Jennifer attended Salisbury State University and began her college career as
a History Education Major...something perhaps a little more useful was her
thinking. Gradually she began taking more music classes than history
classes, began taking voice lessons, had joined the college choir and the
college theatre club (Sophanes). By the middle of her Sophomre year she
officially became a music major. She appeared in the college theatre
productions of Grapes of Wrath (Elizabeth Sandry), West Side Story
(Maria)...
On the encouragement of her teachers, Jennifer's next step was to attend
graduate school at prestigious Indiana University in Bloomington, IN.
She has been in musicals so famous like The woman in White, Carousel,
The Beauty and Beast, Wonderful Town, Jekyll and Hyde and much more.
She has been Christine in the Yeston and Kopit Phantom musical and
currently she is Christine in the Broadway Phantom of the Opera musical.
Thank you so much dear Jennifer for your kindness, joy and love towards
your role, you are wonderful!
Sandra - What has meant for your artistic career being part of the Phantom
of the Opera in Webber's musical?
Jennifer - It is just a thrill to know that you are playing a major part in
musical theatre history. "POTO" is now an icon and it is very humbling
to feel a part of something so huge. Everywhere you go people know and
love the "POTO".
Sandra - What scene/song of the Phantom musical is your favorite and why.
Jennifer - My favorite scene would have to be when Christine returns the
ring to the Phantom. It is in this moment that she finally says goodbye to
everything in her past in order to grow up and move ahead into her
future.
But this is also a very hard question because I also LOVE "WYWSHA" all
the way through the end of the show. What an emotional journey and
very satisfying to go through each and every performance.
Sandra - What are some of the aspects you have brought into your
interpretation of Christine?
Jeffiner - I want to bring a slightly child-like and naive nature to Christine
because I feel these are the qualities that would need to be present in
order for her to fall so easily under the control and guidance of all
these men (Father, Raoul, Phantom). At the same time I want to show an
inner womanly strength that is trying so desperately to release itself
and finally does so in the end.
Sandra - How did you prepared for Christine role?
Jennifer - I did a lot of reading about the Palais Garnier and the time
period. I also read the novel and several essays on the story. I then created a
journal for me complete with pictures outlining different aspects of
the show and characters and I now use it to record notes and any other
ideas that might pop into my head as I continue the journey of
discovering Christine night by night.
Sandra - Is it difficult to play the same role that many times?
Jennifer - I am very lucky because I only perform the role twice a week.
That really enables me to keep it fresh and alive.
Sandra - In the Phantom musical, what do you think it’s the most important
scene and which one represents a bigger vocal difficult?
Jennifer - I think the most important scene for Christine is the Graveyard
scene.
I believe this is wear she first makes the decision that she needs to
break away from everything in her past or else she will never truly get
to live. She briefly gets drawn back in and isn't able to finally say
goodbye until she gives the ring to the Phantom but I feel that this
scene acts as the catalyst that starts everything in motion.
Sandra - What are your future projects?
Jennifer - Right now that would just be more "Phantom of the Opera". I just
started there and am thrilled to be there.
Sandra - In the musical world what’s the character you would like to play?
Jennifer - Guenevere and Eliza Doolittle. Something new would also be
fantastic.
Sandra - Write us some words to your fans.
Jennifer - Never give up on your dreams. With hard work, perseverance and
a little luck, they just might come true. Thank you all for you kindness
and words of inspiration. You are the ones that keep us going.
Interview exclusive for this site.
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Copyright by Ladyghost.
