Interview: Janelle Lutz of THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE at The Firehouse Theatre

This week, I sat down with Janelle Lutz backstage at The Firehouse Theatre, moments before she took the stage for her second (and final) dress rehearsal for THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE, which runs February 18th through March 6th. Lutz (pronounced "loots," although she doesn't correct those that rhyme her name with klutz) shared her affection for Julie Andrews' portrayal of the role in the 1967 movie, and admitted some intimidation in following in Sutton Foster's Broadway shoes. As we talked about her exciting stage opportunities around DFW, I couldn't help but observe how one of DFW's largest stage personalities is also one of the most sincere, humble performers I've had the chance to speak with. Upon the end of our conversation, when I gave Ms. Lutz the opportunity to add anything I may have overlooked, she thought for a moment and responded: "I'd just like to say thank you to the Dallas theatre community. This is my family; they've taken huge chances on me."

Name: Janelle Lutz

Hometown: Hollister, California

Current Role: Millie in THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE at The Firehouse Theatre

Kyle Christopher West: What brought you from California to Dallas?

Janelle Lutz: Jobs in theatre, [actually]. I was in school in Arkansas, and I stayed there for a couple years. I knew a couple friends who lived here, and the theatre scene seemed really good. I had never done anything outside of college and community theatre, and I thought, "Maybe I can try that!"

Kyle: What first inspired you to perform?

Janelle: I don't know [laughs]! I started playing piano when I was seven; I started voice lessons in high school. I liked music and I liked singing, so I decided to go for a vocal performance degree. I started theatre, I think, when my church put on a couple of shows.

Kyle: So, you didn't always know you wanted to work in theatre?

Janelle: No! I was going to be a second grade teacher, and then music kind of happened. And now I kind of like this [laughs]! I didn't realize this was what I really wanted to do until a couple of years ago.

Kyle: And now you're doing both, right?

Janelle: Theatre and teaching, yes!

Kyle: Before performing locally, did you play any memorable roles?

Janelle: I got to do Belle in BEAUTY AND THE BEAST twice: once back in California and once in Arkansas. Also, in college, I [played] Lina Lamont in SINGING IN THE RAIN!

Kyle: It's only February, and you're already opening your second musical this season. How do you keep up with everything?

Janelle: Compartmentalizing! I focus on [teaching] school when I'm there, or costuming there...I'm at COMPANY rehearsal or I'm at MILLIE rehearsal. You have to shut off your brain from one thing to the other. Other than that, I don't know...a lot of Dr. Pepper!

Kyle: You've been celebrated frequently in the local press for your performances. You received a Column Award last season, and you were recently named one of "20 Theatre Workers You Should Know" by American Theatre Magazine. Has that added any pressure to how you approach a role?

Janelle: No. I want to always do my best, and it just makes me put extra thought into [my work]. I [don't] feel like I have to live up to anyone's expectations. I'm probably not saying this correctly at all - I don't want to let anyone down; I don't want to be a disappointment to the theatres that hire me or the directors that have taken a chance [on me]. I'm incredibly flattered. Someday they'll figure out that I'm not that great at all, and I'll just fade into the distance [laughs].

Kyle: After performing in last season's THE DROWSY CHAPERONE, what's it like to return to The Firehouse Theatre with director Derek Whitener and co-star Tyler Jeffrey Adams in THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE?

Janelle: It's really fun to get to come back to the theatre. What they've done with the seats and bathrooms and renovations is really incredible. Of course, it's great to work with the same director, because he's awesome. And the same co-star? Awesome. He [Tyler Jeffrey Adams] had just moved to town, so THE DROWSY CHAPERONE was our first show together. Now, I call him my precious baby! It's really, really fun. I really like the opportunity to come back, especially in a show that I love!

Kyle: That leads right into my next question! Your casting in this role was announced prior to auditions. Was Millie a role you'd hoped to play?

Janelle: [Director] Derek Whitener actually approached me. I had no idea about [The Firehouse Theatre's] season. He just approached me and said he'd like to do this show, and he'd like me to come on board. My first reaction was, "Are you kidding me? Seriously? You want me to play Millie?" I was blown away! And then I said, "You know I don't tap, right?"

Kyle: What's been the most challenging aspect of the show? Was the tap dancing as difficult as you'd imagined?

Janelle: Yes, but [choreographer] Christina [Kudlicki Hoth] is awesome! The first rehearsal was just me, Christina and Ally Van Deuren [understudy for Millie and Miss Dorothy], and it was my first time ever wearing tap shoes. We learned "Forget About The Boy" and a few other things. She was so patient in teaching me, because I'm not a trained dancer. The dance has definitely been the most challenging.

Kyle: I know you have some other exciting projects coming up once THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE closes. What shows are you currently preparing for?

Janelle: Millie...I'm still preparing for Millie [laughs]. I think, once this one gets over, I'm going to dive into my Judy [Garland] books to start working on END OF THE RAINBOW [for Uptown Players in April]. I'll start with research first, not the script. After that, I'll dive into THE LAST FIVE YEARS [for Brick Road Theatre]. That's it for a little while!

Kyle: In all of your experience, can you think of any mistakes or mishaps during a performance?

Janelle: Oh good golly, yes; I feel like I do one in every show. One of the biggest ones was when I did BEAUTY AND THE BEAST in California. I made two big mistakes: first, I forgot a scene and I just left the stage and ran all the way around the theatre for my next entrance on the other side. Luckily I didn't leave anyone alone onstage, but I missed an entire scene that was just Belle. The second was while I was singing, "True that he's no Prince Charming..." and I forgot the lyrics completely, and I just went [sigh]. I just stood there!

Kyle: Are there any roles you've been itching to play?

Janelle: Now, please don't laugh like everyone else when I say this, but I've always wanted to play Christine in THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA. It's the show I first fell in love with and connected to. I just...I would love that so much. I [only] have about 10 years left; I'm already playing forty year olds!

THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE opens Friday, February 19th and runs though Sunday, March 6th. Tickets and more information can be found online at www.TheFirehouseTheatre.com.

END OF THE RAINBOW opens with Uptown Players on April 1st at the Kalita Humphrey's Theatre, and performs through April 17th. Details are available at www.UptownPlayers.org.

THE LAST FIVE YEARS will be with Brick Road Theatre at the Courtyard Theater in Plano. Details will be available at www.brickroadtheatre.org.

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