The Phantom of the Opera.
As Christine, she garnered Theatre Critics' awards for the role in a record-
breaking run in SanFrancisco, and did a return engagement at the
Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles. In March 2006, Ms. Vroman starred as
Rosabella in The Most Happy Fella, making her New York City Opera
debut with Paul Sorvino in the title role.
Her Broadway debut was in Aspects of Love, and she was the first to play
both Fantine and Cosette in Les Misérables. For PBS, she was featured
with Colm Wilkinson and Michael Ball in Cameron Mackintosh’s Hey,
Mr. Producer! at the Lyceum Theatre in London, a Royal Gala attended by
Queen Elizabeth, and sang the role of Johanna in the San Francisco
Symphony’s Emmy award winning Sweeney Todd in Concert, with Patti
Lupone and George Hearn. Both are available on DVD. Lisa starred as
Laurey in Oklahoma, filmed live in concert for the BBC’s PROMS festival
at The Royal Albert Hall in London.
Other roles include Maria in The Sound Of Music with Tulsa Opera, Yum-
Yum in theMikado, and Anna 1 in The Seven Deadly Sins with Utah
Symphony/Opera. She has sung Maria in West Side Story, Guenevere in
Camelot, Carrie Pipperidge in Carousel, Christine in Yeston’s Phantom,
and Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady, among others.
With a repertoire that ranges from Stravinsky to Weill to Broadway, Ms.
Vroman is a frequent guest soloist with theatre/opera companies and
orchestras including San Francisco, Philadelphia, Chicago, Atlanta,
National, Vancouver, Cleveland, Pacific, Utah, Dallas, and the Boston
Pops. Ms. Vroman made her debut at The Hollywood Bowl singing with
DickVan Dyke in a medley from Mary Poppins, with John Mauceri
conducting a Disney 75th celebration. She guest starred with SONY artist
Greek tenor Mario Frangoulis in his NYC debut concert at City Center; and
with Stephen Blier’s New York Festival of Song, in a tribute to Broadway
director Harold Prince. Miss Vroman has sung in concert with composer
StephenSchwartz, Organist David Higgs, and the Empire Brass Quintet.
Thank you so much dear Lisa for your time and care; you are a wonderful
and charming friend.
Sandra - What has meant for your artistic career being part of the Phantom
of the Opera in Webber's musical?
Lisa - A career is a long process and involves many choices along the
way! I am lucky Phantom found me at the time it did in my life, as I
feel I had enough experience and training to take on this rigorous role
vocally, and bring a lot of color to the character emotionally. You
learn so many things about stamina having to do an on-going show! The
lessons are priceless. I have been out of the show of 3 years and keep
all the wonderful people I met and worked with in my heart. I often get
the chance to sing with many of them, which is always great fun. I've
sung recently on different concerts with Davis Gaines, Gary Mauer, Teri
Bibb, Karen Culliver, Keith Buterbaugh,Jan Horvath... it always makes
them special! Life is l really busy, so I don't miss doing the show
anymore, but I miss many people. I also live in California, so don't
see them all the time in NYC! I am enjoying shorter term work and
being able to spend time at home and rest....Last Feb/March I spent in
NYC (with my dog) at the New York City Opera in The Most Happy Fella,
which was a great shcedule and had 14 performances over a month!
I was also very proud of all the different Companies I was in.. I
moved around a bit, from the National Tour to 5 years in beautiful San
Francisco, a couple of years on Broadway, then finishing with a
wonderful return to San Fran, and Los Angeles.
I suppose I could have quit the show and returned to NYC, but I chose
to stay for the long run, and it has opened many other career paths for
me, especially in the Symphonic concert world, which I love. Everyone's
path is so different!
Sandra - What scene/song of the Phantom musical is your favorite and why.
Lisa - I always loved the Don Juan Scene musically, and its sensuous
moment in the show was fun!
Sandra - What are some of the aspects you have brought into your
interpretation of Christine?
Lisa - I think an important aspect has to do with the loss of Christines'
Father. I lost mine when I was 20 yrs old, rather young, and he was a
Funeral Director! It made the graveyard scene a very real moment for
me! Often I felt such a familiar feeling the minute the scene began! I
knew how important that love and loss was to her character... I think
its a big reason Christine is able to find the strength to show the
Phantom forgiveness.
Sandra- How did you prepared for Christine role? Did you see any movie
or read the book?
Lisa - Oh yes, I saw the Broadway show, read the book, watched the silent
film that was inspiring to the design of the show.
Sandra - You have played Christine role in Broadway, Los Angeles, San
Francisco...Is it difficult to play the same role that many times?
Lisa - (Also Seattle, Portland and Pittsburgh!) I mentioned before, I did
move a few companies, which is always a treat and makes the show
change drastically... I do think you need to have a particular desire to make
the show your best each time. Not everyone has that personality,and it
is difficult to fight the fatigue, both vocally and physically of a
repetitive role. Its a lot of singing, I am so happy I studied and
completed my Graduate degree and had a good technique before I began
the long road in the show! It certainly helped me maintain vocal
health easier. I was lucky to have wonderful people to work with, you
never are alone on stage, everyone depends on each other, and this
helps you get through it each time. Its so important to respect all who
work with you.
Sandra - What do you think about Christine role and her relationship with
the Phantom and Raoul?
Lisa - I played what was on the pages of my script and score..... that is
the responsibility of the performer... I can say it took me a while the
first few months to find her strength, and what really was driving her
actions as the play progressed. It was also important to stay true to
the period of time, and what women were going through in society. We
cannot judge them by todays standards!
Sandra - What is it, in your opinion, what makes the show so appealing?
Lisa - Its story and great beauty . Maria Bjornson's sets and costumes are
so rich and dramatic, Hal Prince directed and pace of the show perfectly,
and the music is beautiful.
Sandra - Can you tell us a good anecdote you remember from the play or
the rehearsals?
Lisa - There are really so many.....one of the favorites has to be a Raoul
leaving the stage and me getting to do All I ask of you alone....what a
riot!
The lesson is... really learn everyones lyrics!
Also a few times ( very few) the Boat stopped, and we had to "walk on
the water".....
I also treasure the time in rehearsal with Hal Prince, and I will
remember times with Maria Bjornson, as I did Aspects of Love and two
companies of Phantom with her and thought the world of her talent!
What a loss for this world!
Sandra - You have been in wonderful musicals like The Phantom of the
Opera, Les Miserables, Sweeney Todd, Aspects of Love...do you have a
favourite? What role would you have to play someday?
Lisa - I loved them All, but one of my very favorites I have played is West
Side Story. Sweeney Todd was an absolute thrill to do! Meeting Stephen
Sondheim is one of the best memories!! There again I was opposite
phantom pal Davis Gaines.... we brought all our history and chemistry
we could to that show!
I also hope to do Kiss Me Kate, Brigadoon, the Music Man, and The King
and I at some point!
Sandra - What are your current and future projects?
Lisa - I have a web-site www.lisavroman.com, which will be updated
soon... but I have many wonderful concerts coming up, and am starting to
fill in '08 with a few exciting projects! ( I will be getting to do one of my
wish list of musical it seems!)
Sandra - What would you say to your fans?
Lisa - Thank God people love Music and Theatre! I love the fact that I have
sung for people and their families who have come to the theatre for the
very first time, and were so inspired they are going to the theatre
every year! This is why I love to sing regionally, reaching folks who
don't get the chance to fly to New York. This has been precious to be
part of those moments in others lives, when they discover how exciting
it is to see/ hear a show "live"!!
Interview Copyright by Ladyghost.
Photos are taken with their author permission.
