BroadwayBox teams up with photographer Curtis Brown to present "Ushering in a New Golden Age", an exclusive photo and interview series in which we spotlight the breakout stars from the 2018 Broadway season and style each like Broadway's original age. This illustrious crew of Tony nominees, Drama Desk nominees, and fan favorites was photographed at the beautiful Hudson Theatre (home to next season's new musical Head Over Heels). Next up is Erika Henningsen, the leading lady of the 12-time Tony-nominated hit musical adaptation of Mean Girls
. Erika made her Broadway debut as a Fantine replacement in the last revival of Les Miserables, and now she gives a breakout performance (and sings the house down) as Cady Heron, who goes from " home-schooled jungle freak to shiny Plastic to most hated person in the world to actual human being".
1. Was there a big role in high school or college that gave you the confidence to pursue this?
Belle in Beauty and the Beast, which feels weird because this outfit is Mad Men meets Belle. I was a junior in high school (and it was a big deal because a junior got the lead) and I had the most fun with it. I also got to lead a cast, which was an experience you don’t know you can do until you’re forced to do it. That was a turning moment. I decided I want to study this and pursue it.
2. What has changed most in your life since taking on this role?
The greatest thing about it is that doing the show is so much fun, the show is two and half hours of energy. I feel like I’m shot out of a cannon. We arrive in Africa and I do not stop until I trust fall off the spring fling stage. So, for me, my day to day has changed because my health and vocal stamina are the main priority of my day until I arrive at the theatre, and then the fun happens.
Overall, the most exciting thing is hearing from young girls who respond to the heart and message in it. Then on a broader scale, realizing I have a responsibility to lead by example in my interactions. That’s always been how I tried to live my life, but now I feel there’s that added privilege of getting to do so in a show like this.
3. This series is all about this Broadway season’s breakout performers. If you could time machine back and see any big Broadway icon’s breakout stage performance, whose would you want to go back and see?
I really want to see Laura Benanti in Gypsy. It wasn’t her breakout, and it wasn’t even that long ago, but I just really want to see it so badly.
4. What’s the most sentimental thing in your dressing room?
I have this little silver figurine of an elephant that Taylor [Louderman] gave me, and we didn’t realize the meaning it would hold. Now, I make my entrance in the show behind the butt of an elephant. So, this little figurine reminds me, no matter how crazy and amazing life gets, sometimes you might make your leading lady Broadway entrance behind an elephant butt—love it and embrace it. It keeps me grounded.
5. What’s been your biggest obstacle in reaching this point?
It’s something we touch on in the show, but I was so focused for a long time on comparing myself to other people and looking side to side. So, the biggest thing I’ve learned is you are not going to take a step forward when you are focusing on the noise to the left or right of you. For this show, I didn’t get it the first time around, and that was such a disheartening blow, but it made me realize that things will come to you when the time is right. Surrendering to the inevitable pitfalls of this business was a really hard thing for me to accept and know it has nothing to do with me—and to not begrudge other people for their success. That’s why I love getting to do this part. There are days the lessons I teach North Shore High are the lessons I need to hear that day as well.
6. You are originating the role of Cady onstage. What advice would you give to future actresses who will one day play Cady in Mean Girls—be it on Broadway, on the road, or at their school?
I want them to know that as intelligent as she is, [Cady] is a human like all of us, who makes mistakes and is misguided. My favorite thing about playing her is that she doesn’t become a mean girl overnight. She makes choices that she thinks are right and bears the consequences. I hope the people who play her find that you’re allowed to mess up, and then take ownership at the end. It’s the most wonderful full-circle story to get to tell.
Photographed by Curtis Brown at The Hudson Theatre. Makeup by Claudia Eltabie & Liv Swenson from Rouge Makeup Salons, Hair by Austin Thornton, Styling by Kinsland Howell Alice in Kinsland Styling. Clothing courtesy of Starstruck Vintage Clothing.
Click here to see the entire "Ushering in a New Golden Age" series, and don't miss Erika Henningsen enter behind an elephant butt and then steal your heart as Cady in Mean Girls at Broadway's August Wilson Theatre.
