn down a Broadway show, working with Kelsey Grammar, being nominated for a Tony award.
The show ends with him talking about how Caroline, or Change impacted his life. He saw the show in previews and it hit home and you must listen to him discuss how Tonya Pinkins' role in the show changed his life and led him to understand what kind of theater he wanted to do!
If you're not already subscribed to the Theater People podcast, what are you waiting for? Subscribe today!
Theater People: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
Robin de Jesus: Twitter
Labels:
broadway,
camp,
caroline or change,
in the heights,
karen olivo,
musical theater,
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rent,
robin de jesus,
theater,
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theater people podcast,
theatre,
tonya pinkins
Monday, June 30, 2014
Theater People: Lesli Margherita
Patrick and Vonia never disappoint, and this week's episode goes above and beyond any preconceived notions of what the show will be! This week's guest is the fabulous, hilarious, amazingly talented actress, the Queen, Lesli Margherita! She is currently Mrs.Wormwood in Matilda, and she won an Olivier award for her work in the West End's Zorro.
Raised on a cattle ranch in Northern California, she was a total tomboy. After seeing Annie at the age of 8, she attended an open call for a production of the show in the Bay area, and she got the part. From then on she would do shows, took voice lessons and continued dance. She came to New York City for the first time to do a camp at Hofstede Universtiy for teens and in high school she began working at various theme parks, Great America, Disney, etc. She attended UCLA for Dance so that she could work/perform outside of school (as a theater major one could not work outside of the program), she still however did musical theater and worked with an amazing professor John Hall. She gives great advice about college and finding your path as an actor especially as a young person trying to make it as an actor. One of her greatest nuggets of wisdom was to make acting something that you do, but have a life outside of it as well.
Her first major television gig was Fame L.A. directed by Kenny Ortega. She had gotten Rent in LA as the Maureen cover, but at the same time she had gotten a manager who was sending her out on TV auditions. She got a series part in Fame L.A. so she didn't do Rent and she stayed in LA to do theater, but not for trying. She flew back and forth to NY for auditions a lot, and was next in line so many times. LA has a great theater scene which led her to do Zorro on the West End. Her friend called and said he was doing a workshop for Zorro and they were coming to LA to do auditions and she should try out.
She did the reading and kept workshopping the show over the course of two years. The show was finally going to tour England and then hoping to head to the West End. They got her paperwork straight with equity, and she was the only American they brought in. She did the tour but was getting married on the last day of the tour so she stopped early and went home to get married. The day before her wedding, she got a call that the show was going to the West End.
She discusses her experience at the Olivier Awards. Only a few Americans have won Olivier awards, the supporting character category is both male and female in one category, and her show's table was in the very back of the theater were a few reasons that she didn't expect to win and her experience of winning the award is one of the most fantastic stories (and I don't mean in this podcast, I mean ever)!
She owes her part in Matilda to Eden Espinosa. Eden had an appointment for Mrs. Wormwood in Matilda and called Lesli to tell her that she had the call for this part that wasn't right for her but screamed Lesli which is the most amazing thing any actress could do (if you didn't already love Eden more than life)! She only knew about the appointments because of Eden , and was able to get an appointment. Through the auditions she got the part and made her Broadway debut!
Her experiences in Matilda are awesome stories! The way the kids are so amazing, but still real, true kids, her opening night experience, and many more. She also discusses her show All Hail the Queen! and not sitting around and waiting for someone else to write your perfect role which is a phenomenal sentiment and goes back to her earlier advice about having a life outside of your work.
Her twitter questions touch on differences across the pond, across the country, her Star Wars wedding, and how one can become queen-like.
Lesli Margherita is a fantastic person! She's grateful, talented, hilarious, and who among us doesn't want to have a drink with her? Do yourself a favor and go see her in Matilda at Shubert Theatre!
