Interview: Trisha Rapier Brings FORBIDDEN BROADWAY from NYC to Costa Mesa

To kick off Segerstrom Center for the Arts' brand new 2015-2016 Spotlight Series, the Orange County theatrical institution will welcome cast members of the Tony Award-winning New York company of the hysterical FORBIDDEN BROADWAY for the show's latest touring incarnation entitled Alive and Kicking! for a limited four-performance engagement at the Center's Samueli Theater from October 1-4.

Now in its 33rd year of skewering Broadway's biggest hits (and some flops)---as well as some of the bigger-than-life personalities that populate the stage---this new version promises to be a madcap "greatest hits" evening of satire and sarcasm at the (loving) expense of shows like THE BOOK OF MORMON, JERSEY BOYS, WICKED, CHICAGO, INTO THE WOODS, and much more!

And one of the show's four-person ensemble members donning multiple costumes and impersonations all night long is longtime FORBIDDEN BROADWAY stalwart Trisha Rapier---who, it turns out, grew up right here in Orange County! Young Ms. Rapier first attended San Clemente High School before earning her music degree from UCLA. Besides a 12-year history with FORBIDDEN BROADWAY, she was in the Broadway companies of SISTER ACT and THE BOY FROM OZ.

Before her O.C. homecoming, Ms. Rapier agreed to answer a few questions from BroadwayWorld's Michael L. Quintos about the sure-to-be sidesplitting show's tour stop in Costa Mesa!

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BWW: Hi Trisha! So, I'm told that you grew up all over Orange County! Which cities did you call home? Where did you end up for college?

Rapier: I did, in fact, grow up all over the O.C. When I was 6 years old, my family moved from Tucson, AZ to Costa Mesa, CA. I only lived there for about six months and then ended up in Fountain Valley for my elementary and junior high years. I attended Los Amigos High School for my freshmen year and then moved to San Clemente and attended San Clemente High School for my sophomore, junior and senior year. I was [later] accepted into the prestigious school of Theater, Film and Television at UCLA upon graduation from San Clemente High School. After diving into straight theater for my first two years at UCLA, I decided to switch my major to Music performance at the end of my sophomore year after starring in the Monteverdi opera The Combat of Tancredi and Clorinda at UCLA and ended up getting my Bachelor of Arts in Music.

Fantastic! How did growing up here influence (or, perhaps, not influence) your future in theater performance?

I have to say that my public school experience with theater and music shaped my love of theater at an early age. I was involved in every school production, whether it was a play, musical, or choir performance, from K-12. Also, I was fortunate to be cast and employed in Disneyland's stage shows throughout my college career which enabled me to get the professional experience I needed to pursue a future in musical theater.

Yes, Disneyland certainly has started many stage careers! So, who were some of your famous performer idols growing up? Did any of them inspire your stage work?

I remember falling in love with Julie Andrews, Barbra Streisand and Liza Minnelli at a very young age. My mom introduced me to The Sound of Music, Funny Girl, and Cabaret and I recall instantly embracing their unique energy, sound, and style. They truly shaped and influenced the kind of performer I am today. It is an honor to impersonate the amazing women they are in shows I've been a part of as well as spoofing them in FORBIDDEN BROADWAY.

For you, personally, what makes something genuinely funny? What is guaranteed to make you laugh out loud?

Growing up, I'd watch reruns of The Carol Burnett Show and I can honestly say that that is the first time I can recall genuinely laughing out loud at a performance. Her characters were so rooted in truth and unique absurdity. Since classic movies and theater were a part of my upbringing, watching Carol Burnett do her famous spoof of Gone With The Wind---or rather, Went With the Wind---was the first time I remember understanding how wonderful it is to make fun of something that everyone adores by being genuinely clever and honest in your approach. Today my comedic icons are Kristin Wiig, Tina Fey, Ana Gasteyer, Amy Poeller, Amy Schumer, Maya Rudolph... I love them all! They're all musical and inspire me to be a better comedian and actress.

Wonderful! So, are you excited about bringing FORBIDDEN BROADWAY to Costa Mesa? For those who don't know about the show, how would you describe the show to a first-time audience member?

