Everyone has it pretty rough in the epic musical Les Miserables, but poor Fantine really has it the worst. She falls in love, she loses her man, gets conned by people she trusted to care for her young daughter, she sells her hair, she sells herself, she dies—it’s just awful. (On the upside, she does sing the ultimate sad song “I Dreamed a Dream”.) Taking on the tragic character now is newcomer Erika Henningsen, making her Broadway debut fresh off her leading role in Sheryl Crow’s new musical Diner. Below, we get to know the heartbreaking leading lady a little bit better.
1. My all-time favorite lyric from Les Miserables:
What I say my favorite is: "Love is the garden of the young". (A Heart Full of Love REPRISE WOAH)
What my actual favorite is: "You. Have. No. FRIIIENNNDS."
2. My first experience or memory of Les Miserables was:
When I was 9, I played Little Cosette at my hometown's local high school. I wore jazz sneakers while singing "Castle on a Cloud".....
3. If I had to describe singing “I Dreamed a Dream” on Broadway in a single hashtag, it would be:
#isthisreallife
4. Broadway cast recording I wore out in high school:
In the Heights. I could pass for Dominican right? Lin-Manuel?
5. My desert island Sheryl Crow song:
Everything she wrote for DINER. Y'all. This woman is a genius. The world needs to hear what she's been working on.
6. TV show I can’t miss an episode of:
G. O. T. #jonsnowlives
7. Booked that completely rocked my world:
The Adventures of Kavalier and Clay. Or Year of the King, Antony Sher's diary when he played Richard III at the RSC. Would recommend it to anybody in the business.
8. Three things I need to survive a two-show day:
Grethers Pastilles. My foam roller. And Susan Corrado: wig mistress, confidant, and soul sistahh.
9. My go-to cry movie is:
Oh god. Homeward Bound. Anything with dogs. Even Airbud gets me sometimes.
10. My biggest “pinch me” moment professionally has been:
When I worked with Claude Michel Schoenberg. Like WHAT. He's a legend.
Get yourself over to the Imperial Theatre and let Erika Henningsen break your heart as Fantine in 'Les Miserables'.