Lesli Margherita: Website | Twitter
Theater People: Website | iTunes | Twitter
Wednesday, June 18, 2014
Theater People: Anthony Rapp
Patrick brings us another phenomenal episode! This week’s
guest is the amazing Anthony Rapp! Aside from being a phenomenally successful
Broadway star, Anthony has starred in many well-known movies (Adventures in
Babysitting, Dazed and Confused) and had numerous TV spots (Psych the Musical,
Law and Order: SVU). He is also one of a
small number of actors who was able to successfully transition from child star
to adult.
One of the best things about this interview is the way that
it begins. Patrick’s passion for theatre
is apparent in every interview, but the way he tells the story at the beginning
of the podcast, a story of the first time he saw Rent on Broadway and what it
meant to him, was moving. It is such an
iconic musical and the way he describes every detail of that night, it is
simply phenomenal!
Patrick delves right into the interview, asking Anthony
about his current starring role as Lucas in the musical If/Then. He stars alongside his former Rent co-star
Idina Menzel in a musical which he says “can be very moving for people, and it’s
also very entertaining. It is unusual in
so many ways, and one of the ways in which it is unusual is the way it feels
very personal and relevant to people’s real lives that they really live in the
real world in ways that you don’t always feel when you go to see a musical
theatre piece.” They also discuss the ambitious
nature of the musical as an original piece and the form it takes in terms of
jumping between timelines, and the talented and hardworking creative team and
crew who have worked to make it a success. And of course there was discussion
of the talent and powerhouse that is Idina Menzel.
A great question posed by Patrick was how the New York presented in each show (Rent and If/Then) felt different to Anthony. He answers by discussing how New York
has changed and evolved from the city that took center stage in Rent to the
place that is alive today and serves as the setting of If/Then.
Getting back to basics, Patrick and Anthony discuss how a kid
from Joliet, IL was able to make his Broadway debut at ten years old. His work in community theatre eventually led
to his Broadway debut in a show that never officially opened, and then a part
in the tour of The King and I. He did
eight shows a week as a kid and even became emancipated in high school so that he
could continue to work.
Anthony discusses his experience of doing John Guare’s Six
Degrees of Separation as an eighteen year old.
He goes on to discuss the shows and movies he completed in his career between
Six Degrees and Rent which includes many wonderful productions, some with impressively
big names attached to them.
Rent was a huge success and changed the lives of all of the
cast members. Its reputation as a
phenomenal piece has stood the test of time and continues to resonate with
fans. As such, Anthony has been asked a
multitude of questions over the years about his experience in the show, but
Patrick asks a new one: where would Mark be now? Anthony says he hopes that
Mark’s film would have been good and that he would have continued to make
meaningful pieces. Further discussion
about Rent includes: the formation of the show in the workshop and working with
Jonathan Larson, his first encounters with some the songs from the show, his
process of writing his book Without You.
Make the 44 minutes to listen to the podcast; you won’t
regret it! It is great and Anthony is a great actor with an amazing career and
story!
Go see Anthony (and
Idina) in If/Then at the Richard Rogers Theatre!
Don’t forget to subscribe to Theater People on
iTunes, and check out their Twitter and Facebook!
Monday, May 12, 2014
Theater People goes Cabaret with Bridget Everett and Maude Maggart
In episode 10 of the amazing podcast Patrick and Vonia bring us an interview with two powerhouses of the NYC cabaret scene! Bridget Everett has a standing gig at Joe's Pub, travels the country opening for Amy Schumer (as well as being on Inside Amy Schumer), and is currently working on a solo musical with Scott Wittman and Marc Shaiman. Maude Maggart is one of today's most compelling international concert artists, she is a part of an acclaimed show business family: her grandfather was the star vocalist for the Harry James Big Band, her grandmother and parents were Broadway stars and her sister is Fiona Apple, and she recently made her debut at Cafe Carlyle.
