The West Coast Debutante herself tells us what's its like to be Los Angeles' own Scarlett O'Hara and confesses about her "One Night Stand" with Upright Cabaret...
Hi Haviland! Thank you so much for agreeing to talk with us a little bit! Let's get things rolling, shall we?
Q: First of all, you're from the south and your name is Haviland. (such a pretty name, btw!) Is there any correlation between your name and another certain Southern Belle whom you're often compared to?
A: First of all, thank you! I was blessed with the name. I actually used to bring my birth certificate into auditions, because no one believed it was the real deal. I was named after my very southern grandmother, not after the actress Olivia de Havilland. But I don't mind being compared positively to her, as she is amazing! And yes, she was in the movie that features one of my favorite icons, Scarlett O'Hara. My parents clearly had a marquis in mind on my day of birth. HA!
Q: You went to school in NY and have been based out of there for quite awhile but now you're out here in Los Angeles...How are you enjoying LaLa land?
A: I love lala land! It's so bright!
Q: Why the change of scenery?
A: The main reason was that I needed to challenge myself and my structural habits and I wanted to open myself up to different professional opportunities. I've been really happy here, and it's also made me appreciate NYC more each time I'm there.
Q: Do you have an favorite local haunts yet?
A: I'm obsessed with Yogurtland! I should probably have a flavor named after me, I go so often. Was that what you meant by "haunts?" Hm, probably not...
Q: On Thursday, you're making your west coast concert debut at Upright Cabaret. Can you tell us about the show?
It's this Thursday at 8pm at Mark's on La Cienega. It's an hour or so of me singing, with amazing musicians. We're going to have fun. The set is really versatile with incredible songs. I'm excited to get to use so many different parts of my voice and my personality. I'm all about the style shifts. Just when you think you know, you realize you have no idea.
Q: Now, you say that you'll be singing (and I quote) "80's pop to opera to country to musical theatre, and back again". That's quite the spectrum! Any particular favorite artists/composers you'll be featuring?
A: Oh, I love them all! I'm so fortunate to have singer/songwriter Kristy Hanson performing with me. She wrote a killer song for me to sing, and we're doing it for the first time in full, this thursday. I also am really excited about singing a song written by Ryann Ferguson and Steven Jamail from VOTE!, a musical that I've been involved with since the beginning of it's development.
Q: Which artists/performers would you say have had the most influence on you as a singer? Who are the people who made you want start singing and the ones you aspire to be like?
A: Bette Midler was the first person I watched whose entire being inspired me to the point that I consciously said, "That is what I want to do." I love her work, absolutely get it, connect to it. So, of course I'm doing one of her songs. I'm also covering Melissa Etheridge, Madonna, I'm going back to my classical roots with "Glitter and be Gay"...I'm telling you, it's all over the place! There is no spectrum like that of a West Coast Debutante.
Q: I have a friend who will kill me if I don't ask you this, so here ya go: What was it like performing on the Rosie Cruises and how did that experience come about?
A: I actually met Rosie back in the 90s while working on the film, NOW AND THEN, and became friends with her (and her beautiful family) when she joined the cast of FIDDLER ON THE ROOF with me on the Broadway. She asked me to come along, and I ended up doing four of them. I wish everyone could have the experience of going on the cruise. It's very special.
Q: You've also been in episodes of The Battery's Down. What was that like and will you be in the second season at all?
A: I had so much fun shooting THE BATTERY'S DOWN. It depends on many factors, but there is a strong possibility of my character "Ellen" returning later this season. You never know!
Q: So now that's you're here in LA, what's the plan? Any chances you'll be returning to the stage?
A: Of course, darling!
Q: For those readers who don't know, you were recently in the Broadway revival ofLes Mis and went on as Fantine a for Miss Lea Salonga (who will be performing with Tim Draxl at Upright Cabaret this upcoming Sunday.) What was that experience like?
A: Well, I actually stepped in for the fabulous Daphne Rubin-Vega before Lea joined us. Both Daphne and Lea were so lovely! The experience? Singing "I Dreamed a Dream" in the Fantine corset and blonde wig on the revolving stage, for an audience of 1100 people on Broadway, with a full orchestra, the conductor 3 feet in front of me, breathing...it was a rush everytime I got to do it, of course! When you're Fantine, you hit that stage and don't stop. Very fun role, that one.
Q: As someone who has played the role of Fantine and sung "I Dreamed a Dream", what do you have to say about the whole Susan Boyle phenomenon?
A: It's such a hard time right now in the world and everyone is grasping for hope. People want good news; they're rooting for the underdog. Obviously, life hasn't killed the dream Susan Boyle dreamed!
Q: Since you're in Hollywood, any plans to do any movie/TV work while you're out here? If you could have a part on any show, what would it be?
A: Yes, absolutely, big plans, massive plans. Some of my favorite shows are MAD MEN, BIG LOVE, PARTY DOWN, IN TREATMENT, ENTOURAGE, PRIVATE PRACTICE. I'm also excited for GLEE and LEGALLY MAD.
Q: Now, you've already got your own recurring series going on. And by that, of course I'm referring to Vlogs of you & Riese Bernard. Can you tell the readers what that's all about?
A: About a year and a half ago, Riese suggested we make a vlog, so we did, for fun, and it kind of took off from there. It's really her creation - she edits them and does all the structuring. I'm kind of along for the ride. We had a great time doing them and obviously continue to change lives right and left with our brilliance and insight. ;-)
Well, Miss Stillwell, thank you so much for chatting with us and I can't wait for your big debut at Mark's on Thursday! Break a leg!
Thank YOU. Good luck with the new site!
Everyone be sure to come see Haviland at Upright Cabaret this Thursday, 8pm! To purchase tickets, click here!
To hear all about the latest and greatest from Haviland, visit her official website: www.havilandstillwell.com! Also be sure to check out www.kristyhanson.com for more info on Kristy, who will be performing one of her own songs with Haviland at Upright Cabaret and www.autostraddle.com for more Riese & Haviland shenanigans!
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