Check out this new video featuring Sarah Kleeman(Adult Woman) from the tour! Sarah discusses her audition experience for Spring Awakening and what the show has meant to her!!
You can also click here for the video!!
Showing posts with label still totally truckin'. Show all posts
Showing posts with label still totally truckin'. Show all posts
Q&A with Emily Mest
What is your favorite song/scene/moment in Spring Awakening?
“My Junk” is my favorite! It is so much fun to dance around and be able to sing and interact with the other cast members and the audience. “My Junk” is such a playful song we can really just be ourselves!
What inspires you to play the role?
How much this musical means to the audiences. Hearing people’s appreciation and stories after the show is what drives me to want to tell the story every night. The story is relevant and universal to any time period. This show brings up issues, starts a discussion, and needs to be seen by audiences everywhere.
What is it like playing in a new venue almost every night?
It exciting! No show is ever the same. It’s fun to see how certain audiences in certain states react to the show. I think having the audience onstage makes it so much more personal that we feel like we've really connected with every audience. And they love to dance and rock out with us too, which is fun!
Do you have a great Guilty Ones moment/story you can share?
The Guilty Ones are awesome! They are so supportive and bake us nice things! I love looking out into the audience and seeing the Guilty Ones rocking out and singing along with all of the words.
Do you have a great Chair of Rock/Stage Seating experience you can share?
Well, one time during the final scene in the graveyard, as soon as I sat down in my chair the guy next to me loudly said that the cast was great in my ear and stared, waiting for me to respond! So I just kept a straight face and was laughing to myself until I could whisper thank you at the end of the show. I saw him after the show and he said he understood why we couldn't talk to him onstage!
What is the weirdest/coolest thing that happened to you or another cast member at the stage door?
Well, at the stage door it's all about the boys! Everyone at the stage door only wants to know about which boy is single! HAH! So, sometimes we end up giving information about the boys more than ourselves at the stage door! My favorite thing that happened was that one time the stage door was so packed and crazy with people that when I came out of the door I almost immediately got lost in the crowd and was being pushed around by everyone and almost sunk to the floor. It was hilarious and scary because I don't think anyone saw me nearly collapsing to the floor!
Have you been able to watch the show when an understudy was on? What did you think? What was it like?
I was very sick in October and I sat out and got to see Erin in the show as Thea. She was wonderful!!!!!! It was so strange to see the show from a whole new perspective and as an audience member. I found myself really wanting to get up on stage with everyone and do the show! It reminded me of how I felt seeing the show before I was cast, so passionate and wanting to be in Spring Awakening more than anything.
What was it like when you performed in front of Steven Sater/Michael Mayer during the rehearsals?
It was amazing, but so nerve-wracking. I am such a huge fan of the show I couldn't dream of meeting them and performing for them. It was unreal having them there at rehearsals and it helped the process because we really felt the support for our tour from the original creative team. Also, hearing them react and laugh at parts of the show that they wrote was wonderful.
What musical theater role/character outside of the one you are playing now would you most like to play? Why?
Natalie in Next to Normal. But, in a straight play I really want to play Abigail in The Crucible.
Jeff Ostermueller: Q&A
CHAIR OF ROCK!!
What is your favorite song/scene/moment in Spring Awakening?
When the music returns after the acapella section of “The Song of Purple Summer.”
What inspires you to play the role?
I think the simple truths that the play tells so effortlessly is sufficient inspiration for anybody to play any role in this show.
What is it like playing in a new venue almost every night?
Exciting—there's a completely different vibe in every theater that's fun to play off of. It helps keep the show fresh as well because if you're really listening everything sounds/reacts differently every night.
Do you have a great Guilty Ones moment/story you can share?
Not one in particular, but my mother keeps me updated and she probably wishes she could respond to every post but has somehow controlled herself.
Do you have a great Chair of Rock/Stage Seating experience you can share?
I've had a bunch of people try to talk to me during the show...one guy didn't know I was a part of the cast and so after “Touch Me” when we're revealed he kept saying, "You got me good. You f-ing got me so good," while a scene was going on. We also have trouble entering through the theater sometimes because some venues give us fake tickets that don't work and we have to convince the ushers we know what we're doing, even though we've never been to that theater before, have no idea where we're going, and have no forms of identification on us. It gets interesting.