Bridget Everett
She studied opera, she trained her voice and has a great appreciation for classical musical, but also for Chardonnay. She left Arizona when she was 27, moved to New York and landed a children's theatre tour. She auditioned for Broadway every once and a while but she didn't really feel like there was a place on Broadway for her. She has a fierce relationship with karaoke, the only outlet she had to sing at one time. Once while singing karaoke, an artistic director of a cabaret club saw her doing karaoke and told her she should book a show and the rest fell into place from there. New York is a very expensive town in which to live, however, and Bridget does still wait tables uptown and then go and do her show downtown on occasion to fill in the money gap.
On stage, she plays a character and it feels out of body for her and almost a superhero version of herself. Her shows are like conversations with the audience, so she tries to tell stories that the audience will connect with, and that will transition well into a song. She writes, or co-writes, all of her own songs, and interestingly enough she has a Beastie Boy, Adam Horovitz, in her band. He has helped Bridget gain exposure, encouraged her to write her own songs, introduced her to some amazing new people, and there is much more on the horizon.
Downtown cabaret is blossoming with so many exciting things happening right now. The shows are inexpensive to see and the star quality is amazing! Some of the downtown venues include: Joe's Pub, Dixon Place, Laurie Beechman Theatre, The Duplex, among others. Cabaret shows are incredible and well worth the money for the level of entertainment they provide! Go see a show next time you get a chance.
Follow Bridget on twitter for more amazingness and hilarity!
Maude Maggart
She just made her debut at the Cafe Carlyle, a dream come true for her given its status as such a legendary and intimate stage. She defines cabaret as "an intimate space, usually with no windows, one or more performers and it is an open space to define what you want it to be as the performer". For her cabarets, she typically chooses more obscure songs from little known black and white movies and musical theatre productions before the big coming of theatre in the 1940's.
She discusses her beginnings at LaGuardia High School, including how Andrea Marcovicci became her mentor. She helped Maude understand how to put together an elegant and intelligent act. Maude discusses her grandparents' and parents' work in the business and how that has influenced her work in cabaret.
What's the next step for her after the Cafe Carlyle debut? She says she would love to take the show to other cabaret theatres and of course her upcoming album. The album is taken directly from a show she performed at the Algonquin, "Speaking of Dreams". The show centered around the idea of dreams and how love exists in a dream state and vice versa. It is all live and recorded at the Algonquin Oak Room.
She ends the podcast with a story about Marshall Barer when she stayed at his house on her way through New Mexico. It is an amazing story and completely worth the listen!
Check out Maude's website for more information.
Monday, April 28, 2014
Theater People: Michael Mayer
Michael Mayer's work has been seen by many, having directed hit shows Spring Awakening, American Idiot, Thoroughly Modern Millie, just to name a few. Now, his latest show, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, is taking Broadway by storm.
Michael Mayer was asked to direct the orignal production of Hedwig, but his own musical, Triumph of Love, got a theater. He told Patrick that he had to make a "Sophie's choice." Now, the show has made its way back to him.
Hedwig and the Angry Inch tells the story of Hansel, a man who fell in love with a US soldier in East Berlin. In an effort to be with the love of his life, undergoes a botched sex change and becomes Hedwig. The story is told as one giant flashback, in the form of a giant monologue from Hedwig.
Neil Patrick Harris, most known for his roles on Doogie Houser, MD and How I Met Your Mother, is now headlining the show as Hedwig. This is a new role for Harris, which Michael says is "delicious." There is an opportunity for fans of Harris and fans of Hedwig to come together in one place. Neil, according to Mayer, has a lot of freedom in the role, which can be seen in recent news. If he wanted to, Neil could come out into the audience and interact with them. Along with him, Kinky Boots star, Lena Hall, is playing the role of Yitzhak. In a few short months, the rocker has transformed from Charlie Price's fiance to Hedwig's transgender husband.
Michael Mayer is credited with discovering and/or kickstarting the careers a long list of performers, including Allison Janney, Kristin Chenoweth, Jonathan Groff, Jessie Mueller, Lea Michele and Lindsay Mendez - just to name a few. It is not that he looks for star power, but he has been blessed with performers that match well with the work.
