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Words From the Wings: Cameron Pow of THE LION KING Shares His Favorite Backstage Snacks, Moments, and More!
Words From the Wings takes fans behind the scenes of some of their favorite Broadway stars' backstage routines!
By: Stephi Wild Apr. 17, 2023
BroadwayWorld is bringing you Words From the Wings, a new series of interviews that take fans behind the scenes of some of their favorite Broadway stars' backstage routines!
Today we're chatting with Cameron Pow, who plays Zazu in The Lion King! Cameron told us all about his favorite backstage snacks, moments, and more!
Check out her answers, along with photos taken by BroadwayWorld's Jennifer Broski, below!
What's the first thing you do when you arrive to the theatre?
I have to be at the theatre an hour before the show for my makeup to be applied, my wig put on and then to get into costume, so I like to get into my dressing room at least half an hour before that, just to sign in, settle in, drink my coffee and take a moment to adjust from the day's events to the mode and mood of the show!
What's the last thing you do before you go on stage?
My first entrance is at the very top of the show for 'Circle Of Life' and I enter from the back of the house through the audience... and pretty much every night I have a little ritual of stretching out my arms (for all the puppet work ahead!), a little mutual bow to the last actor and Wildebeast to enter (the fabulously talented Michael Henry!), and a tip of my hat to several Ushers, crew members and House staff before I take off down the aisle.
What's your must-have backstage snack?
I'm trying to be healthier these days, so for a must have snack I want to say fruit... especially fresh, sweet, seedless mandarins... BUT our Stage Management office is only steps away from my dressing room and is always stocked with tasty candies... and when they have the English chocolates in, like mini 'Crunchies'... then it's no contest!
Pre-show ritual that others may think is weird?
I have a pre-show ritual before every show of giving my puppet (the Zazu bird) a pre-flight check... just to double check there's nothing wrong, give it a little flap, put it through a couple of of manouvers, and generally get a little feel for it before I pick it up next right before going onstage. Pretty sure it looks a little odd to others as they walk by attending to more serious matters!
What are five must-haves in your dressing room?
1. A comfy chair 2. My computer 3. The afore mentioned snacks 4. A fan for cooling down, and 5. The all essential facial moisturizer for feeling human again after make-up removal!
What's your favorite moment from the show to watch from the wings?
Most of my entrances and exits to stage are quite frought with activity... either backstage actor/crew/scenery traffic, or crossing from one side of the stage to the other... but I get a couple of moments before an entrance to take in a scene from the wing, and probably my favorite is watching some of the last moments of 'Be Prepared'. I get to see some of our phenomenal dancers in the big dance break in that number, as well as all of the ensemble in full hyena costumes singing with Scar as he belts out his plans to a thunderous conclusion.
What has been your favorite backstage moment in your time with this show so far?
This question has stumped me the most because there have been so many of them... but one of my favorite backstage moments has to be the night of Lion King's 20th anniversary performance. We had finished the show and were waiting in the wings for a surprise third act, where Elton John played a re-worked version of Circle of Life on his grand piano accompanied by the cast. The sheer excitement around it and the uniqueness of the moment was palpable amongst all of us. To see Elton walk behind the curtain to take his place and glance around at us to check in, and then listen to Thomas Schumacher's voice introducing us to the surprised gasp of the audience as the curtain rose... was truly unforgettable.
About Cameron Pow
Cameron rejoins the Broadway company having previously performed in the London and First National Touring productions of The Lion King. Off-Broadway: The 39 Steps (Union Square Theatre), Accidentally Like A Martyr (Other Side Productions), Comedy of Errors, King Lear, The Iliad-Book One (Aquila Theatre Company). Regional/Touring: Henry V, Julius Caesar, Art, The Tempest, The Wrath of Achilles, Oedipus. TV: "The Good Fight," "Blindspot," "The Blacklist," "Person of Interest," "Falling Water," "Deception," "Pan Am," "Basile" (Pilot), "OM-City" (Web Series - 2016 Tribeca Film Festival). Film: Henry, The Dead Part of You, The Tramps New World.
About The Lion King
The circle of life continues on! In one of the most thrilling visual experiences to ever hit Broadway, giraffes strut, birds swoop, gazelles leap - the entire Serengeti comes to life. This adaptation of Disney's iconic film transports you to a dazzling world that explodes with colors, stunning effects and enchanting music. Relive the story of Simba and his journey from wide-eyed cub to finally reclaiming his crown as the king of the Pridelands. Celebrating over 25 landmark years on Broadway, The Lion King continues ascendant as one of the most popular stage musicals in the world.
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