What is the weirdest/coolest thing that happened to you or another cast member on stage/at the stage door?
In Lexington, KY and Dayton, OH we kept getting all of these baked goods as presents pre-show! It was really cool but we had to have our company manager test them to make sure they were ok because we have to be cautious when two people show up with dozens of cupcakes and personalized letters for a cast they've never met in a show they haven't seen yet.
Have you been able to watch the show when an understudy was on? What did you think? What was it like?
It's amazing and the best part about it is that the rest of the cast loves it more than the understudy performing. There is an enormous amount of respect and love for the understudies in the cast so when one goes on everybody tries to make it as fun as possible for the person and we all end up having a lot of fun ourselves in the process.
What was it like when you performed in front of Steven Sater/Michael Mayer during the rehearsals?
Amazing. Nerve-racking at first but they love this show and you can tell they were really rooting for us, so the energy was so positive and exciting.
What musical theater role/character outside of the one you are playing now would you most like to play? Why?
Although I'm not the slightest bit Jewish I would love to play Jamie in The Last 5 Years. Jason Robert Brown's story-telling is quite possibly unmatched and the character's journey through some extraordinary times in their lives. Plus Jamie is so likable yet certainly doesn't choose the righteous path... It would be an honor to explore a character with so much depth and humanity as Jamie.
Q&A with Jamie Rea Billings
What is your favorite song/scene/moment in Spring Awakening?
There are so many magical parts in the show that I love watching and performing. It is an absolute dream doing this show every night. If I had to choose one special moment, though, it would definitely be "Song of Purple Summer." This song really captures the heart of our story. We have the opportunity to reflect on the message we want the audience to walk away with, and we are given the chance to truly connect with the world beyond the show. Every night we perform this song, I feel an incredible connection with everyone in the theatre. I feel honored to be a member of this amazing ensemble, I feel inspired to be telling this timeless story, and I feel humbled to be a part of such a beautiful collaboration. "Song of Purple Summer" breathes life into the hope of Spring Awakening.
What inspires you to play the role?
I am inspired by the many different people who are affected and moved by Spring Awakening. Knowing that our show has the ability to change someone or make a difference in their life, truly motivates me to tell this story every night. I am so lucky to be a part of a collaboration that holds such an important and eternal message for people of all walks of life.
What is it like playing in a new venue almost every night?
Playing a new venue almost every night is truly a whirlwind experience. To make sure I don't blend all of the venues into one, I try to remember something specific about each venue so I can have a special memory for each of our performances. Whether that means relating to a specific audience member, exploring the backstage wall of fame, or encountering some of the theatres’ ghosts--I try to keep each venue separate in my memory. Although we often wish we can stay in a venue more than one night, it is very rewarding to look back and see just how many theatres we have visited.
Do you have a great Guilty Ones moment/story you can share?
I am not quite sure if any “Guilty Ones” were in the audience in Minneapolis, but we had the most enthusiastic fans at the stage door outside of the Orpheum. They cheered for everyone! I thought I had no luck after walking out behind Chris (Melchior), but they recognized me (and everyone who came out after me) with an amazing amount of excitement! It was the first time we had a line of screaming fans waiting to greet us! It reminded me of how excited I was the first time I saw Spring Awakening.
Do you have a great Chair of Rock/Stage Seating experience you can share?
As a Chair of Rock, it is a quite the experience trying to fool the people sitting next to you--it's a very exciting part of our job that we take very seriously. I always feel like it's a good night when I can fool at least one person onstage! At one of our shows, I talked to some very friendly women who were sitting next to me before the show started. As the show began, they thought of me as a local college student who came to see Spring Awakening for the second time. Everything changed after I stood up for the first time. I heard one of the women turn to the other one and say, "She's dead to us! She's a liar!" It took everything in to me to contain my composure for the rest of the song. They, of course, were joking, but I thought it was so funny they decided to talk to me in the middle of a song.
What is the weirdest/coolest thing that happened to you or another cast member on stage/at the stage door?
One of the weirdest things that ever happened onstage was when George's (Otto) glasses were suddenly knocked off in the middle of a scene. Chris somehow hit George's glasses right before he hugs Coby (Moritz) and freezes in the schoolyard scene. He hit George square in the glasses and they went flying into the band. We all saw it happen, and we were all in shock. The moment became much more comedic since the boys had to freeze for the rest of the scene. Once the scene ended, George retreated to the band to find his glasses. Try as we might, I don't think we will ever be able to recreate that moment. Needless to say, it was very weird, very memorable, and quite funny all at the same time.
