Spring Awakening's Jim Hogan, who plays the role of Georg, is interviewed in this video! Check it out by clicking below!
For more information about Spring Awakening, visit www.springawakening.com.
Showing posts with label still totally truckin. Show all posts
Showing posts with label still totally truckin. Show all posts
Paris Bradstreet: Q&A
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| Paris Bradstreet |
What is your favorite song/scene/moment in Spring Awakening?
“Totally F***ed” is one of my favorite numbers to watch. Everyone has such a strong point of view and is so physically committed every night.
What inspires you to play the role?
The challenge of creating 4 different characters using only my voice & body.
What is it like playing in a new venue almost every night?
My responsibilities include taking care of the onstage seating, so I get to meet with lots of box office folks, front of house staff, and ushers in each venue, and it’s always exciting talking to them about the show.
Do you have a great Guilty Ones moment/story you can share?
One venue didn't have assigned seats for the onstage seats, and when I arrived to put them in order, I had a very determined guilty one tell me that 'She had been there first' and she wanted 'the most downstage seat in the third row'... since we only have two rows of onstage seating, it was politically interesting convincing her that she would be seated where she had requested...
Do you have a great Chair of Rock/Stage Seating experience you can share?
Some of our Chairs of Rock like to pose as boyfriend & girlfriend as they join the rest of the group waiting to be seated onstage. Sometimes they're so convincing, I have other onstage patrons offering to give up their seats so that they can sit together...Since the Chairs of Rock have to sit in their assigned seats, this can be awkwardly funny.
What is the weirdest/coolest thing that happened to you or another cast member at the stage door?
When we were in Madison, WI, there was a large group of fans who greeted each person out the door after the show with a screaming cheer.
Have you been able to watch the show when an understudy was on? What did you think? What was it like?
I've had the opportunity to watch multiple understudies perform, and they all knew their stuff. It was great watching them get the opportunity to perform roles they had worked on and prepared for. It was also great to watch their scene partners accept what they were given and respond honestly and freshly to their shared moments.
What was it like when you performed in front of Steven Sater/Michael Mayer during the rehearsals?
It was wonderful to watch such a hardworking and talented cast get the opportunity to perform so successfully for the show's creators.
What musical theater role/character outside of the one you are playing now would you most like to play? Why?
Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Todd. She's a delicious, rich character with wonderful material to perform.
Q&A with Michael Linden
What is your favorite song/scene/moment in Spring Awakening?
I NEVER get tired of watching the girls rock out during “Mama Who Bore Me Reprise.” There’s so much incredible energy. If the show were two hours of that song, I wouldn’t mind watching it over and over again.
What inspires you to play the role?
I love the fact that the chairs of rock are so connected to the audience because we are literally a part of it. I always get excited right before we stand for “Touch Me,” because I feel as though the “audience becoming part of the show” dynamic is something that no other show has.
What is it like playing in a new venue almost every night?
Fantastic! It keeps it fresh and we get to play in some beautiful venues. I do get lost backstage a lot, but it’s because of my lack of an internal compass.
Do you have a great Guilty Ones moment/story you can share?
The Guilty Ones constantly surprise me with their support, knowledge, and plethora of treats. When it came around to Halloween, we had more candy than we knew what to do with. Well…I knew what to do with it. Especially the Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups.
Do you have a great Chair of Rock/Stage Seating experience you can share?
I love going out before intermission ends and asking the people sitting next to me, “So….Did you figure me out before the show?” Oftentimes the answer is yes, because they’ve seen the show but when someone is experiencing the show for the first time, it’s amazing to be such a tangible part of their experience and scare them for a few minutes.
What is the weirdest/coolest thing that happened to you or another cast member on stage/at the stage door?
I was signing a girl’s poster in Minneapolis and she involuntarily yelled out “I follow you on Twitter!” Cool.--We’ve never met but you know what I do on a daily basis!
Have you been able to watch the show when an understudy was on? What did you think? What was it like?
The Chairs of Rock have SO much pride when we get to watch one of our brethren go on. I know that it’s the most nerve-wracking experience in the world, but the support that happens on that stage when someone is going on for a role is one of the most beautiful things I have ever been a part of.
What was it like when you performed in front of Steven Sater/Michael Mayer during the rehearsals?
They are amazing and so grateful that we could share in this beautiful story they have created. I also loved watching Michael Mayer rock out on the air drums during “Purple Summer.”
What musical theater role/character outside of the one you are playing now would you most like to play? Why?
I had the privilege to play Bat Boy in Bat Boy: The Musical in college, and I’m dying to do it again. Not only is it one of the most fun roles I’ve ever played, but I think there’s a really strong message in the show wrapped up with hysterical characters and circumstances. I’d also love to play Frankie Valli in Jersey Boys. I like to sing high!
