BWW Exclusive: New York Pops Spotlight on Donna Murphy

On Monday, April 29, The New York Pops marks its 30th birthday with a grand gala evening honoring the musical talents of songwriters Frank Loesser and Jule Styne, and the centennial of legendary entertainer Danny Kaye. Paula Zahn, host of NYC ARTS on PBS, will host the evening.

The event begins at 7:00 PM with a concert at Carnegie Hall featuring a spectacular lineup of guest artists under the baton of Music Director Steven Reineke. Performers include Laura Benanti, Rob McClure, Donna Murphy, Kelli O'Hara, Laura Osnes, Anthony Warlow, and more. For additional information, visit: www.newyorkpops.org

BroadwayWorld recently chatted with featured performer Donna Murphy about her upcoming appearance in the special celebration:

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What will you be singing at the gala?

I am singing "The Ugly Duckling". It has music and lyrics by the great Frank Loesser and is from the film musical Hans Christian Andersen. It's tender and funny, and speaks to an experience that so many of us feel at some point in our lives: that we are different from " everyone else," and don't fit in anywhere. It's anchored in hope, which may be my favorite word in the English language. I have a vivid memory of watching the brilliant Danny Kaye perform it in the film when I was a child, and jusT Loving that moment!

This year's New York Pops gala honors Frank Loesser, Jule Styne, and Danny Kaye. Do you have a favorite memory of any of the honorees?

Well, where do I begin? Frank Loesser and Jule Styne are two of my favorite composers in the musical world. Their versatility is immeasurable , and I can't imagine our musical theater landscape (onstage and film) without their music! Sad to say I have never performed in a show of Mr. Loesser's, though I have sung his songs whenever possible. His "Rumble , Rumble, Rumble," which was written for the film " The Perils of Pauline" starring Betty Hutton, was a staple in my audition repertoire for years, and I always had such a blast performing it, whether I got the job or not!

Somehow, the only Jule Styne show I've done was a Summer Youth Theater Production of Gypsy up in Massachusetts, where I played Tessie Tura AND (as a last minute replacement) was also one of Baby June's Newsboys! That last minute put-in cost me a black eye during our first performance, which definitely added unexpected character to Tessie's look. I'd always hoped to do Funny Girl...it never quite worked out at the right time. I've been asked to play Mama Rose a number of times...I hope that role might still be a possibility.

Finally , Danny Kaye was a gem of a performer. Who is there like him?

I was so charmed by him in Hans Christian Andersen, and so it's really sweet to be singing a Frank Loesser song that was immortalized by Mr. Kaye who is also being honored tonight.

Have you worked with The New York Pops before? What are you looking most forward to?

No, I haven't. Last year I was asked to be a part of New York Pops Gala which was honoring my friends Lynn Ahrens and Steve Flaherty, but I had another performance commitment that night . I was very sad to miss out on the chance to honor and celebrate Lynn and Steve, and also to sing with this fantastic orchestra. So when I was asked to participate this year, I really wanted to find a way to make it Happen. I am thrilled that it all worked out! Well, it will be the 1st time I've sung at Carnegie Hall as a soloist! I sang back-up for Karen Akers' concert there back in the 1980's. And I narrated a piece (that Lynn & Steve wrote) for a Boston Pops concert there some years back. Just the idea of performing on that historical stage, surrounded by the sound of 78 superb musicians, and in the company of so many remarkable artists is very exciting. To know that a big part of this evening is about raising money for The New York Pops music education programs makes it all deeply meaningful to me.

What has it been like working with The New York Pops Music Director Steven Reineke?

Well, Steven and I haven't actually rehearsed together yet! We're scheduled to do that this week. But I feel like we have begun a wonderful collaboration in discussing the evening and the song I'm singing and how we might approach it. In addition to clearly being an outstanding musician and leader, he seems to bring a true passion and love for music and the great work this orchestra does on concert stages and in classrooms, and anywhere it can make its joyful noise, to really move people

Students from The New York Pops education programs will also perform during the concert. What was your music education/training like?

I was blessed to grow up during a time and in two places (Hauppauge, Long Island and Topsfield, Mass.) where the arts programs in the public schools were so beautifully supported. I was singing from just about the time I could talk, and when I asked for voice lessons at age 3 1/2 (or so my mother tells me) my mother found me an accordion teacher instead! Once I started Kindergarten there was chorus and violin lessons and orchestra and Madrigal singers and a Rock Ensemble I sang with in High School- all PART OF THE SCHOOL CURRICULUM. These opportunities extended to auditioning and participating in District and All State choruses, along with performing in dramatic and musical productions. I loved school anyway, but there is no doubt that these experiences were the most vital part of my growing up, and shaped my life choices. I had magnificent, passionate teachers, who encouraged me and my classmates. I then went to NYU to study with Stella Adler in their Undergrad Drama Department. I finally started singing lessons in my 30's. Still working on it!

What single piece of advice would you give to any aspiring performers?

Never stop working at your craft, and always remember that there is only one of YOU on this planet, and that living as an artist means always keeping yourself open to the things that move you to express in a way that will be distinctively yours.