Have you been able to watch the show when an understudy was on? What did you think? What was it like?
Some of the swings have gone on a few times thus far, and it has been so exciting every time someone has gotten to do the show! There is a completely different energy with someone new onstage, which is so wonderful for everyone to experience. As a fellow understudy, I have been so proud and excited when any of us have had the opportunity to step into a part. It gives all of us an amazing amount of courage for when we might have to go on!
What was it like when you performed in front of Steven Sater/Michael Mayer during the rehearsals?
There was an incredible energy in the room when Steven Sater and Michael Mayer sat in on two of our rehearsals. I had to keep pinching myself to make sure it was real; I couldn't believe the creators of this beautiful piece of theatre were watching us rehearse. Our director, Lucy, set a very nice tone to ensure we wouldn't be too nervous. She reminded all of us this was still a rehearsal, and if we needed to stop we could. I felt so proud of our cast and I felt extremely inspired to be among two incredibly talented artists. We got to speak with them briefly after our rehearsal, and they shared with us some of the backstory in writing and creating the show. I realized there was a much deeper meaning and heart that lived within Spring Awakening. I also realized just how relevant Spring Awakening is to today. There is such a genuine message that can apply to many different people of all ages. Having the original creators in the rehearsal studio, reminded us of the importance and significance of this story and it empowered us to find our own collective heart within the show.
What musical theater role/character outside of the one you are playing now would you most like to play? Why?
There are so many parts I would love to play at some point in my life. If I had to choose one that I have wanted to play since I was a little girl, it would be Belle in Beauty in the Beast. Belle was my hero when I was growing up, and I think it would be a wonderful experience to be in that show. I think it has a great message about accepting someone beyond their appearance. This show may seem like it is just a fairytale, but I think it has a genuine depth and life to it that I would love to find.
Q&A with Daniel Plimpton
What is your favorite song/scene/moment in Spring Awakening?
I love every moment, but the first one that comes to mind is the moment when the music to “B***h of Living” starts. We have been sitting in the most uncomfortable positions, and that’s the moment when our characters finally have their first chance to break out of this repressive world and say what they are really feeling.
What inspires you to play the role?
In light of the recent suicides, I find it an honor to play Ernst, a homosexual who is finding his way in a society that will not accept who he is. I am happy to say that modern day society is more and more tolerant every day, especially in comparison to our 1891 German world. However, as proven this fall, we have a long way to go, and if I can touch someone in the audience who hasn’t been accepted and can relate to what Ernst is coping with, I know I’ve done something meaningful and special.
What is it like playing in a new venue almost every night?
I always look forward to that first moment when we step onstage and get to see the new house. It’s always awesome to play in any theatre so to play in so many is truly an honor. I take a picture of every theatre so that I don’t forget it.
Do you have a great Guilty Ones moment/story you can share?
I was speaking to one guy after the show whose girlfriend was a Guilty One, and he had never seen the show, only heard the music. He told me that in the past two hours, he had gotten more chills than he had ever gotten in his entire life. It never gets old to hear that you have reached someone in a new way and touched them.
Do you have a great Chair of Rock/Stage Seating experience you can share?
I was blessed one night to have my parents sitting onstage. In a show that is much about parents and children, it was so inspiring to have them there. I cannot be more grateful for the way I was raised and for them to be there with me as I performed this amazing show was truly touching.
What is the weirdest/coolest thing that happened to you or another cast member on stage/at the stage door?
We all had a cool experience in Memphis when we walked into the Orpheum, and read a posting about the ghost that lived in the theatre. We were told that she loved to play with buttons and mess with things onstage. That night was the first night that any microphone had ever come unplugged, our assistant stage manager felt something over his shoulder and kept turning around to find no one there, and multiple cast members came offstage with buttons to redo. It was kind of spooky but I loved every minute of it.
Have you been able to watch the show when an understudy was on? What did you think? What was it like?
I did get the chance to watch the show in Wisconsin, and I got to see it once from the house and once from onstage. It was amazing to be able to feel the audience energy and how glued they were to the events onstage. It was also really inspiring to watch my fellow cast mates and the heart and soul that they put into the show night after night.
