Kristy Cates Interview

hey guys! so i recently got to interview the marvelous kristy cates. here it is!!!


1. Who are some of your favorite composers?
Ooh! Good first question! I have always loved the music of Maltby and Shire, Kander and Ebb, Jason Robert Brown, Andrew Lippa and of course, Stephen Schwartz. I am a big fan of Bonnie Raitt’s old school stuff, Billy Joel and Marc Broussard. I also have a lot of respect for the old jazz guys – Duke Ellington, Billy Strayhorn, Sammy Cahn – to name a few.

2. What are some of your favorite theatre shows?
Miss Saigon is the show that made me REALLY want to become a performer. I also adore a lot of the Sondheim stuff; Into the Woods in particular. Last 5 Years is definitely up there among my favorites – along with Lippa’s Wild Party. I also LOVED the plays August in Osage County and Side Man.

3. What do you like to do for fun?
Going to the movies, going out to dinner, bowling, walking my dog in the park, working out, SHOPPING! I also love to just chill at home and watch whatever is on my DVR!

4. What are some of your favorite songs to sing?
Ooh…I LOVE Spark of Creation from Children of Eden, Life of the Party from Wild Party, Who are you Now from Funny Girl, Vienna by Billy Joel, The I Love You Song from Spelling Bee, and anything jazzy! Oh the Wicked stuff, of course ☺

5. If you could play any male role, which role would you choose?
Chris from Miss Saigon….without a doubt!!!

6. Are you going to be returning to Wicked?
Maybe. ☺

7. Are you working on/ going to be working on a solo album any time soon?
A solo album take a lot of money and time – of which I don’t have right now! I would love to record an album someday…when it’s meant to be, it will be! Anyone out there want to produce it?! haha!

8. What interested you in musical theatre?
I have no idea! When I was a little girl I was obsessed with the album, Judy Garland Live at Carnegie Hall. Honestly, I had it memorized by age 8! I am the baby of 6 kids, and I just always loved to sing and do plays for my family. I can’t think of any moment in particular that was a definite jumping off point – but I will say that supportive parents and teachers are what kept me going!

9. What has been your favorite role so far?
That’s tough. I love so many of them for MANY different reasons. Honestly, it changes day to day. I will say that I played Jen in John and Jen in college and I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to play that role again someday.

10. What is your favorite thing about performing?
Expressing myself and sharing a story with not only the people on stage, but the people in the audience. Wicked audiences are probably the best audiences around….and every single performance was for the people sitting there and experiencing the story for the first (or 100th) time! I love to be part of something that makes people think….and evaluate…and maybe walk out of the theatre a little nicer….better…inspired.

11. What is your dream role?
I was actually cast as Evita a few years back, but had to turn down the role due to a scheduling conflict. I was so upset! I would LOVE to play that role someday. I would also love to do something in Wild Party…and Mama Rose somewhere down the line as well.

12. Do you ever consider performing across country?
I don’t know what this means….a tour? Sure why not?!!?!?

13. What are some recommendations or tips for people goinginto musical theatre?
WORK HARD and DON’T GIVE UP. Honestly, let every lesson, class, audition and performance make you BETTER. Listen to constructive criticism and being willing to work harder and smarter than your “competition”. And DON'T TAKE ANYTHING PERSONALLY.

14. What is the funniest moment you’ve had whileperforming?
I can’t think of one thing in particular – but I will say that performing for children is ALWAYS funny. Kids are so uninhibited. They shout out whatever they are feeling. And once I get the giggles, it’s VERY hard to stop. HAHAH!

15. Favorite thing about St. Louis?
Emery Entertainment; the producers of Unbeatable! They treated me great and were really fun people to hang out with. It’s a great city and I look forward to working there again someday! And all my friends that came to see the show...some drove up to 10 hours. Thanks guys!

16. Who is some of your biggest support?
Definitely my family and my friends….and my teachers and students. I also have a lot of “fans” that have become great friends. I am grateful for their constant support on any project I do. I am lucky girl!

17. Do you have a personal record for "getting green"?
There was one day that neither the makeup person NOR his back up person, showed up until 5 minutes before curtain!!! I painted myself in like 10 minutes! It wasn’t cute, but it worked!

18. Favorite thing about wicked?
The music, the journey, the fans!

19. What are some major factors that you took intoconsideration for choosing a college to pursue musical theatre?
I wanted a program that had a good reputation, strong teachers and a high success rate. A director told me that if I wanted to “make it” in this business, I HAD to go to CCM. I flew to Cincinnati, fell in love with the program, and the rest is history!

20. Do you ever get overwhelmed with your career?
There are days when I leave the apartment at 9am and don’t get back til midnight. In that day I may have a theatre audition, a voice over, a class and a coaching…maybe a concert that night. There are individual days that overwhelm me, but it’s never that bad. I am doing what I love! And getting paid for it! YAY!

21. What are some ways you relieve stress?
I treat myself to massages, mani/pedi’s, a new pair of shoes and a glass of wine. I also try to surround myself with people that make me laugh. Nothing relieves stress like a good, genuine laugh.

22. Favorite Wicked memory?
Going on as Elphaba for the first time on Broadway. I was SO nervous but excited. I said a prayer, calmed myself down, and just tried to enjoy the moment. It was more wonderful than I ever dreamed it would be.