Michael and Patrick discuss his many works: Thoroughly Modern Millie, You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown, Spring Awakening, and American Idiot.
For more information about Hedwig, follow Neil Patrick Harris, Lena Hall, and Michael Mayer on twitter.
Get more information on tickets here.
Get more information on tickets here.
Be sure to check out the upcoming episodes of Theater People, as they are sure to be great interviews!!
Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes and follow them on twitter!
Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes and follow them on twitter!
Wednesday, April 16, 2014
Theater People - Anika Larsen
This week's podcast features Anika Larsen. You may not know her name, yet, but if you frequent the theater you have probably seen Anika Larsen on stage and you're bound to remember her. She was in the Original Broadway Cast of Xanadu, she covered multiple roles in Rent, she was a replacement for Kate Monster in Avenue Q and then opened the off-Broadway show at New World Stages and in her first originating role she plays Cynthia Weil, Carole King's best friend in Beautiful the Musical at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre.
She had actually decided to quit the business the day before she got the call to play her part in Beautiful. After the multiple readings of the Beautiful script, the long process made her assume that she hadn't gotten the part and, along with all of the other pains that come along with working in the business, it was the straw that broke the camel's back. The next day she received a call that she had gotten the part and she accepted it. Then, four days after rehearsals began she had terrible stomach pains that turned out to be her colon flipping over on itself and creating a blockage. She had to have surgery and was back in rehearsal a mere six days later. The cast and crew were incredibly supportive of her and even said they would have recast for San Francisco but had her back for the Broadway run if she had needed to be out. If you didn't already love the cast and creative team of Beautiful you will after listening to the podcast!
She extensively recounts the plot, and B-plot, of Beautiful and if you wanted to know more about the show this podcast will answer all of your questions and more! Carole King and Cynthia Weil's friendship is so real and they discuss how, had it been fictionalized, it would most likely be portrayed as catty, but because it is a biographical story the musical portrays a wonderful friendship between the two women.
Her take on being able to tailor a role and create a role when you are the first person to play it is insightful and clever. The way that the songs and jokes are tailored to the original cast because this person can land this joke every time or this actor can't sell this song here.
Anika Larsen is a lovely and intriguing person. She is one of ten children, six adopted. She discusses her parents who were incredibly supportive and her upbringing. She went to the Yale School of Drama and gives her experience of going through the program and actually not being a big fish in a little pond. She talks about working with her friend to start Jaradoa Theater which is no longer around, but was an amazing outreach program that affected the lives of many people, young and old alike.
Anika Larsen is a beautiful person, and if you get a chance you must see her tell Carole King's Beautiful story along with the incredible Jessie Mueller! Purchase tickets to see Beautiful here.
Be sure to subscribe to the Theater People Podcast on iTunes! Patrick and Vonia are the greatest and they have many more amazing theater people coming up on the Podcast!
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| Photo credit: Broadwaybox.com |
She had actually decided to quit the business the day before she got the call to play her part in Beautiful. After the multiple readings of the Beautiful script, the long process made her assume that she hadn't gotten the part and, along with all of the other pains that come along with working in the business, it was the straw that broke the camel's back. The next day she received a call that she had gotten the part and she accepted it. Then, four days after rehearsals began she had terrible stomach pains that turned out to be her colon flipping over on itself and creating a blockage. She had to have surgery and was back in rehearsal a mere six days later. The cast and crew were incredibly supportive of her and even said they would have recast for San Francisco but had her back for the Broadway run if she had needed to be out. If you didn't already love the cast and creative team of Beautiful you will after listening to the podcast!
She extensively recounts the plot, and B-plot, of Beautiful and if you wanted to know more about the show this podcast will answer all of your questions and more! Carole King and Cynthia Weil's friendship is so real and they discuss how, had it been fictionalized, it would most likely be portrayed as catty, but because it is a biographical story the musical portrays a wonderful friendship between the two women.