What was it like when you performed in front of Steven Sater/Michael Mayer during the rehearsals?
It was amazing to hear what they said about the origins of the show, and to see how much this piece means to them. I remember when Michael Mayer was there, he started crying during “Purple Summer.” Being able to look at this man who has created a piece that means so much to me and to so many people was truly an unforgettable moment. I will be forever grateful to Steven Sater and Michael Mayer for their work and to be able to perform for them was truly unbelievable.
What musical theater role/character outside of the one you are playing now would you most like to play? Why?
I would kill to play Huck Finn in Big River - it has been my dream role since I first heard the music when I was 13. Big River is another show that has such an important message. Huck has a rebellious, fun side to him while still caring greatly about humanity and morality. I really do hope to play that part in the next few years.
Travis Stroessenreuther - Q&A
Adult Male (Understudy)
What is your favorite song/scene/moment in Spring Awakening?
It's hard not to be jazzed by ”Totally F***ed.” The energy that pours off that stage is just incredible. I find, though, that there are smaller, more intimate moments that sometimes just catch me off guard and really affect me on different nights. The scene between Moritz and Ilse, for example, gets me nearly every night.
What inspires you to play the role?
As the adult male, I really enjoy the challenge of making each character genuine and human. I think the trap can be to play stereotypes of the characters rather than the characters themselves. There HAS to be something to grab on to for the audience. If every character in the “Adult World' is just awful and there is no redeeming quality, who cares? There has to be something tangible and sympathetic about each and every one of those characters.
What is it like playing in a new venue almost every night?
The theatres have been beautiful and the energy from each new audience has been tremendous. You really remember that it's their first time.
Do you have a great Chair of Rock/Stage Seating experience you can share?
I'm sure it's been mentioned already, but we had a fellow onstage in Wichita that got a little too, what's the word, exuberant? He began to stand and sway and, during “Totally F***ed,” began dancing and banging on the chairs. As he began to step into the playing area, our head carpenter smoothly went onto the stage and escorted him off. He was probably harmless, but you just can't take that chance.
What is the weirdest/coolest thing that happened to you or another cast member on stage?
Please see above!
Have you been able to watch the show when an understudy was on? What did you think? What was it like?
The understudies that have gone on have been tremendous! They've really come through wonderfully and it's been a joy to see. Also, it really makes the rest of the cast step up their game as well because of that new energy that is onstage. Really amazing. As the Adult Male understudy, I haven't had the opportunity to go on yet. I hope to in the Spring.
What musical theater role/character outside of the one you are playing now would you most like to play? Why?
It's interesting. I'm not generally a musical theatre guy, but here I am on a national tour of a musical. I'm trained as an improv comedian and a classical actor. I would absolutely LOVE to be in a production of The Complete Works of Shakespeare: Abridged!
Q&A with Mark Poppleton
Adult Male
What is your favorite song/scene/moment in Spring Awakening?
“Totally F***ed,” and it was amazing at one venue we received three waves of applause for it. Totally gratifying!
What inspires you to play the role?
The chance to touch a new audience every night with this incredible show.
What is it like playing in a new venue almost every night?
Having a fixed set that travels with us means that no matter how different the venue is, it always feels like home.
What is the weirdest/coolest thing that happened to you or another cast member at the stage door?
It's fun that sometimes I walk out of the stage door and the crowd parts like the Red Sea because they are afraid of my characters. Then usually someone breaks the ice, and they realize I'm really a nice person.
What was it like when you performed in front of Steven Sater/Michael Mayer during the rehearsals?
I had so much going on in my mind; I didn't really worry about who was out there. BUT afterwards...it was really cool!
What musical theater role/character outside of the one you are playing now would you most like to play? Why?
I was already lucky enough to play one of my favorite roles, Sweeney Todd. I would love to play that again and again. One of my favorites I have not yet gotten a chance to play is Javert in Les Misérables.
Sarah Kleeman - Q&A
What is your favorite song/scene/moment in Spring Awakening?
I love “B***h of Living.” The guys have so much energy. It’s amazing to see every night.
What inspires you to play the role?