23. Favorite Unbeatable memory?
I became REALLY close with the woman who played my best friend...her name is Charity Dawson (and she's gonna be a HUGE star). My time off stage at the apartment we shared AND the support I got from her onstage, were both VERY special to me. She made me laugh SO much. We watched Golden Girls NON-STOP! Hahah!

24. Do you have any new projects coming up?
Lots of fun stuff but I can’t really talk about it now. Check my website!

25. Any plans on going to Broadway?
I certainly wouldn’t be against it. There aren’t a lot of roles on Broadway right now that are perfect for me…but we shall see!

26. Describe your theatre experience in 5 words.
Exhilarating, unpredictable, fulfilling, thought-provoking and grateful.

27. Bobby Cronin says he LOVES working with you!!!
Love YOU, Bobby Cronin!

Shrek the Musical

Shrek. Probably one of the most unlikely movie to musicals made. Ever. But, it is not to bad. I know of a few people who LOVED the show, and I must admit, I kind of like the album. Shrek is a show starring Brian D'Arcy James as Shrek, Sutton Foster as Fiona, Christopher Seiber as Lord Farquaad, Chester Gregory II as Donkey, John Tartaglia as Pinocchio. Some songs have heart, while some songs are just silly! It is a very good, kid friendly musical. Unfortunately, it closed on broadway on January 3rd, 2010, but will start a tour towards the end of the year.

Rent

Rent, starring Adam Pascal, Anthony Rapp, Idina Menzel, Taye Diggs, Daphne Rubin-Vega, Jesse L. Martin, Wilson Jermaine Heredia, and Fredi Walker. Its about friends living in the lower east side, some of which have aids. This is such an emotional musical, with so much power, so much love, so much understanding. The music and lyrics were by Jonathan Larson (may he rest in peace), who died the day before opening, also of aids. My personal favorite song is called "Take Me or Leave Me", between the 2 lesbians, Maureen and Joanne, played by Idina Menzel and Fredi Walker. Its just a fun song about accepting someone for who they are, instead of trying to change them for who you want them to be. There are some hard hitter songs, also. Like the rest of the album. It is just so heartfelt, and a few songs make me cry. I admit, they do. But, it is a classic album, and everyone should own one.

Hair

Now, I only have the revival cast recording, but I must say it is VERY good. I always thought of myself as an opened minded, theatre hippie, but it took Hair to really open my eyes, along w Rent, to what love and acceptance really are. It stares Caissie Levy, Will Swenson, Gavin Creel, Allison Case (on medical leave), and a few other people. It is set during the vietnam war, and is about a set of hippies who want the war to be over, and peace all around. Which, still resounds today, with the war in Iraq, and the current gay rights issue. Hair is just a beautiful album to go along with a beautiful show.

Lippa's The Wild Party

Lippa's The Wild Party, starring Julia Murney, Idina Menzel, Brian D'Arcy James, and Taye Diggs, is a musical set in the 20's. It is focused on 2 vaudville performers, their best friend, and her boyfriend. Soon, a love triangle forms. The way the music is set up is gorgeous! It is VERY 1920's style music, which I love! Everyone sounds amazing on the album, especially Julia. Her voice is just brilliant with that style of music. She can do no wrong. Idina also sounds amazing. Who I was supprised by was Brian D'Arcy James. He sounds amazingly wonderful with that style of music, and his songs that he sings are truly amazing. The Wild Party is one of my favorite cast albums, so if you dont already have it, go get it asap!

Next To Normal

I only have the Next To Normal album, and I must say, it is one of my favorite albums, ever. Everything about it shows great power, emotion, and is all around amazing. I have yet to see the musical. My favorite song from the album is probably "I Miss The Mountains". It just shows that this woman, Diana, wants her life back. She has sevear Bipolar, and sees her dead son, for whom she feels responsable for the death of. It just shows that she misses the way things were, the way she wishes things were now. Just the whole ablbum is powerful, amazing, great, wonderful. I cant help but FEEL for the family. Next To Normal is definately an album you need to have as apart of you collection, and if you get the chance to see it, you MUST!!!

Musicals

This is my first time blogging, so this is just going to be a short post. I have always loved musicals, thanks to my Grandparents, my whole life, but never really knew anything about them. My first musical was a movie musical, The Wizard Of Oz, which I can imagine are most peoples first musical experience. Since then, I have always have had a little intrest in them, seeing the musical movies Moulin Rouge, The Sound of Music, and Chicago. My first real life performance was Jesus Christ Superstar. All though I loved it, it didnt really peak my interest. That was my freshman year in high school. In my junior year in high school, I saw The Lion King. Again, although I loved it, I was fine if I didnt see it again. Then, in November of 2008, I read the book Wicked. And that is when my eyes opened. I HAD to see this musical. It totally flipped my views on what I had thought about the Wizard Of Oz on its head. My mom bought me the album about a month after I read the book, and I was in love. Again, I HAD to see this musical. Then right before christmas, I got the greatest news ever. IT WAS COMING TO MY CITY ON TOUR!!! As soon as I got money, I went to get a ticekt. So the time came, in March, for me to go see it. On opening day. I was freaking out. The whole performance was beautiful. From every song to word to light que I was hooked. My cousin decided to take me as payment for watching her house, during that same tour. Again, I was hooked. Both times, I cried after it was over. Not a little cry. A big, sobbing, snotty cry. It blew my mind. I was addicted. I found out everything I could about musicals, the people who act, sing, and do everything I can to learn about musicals. So, that is my story, and I will be back later!