BWW Interviews: Sara Gettelfinger of THE ADDAMS FAMILY Tour Answers Our Silly Query

After traveling the nation as the intimidating-but ghoulishly sexy-family matriarch Morticia in the hilarious Broadway musical THE ADDAMS FAMILY, singer/actress Sara Gettelfinger is getting ready to wrap up the first national tour's final stop in Costa Mesa, ending its, uh, life at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts on December 30, 2012.

Gettelfinger-no stranger to infamous characters-previously originated the role of Jolene in DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS, Cruella DeVil in the stage version of 101 DALMATIANS, and even Little Edie Beale in the pre-Broadway World Premiere production of GREY GARDENS: THE MUSICAL. And, no surprise, in her current role as beloved wife to Gomez (played brilliantly by Douglas Sills), Gettelfinger is elegantly marvelous and playfully witty (and if you've seen the show, her wardrobe is a marvel of its own)!

To our delight, she agreed to answer a series of silly, rapid-fire questions from BroadwayWorld's Michael L. Quintos before the tour goes six feet under... well, so to speak.

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What would be scary to you? What would be scary to your character Morticia?

Same answer for both... losing my / her family.

Who would win in a girl-fight... Morticia or Cruella De Vil?

Cruella would win. Morticia's not a fighter, she's just FABULOUS!

How did you prepare to take on such an iconic character as the Addams matriarch?

I tried to cultivate my own dark diva and put all my trust in my amazing director, Jerry Zaks.

Okay, so we just stole your iPod. What music will we find on it?

Nickel Creek, Vintage Trouble, Mos Def, Beck, Sarah Vaughan, Pearl Jam, k.d. lang.

What is your must-do, pre-show ritual?

In the words of Blake Hammond: "KICK!!!!!"
[Ed. note: Hammond co-stars as Uncle Fester in the musical]

In one word, describe what goes through your head right before you step out on stage:

Blessed.

What's your favorite musical show and/or cast album of all time?

SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE

Who are some of your icons/influences that helped shape your journey as an actor?

Chita Rivera, Gregory Hines, Cherry Jones, Boyd Gaines.

What's the song that you like belting in the shower or when you're all alone in the car?

Anything Led Zeppelin or Journey.

What is your one guilty pleasure?

ONE? One of MANY is Salt and Vinegar potato chips! :-)

What do you like to do on your day off?

Go for a run, have a nice breakfast, read, go to a museum or movie.

What or who irritates you the most?

Working actors who complain about their jobs.

What instantly puts a smile on your face?

My three sweet nieces, Ellie, Olivia, and Iris! :-)

Name a dream role in another show you'd like to play someday...

It hasn't been written yet... My dream is to originate a great role in something new and wonderful.

If you could trade lives with someone for one day, who would that person be and why?

One of our country's service men or women. I am so grateful for and inspired by their sacrifice, but I don't feel I truly comprehend all that they do for our country.

If you weren't an actor, what other career do you see yourself doing?

I would be a teacher.

Most embarrassing moment that happened to you during the show?

In Act One, Douglas [Sills, who plays husband Gomez] and I have an argument in which I'm supposed to yell, "You're the Father!" One night in previews, I was flustered and yelled, at the top of my lungs, "I AM THE FATHER!!!!" The audience got a kick out of it! ;-)

And lastly, what has been your absolute favorite moment of the tour so far?

My favorite moment... Opening night in New Orleans, when Douglas held my hand and we were bowing to a wildly cheering audience giving us a standing ovation, he whispered in my ear "Remember this...." And I always will! :-)

Follow Contributing Editor Michael Lawrence Quintos on Twitter: @cre8iveMLQ

Photo of Sara Gettelfinger from the National Tour of THE ADDAMS FAMILY - THE MUSICAL by © Jeremy Daniel.

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Final performances of the 1st National Tour Production of THE ADDAMS FAMILY - The Musical at The Segerstrom Center for the Arts continue through Sunday, December 30, 2012. Tickets can be purchased online at www.SCFTA.org, by phone at 714-556-2787 or in person at the SCFTA box office (open daily at 10 am). Segerstrom Center for the Arts is located at 600 Town Center Drive in Costa Mesa.

For tickets or more information, visit SCFTA.org.

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