BWW Interviews: Jacqui Graziano of SISTER ACT

Jacqui Graziano is currently on tour with SISTER ACT. She has done numerous other tours including WICKED, BEAUTY & THE BEAST, SUNSET BLVD, and CATS. I recently got the honor to sit down with her and talk about SISTER ACT, being on tour, her future, and her dog, Willy.

BWW: You have traveled with so many different shows, what makes SISTER ACT so special?

JG: Not to get too sentimental, but the minute I saw this show watching Youtube clips before I was even hired, you just connect with the show and I just knew it was something special. For me, being a person of faith, I get to pray every night; I get to raise my voice, it's like their giving praise and thanksgiving and we forget when we do it 8 times a week what the content is we're just doing our show, but I try to remind myself that the content is praying and talking about God and love and forgiveness. This show is fun, it will definitely lift your spirits. It's very joyful, by the time we get to the end, it's a celebratory good time.

BWW: How is it different being on tour verses being in the same place?

JG: The stage itself is the same, it's always the same lay-out. We have the same entrances, but it's the backstage that you have to get use to "where was the quick change, where is the make-up stand, where do I get my wig?" that takes a little more awareness. Other aspects of tour life are completely different; you're living out of a suitcase. For me, I'm one of two cast members who drive, I drive from city to city.

BWW: Really? Why?

JG: Because I take my little dog with me, my baby. He's a little schnitzel, named Willy. He comes with me where ever I go. Anyone who knows me, knows Willy. He's very special, he's a dapple- he's all speckled.

BWW: Does he like being on tour?

JG: You know, it's funny, he's used to it. I toured for a year and a half with him on WICKED for the second national tour (I originated the cast), and that was the first time. But now he know when I start to pack up and we go down to the car, he hops in the passenger seat and just waits for me. I could go to and from the hotel room, leave the door open if it's close by, and he knows it's time to go. Pack him up, move him out.

BWW: Do you have a part of the show that's a favorite memory or anything that sticks out in your head?

JG: The time I wiped out on the revolving circle. The funny thing about this story, I'll just preface, I was just telling one of the girls that I always fall at some point. I have some fall in every show; it's just the way it is. An hour later, after Mary Roberts sings "The Life I've Never Led," we get ready for a little dance number ("Fabulous Baby reprise"), usually we always go back there and warm-up, because the curtain's down, and we have a little time to preset for the number. Well, I went out way too soon and it was pitch black. So, the song ended and I went out way too soon and the revolve was stilling going and I didn't see it because it was still dark, and I step on it, and completely wiped out, flat on my behind, it was so loud. It was funny, because I had just said that I fall every show, and an hour later I do.

BWW: How did you get into musical theater?

JG: I did Community Theater; I started when I was 10 and got asked to audition for OLIVER because my third grade teacher was directing it. I did start really really young. I then started focusing on dance. I went to school at Southern Methodist University (SMU) in Dallas and was a dance major. It was my area of strength and I just wanted to focus on, but then after college I moved to New York. I wanted to pursue Modern dance, but those jobs are so far and few between, but I was very lucky that I could carry a tune and auditioned for a tour of CABARET. They only needed one girl, and I thought "Oh, free dance class," but they cast me and it was a tour in Europe. I had told my roommates "I'll be back in six months," but I didn't come back for six years.

BWW: Favorite role that you've played?

JG: My two favorite roles are two roles that I was fortunate enough to originate in two new pieces. One was a musical in Nashville called WARRIOR, they did it at the New York Theatre Festival in 2008. It was written by Marcus Hummon ("God Bless the Broken Road") I played a character called Whiskey. And then I was in the company for CARMEN the musical, and I got to originate a character named Frasquita. Those are the best because it doesn't happen that often.

BWW: What would be your dream role?

JG: I'm dying to play Aldonza (MAN OF LA MANCHA) I think I'm at the right age; I'm dying to play Aldonza. That would be my dream role. Maybe in another ten years, I want to try Norma Desmond (SUNSET BOULEVARD).

BWW: You said you went to SMU, so what is it like being back here with a national tour?

JG: It was a full circle moment I had not been back to SMU in 20 years. I went last week; I walked around the campus, I went to the arts school Meadows School of the Arts, where I graduated. That was a very happy day, I got very emotional just feeling very fortunate and very blessed- I got a little reflective of what I've done between graduating and now, I've been very lucky. That was an awesome day. I went into the dance studio where I just lived, and I just had such a clear memory of coming from the changing room to the studio, and back-the little route, it all came back.

SISTER ACT is at Bass Hall in Fort Worth, TX, until June 23rd.

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