Her take on being able to tailor a role and create a role when you are the first person to play it is insightful and clever. The way that the songs and jokes are tailored to the original cast because this person can land this joke every time or this actor can't sell this song here.
Anika Larsen is a lovely and intriguing person. She is one of ten children, six adopted. She discusses her parents who were incredibly supportive and her upbringing. She went to the Yale School of Drama and gives her experience of going through the program and actually not being a big fish in a little pond. She talks about working with her friend to start Jaradoa Theater which is no longer around, but was an amazing outreach program that affected the lives of many people, young and old alike.
Anika Larsen is a beautiful person, and if you get a chance you must see her tell Carole King's Beautiful story along with the incredible Jessie Mueller! Purchase tickets to see Beautiful here.
Be sure to subscribe to the Theater People Podcast on iTunes! Patrick and Vonia are the greatest and they have many more amazing theater people coming up on the Podcast!
Monday, March 10, 2014
Theater People: Michael Urie
Episode six of the incredible Theater People podcast brings us an interview with the fabulously talented Michael Urie. You may know Michael from his role on Ugly Betty, as Bud Frump in How to Succeed or from his current role in the one-man play Buyer and Cellar. He the podcast,and his interview with Patrick, is insightful and wildly entertaining.
Listen here!
The interview begins with an insight into Michael's background, such as the fact that he is actually a classically trained graduate of Julliard's prestigious drama division. He is currently starring in the off-Broadway play Buyer and Cellar, recounts a synopsis of the play (which sounds amazing) and talks about his time with the show so far, in which he plays seven characters. He discusses what would happen if something went terribly wrong during the show and whether or not he has pages of the script in books around the set.
It's so interesting to hear from actors about their education and their process and how they feel the two things are intertwined. It is especially interesting given that actors bring different walks of life and educational backgrounds to the roles they play. Michael Urie is no exception. Patrick and Michael discuss his process and his experience with playing multiple characters. It is very intriguing to hear his answer given his formal education in the dramatic arts. Especially interesting is how he chose to play the character of Barbra Streisand in the play.
You can't talk to Michael Urie and not talk about Ugly Betty! Interestingly enough, he was only supposed to be in the pilot episode as a co-star, but his immediate friendship with Vanessa Williams, and her subsequent advice, helped him become a series regular.
They go on to discuss Michael's time in New York and experience with theater beginning with The Temperamentals. They go on to talk about Angels in America and Michael's extensive experience with the play and book. They end by talking about his Broadway debut in How to Succeed and how he "weaseled his way in" to the part.
This episode, like every episode they put out, is 100% worth the listen! Go listen to it immediately and don't forget to subscribe to the podcast on iTunes and follow them on twitter!
Listen here!
The interview begins with an insight into Michael's background, such as the fact that he is actually a classically trained graduate of Julliard's prestigious drama division. He is currently starring in the off-Broadway play Buyer and Cellar, recounts a synopsis of the play (which sounds amazing) and talks about his time with the show so far, in which he plays seven characters. He discusses what would happen if something went terribly wrong during the show and whether or not he has pages of the script in books around the set.
It's so interesting to hear from actors about their education and their process and how they feel the two things are intertwined. It is especially interesting given that actors bring different walks of life and educational backgrounds to the roles they play. Michael Urie is no exception. Patrick and Michael discuss his process and his experience with playing multiple characters. It is very intriguing to hear his answer given his formal education in the dramatic arts. Especially interesting is how he chose to play the character of Barbra Streisand in the play.
You can't talk to Michael Urie and not talk about Ugly Betty! Interestingly enough, he was only supposed to be in the pilot episode as a co-star, but his immediate friendship with Vanessa Williams, and her subsequent advice, helped him become a series regular.
They go on to discuss Michael's time in New York and experience with theater beginning with The Temperamentals. They go on to talk about Angels in America and Michael's extensive experience with the play and book. They end by talking about his Broadway debut in How to Succeed and how he "weaseled his way in" to the part.
This episode, like every episode they put out, is 100% worth the listen! Go listen to it immediately and don't forget to subscribe to the podcast on iTunes and follow them on twitter!
