Wicked is a show that's known for its rabid fans as much as anything else, are you looking forward to or fearing that?
What a luxury, to be in a pre-ordained hit. The last two
plays I did were wonderful, weird Off-Broadway gems, and it was not
always easy. It is lovely and unusual to not have to worry about
whether an audience will connect to the show.
We've learned that you read the message boards to see what people are saying about you. Anything you'd like to say to those that doubt your abilities to play Elphie?
I have been giving this some thought. I do not read reviews and I do not read celebrity magazines, but sometimes I go fishing for some nameless, faceless approval on the boards and I always regret it; it's odd that anyone invests in chat room feedback, since it's statistically screwy and it's difficult to gage or address misconceptions.
I have not read anything since I started Wicked, although I confess that I occasionally ask around for a temperature gage. :-) I learned my lesson when I was cast in the role; because of my TV comedy name, I thoroughly expected people to question my ability to sing the role, but what was amazing was that several of the postings seemed concerned about my age. I've played a lot of older dowdy women on SNL and in movies, and people are always surprised by my real life youth. It was so odd and funny to me. There are people out there who truly believe I'm a pear-shaped matron in my fifties.
Rumor also has it you're addicted to "googling" yourself? What's the best and the worst you've found?
I made a New Year's resolution not to google myself, though occasionally I fall off the wagon. My husband and I are currently working out some version of parental controls. "I don't do it anymore" because I only remember the bad, and "the worst" is way too icky to repeat.
What made you first want to act on stage?
I don't know about "first" because, well, isn't that what you do in middle school if you're someone like me? (First Helen Keller, then Annie Oakley, and the rest is history). But, I want to act on stage now because … I love the discipline.
In spite of what I did for years as an improviser and on live TV, I really love the slow process of stage work. There is such an opportunity to improve night after night after night. I really feel myself grow. Also, I worry less when I'm in a play, the nitty-gritty of it keep the nuts part of my brain quiet; it's such a gift for a an anxious person, to have a satisfying job everyday, to be busy but not stressed.
What are 5 things people don't know about Ana Gasteyer?
1) As discussed, I'm not in my fifties, do not wear dentures, etc.
2) I wear the same outfit on the day after two-show days, since I spent most of the day in costume and who's got the time to come up with more 'looks'.
3) My grandmother was born in Transylvania.
4) My first professional job was as a child ghost in Verdi's Macbeth when I was 13.
5) I'm not deep enough to have five nifty secrets.
For more information on Wicked in Chicago, and to purchase tickets, visit http://www.wickedthemusical.com/chicago/