I am thrilled to bring FORBIDDEN BROADWAY to Costa Mesa! It's been about 10 years since we've been here, and since I grew up in the O.C., I can't tell you how excited I am to perform in my old stomping grounds. FORBIDDEN BROADWAY parodies or pokes fun at all your favorite Broadway musicals, new and old, through a fast-paced, wacky whirlwind of sketches and songs that truly celebrate why Broadway is such a beloved art form throughout the world.

Is it necessary to be familiar or to have seen the musicals that are being skewered in order to enjoy FORBIDDEN BROADWAY?

Not at all! If you are a fan of celebrity impressions, fantastic singing and acting, and hilarious comedy then you will enjoy FORBIDDEN BROADWAY!

Great! Now, you've been a part of the FORBIDDEN BROADWAY family for quite some time--12 years I've been told. Any personal favorites among the parodies... maybe one or two in particular you look forward to doing at each show?

I always love spoofing Sarah Brightman, Idina Menzel, and Barbra Streisand---and look forward to being able to step into their skin if the line-up calls for it. They are so vastly different in their vocal stylings that if I get to play all of those divas in one night, I feel as if I have truly worked my skill set to the bone!

Those are some big divas! Tell me, is it hard not to burst into laughter yourself or amongst your cast-mates while doing the show? I can only imagine the willpower it takes to not laugh along with the audience while fully committed to doing a funny bit!

I am the WORST when it comes to keeping a "poker face" in FORBIDDEN BROADWAY and I seem to always be among cast members who thrive on making me crack! Because it's live theater and we have literally seconds to change costume and become a different character with each sketch, anything can happen. Wigs have flown off, costume pieces have been misplaced, lines have been flubbed---and we're supposed to make it look like we meant for all that to happen. It's extremely difficult and I am not ashamed to say that I'm the worst at masking mistakes, but that is when some of the best comedic moments are born.

I can't wait! Now, it's fair to say that we now live in a much more sensitive time---when even a comical tweet or a slightly off-color joke may be hilarious for some, but offensive to others. Is there a line in the sand that FORBIDDEN BROADWAY dares not cross?

I definitely feel that Forbidden Broadway never sets out to offend anyone. We truly pay respect to the art form we're parodying. However, the basis of comedy is to make fun of the obvious---or even sometimes the not-so-obvious---but if someone is offended, that is honestly never our intent. Imitation is the highest form of flattery. Laughter makes the world go 'round, and I believe we can never have enough of it!

Well said! Okay, let's do a quick LIGHTNING ROUND! Just give me the first thing that pops into your head with each question... the shorter, the better! First ... Do you have any pre-show rituals that you do before a performance?

Breathe.

Haha, okay... which actor would you want to play YOU in the musical of YOUR life?

Kristin Wiig with the singing voice of Paula Cole.

Excellent! What's the song you love belting full out in the shower or when you're all alone in the car?

"Crazy On You" by Heart.

Nice! What do you like to do on your day(s) off?

Going to the Brooklyn Bridge Park with my husband and daughter. Best view in NYC.

Lovely! Okay...what frightens you the most?

Right now? Donald Trump.

Right! What is your guilty pleasure that you're willing to admit (on print)?

Singing Taylor Swift songs with my 5 year old. Never wanted to like Taylor Swift, but darn it... her songs are sooo catchy!

I've fallen for her spell inexplicably as well! Alright, what's your biggest pet peeve?

Smoking... next to a playground... come on, people!

What instantly puts a smile on your face?

My daughter.

Awww. So, if you could trade lives with any one person for one day, who would that person be and why?

Frances McDormand. I've admired her as an actress for years... she's incredibly talented and is never in the tabloids. Just seems like a cool lady who is very respected in the entertainment world and it would be fascinating to experience how she views life.

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

Teacher.

And lastly, what has been your absolute favorite moment from the FORBIDDEN BROADWAY experience so far?

Coming home to Orange County and performing for my entire family and childhood friends. I know it's cheesy, but it's true.

Follow Contributing Editor Michael L. Quintos on Twitter: @cre8iveMLQ

Photo from FORBIDDEN BROADWAY courtesy of SCFTA.

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Performances of FORBIDDEN BROADWAY: ALIVE & KICKING, part of Segerstrom Center for the Arts' 2015-2016 Spotlight Series will be presented at the Samueli Theater, October 1-4, 2015. 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 more information, visit Segerstrom Center online at SCFTA.org

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