Interview: Vanessa Williams

Do you find working in London theatre different as compared to Broadway? The work ethic and talent level is the same in the West End as on Broadway. The only difference is you have “tea breaks” and we have “coffee breaks”.

Vanessa Williams

Vanessa Williams, renowned American singer and actress, famous for her TV roles as Wilhelmina Slater in Ugly Betty and Renée Perry in Desperate Housewives, as well as for her star turns on Broadway, makes her West End stage debut in City of Angels, which opened in March at the Garrick Theatre. Theatre reviewer for American in Britain, Lydia Parker, got the chance to ask her a few questions about her extensive performing career and her time in London.

Have you been to the UK before? If so, what are your favourite things to do here? I’ve been to the UK several times. I visited my uncle’s family while he was working here in the sixties, I sang on Top of the Pops, and I recorded the strings for my Christmas album at Abbey Road Studios.

My favourite things to do while in London are of course going to the theatre, walking in the many parks and heading out to Bicester Village for designer bargains! What have you found challenging as an American living in the UK and what do you like? There have been no challenges transitioning from New York to London. There’s Uber, subways, buses and taxis always available, but I tend to walk daily and that’s the best way to get my bearings and discover neighbourhoods. I try to not take the same route often but mix it up.

As a musical theatre major in college, was your ambition always to be on stage? Growing up within an hour from Broadway, musical theatre was always a tangible goal for me, just an audition away. Being a recording artist, TV and movie star was a dream come true.

Who are your favourite musical theatre composers? Did you find working on Sondheim musicals a challenge more than other composers? My favourite composers for the stage are of course my friend Stephen Sondheim with whom I worked twice (Into the Woods, Sondheim on Sondheim) Harold Arlen, Leonard Bernstein, Micheal John LaChiusa, Frank Loesser, the list goes on.

Sondheim’s songs are unique, heart wrenching, witty and delicious to dive into and master as an actor.

Besides having the honour of working with musical theatre legend Sondheim, I was directed by Hal Prince for Kiss of the Spiderwoman with music by Fred Ebb and John Cantor and choreography by Rob Marshall in 1994-95.

I’ve appeared in many wonderful Broadway musicals: St. Louis Woman in 1998, Into the Woods in 2002, Sondheim on Sondheim in 2010, A Trip to Bountiful in 2013, After Midnight in 2014 and Hey Look Me Over in 2018. I also recorded the cast albums for Kiss of the Spiderwoman, Into the Woods, Sondheim on Sondheim and St. Louis Woman.

What drew you to City of Angels? I got an offer for City of Angels in August along with a beautiful note from our director Josie Rourke that expressed her appreciation for my talent and her awardwinning vision for this production. Then we had a FaceTime call and I was ready to fly over and start this amazing journey. The technology for this production is truly innovative using special effects, projection, automation and a crazy talented cast to pull it all together.

Tell us about the musical and the character you play. City of Angels is a sexy musical about a 1940’s film noir world that ping pongs from black and white for the fictional film scenes to Technicolor for the reality of making the murder mystery. Sexy because our lead detective Stone sleeps with practically all the leading ladies in the cast. Did I mention Stone is played by Theo James? Plus, the music, choreography and dialogue are super slick.

All of our cast plays double roles in both worlds; I play Alaura Kingsley, a rich wife who has evil intentions, and Carla Haywood, the producer’s wife of the film they are making.

You seem to be typecast playing powerful and beautiful women whom other women love to hate or feel threatened by, like

Wilhemina Slater in Ugly Betty and Renee Perry in Desperate Housewives. How will Carla/Alaura be different? Even though I am cast as strong female characters, there are always differences with making each character come to life. The best thing about musicals is that I get to sing and dance to enhanced characters.

This production of City of Angels has a very specific aesthetic which is reflected in the costume design. Can you tell us about them? The costumes for the show are gorgeous, glamorous and unforgettable. I am dripping in satin, faux fur and classic silhouettes.

You are also a fashion designer. Is your line available in the UK? My HSN fashion line is not yet available on QVC UK which is unfortunate because QVC owns HSN and it would have been a delight to sell to UK costumers while I’m living here.

You were recently at Drag Con in the UK. How did it compare to the US experience? RuPaul and Michelle Visage are good friends of mine and I ran into Michelle on Tottenham Court Road after one rehearsal. She told me about Drag Con UK and I brought my daughter and some cast members to enjoy it on our day off. We had a ball and Ru gave our show a shout out while he interviewed Bananarama. I’m so happy that the event was so well attended and that people here are embracing Drag Race UK. I’ve judged RuPaul’s Drag Race in the States a few times and always love it.

Are any of your children following in your footsteps? My daughter Jillian is a recording artist in a singing group called “Lion Babe” that broke in the UK five years ago on Polydor. My other daughter Sasha just starred in her first TV movie for Christmas last season. My other two children are in very creative fields, pilates instruction and graphic arts.

What is next after City of Angels? After my run in the West End I have my usual concerts to perform, projects in development and who knows, maybe I’ll do more projects here. I’m loving my opportunities in London and would happily continue to be a part of the magic here.

Vanessa Williams will appear in City of Angels until 25 July. The production runs to 5 September and also stars Rosalie Craig, Theo Stone, Nicola Roberts, Hadley Fraser, Jonathan Slinger and Rebecca Trehearn.