Interview: Sarah Primmer of CINDERELLA at Palace Theater

You may think you know the story of CINDERELLA, but when the classic Rodgers and Hammerstein musical plays at the Palace Theater in Waterbury, you might find yourself pleasantly surprised. This updated version which recently closed an award-winning debut on Broadway will take the stage in Waterbury for four performances February 24 - 26. Playing the evil stepmother, Madame, will be Connecticut native, Sarah Primmer. I had the pleasure of speaking with Sarah and learning about her experience with this magical musical.

BWW: Thanks so much for taking the time to talk with me today. We are really looking forward to CINDERELLA in Waterbury!

Sarah Primmer: Well I am so excited! I am from Simsbury, Connecticut so it is an exciting thing for me to come back home.

Can you start by telling us a little bit about how you got started in the theatre?

I have always really loved singing, so I think that is really what got me into theatre. It started all the way back in elementary school choir. I did a summer music and arts camp in Simsbury and actually did a little production of Cinderella at one point in the second grade. Eventually, I met with a woman who would become my voice teacher all throughout high school who gave me a little extra push and said this is something you could do. Starting in Junior High, I began competing in the Symphony in Simsbury competition, which is something the Hartford Symphony Orchestra does where they select an instrumental and vocal soloist each year. I began competing in the eighth grade, and eventually won the competition when I was in High School. So, I think it was jusT Loving to sing and finding a home for that in the theatre.

I am sure it is hard to find anyone not familiar with the story of CINDERELLA, but I know the musical has its own unique take on the story. How would you describe the show to someone not familiar with the production?

I would say that this is a nice combination of any versions they may be familiar with, there are elements from many different sources. It is definitely more contemporary. The book is new, so there is humor that resonates with younger audiences. All of the music is still the beautiful Rodgers and Hammerstein music and even if people don't know the musical itself, they will definitely recognize some of the music from the show. It is really a mixing of worlds, from the fairy tale to the contemporary.

What's it like putting new spin on this classic piece?

It is fun, because you know everyone in the audience will have a moment of surprise. The journey of the first act is to make sure everyone is on board with us and ready to go with us where we take the story and trust that they will see everything that they expected to see. There is something exciting to know you may be deepening a connection with a story that people think they know from their childhood but may have never stopped to think about the perspectives of every character in the show.

And you play Madame, who is essentially the Wicked Stepmother. That must be fun to be so mean every night. What do you like the most about this role?

I think playing evil characters and villains really is an exercise in extreme empathy, which is a great skill to have right now. It is fun on long travel days to get out there and scream on stage and then come off stage and be perfectly lovely. It is a challenge, though. When you study acting they say you always have to love your character. So I have to use every empathetic muscle in my body to see from her perspective and view her story every night. She really is the hero of her own story, whether or not she succeeds and though her goals may not be altruistic, they are her own. It's fun, but it is a challenge that doesn't come with an audience loving you. So you have to put your heart in the story and what it needs.

What would you say is surprising for the audience to learn about your character, and what is familiar for them?

Well there are certainly iconic elements of the role, be it Madame or Lady Tremaine from the animated film, and there are things that people expect. The show kicks off with me screaming Cinderella!, which audiences would expect. But I think there is a really fun, dark humor and there are moments of Madame being quite exposed. We see more of the step-family in this production. So you get to know the daughters, who are a little bit different in our show. They are not quite as evil, though the step-mother is just as evil as you would expect. I think people will be pleasantly surprised at the humor. We have a lot of fun out there together.

There have been some iconic actresses who have played this role in the past, so it must be fun to put your own take on it.

Absolutely, especially since I get to wear some of the same costume pieces as some of the great women that have played Madame before me. I get to wear a coat that Harriet Harris wore in the original cast. So I am literally stepping into some big shoes. But it is so cool. You have this Broadway juju and all this talent that has gotten to touch the role, and quite literally touch some of the things I get to wear every night. So it is awesome, and a little intimidating too!

And it doesn't hurt that the costumes are really exceptional.

Yes! William Ivey Long won a Tony for these costumes. When we had our first fitting we were all squealing. I would get home and try to describe every single detail and every single ruffle, every layer. So you put all of that on, with the wigs and the feathers and it is so grand. It all helps to get you into character and to feel all that power.

Were you familiar with the production before starting out on tour?

I had heard some of the music and had seen some of the performances, but I never saw the production on Broadway. I read the script during the casting process and loved how it had been updated. So I wasn't really familiar with the entirety of the production until I started.

I know there are a number of instances of "stage magic" in CINDERELLA. Can you tell us about that?

There is always such a huge reaction from the audience. And there are so many different moments of magic throughout the show. The way it was designed, it all happens in front of your eyes. There isn't a strobe light that blinds you, you see it all in front of your eyes and it is quite spectacular. I enjoy just watching those moments from backstage and it is always just so stunning.

What do you look forward to the most before you step out on stage each night?

I love getting to be part of "Driving Through the Moonlight on a Lovely Night." That is really fun for me, because it is the moment where Madame, her daughters, and Cinderella get to play together. My favorite part to watch from the wings is called "The Pursuit" at the beginning of the second act. It is a great dance number, with animals and magical transformations and it is really beautiful.

What would you say are the best and most difficult parts about touring with a show like this?

The best part is you get to take the show to places that have never seen this version of the show. So you get to introduce people to it. You also get to see the country, and really the continent as we go to Canada too. So having the chance to travel with someone else planning your itinerary is great. The hardest part is probably being away for the holidays, which was tough, but then again we became part of other people's holiday traditions. So you miss out on some things but then you get to have this amazing adventure. In the end it is more fun than anything else.

So thinking toward the future, do you have a dream role that you would one day like to play?

Yes! I am in love with BRIGHT STAR, and getting to play Alice would be a dream come true. Just the chance to sing that music every night would be awesome. Down the line, I would love to play Margaret in THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA.

Do you have any advice for young performers looking to make it into professional theatre?

I would say find an amazing teacher and don't stop searching until you find one who will challenge and support you in the right way. And then don't expect the No. We are trained to have thick skin and to hear the "No"s, but if you expect the yes, you might just hear it sooner. Keep waiting for the yes, and don't worry about the nos. Make it harder for the world to say no to you. Walk in with confidence.

Anything else you would like our readers to know about the show?

Just that CINDERELLA is a show for all ages. It will bring you an evening or afternoon of joy. So anyone who just needs to disappear or a couple of hours and laugh, and cry and hum a song it is just what the doctor ordered. It is a happy time. The message of the show is kindness, so it is a good lesson to learn.

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CINDERELLA runs at the Palace Theatre in Waterbury, CT February 24 - 26 for four performances, including two matinees. Tickets can be purchased online at www.palacetheaterct.org, by phone at 203-346-2000 , or in person at the Box Office, 100 East Main St.

Top Photo: Sarah Primmer

Bottom Photo: Tatyana Lubov, Sarah Primmer, Mimi Robinson and JoAnna Johnson in Rodgers + Hammerstein's CINDERELLA. © Carol Rosegg

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