Well, in my case I play several roles, which is challenging. Each time I enter the playing space I am a different person. Sometimes I don’t even leave the playing space and I turn into another character. It took some time to find the nuance of each woman. They vary greatly in their outlook, demeanor, background and speaking patterns. It has been fun to continue to find more depth in each of them as time goes on. What inspires me in each role is the belief that each of these women feels that what they are doing is for the best. Some act more hastily than others, but each is just trying to survive in their worlds during a very conservative time.
What is it like playing in a new venue almost every night?
Challenging but exciting. Each venue has a different stage area that poses different benefits/obstacles. It definitely keeps us on our toes. What has been most interesting is the vibe of each audience. Sometimes the difference between them is startling. One day we’ll play for a very young, enthusiastic audience and another day it will be a more conservative, quiet audience.
Do you have a great Guilty Ones moment/story you can share?
I’m not sure if this guy was a guilty one but it took me by surprise when I got a Facebook friend request by someone with me pictured in his profile pic.
Do you have a great Chair of Rock/Stage Seating experience you can share?
I have a feeling I will not be the only one sharing this story! In one of our final performances before the holiday lay off there was an audience member sitting next to me that seemed to be pretty odd. By the second half he was doing the dance moves and mouthing the words in his seat. When he decided to get up and dance during “Totally F***ed”, it was the last straw and the crew had to remove him from the stage.
What is the weirdest/coolest thing that happened to you or another cast member on stage?
I think the previous story takes the cake for me. :)
Have you been able to watch the show when an understudy was on? What did you think? What was it like?
I’ve never been in the audience but as a cast member on stage what is cool when an understudy goes on is the shift that takes place within the cast. Everyone’s focus is heightened. I know for myself, that being jarred out of normalcy has resulted in fun discoveries.
What was it like when you performed in front of Steven Sater/Michael Mayer during the rehearsals?
It was both exciting and scary to perform for them. I have such huge respect for both of them. It was such an honor to have them there. I wanted make sure that I was doing the piece justice and that my work honored the story.
What musical theater role/character outside of the one you are playing now would you most like to play? Why?
This is a tough one! It is hard to pick just one. I’d like to play Dot in Sunday in the Park with George. I love the music, I love the dimension in her character, her humor and her grief. The Baker’s Wife in Into the Woods is a great role, I love her strength and her humor. And, I would love to play Margaret in The Light in the Piazza someday. I love the depth, insight, and the struggle she has. I also think it would be fulfilling to sing because of my classical background.
Jim Hogan Q&A
Role: GeorgWhat is your favorite song/scene/moment in Spring Awakening?
I'm going to double answer this... my favorite moment to watch has got to be the “Don't Do Sadness/Blue Wind” combination and my favorite song to perform is a tie between “Bitch of Living” and “Totally F***ed” - there's absolutely no way to describe how incredible and liberating it is to be singing your heart out and jumping around the way we do on that stage.
What inspires you to play the role?
Georg is such a ball of energy waiting to explode. Getting to play with all different kinds of objectives and goals really keeps me engaged with him. It doesn't hurt that there's so much hilarity written into him as a person as well.
What is it like playing in a new venue almost every night?
It's incredible! I wasn't sure how I would like it at first but now I love getting to new venues because everything stays fresh for us as actors - new venue, new show. Each city has a completely different attitude and appreciation toward the show so traveling so often really keeps us on our toes.
Do you have a great Guilty Ones moment/story you can share?
I'll never forget this. After our first show in Minneapolis, a group of us actors were sitting at a nearby restaurant waiting to order food. A man and his wife (or girlfriend, etc.) came right up to our table and said, "You guys were incredible! We've never seen the show before and we loved it - well done. Best of luck with everything, your first round is on us." He then placed forty dollars on the table. Before we could even respond to this gift and tell him that we were simply actors doing our job, he and his wife were gone. For the rest of the night we all couldn't help but talk about this guy, how nice he was, and how truly moved he had to be to approach us with a gift of any kind let alone forty dollars in a recession.
Do you have a great Chair of Rock/Stage Seating experience you can share?
