BroadWAY", and is absolutely thrilled/ honored to be joining such a
great company in the very first show she ever saw! She made her
New York debut as Louisa in the Off-Broadway revival of The
Fantasticks (Original Cast Recording) where she starred along side
such theatre legends as Writer/ Director Tom Jones and the forever
inspiring Leo Burmester. Directly after graduating from Carnegie
Mellon (BFA), Sara joined the original Chicago Company of Wicked
(Glinda and Nessarose U/S). This last year she has performed in
numerous readings/ workshops such as Pride and Prejudice
(Elizabeth Bennett) Director- Mark Lamos, Zhivago! (Yalenka)
Director- Des McAnuff, and Prairie (Nellie Olson) Director-
Francesca Zambello. Favorite roles include Cunegonde in Candide,
Babe in Crimes of the Heart, and The Baker's Wife in Into the
Woods. Love to BRS, Drewsauce, Mom, and everyone who knew and
loved her through her awkward phase. AEA-Hurray!
Thank you so much Sara for your time and this wonderful interview.
Sandra - What has it meant for your artistic career being part of the
Phantom of the Opera in Webber's musical?
Sara - Well, being that this role is so tragic, I have really had a fun
time learning what it is to commit to what's happening on stage.
There is so much dramatically happening to Christine that I've
learned the only way to truly believe the lines coming out of my
mouth are to just trust and commit to everything I am saying. So
basically I feel very challenged my Christine as both a singer and an
actress.
Sandra - What are some of the aspects you have brought into your
interpretation of Christine?
Sara - Umm, the aspect of Sara Ford? I don't really know. I guess I
feel like kind of a quirky person so inevitably Christine is then
quirky. I don't know if thats how people consider Christine to be but
I gotta admit, it slips out now and then....the quirk.
Sandra - What scene/song of the Phantom musical is your favourite
and why.
Sara - It changes a lot but I have been enjoying "Wishing" a lot and
"Point of no Return". Wishing just gives me a sense of fulfillment
when I'm done because now matter what kinda journey I wen
through during the song, the journeys always satisfying. And
point of no return because I enjoy sing the words and biting into each
one of them.
Sandra - How did you prepared for Christine role?
Sara - Umm, I learned it in 4 weeks and went on at the very last
friday of week 4. I had enough time to learn the blocking, the lines,
the music and go! Which was the most fun I've had preparing for
something. Being busy helped me keep out of my head.
Sandra - What do you think about Christine role and her relationship
with the Phantom and Raoul?
Sara - I guess I feel that Christine has always had this very present
"father figure" in her life. And when she loses him, she loses a sense
of herself. The Phantom fills a gap that she has been longing for and
when her longing scares her she turns and Raoul is there. They both
fill a gap.
I just don't think she will end up happy in any scenario.
Sandra - What is it, in your opinion, what makes the show so
appealing?
Sara - Well, at this point its a piece of Musical Theatre history. It was
the 1st of its kind to really introduce the whole scenic spectacle aspect
in theatre. It will be followed by a helicopter and a flying witch. But
also, its a pretty basic love story in the end. And I think people
identify with the idea of looking past a persons exterior and seeing
the beauty on the interior.
Sandra - In the Phantom musical, what do you think it is the most
important scene and which one represents a bigger vocal difficult?
Sara - I think the most important scene is the very short scene
between MadameGiry and Raoul. The scene where she finally tells
who this man is and where he came from. Vocally difficult for me I
guess is the part right after the "sour" in the rooftop scene. "Yet in his
eyes......" Its always been a challenge.
Sandra - What role would you like to play one day?
Sara - I want to play something new that has never been done before.
Sandra - Tell us about your future projects.
Sara - I am leaving "Phantom" in June to go to The Guthrie Theatre in
Minniapolis to do a new Musical based on the "little House" books.
Its called "Little House on the Prairie- The Musical" and I'm playing
the role Nellie Olsen.
Sandra - Dedicate some words to your fans.
Sara - I have fans? My Mom is my biggest so I guess I would say:
"thank you fan #1 for being my biggest supporter and for sacrificing
everything to make my realize my dreams."
Interview exclusive for this site.
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Copyright by Ladyghost.
