After making her Broadway debut as the Christine alternate in Broadway's longest-running musical The Phantom of the Opera, Kaley Ann Voorhees returns to the Phantom's lair (one of many iconic musical theatre locales) in the new retrospective Hal Prince musical Prince of Broadway
. In addition to playing Christine, Kaley also takes on Maria in West Side Story, Magnolia in Showboat, Young Phyllis in Follies, and Amy in Company.
Get to know Kaley better as she talks to BroadwayBox about her Phantom audition, why Tokyo is her brand of weird, and her ultimate nerd-out dinner party.
1. The biggest Prince of Broadway pinch-me moment so far has been:
Where to even begin! I suppose sitting with everyone on that first day of rehearsal. Listening to Hal talk about his history with these shows, and seeing the cast and creatives being as enthralled by what he was saying as I was. I remember looking around and thinking about how lucky I was to be a part of it all. It was really a special moment, and one that I wont soon forget.
2. The thing I loved most about living and performing in Tokyo:
Tokyo is, in the words of my fellow cast-mates, very much my brand of weird. I loved almost everything! From going to the robot shows in Harajuku, to onsens in the middle of nowhere, I was being immersed in a completely different culture for the first time. I think that’s what I loved most about being in Tokyo, there was something new and different to do every day! I would love to go back.
3. My first introduction to The Phantom of the Opera:
My parents took me to see the movie in theatres when I was around 9 or 10 because they thought I would like it, and boy were they right! I used to listen to the soundtrack before bed and give myself nightmares, but looking back I think it was worth it. I was hooked! I’ve had a soft spot in my heart for Phantom ever since.
4. The key to keeping my voice ready for this huge sing:
Rest is a big one; steamers and Ricola can only take you so far. But getting to bed at a reasonable hour (or trying to at least) goes a very long way. Combine that with drinking as much water as you can, and you’ve laid the groundwork to be able to do what you gotta’ do!
5. In 140 characters, the Twitter version of my Cinderella story of being discovered for Phantom:
I was given a chance, & an audition I never thought Id be in, thanks to a few wonderful people and a whole lot of luck.
6. The non-Phantom Prince of Broadway track, I’m having the most fun in right now:
Getting a chance to work with Bryonha in the Showboat scene makes my day. It’s crazy to be onstage and get to work with people that talented. But also the amount of fun we have during that song is, in many ways, no act. The smiles are all real. Working with Tony in the West Side Story stuff is a close, close second.
7. Three things I need for a two-show-day at Prince of Broadway:
A latte in some shape or form, a good music playlist ready to go, and the pull out loveseat in the girls dressing room.
8. If I could have dinner with one Drag Race contestant, one Star Wars character and one Harry Potter character, I would choose:
Honestly, I can't tell you how jazzed I am to be answering this question. The Drag Race contestant would have to be our latest crowned queen, Sasha Velour. Though to meet Adore Delano or Katya would be ultimate goals. Star Wars would have to be Leia Organa, 100%. And as for Harry Potter, I’m going to go with Luna Lovegood. Although I’m sure Dumbledore would make for some very interesting conversation as well.
9. Growing up, the voices I idolized most:
Any sopranos in the biz really, and/or people you can pick out of a crowd. Bernadette Peters, Audra McDonald, Kristin Chenoweth, Barbara Cook. Just to name a few. They all had such a ring to their voices, and such distinctive sounds.
10. My most memorable audition story:
My fist audition in the city was Phantom, and subsequently my first visit to the city since our high school trip. I was standing in the room with casting and the creatives in front of me, and they asked if I was enjoying NYC. I said that it was beautiful and I loved being here, and I gestured to a tiny, dirty, screened up window in the corner. They all exchanged glances with each other and sort of chuckled, and then told me to turn around. I hadn’t taken the full room in when I arrived because I was so nervous, so I hadn’t noticed that the whole back wall was just a giant window looking over 8th ave.
After a couple seconds of silence I turned back around, egg all over my Midwestern face, and prayed that they would find it endearing and not ignorant. As we know, it all worked out better than I could have ever hoped! So I suppose it was the latter. But I think I'll remember that audition (and that view) forever.
Don't miss Kaley Ann Voorhees in 'Prince of Broadway' at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre.
