Vanessa Williams on Her Return to The Stage: 'It's Great To Be Back Home. I Love It'

Vanessa Williams will soon be bidding farewell to the role of Wilhemina Slater in the hit television series 'Ugly Betty', but she is wasting no time in plunging straight into new and exciting projects, such as the new Broadway musical 'Sondheim on Sondheim' which is set to begin previews on March 19.

Williams recently spoke to the NY Daily News to chat about schedule-juggling two endeavors at the same time, her return to the stage, and her 'Ugly Betty' co- star Michael Urie who is currently starring in the Off-Broadway production of 'The Temperamentals'.

How do you juggle "UB" and "SoS"?

VW: "I'm very organized. I have everything in my BlackBerry, so as soon as I have a break I go and find out: Do I have a fitting here? or Where do I need to be? The bottom line is that everyone's been completely understanding and accommodating, and it's been seamless going back and forth between the two shows."

Are you a happy camper being onstage?

VW: "It's great to be back home. I love it. The first day, we were sitting around at our music stands learning new music, and I felt like I was back in high school and college. You know, when you get new material for a new show, there's a sense of excitement that's like nothing else. It's similar to reading a new script and not knowing what to expect."

Michael Urie, who plays your assistant on the show, is in "The Temperamentals," an Off-Broadway play about early gay-rights activists. Have you seen him?

VW: "I saw him twice last year, before this transfer of the show. He's such a well-rounded and brilliant actor - Juilliard-trained. He plays the part of Marc so well, I think a lot of people who watch him have no idea that he's nothing like that character. I hope it doesn't put him in a box. He can do drama, accents, anything. He's one of my favorites."

To read the rest of the interview in the New York Daily News, click here

Sondheim on Sondheim will begin previews on March 19th, 2010 and open officially April 22nd, 2010 at Studio 54 on Broadway (254 West 54th Street). This will be a limited engagement through Sunday, June 13th, 2010.

Sondheim brought us Into The Woods, Company, Sweeney Todd, A Little Night Music, Sunday in the Park with George, A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum, West Side Story and Gypsy (to name a few). By writing songs that reflect the complexity of his characters, he has changed the way we define a great musical. But even though millions of fans know his songs by heart, few know much about Stephen Sondheim himself. Until now. Roundabout presents Sondheim On Sondheim, an intimate portrait of the famed composer in his own words... and music. Through the use of exclusive interview footage, you'll get an inside look at Sondheim's personal life and artistic process. An ensemble cast of Broadway's best will perform brand-new arrangements of over two dozen Sondheim tunes, ranging from the beloved to the obscure. Directed by frequent Sondheim collaborator James Lapine, this unique experience will take you inside the life and mind of an ordinary New Yorker... with an extraordinary talent.

Sondheim on Sondheim creative team includes David Loud (Music Direction & Arrangements) and Dan Knechtges (Musical Staging). The design team includes Beowulf Boritt (Sets), Susan Hilferty (Costumes), Ken Billington (Lights), Dan Moses Schreier (Sound) and Peter Flaherty (Projections).

TICKET INFORMATION:?Tickets are available by calling Roundabout Ticket Services at (212)719-1300, online at www.roundabouttheatre.org or at the Studio 54 Box Office (254 West 54th Street). Ticket prices range from $36.50-$126.50.??PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE:?Sondheim on Sondheim will play Tuesday through Saturday evenings at 8:00PM with a Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday matinee at 2:00PM.

For more information, visit www.roundabouttheatre.org