An Interview with Stephanie D'Abruzzo

Stephanie D'Abruzzo made her Broadway debut in Avenue Q, where she played the roles of the very lonely Kate Monster (who had the looks and intelligence, but no boyfriend) and the very aggressive Lucy the Slut. These characters are cleverly depicted not as real people, but as puppets. Now, D'Abruzzo stars in the new off-Broadway musical comedy I Love You Because.  

Last week, I had the chance to speak with D'Abruzzo and first asked how she became involved in this project and what appealed to her mainly about the script. "I became involved in an early presentation of I Love You Because in January, 2005. The presentation had maybe two-thirds of the songs and I was playing Marcy. In the spring, they asked me to come back and read as Diana," says the 2004 Tony Award nominee for Best Actress. "What appealed to me about this project was the ability to do something new. Diana is neither the good girl nor the bad girl. My attraction was the variety and to play something I didn't play before."  

Her character, Diana, is a very driven actuary and has not had success with love. "She thinks it's calculated and there's a formula to love/relationships." The formula in question calculates the rebound time between relationships. "Diana thinks she knows who she is until the second act. She is very different in the first act and I enjoy playing those two sides." D'Abruzzo claims this formula does work, although, being very happily married, she has not tried it. "I'm not a math person, but think love sort of steps in when you least expect it." You can download the Rebound Time Calculator on the shows website (www.iloveyoubecausethemusical.com). 

After being involved with Avenue Q since January of 2000, D'Abruzzo was ready to expand her horizons. "I had been looking for something new to do," she adds. Upon leaving the show, D'Abruzzo felt as if a chapter was closed. "My last performance was very special. You want it to be perfect, but no performance is ever perfect. It was moving. I was not the first original cast member to leave and I'm sure I won't be the last. I miss everyone so much."  

She recalls the week off in between shows (Avenue Q and I Love You Because) as depressing. "I thought I would see all of these shows (The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, etc.), but I was at home watching television with my husband and could not bring myself to talk to anyone. It was really depressing, even though I left on voluntary terms and I had another show lined up. So, I did not see any shows. I felt like I was out of the Broadway community. However, once rehearsals started for I Love You Because, I was like Avenue what? It was ok to know that there was a show going on without me." 

D'Abruzzo became interested in puppetry (teaching herself) while studying at Northwestern University. While in college, D'Abruzzo won a National College Emmy award for the puppet television comedy, "Freeform." This led to roles on children's television including "Sesame Street" and "The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland." She comments, "being a muppet performer on 'Sesame Street' is different than Avenue Q. You do not see your performance. You're looking at it on a television monitor. Also, we did a few things at a time and it was taped. Puppeteering in Avenue Q and being on stage is very difficult. It is live! I also needed to focus on what the puppet was doing. Puppetry is a meticulous thing. It is very specific, but has to look natural and real and I love rising to the challenge." 

So, are you wondering what's next for D'Abruzzo? "Gosh. I would love to know. It's up to the community. General message to the community - I am available! I'm not involved in any readings, so I don't know what's next. I'm a big fan of new work. I love variety! If I had my druthers, I would go from show to show; Broadway and off-Broadway, television and film, comedies, etc. Again, I love rising to new challenges, singing new songs, trying to make things work. No matter what I do, I want to stay in New York."  

Oh, and I did ask D'Abruzzo her favorite play or musical and was told that this is such a hard question! "I always have many favorites. This includes food and movies. I love so many different things for different reasons."  

The cast of I Love You Because is currently on a six month contract. The show plays the Village Theatre Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday evenings at 8pm; Saturday evenings at 7pm and 10pm; and Sunday at 3pm and 7:15pm. For more information, visit www.iloveyoubecausethemusical.com. For tickets, call Ticketmaster at 212-307-4100, or visit www.ticketmaster.com.