This isn't too exciting but one night during “Totally F***ed” I decided that my traffic pattern upstage right should include a moment to rock out with Michael Linden. Not only did I rock out with Michael, I decided that it was a good idea to stand directly on the open chair in front of him. (I still have no idea how this happened, it was all so quick and in the moment that I barely even remember it happening.) Once finished rocking out with Michael, I jumped off said chair completely knocking it over, missed the appropriate timing of my jump through Adult Male and Female which put Devon (Hanschen) directly in front of me because he was doing his track correctly. This then meant that I had to physically push Devon out of the way in an attempt to make up my loss of time. The push helped a little bit and I thought I would be OK to finish out the number when suddenly I stepped directly on a patron's foot down stage left. This completely took me out of the moment and made me miss the appropriate of my final pose in "Totally F***ed." Instead of giving a strong final pose directly downstage center to paint the picture for everyone behind me, I sunk into the pose after the music had already finished. Worst “Totally F***ed” of my life. Ask anyone and they will make fun of me for it.
What is the weirdest/coolest thing that happened to you or another cast member on stage/at the stage door?
One of our closing nights in Wichita there was a patron sitting on stage in the upstage right front row seat. He seemed like a regular guy who just happened to be rocking out a little bit more than most patrons but we as a cast enjoy enthusiasm because we feel that, for that person, our show is being delivered well. We then realized at the start of Act II that this guy was not any normal patron. During "The Guilty Ones" he attempted (and failed) to do the choreography with us while we were in our chairs. It was actually hilarious to watch him try. Then he broke the cardinal rule of being a patron on stage at Spring Awakening: he stood up! I literally was afraid that he was going to walk on stage and try to disrupt the show somehow. Luckily, he did not and at some point during T.G.O. he sat down again. He seemed fine throughout all of “Don't Do Sadness/Blue Wind” and didn't make a sound during “Left Behind.” However, when “Totally F***ed” started, he was off to the races again. “Totally F***ed” is always a whirlwind for me but I had enough consciousness to realize that he was in his chair when I ran downstage right to watch Melchior answer Adult Males question with a big fat YES and by the time the song was over he was gone. I later found out that our head carpenter, Seth, came to the rescue and threw this crazy cat off stage. This was definitely the weirdest thing that's happened to me in my history of being on stage.
Have you been able to watch the show when an understudy was on? What did you think? What was it like?
I've never watched the show from the house but I obviously got to watch through playing Georg when Michael went on for Ernst, Jeff went on for Otto, Billy went on for Hanschen, Erin went on for Thea and Jeff went on for Melchior. It was so much fun! I was not scared at all, I knew that everyone was prepared and extremely talented which meant I just got to watch a different person put their spin on the role(s). Everyone was incredible as we knew they would be and it put a new spin on the show for the rest of us which was great!
What was it like when you performed in front of Steven Sater/Michael Mayer during the rehearsals?
Performing for Michael and Steven (also Ira Pittelman and Tom Hulce, the original producers) was breathtaking. We were all well aware that these men had been with the show since its inception so we were extremely excited to show them our incarnation of the show. However, the best thing about them attending our final rehearsals in NYC was to get to talk to them about the meaning of the show. They each gave us a different piece of information relating to why we need to do this show for ourselves but more importantly for the people out there who need it the most. It was truly a life changing experience that I won't soon forget.
What musical theater role/character outside of the one you are playing now would you most like to play? Why?
I'd absolutely love to play Tony in West Side Story. He's one of the most challenging roles to play in the American Musical Theatre Repertoire and I'd love the chance to sink my teeth into such a character. Although it doesn't seem plausible since the current Broadway revival is closing in January, I guess that's why they call it a dream role.
Q&A with Aliya Bowles
What is your favorite song/scene/moment in Spring Awakening?
My favorite moment in the show is when we perform the song “My Junk.” It is such a fun upbeat number. I love interacting with everyone onstage.
What inspires you to play the role?
I think of the people that have told me at the stage door how long they have loved this show but have never gotten to see it because they couldn't get to New York or because the show never came around to their town. So to know that people finally get to see a show that means so much to them is great.
What is it like playing in a new venue almost every night?
I love playing a new venue almost every night, it keeps the show fresh. Every theatre has a different feel to it. Having a different audience every night is so much fun, you never know what their reaction will be to the show.
Do you have a great Guilty Ones moment/story you can share?
We had one girl who made each cast member a card and she baked cupcakes for all of us.
Do you have a great Chair of Rock/Stage Seating experience you can share?
Sometimes during the show after certain numbers the audience members that have sat next to me have whispered "that was great" to me after the songs. It’s great to know how much they are enjoying the show.
