I really love them. I love all theatre, but I really love musicals – almost all of them. It’s pretty darn rare to find a musical that I don’t really enjoy on some level. Even some of the rougher ones – cause let’s face it, there are a few old chestnuts out there that are rough around the edges, or new ones that are lacking in substance. But, I can generally find something I like in pretty much any musical.
I like watching them. I like listening to them. I like learning about them. I like reading them. I like directing/choreographing them – boy oh boy, do I like that, and of course, I like performing in them.
Right now I’m watching the lovely Dame Julie Andrews in Victor/Victoria. I love this show. I only know the film and little bits of the Broadway show that I’ve seen on YouTube. Some of that inspired my choreography for FOLLIES that I directed and choreographed a little while ago.
It’s a funny thing with musicals, when you grow up performing in them you dream of getting a larger role than the chorus gal – the 2nd last Snow child in Carousel, a Jet Girl in West Side Story, etc., and then you actually start getting roles. Like all theatre, you start to find your niche, where you fit in the pantheon of roles. I generally get cast as the comedic lead – not the real lead, the romantic lead… nope, that’s not the part I get. And that’s okay, cause usually the comedic lead is much more fun than the romantic one, but you never get the guy – or at least you never get the scene that shows the romance of getting the guy. So, you always wonder what it would be like to get that role. There’s not a lot of shows where the funny girl gets the romantic scene. Funny Girl, sure. Gypsy, maybe… and Victor/Victoria… how I’d love a chance at that role… or any of those roles.
Anyone out there want to direct something like that? I promise, I’ll be directing something that’s perfect for you sometime soon.
The good thing about being cast as the comedic lead and not the romantic lead is that there is an unlimited shelf life on the funny girl. She can be any age, shape, or look. The romantic lead is generally required to have a certain look, size, and age. When one loses those looks or gain too many years or pounds, one has to basically reinvent oneself as a performer. All the credits amassed playing those roles matter little anymore in casting situations. If a performer can successfully change the sound of her voice (moving from a soprano to a belter, for example) and work on her comic chops, she is still up against people who have been doing it for decades.
Also, listen to the applause when you go to a show: crowds love the funny people. The romantic leads have to carry the story and keep people interested through all the serious stuff, while the comic folks come on and get to perform material guaranteed to make people fall in love with them.
If I could go back in time, I’d definitely steer my career towards the funny girls. Except for one thing: I’ve had the opportunity to kiss a lot of great guys in my romantic lead days! That’s my reward for the lower-decible applause.