Labels:
angels in america,
barbra streisand,
broadway,
buyer and cellar,
how to succeed,
michael urie,
musical theatre,
streisand,
the temperamentals,
theater,
theater people,
theatre,
ugly betty
Tuesday, February 11, 2014
Theater People - Laura Osnes
Theater People, Patrick and Vonia, bring us another incredible podcast! They never disappoint; always asking intriguing questions and confirming that fans of the topic make the best interviewers!
Listen here!
Their fourth episode brings us an interview with the lovely and humble Laura Osnes! She is best known for her roles as Ella in Cinderella on Broadway, as well as her roles as Sandy in Grease, and Bonnie Parker in Frank Wildhorn's Bonnie and Clyde among others. Patrick and Laura take us on a journey from memory lane to what's ahead for the Broadway starlet.
The interview begins with a recap of Laura's hobbies, which so far don't include biking , but may in the future. If you didn't realize how down to earth and all around amazing she is, her list of hobbies immediately inspires a feeling of genuineness which with she lives her life. Her hobbies include: scrapbooking, journaling, dancing, baking and board games.
Her soft-spoken and innocent demeanor leads Patrick to ask how she feels about the city as a whole. She recounts her first trip with her high school theater group which led to her parents bringing her for long weekends here and there, and which helped to solidify her love of the city. When she moved to New York after winning the NBC reality show Grease: You're The One That I Want she came to the city with a support system of her husband, Nate, and her cast members. She stipulates that had she not come with such support it may have been a much harder transition.
A look back at her 'early days' before she was a staple of the Broadway scene, takes us on a trip from her favorite cast albums to her Broadway debut and beyond. As a child she loved listening to cast albums, particularly Les Miserables, Jekyll and Hyde, Miss Saigon, and The Secret Garden. In middle school and high school she began working in theatrical roles in Minneapolis and was even able to receive high school credit for her work. She spoke about her time with the Children's Theater in Minneapolis and how taking a job there was more right for her than continuing in college. That is not to say that she doesn't value education, quite the opposite is true, and musical theater programs have come along way in the ten years since she left college to pursue her passion.
She recounts how she auditioned for Grease: You're The One That I Want and how she made it all the way to the winning pair! She was actually playing Sandy at Chanhassen Dinner Theatre when her aunt heard about auditions and she was able to leave (for what she thought would be a short time) the dinner theatre show early and go to California to audition. She explains her experience on the show as: "I had this strange sense of peace whole time that I was where I was supposed to be, like I was supposed to be there." We're certainly glad she won! A talent like hers deserves to be recognized!
Her work in the theater in Minnesota prepared her for the work in the larger theater league that is Broadway. She says "the work is the same, just at a higher level and with more money involved." The reality show also acted as a cushion for her. She knew the part of Sandy quite well after having sang it to keep her on the show and she knew Max Crumm very well from doing the the show with him. But the press part of the role was new to her.
Laura talked about her time working with Kathleen Marshall. She discussed her motherly nature towards the cast while they were doing Grease after the reality show ended. Then, getting to work with her again to do Anything Goes. She went on to discussed working with Sutton Foster and her amazing nature and sparkling smile.
What was one of her career changing moments? She says it was when she was cast in South Pacific and the whole audition process. Also replacing someone she had seen just a few years before on the stage was incredibly gratifying for her, and she credits "23" as one of her best years.
Laura talks about her journey through Bonnie and Clyde from the audition for Wonderland, to the out of town gigs, then finally landing on Broadway, and her eventual Tony nomination for the role!
Of course, the interview wouldn't be complete without talking about Cinderella! She had this is say about the show "Every day I love going to work, walking into the building and knowing that we're about to inspire all these young kids that are coming, and surprise the adults who think the show is for kids..." Hearing Laura talk about Cinderella is almost as magical as experiencing the show itself! She is so passionate and true to the characteristics of Ella herself. She talked about her exit from the show which is of course so sad, but since she's doing The Threepenny Opera it makes it not quite as side.