Rachel Geisler: Q&A
What is your favorite song/scene/moment in Spring Awakening?
My favorite song to perform is “Mama Who Bore Me (Reprise)”. It’s such a fun way to start the show and it never fails to give me the goose bumps—I absolutely love it! My favorite scene/song to watch is the final scene into “Those You’ve Known”. It made me sob when I saw it on Broadway and I think Chris, Elizabeth and Coby do such an amazing job, it’s both heartbreaking and hopeful. I will never get tired of watching that scene.
What inspires you to play the role?
When we first got cast and our names went up on the website I got a lot of Facebook messages from fans of the show saying congratulations and that they were so excited for the show to be back. The fact that on the 3rd reincarnation of the show people are still excited about it really let me know that I was a part of something special and makes me excited to do the show every night.
What is it like playing in a new venue almost every night?
It’s absolutely insane! It is exhausting moving around as much as we do, that is for sure, but it also allows us to bring the show to people who wouldn’t necessarily have access to it if we only hit major cities. We have played some amazingly beautiful theaters and it always keeps us on our toes because the show feels brand new every night.
Do you have a great Guilty Ones moment/story you can share?
Well, when we were in Lexington, KY we got our first fan gift which was really exciting! It was a box of homemade cookies and they had decorated the box with about a million quotes from the show. It was awesome, and the cookies were delicious! And then the same two boys (Tanner and Jordan, I believe are their names) came to see the show at another venue and brought us cookies again! It felt great to know that people who were such big fans of the show loved our version and supported us. If you are reading this, you guys rock!
Do you have a great Chair of Rock/Stage Seating experience you can share?
Unfortunately, I don’t sit next to any audience members until the 2nd act, but one of my favorite parts of the show is when the Chairs of Rock stand up for the first time in “Touch Me”. I happen to be at a perfect angle onstage to watch the Stage Right female Chair of Rock stand up and I absolutely love watching the audience’s faces. I also think one of the most powerful moments in the show is when the female Chairs of Rock stand and sing at the end of “The Dark I Know Well”. It gives me the chills every time.
What is the weirdest/coolest thing that happened to you or another cast member on stage?
Well, we had a pretty intense/hilarious performance towards the end of our first leg. There was a man onstage in Wichita who was getting really into the show and the music, which is always encouraged. However, he took it one step too far and starting dancing around with us during “Totally F***ed” and had to be escorted off the stage. Billy Lewis was the boy Chair of Rock next to me that night and the man was sitting directly in front of us and both of us were a little on edge for that whole performance just waiting for him to do something crazy. It makes for a good story now, but it was a little terrifying while it was happening.
Have you been able to watch the show when an understudy was on? What did you think? What was it like?
It is SO much fun! Michael Linden was the first understudy to get to go on (he went in for Ernst) and it was really amazing watching him just step into the part and make it his own, and every understudy has done just that. I am consistently in awe of them; they are all so insanely talented. When Erin went on for Thea I felt all of the girls really try to match her excitement and energy and that performance felt really special, and is probably one of my favorites thus far. Jamie is the only understudy who has not gone on yet, but I got to watch her in an understudy rehearsal and she absolutely blew my mind. I cannot wait until she gets to go on!
What was it like when you performed in front of Steven Sater/Michael Mayer during the rehearsals?
It could not have been more amazing! They were both so supportive of us and getting to hear their notes and comments was extremely helpful. This show is their baby and they spent so many years working on it, so having them come in and give us such positive feedback on what we were doing made the whole experience feel complete. They made us feel like a part of the Spring Awakening family.
What musical theater role/character outside of the one you are playing now would you most like to play? Why?
This is always a difficult question and my answer changes a lot, but one of my favorite shows ever is Sondheim’s Assassins. I would love, love, love to play either Squeaky Fromme or Sarah Jane Moore in that show. I think it is such a smart and interesting musical and would just love to be able to perform it someday.
Q&A with Courtney Markowitz
What is your favorite song/scene/moment in Spring Awakening?
Favorite to perform is definitely the scene leading into “Don’t Do Sadness/Blue Wind.” We hit so many highs and lows in that scene and regardless of how my show has been going up until that point, it is the first time I really get to shed everything. It is definitely Ilse's and Moritz's most "raw" moment, and it is so much fun to share that moment together on stage every night. We are both extremely vulnerable in that scene, which I think is why it is so easy for so many people to perhaps relate to our characters.
Favorite to watch is probably "Touch Me" - I'm in the scene, but very much as an observer. It is the most sensual and beautiful number in the show, I think - and a song where a few of our cast mates really get to let loose and show off vocally. The music combined with the amazing lighting in that scene creates such a beautiful part of our show.
What inspires you to play the role?
