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Hey Ellyn! How is Kinky Boots going so far?
Hi there, how are ya? "Kinky boots"? Ok, being at Kinky Boots is like having a ton of funny people in one room, all celebrating Christmas everday. and you're parents all tall with funny accents, and then you laugh, sing really high, laugh, then go to bed. It's a freakin blasty blast. Does 13 Tony nominations add to the pressure of performing each night? Hm. good question. No. No pressure. We have all been with the project for so long, and we are so confident about our work and our message. We got the nominations for what we do, so we just keep doing THAT. Have you given your Kinky Boots character, Gemma Louise, a backstory? How do you think she'd react to all the hype around the show? YES! all of our ensemble have intricate back stories. It's pretty hilarious actually. As I said, I work with some of the funniest, most creative people. During the rehearsal and more in tech in chicago, we all came up with tons of stories. These people have all worked at Price and son for years. Like the line charlie sings, "it's not just a factory, this is my family..." so we felt the need to expand on that. Things like how we knew each other, have there been factory romances, who gets along , who doesn't. For example, Gemma Louise came to Price and son, 12 years ago after Uni didn't work out. Her neighbor Marge (Adinah Alexander) worked there and told her of the opening, she then got her cousin Crispin (Andy Kelso) a job to help get his life on track...former drug addict-sad story. She went to high school with Don, who stood her up at the prom, and she's never forgotten it, you will see her and Don exchanging dirty glances throughout the show...I think she'd be VERY confused with all the attention around kinky boots, cause she doesn't like attention. she likes to go to work, go to the pub and have a beer if she's thirsty. Were you always interested in theatre as a child? When was the moment you decided to wanted to perform as a career? Yes I was. My mother will tell you she knew she was doomed from the time I was 6 months old. The only way to pacify me while I was crying was to perch me in front of the mirror to watch myself. Then at three I put on a one woman "Wizard of Oz" in which I played all the characters and had costume and shoe changes for each character. I'm pretty sure my parents threw in the towel then. But as far as doing it as a career? I think I knew at maybe 9 or 10? It was never a nurse or a vet... I always answered the, "what do you want to be when you grow up" with one answer. An actress. Before Kinky Boots, you were in Priscilla Queen Of The Desert. This may be a good time to ask , are you a fan of RuPaul's Drag Race or even drag shows in general? You would think with my drag queen history right? I've only seen the show a couple of times , and when I catch it, I LOVE it. I don't have many shows I watch these days. Do you have a favorite moment in Kinky Boots? That's a great question but really hard. I have so many moments with pretty much everyone in the cast at specific moments. And I always look forward to those. I love the finale, obviously hearing the energy from the audience. I love the quitting scene in act 2. I'm placed at a point on stage to really see Starks eyes, and if you've seen him, he has piercing blue eyes, and the look he gives when Trish (Jen perry) suggests we all leave, breaks my heart, every night. Were you familiar with the film Kinky Boots before being cast in the show? I was. My mom actually loved the movie! And years ago I was working at music theater of Wichita , and my friends from the Bay Area had moved there, they had adopted three foster boys and never had time to spend together. I told them to take a night out and is hang with the boys. When they came home they said they saw a movie "kinky boots" and explained it and I thought it sounded hilarious. Fast forward 7 years later.... What has been your favorite moment you witnessed in a theatre? It can be a certain performance, a song, dance break.. anything! I don't know about a song specifically , but I vividly remember the first time I saw "rent". That changed everything for me. That was when I realized they're could move you and change you. It really did. Do you have any advice for aspiring performers? I sort of hate this question...hahaha. Not really, I just think... "Oh gosh, what do I know ". But... I'd say... Know your type. I spent a lot of (wasted) time auditioning for things I just wasn't RIGHT for, and getting broken hearted, when it didn't go my way. I learned kinda quick, but if I could save someone that time and heart ache. Also, to be supportive and keep jealousy and ego in check. It's hard, we all put ourselves out there in the most venerable way.... But being there for others and being happy for each others successes is what builds a community. And, again, it's a hard business and it feels good to have support behind you. Give what you want to get. Oh and don't do meth. As well as playing Gemma Louise, you also understudy Pat and Lauren in the show. How are understudy rehearsals going? Understudy rehearsals are great! It's so fun to hear the show in different voices, if that makes sense. I pretty much have the Lauren track down, (of course everything goes out the window once your have costumes and lights on you) . Annaleigh has created such a memorable part, I'm so happy she was recognized with a tony nomination, she deserves it, she's always trying new things and exploring the character in different ways. I'm looking forward to tackling it, don't get me wrong, it's massive shoes to fill. And I don't know Pat as well, the only thing that makes me nervous is the tango. Haha. I only say that, because as an understudy you want everyone on stage to have the same show they always do. And when you partner with someone, that can be tricky. I'm scared of tripping BILLY!!! Ha! Cross your fingers y'all! Thank you so much for your time Ellyn! To finish, how would you sell the show to someone to who knew nothing about Kinky Boots The Musical? If I had to simply explain Kinky Boots, I'd say its about how you're never too old to learn something, to change or to grow as a person. And that people are out in our path to teach us things. Every SINGLE person on the stage has an arc...whether some of the factory workers love Lola right away or we learn to "accept someone for who they are". People often ask me if Kinky Boots is for kids and I emphatically say "YES". With all of the bullying and cyber bullying, kids need to learn its ok to be different, to be yourself. I highly recommend it to families, and teenagers . I think we change hearts and minds every night. And that's something to be proud of. A huge 'thank you' to Ellyn for her time. Follow Ellyn on twitter (you won't regret it, she is HILARIOUS) @ellynmarsh |