The Old Musical, The New Talent Of course, there are the shows that have been running for some time here in New York. However, new performers, new singers, and new cast members help keep a long-running show fresh and appealing. Wicked’s Christine Dwyer (Elphaba) and Pippin’s Carly Hughes (Leading Player) are currently in long-running shows, but being the “new class” has helped them establish an identity within their show, and the community. TELL US A BIT ABOUT HOW YOU USED YOUR TALENT AND PERSONALITY TO BOOK YOUR ROLE. Christine: Elphaba has always come pretty easily to me. Not the singing of course, but the character and getting into her head. She’s strong, yet wounded from being an outcast and not receiving love from family and friends. I definitely can relate to being an outcast and always felt a little out of place wherever I was. My family is great and I found friends who accepted me, but I have always been a little self deprecating. Usually using it in a sarcastic and humorous way just like Elphaba. She doesn’t always know how to connect with people and when she does, they are strong friendships and relationships that she would give her life for. And I am very much the same way which I think came across in the audition. Carly: I just went in with the goal of being myself and bringing my own style to the material. I made sure I sang the songs with my own riffs and did the scenes with my signature sass.
Photo by Joan Marcus
WHY DO YOU FEEL IT IS IMPORTANT FOR LONGRUNNING SHOWS TO BRING IN FRESH TALENT? Christine: Well I think it’s great to move people around and bring new people in because especially with roles like Elphaba and Glinda, the die hard fans of the show always want to see what someone new will bring to the role (which keeps them coming back). And the people seeing it for the first time are seeing actors who are really working together to bring new life to the same story. 64 BLEEP