One of Broadway's favorite leading ladies is casting two nights of magic over the City of Angels...

Hi Natalie, thank you so much for taking the time to talk to us. We're so glad to have you here!  

Q: First of all, What brings you to LA?

A: I had an opportunity and some time to come out and see what LA is all about. My agents are out here as well. My new show got great reviews in NY and so I thought, hey, why not try to do it in LA as well!

Q: You're here to do a couple of shows at the Magic Castle, which is a rather exclusive Hollywood hot spot. Secret guest list, STRICT dress code...very mysterious. And not usually known for their cabaret acts. How did this all come about?

A: The Castle is trying out a new thing. Carol Channing was the first performer to try out her act and then one of the Sherman Brothers. I very good friend of mine knows the events coordinator there and I contacted him. I guess I will be the third to do a little singing there. I am intrigued by the Castle and I think it's very cool that I get to do my own kind of magic.

Q: Can you give us a hint as to what you'll be singing?

A: Oh... you never get to know a magician's secrets. You'll have to come, make a reservation and see for yourself. Remember the strict dress code!

Q: Have you/are you planning on doing anything touristy while you're here in LA?

A: I have been here before visiting friends, but I did get to go to Disney and the new California Park last week.

Q: You're quite the traveler. You've performed in some of the most prestigious and renowned venues all over the world. Do you have a particular favorite or one that was really significant to you?

A: A favorite venue (besides Carnegie Hall) has got to be the National Concert Hall in Dublin, Ireland. It's their rendition of Carnegie and I can't speak any higher about the people of that country.

Q: You've also had the distinction of playing many of Broadway's most beloved heroines. Eponine, Grizabella, Eva Peron, Mary Magdalene...do you have a favorite part?

A: I LOVED all of my roles. They were the meat of the show. But I gotta tell you, there was a role in this tiny dinner theater I performed in. I was offered the role of Mrs. Johnstone in Blood Brothers as an emergency take over. I had to learn it in five days, including the accent. But for me, because I would NEVER get cast in a role like that in a normal situation, I sunk my teeth into it.

Q: Is there a role out there that you haven't done yet, but you'd like to?

A: Oh yeah... I would have liked to play Elphaba. But the powers that be think I'm "too mature" for it. I mean really? She is in green makeup! So, they won't see me for it.

Q: You've released not only one, but TWO albums. I've always been curious about the process an artist goes through in choosing the songs for their CDs. What inspired your choices?

A: Recording an album is one thing. Producing it is another. It's a process that for me, was simple. Do the songs you are good at and that you will enjoy singing for a long time. I have great arrangements that were all my ideas and I needed them to get recorded somehow. I have some great friends that believe in me, and gave me the financial ability to go forward with no questions asked. The hard part is promoting and getting it in the right hands to be reviewed so the word can get out. I am in love with it and it's my best accomplishment!

Q: I love that you pay so much homage to your teachers and it seems like you accredit much of your success to them. How important do you think training is versus raw talent in aspiring singers? When should a singer really start to invest in professional training?

A: I am an advocate of going to school to study your craft. I mean, there is such a thing as being born with talent, but it's another to bear down the hatches and really learn it as a skill so you can last a long time in this business. If you don't know how to belt out your role eight times a week, then you are not going to last and can get fired. You NEED training to get the skill to be the best at everything possible. I think one should start as soon as they know that they want to get into the business! No time like the present!

Q: The story of your singing debut is so remarkable and unique. Will you share it with us?

A: Do you mean when I was five years old? Well, my father signed me up to do the Amateur Night at The Apollo. He hired a five piece band, we rehearsed a couple of times, and then I was on. I insisted that I hold the mic during my introduction and was saying it really loud into the mic. By the 3rd time, the audience was screaming for me to be able to hold the mic and when they gave it to me, I walked that stage like I owned it. A five year old singing about romantic love! WOW!

Q: Any future plans on the horizon that you can tell us about?

A: I am going back to NY do do a couple of concerts. There is talk of a PBS Special for A Tale of Two Cities this summer, and I booked a night at the famous Feinstein's in NYC on July 7th! YAY! Anybody on the East Coast should come!

Thank you so much again, Natalie, and we'll see you tonight & tomorrow at The Magic Castle!

Generally, tickets to shows at The Magic Castle are not available to the public, however if you email events manager Matt Patton (mpatton@magiccastle.com) he can walk you through the steps to get on the guest list. Please keep in mind that The Magic Castle has a VERY strict dress code, which you can read here. 

Leave a Reply