I don't want to spoil any of the fan answered questions because they're pretty great, so you'll have to listen to hear them and what comes after (hint: she sings).
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Their fourth episode brings us an interview with the lovely and humble Laura Osnes! She is best known for her roles as Ella in Cinderella on Broadway, as well as her roles as Sandy in Grease, and Bonnie Parker in Frank Wildhorn's Bonnie and Clyde among others. Patrick and Laura take us on a journey from memory lane to what's ahead for the Broadway starlet.
The interview begins with a recap of Laura's hobbies, which so far don't include biking , but may in the future. If you didn't realize how down to earth and all around amazing she is, her list of hobbies immediately inspires a feeling of genuineness which with she lives her life. Her hobbies include: scrapbooking, journaling, dancing, baking and board games.
Her soft-spoken and innocent demeanor leads Patrick to ask how she feels about the city as a whole. She recounts her first trip with her high school theater group which led to her parents bringing her for long weekends here and there, and which helped to solidify her love of the city. When she moved to New York after winning the NBC reality show Grease: You're The One That I Want she came to the city with a support system of her husband, Nate, and her cast members. She stipulates that had she not come with such support it may have been a much harder transition.
A look back at her 'early days' before she was a staple of the Broadway scene, takes us on a trip from her favorite cast albums to her Broadway debut and beyond. As a child she loved listening to cast albums, particularly Les Miserables, Jekyll and Hyde, Miss Saigon, and The Secret Garden. In middle school and high school she began working in theatrical roles in Minneapolis and was even able to receive high school credit for her work. She spoke about her time with the Children's Theater in Minneapolis and how taking a job there was more right for her than continuing in college. That is not to say that she doesn't value education, quite the opposite is true, and musical theater programs have come along way in the ten years since she left college to pursue her passion.
She recounts how she auditioned for Grease: You're The One That I Want and how she made it all the way to the winning pair! She was actually playing Sandy at Chanhassen Dinner Theatre when her aunt heard about auditions and she was able to leave (for what she thought would be a short time) the dinner theatre show early and go to California to audition. She explains her experience on the show as: "I had this strange sense of peace whole time that I was where I was supposed to be, like I was supposed to be there." We're certainly glad she won! A talent like hers deserves to be recognized!
Her work in the theater in Minnesota prepared her for the work in the larger theater league that is Broadway. She says "the work is the same, just at a higher level and with more money involved." The reality show also acted as a cushion for her. She knew the part of Sandy quite well after having sang it to keep her on the show and she knew Max Crumm very well from doing the the show with him. But the press part of the role was new to her.
Laura talked about her time working with Kathleen Marshall. She discussed her motherly nature towards the cast while they were doing Grease after the reality show ended. Then, getting to work with her again to do Anything Goes. She went on to discussed working with Sutton Foster and her amazing nature and sparkling smile.
What was one of her career changing moments? She says it was when she was cast in South Pacific and the whole audition process. Also replacing someone she had seen just a few years before on the stage was incredibly gratifying for her, and she credits "23" as one of her best years.
Laura talks about her journey through Bonnie and Clyde from the audition for Wonderland, to the out of town gigs, then finally landing on Broadway, and her eventual Tony nomination for the role!
Of course, the interview wouldn't be complete without talking about Cinderella! She had this is say about the show "Every day I love going to work, walking into the building and knowing that we're about to inspire all these young kids that are coming, and surprise the adults who think the show is for kids..." Hearing Laura talk about Cinderella is almost as magical as experiencing the show itself! She is so passionate and true to the characteristics of Ella herself. She talked about her exit from the show which is of course so sad, but since she's doing The Threepenny Opera it makes it not quite as side.
I don't want to spoil any of the fan answered questions because they're pretty great, so you'll have to listen to hear them and what comes after (hint: she sings).
Follow Theater People Podcast on twitter and subscribe on iTunes!
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