What is the weirdest/coolest thing that happened to you or another cast member on stage/at the stage door?
The weirdest thing that happened to me while I was onstage was in Memphis. We were told that the theatre we were in is haunted. During “The Dark I Know Well” my microphone wasn't working so in the middle of the song our sound technician had to run onstage and hand me a hand-held microphone. Apparently my microphone became unplugged so some of the cast thinks the ghost of the Orpheum Theatre in Memphis unplugged it.
Have you been able to watch the show when an understudy was on? What did you think? What was it like?
I haven’t been able to watch from the audience when an understudy goes on, but it is fun for everyone when they get to go on. It adds a new energy to the show and they work so hard memorizing so many roles, so when they get to perform it’s great!
What was it like when you performed in front of Steven Sater/Michael Mayer during the rehearsals?
It was surreal performing in front of Steven Sater and Michael Mayer. I remember seeing this show on Broadway and how moved I was, so to perform for the people who made all that happen was awesome. This show means so much to them and to know that they have seen how much we love performing this show and how much it means to us as well was amazing.
What musical theater role/character outside of the one you are playing now would you most like to play? Why?
I would love to play Mimi in Rent. Rent was one of the first musicals I ever listened to and I fell in love with it. It is such a fun show and it has such a great message. It is one of my dream shows.
Q&A with Christopher Wood
What is your favorite song/scene/moment in Spring Awakening?
My favorite moment in the show would have to be "Those You've Known." I think the song is simply beautiful, and the way it presents each character is fascinating. It is an extremely emotional scene, and it is heartbreaking to watch Melchior go through those re-connections with his friends. The scene is vitally important, as we see Melchior's struggle to survive these things he is realizing are mostly his responsibility. He has to overcome all of this and decide to move forward and carry those people he loves with him. As a performer, that scene is a wonderful release. A lot of the music in the show breaks out of the story to comment on the thoughts and feelings of the characters, and in this scene the music works alongside the plot progression perfectly. I think it is a scene that everyone has some way to connect to; whether they themselves have felt utter aloneness, or have experienced any loss or grief, or been there for someone who has; it carries the essence of humanity. I love this scene because, to me, finding a way to carry on is really the message of the show. And "Those You've Known" is that.
What inspires you to play the role?
Every night there is going to be someone in the audience who absolutely, beyond any doubt, needs to hear this story. The show has an importance to it. The story needs to be told because it is, in many ways, a story about each and every one of us. We've all felt and been exposed to all these things that the characters are dealing with (hopefully further from some than others). Especially when looking at the world around us and seeing people experiencing grief and trying to cope with it every day, it is easy to see that this story is needed. It is filled with loss, and Melchior experiences a harsh amount of it, even feeling responsible for the losses. And it is important for people who are going through similar things to see that it is possible to rise above that, and to continue on. Of course, the show is also one of the most exhilarating shows I've ever been a part of. That doesn't hurt.
What is it like playing in a new venue almost every night?
It's always a surprise. There is usually an "x" factor of some sort, usually the way the backstage space is arranged or the acoustics in the house. It definitely keeps us on our toes.
Do you have a great Guilty Ones moment/story you can share?
Sometimes I will get messages from people who saw the show, and they will share their personal experience and how the show moved them. These messages serve as little reminders of how important our story is, and it helps me stay focused and enthused about the show every single day. Teens and young adults everywhere are definitely still going through situations similar to the story. Usually they find comfort through experiencing the show, and it is one of the best parts of my job getting to hear how important it was to them.
Do you have a great Chair of Rock/Stage Seating experience you can share?
There was one night where we had an audience member getting a little too into the show, and he began joining in on the group choreography. He even started to get up and join the final picture at the end of "Totally F***ed". Turns out he wasn't just enjoying himself, but had 'other factors' playing into his behavior. Maybe he thought he was seeing Hair. Needless to say, when I sat down in the chair on the wall after the applause, the blur of clothing I had seen out of the corner of my eye left us one onstage audience member short. I guess one of our crew members used his best judgment and saved us from having to introduce a new character into our already fully developed story.
What is the weirdest/coolest thing that happened to you or another cast member on stage?