Ilse is a girl who, despite some really horrible and difficult struggles in her life, does everything she can to take control back. Not very many people in the show or in real life for that matter get that chance. She is a girl who is totally broken, but can still find the beauty in life and can find opportunity in every situation. I think it's prevalent that she begins "The Song of Purple Summer". It is a song about hope and the promise of our future, especially when in the hands of children - this next generation. If I can give even a little bit of that hope and inspiration to any of our younger audiences, I've done my job.
What is it like playing in a new venue almost every night?
So much fun. Every audience we have is so excited to have us because this is their only chance! And you would not believe the differences we see everywhere we go. We get different laughs, different awkward silences, but the same uproar at the end of the show. All audiences appreciate the show in different ways, and getting to know them during the run of our show is part of what makes it so fun. We never know what to expect.
Do you have a great Guilty Ones moment/story you can share?
I had a boy at a talk-back tell me that he was in love with me, and his friends backed him up, assuring me it was true. I thanked him, but promised that long distance relationships never work out.
Do you have a great Chair of Rock/Stage Seating experience you can share?
I'm sure you've heard about the man who had to be escorted off stage.
What is the weirdest/coolest thing that happened to you or another cast member on stage/at the stage door?
In Minneapolis we went to a restaurant right after the show and had a lot of people come up to our table thanking us for the show and saying how much they loved it. Then, a couple came up to us, thanked us so much for our performances and put $40.00 down on the table for whatever we wanted to eat. It was so cool!
Have you been able to watch the show when an understudy was on? What did you think? What was it like?
I have no idea how they do it. Every time an understudy gets to a random part of the show I never would have even considered, it amazes me.
What was it like when you performed in front of Steven Sater/Michael Mayer during the rehearsals?
Anyone in our cast can probably tell you that I'm the "emotional one" - but I definitely cried all during their talks with us. What an amazing opportunity, to perform a show that is SO incredibly important to the two of them, not to mention the thousands of people this show has touched. They were two of the fathers of this show, and here we were - about to spread their baby around America, and we had their stamp of approval - brought them to tears even. That was an unbelievable moment. And as sick as you'd think they were of the show, they assured us that this show, almost more than ever - is so important to be spreading around America. If they can still find that dire importance, how could we not?
What musical theater role/character outside of the one you are playing now would you most like to play? Why?
I'd love to play "Dot" in Sunday in the Park with George. I think Sondheim is totally brilliant, and being allowed to put his piece on stage should be an honor and something that has to be worked up to. I remember how inspired I was when I saw that show for the first time on Broadway, and I would love to take on that challenge and perhaps share my same experience with someone else.
Q&A with George E. Salazar
What is your favorite song/scene/moment in Spring Awakening?
Hands down rocking out with my boys during “Bitch of Living.” It's the first chance we get to really interact with our on-stage audiences. The energy is insane!
What inspires you to play the role?
Otto's the underdog. Mariana Wheelan won't return my call. I do it for all those who wait by a phone that never rings.
What is it like playing in a new venue almost every night?
The show is ALWAYS fresh, which is exciting for our audiences. There are new discoveries happening nightly and during the day, the cast explores a new town. Livin' the life! :)
Do you have a great Guilty Ones moment/story you can share?
“The Guilty Ones” are AMAZING! A few fans have baked cupcakes and cookies for us during the first leg of the tour. Halloween was especially awesome. We spent Halloween in Lexington, KY and we were surprised at the stage door by loads of candy and cookies from our Guilty Friends. Thanks again, guys!!
Do you have a great Chair of
Rock/Stage Seating experience you can share?
I ALWAYS have fun sitting next to audience members who rock out with me during numbers like "Don't Do Sadness." There are certain numbers that are impossible to sit still during and I always appreciate an energetic audience member. :)
What is the weirdest thing that happened to you or another cast member on stage?
An onstage audience member who sat next to me got a little carried away and ended up getting escorted out of the theatre. He was really in tune to what was happening on stage... a little too in tune.
Have you been able to watch the show when an understudy was on? What did you think? What was it like?
I sat in the house and watched the Sioux Falls, SD show. Jeff Ostermueller went on for me that night. He was INCREDIBLE and the show BLEW ME AWAY. It's a completely different experience seeing it on stage vs. out in the house.
What was it like when you performed in front of Steven Sater/Michael Mayer during the rehearsals?
It was INCREDIBLE! We also rehearsed with Tom Hulce and Ira Pittelman, the original producers. They were all incredibly nice people and it was great to hear that they enjoyed what they saw. :)
What musical theater role/character outside of the one you are playing now would you most like to play? Why?
At the moment, I'd play anything in American Idiot. I was a big Green Day fan growing up and love the high octane energy in that show. I would LOVE to be a part of that.
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