The weirdest thing that happened to me was in Wichita, Kansas on our first performance in the venue. I was running off after the "Word of Your Body" scene, and I usually pass the other guys entering just in time to turn upstage and walk around the back of the onstage seats, put my jacket on, and enter the new scene. Well, this night something was different about our timing, and the distance from the edge of the curtain to the seats, and I collided with the last person in the entrance line. I tried to avoid tripping him by side-stepping around his back, but I stepped on my jacket (which was in my hand) and preceded to fully face-plant into a forward roll, all expertly done in front of our cello player, who watched the whole thing. I think he gave me a perfect 10. In any case, when I re-entered again, I was seeing spots, and I proceeded to perform the rest of the act with tunnel vision and the rest of the show with a mild concussion (you can imagine I was a little off). Although, I did notice the lighting in "Totally F***ed" looked cooler than ever.
Have you been able to watch the show when an understudy was on? What did you think? What was it like?
I came down with a pretty bad sinus infection and had to miss a few shows, and I had the opportunity to sit in the house and experience it from the audience's perspective. It was surreal. It got me so amped up to get back out there and perform again, and I really found a new appreciation for our production after watching it.
What was it like when you performed in front of Steven Sater/Michael Mayer during the rehearsals?
It was really great to talk with them and soak up a bit of their insight. They were both very encouraging and their passion was evident, and contagious. Steven came out to Evansville, Indiana for our final dress rehearsal, as it is his hometown, and that made the event special for all of us. He devoted not only his time and energy, but his whole heart to this show, because he was certain of its power and of the possibility to move souls with the piece. Talking with him and hearing his thoughts on the show only deepened my appreciation of the work, and really helped us understand that the most important element of the show is finding the heartbeat. It doesn't come easily and you can't search it out, but in living with the show for a while and letting it affect you, you inevitably come to find it. For me, that's part of what makes this show so special.
What musical theater role/character outside of the one you are playing now would you most like to play? Why?
I'm a traditional musical theatre junkie, and a role I would really love to play is another young man searching to understand the world, but handling it in an entirely different way. Carousel is one of my favorite shows, and I think Billy Bigelow is a fascinating character study. Like Melchior, his actions deeply affect those around him, and he is forced to deal with them in his own way. He's not nearly as smart as Melchior, but in a lot of ways his strange process only makes the role more exciting to tackle.
Q&A with Elizabeth Judd
What is your favorite song/scene/moment in Spring Awakening?
Singing “Purple Summer.” It is amazing to come together as a cast at the end of the show, look the audience in the eye, and tell them about a future filled with communication where compassion overrules anger, love conquers hate, and hope dominates despair.
What inspires you to play the role?
The responses from adults and teens are why I can’t wait to walk out of the curtain each night. Telling a story that people can relate to in such deep ways is incredible. Before most shows the cast huddles up backstage and to pump us up we say that someone out there needs this show. When you get a letter or hear from that person after the show who says the show changed their life, that’s our inspiration.
What is it like playing in a new venue almost every night?
It's a blast! It definitely keeps everyone on their toes and the show nice and fresh.
What is the coolest thing that happened to you or another cast member on stage/at the stage door?
A girl who was currently dealing with some of the more serious issues discussed in the show came up to one of the cast members and shared that seeing this issue talked and sung about on stage made her feel like she wasn't so alone. That is why we do the show, because for some it's informative, for others it's eye opening, and for some it's their own life and it brings them comfort to see they are not alone.
What was it like when you performed in front of Steven Sater/Michael Mayer during the rehearsals?
It was incredible to have the original creative team in the room and to hear what they had to say about the importance of the message of this show today. It could have been very intimidating but they were extremely uplifting and gave us confidence in the work we were doing.
What musical theater role/character outside of the one you are playing now would you most like to play? Why?
Kim from Miss Saigon. I got to play the role in high school and now being a couple years older I would love to go back and really dive into the role and fall in love with the character even more. I think the story and music is incredible and extremely moving, it's an epic musical.
Welcome
Welcome to Still Totally Truckin' -- the official blog for the 2010-2011 Spring Awakening national tour!
If you haven't already, be sure to check out these videos of the cast!
For tickets and more information about Spring Awakening on tour, visit www.springawakening.com.
 |
| Elizabeth Judd and Christopher Wood (c) 2010 Andy Snow |
If you haven't already, be sure to check out these videos of the cast!
For tickets and more information about Spring Awakening on tour, visit www.springawakening.com.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
Posts
