BWW Interviews: GLEE's LINDSAY PEARCE Answers Our Silly Query

Singer/actress Lindsay Pearce—who as a finalist on THE GLEE PROJECT won a two-episode arc as the bubbly 'Harmony' on GLEE this season—can currently be seen filling the shoes of a different kind of teen. This time, she's playing an angst-y, late-19th Century teenager in the L.A. intimate theater premiere of the Tony Award-winning musical SPRING AWAKENING, now playing at the Theatre of Arts Egyptian Arena Stage in Hollywood through April 22.

Directed by Kate Sullivan (RENT: Downtown L.A.) for Over the Moon Productions, this new production of the rock musical finds Pearce playing Wendla, the very role originated by GLEE's own breakout star Lea Michele.

Pearce herself is no stranger to the musical stage. Among other credits, this past winter she earned great notices playing the title role in the British Panto A Snow White Christmas at the El Portal Theatre in North Hollywood.

So what's her next challenge? Taking on BWW's 'Silly Query' of course!

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Subject: Lindsay Heather Pearce
Nickname(s): The Gerber Baby (Thanks, Gleeks!), Linds, Winny
Hometown: Modesto, California

BWW: Okay, pretend you, Lindsay, go to GLEE's McKinley High School. Which fictional character on the show do see yourself dating?

As myself, I can see Artie and I really getting along. The humor and the sass is too fun in that character, but he's also a big sweetheart at all times. I'd love to be with a guy that is kind but can make me laugh! His dance moves aren't too shabby either.

Which do you think is harder: being a teenager in 19th Century Germany or in 21st Century Los Angeles?

That's tough. All generations of teens have it hard, I think. Each society and century has its struggles that the others can't compare to. I couldn't imagine being ignorant and innocent of sex, suicide, sexuality, and deceit as the kids are in SPRING AWAKENING. However, having been a teenager in the 21st Century, I would definitely have liked to stay innocent of those things for a little longer than I was. I feel like teenagers today are sometimes thrust into knowing things, rather than discovering them at their own pace.

Have you developed any must-do, pre-show rituals?

You know, I have had so many different quirky rituals depending on the show, but my lasting ones have been stretching, warm tea, lots of hugs and love given and received from the cast, and a good prayer. For SPRING AWAKENING, my pre-show rituals start from the minute I wake up to the second I get on stage. It's a full body, heart, mind, and spirit show and I need all the help I can get!

Describe what goes through your head right before you step out on a stage:

Mostly it's just me ticking down the seconds before I hear, "Places!" But RIGHT before I go on stage? I'm empty. It's like a nirvana that I hit. I go from being jumbled, nervous, excited and shaking to being completely still and at peace. The stage is home, and there's no place like it.

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

JEKYLL & HYDE right next to LES MISÉRABLES. I grew up with those two musicals on repeat. I used to sing them to my mom in the car when she'd drive me to rehearsals for other shows and tell her I would "be like those people one day."

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

Oh, that changes all the time, but my go-to songs are "Alone" by Heart and "Hey Jude" by the Beatles. Also, anything by Queen.

What scares you the most?

I'm hitting that point now in my life where I tell myself daily that I'm not afraid of anything, but truly... I am afraid of seeing the ones I love and care about get hurt, I'm afraid of not having the will to keep going even if I fail, and I'm afraid of losing sight of who I am and what I stand for. I'm lucky to have people in my life that ease those fears. Side note: I'm terrified of big bugs!

What is your one guilty pleasure?

Boba tea. That stuff is addicting, honest truth!

What do you like to do on your day off?

I like to go to the gym with my girls, practice yoga, try new recipes, bake, have slumber parties, go to the beach, have adventures, book hunt, shop for new records, or roadtrip somewhere... anything that keeps me laughing and excited about the day, really. I like feeling free to do what I or my friends want to do on our days off.

What or who irritates you the most?

There's a guy at this Starbucks in town that I always see when I'm really tired, and he makes it a point to let everyone know that I'm haggard and groggy. He even purposefully spells my name with an E! [Laughs] I think that's more my fault though, walking into a coffee shop looking like death. I'm sort of asking for it, aren't I?

What instantly puts a smile on your face?

Seeing the cast, Kate Sullivan (our director) and her dog Scout, Jason Stamey's (our assistant director) dance moves, puppies in general, and peanut butter.

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

Lucy in JEKYLL & HYDE. Hands down.

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

Michael Jackson. I want to know how heavy it must have been to walk in his shoes.

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

Painting, photography, writing, makeup artistry, dog whisperer…

Most embarrassing moment that happened to you during a show?

During the hayloft scene in SPRING AWAKENING, Mat Vairo [who plays Melchior] and I get really emotional because of the previous scenes in the show, and we start moving the scene forward with the kissing and such... and when Mat goes to put his hand on my boob for the first time and I react in shock—I swear to you—a booger flew out of my nose! I think he saw it. I don't know if the audience did, but they are pretty close to us during the show. But it happened... and now I ALWAYS blow my nose before that scene!

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

Doing "Totally Fucked" and "Purple Summer." Going insane and watching fans of the show sing with us and rock out with us is the best feeling in the world, and seeing the joy and tears on their faces during "Purple Summer" is the best reward we could receive as a cast. Flipping off the audience is always fun, too!

Follow West Coast Editor Michael Lawrence Quintos on Twitter: @cre8iveMLQ

Photos from Over the Moon Productions' presentation of SPRING AWAKENING by Kat Hess.

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Performances of SPRING AWAKENING, with music by Duncan Sheik, book and lyrics by Steven Sater, musical direction by Rachael Lawrence, choreography by Laura Harrison, and directed by Kate Sullivan, continue through Sunday, April 22 at The Theatre of Arts Egyptian Arena Stage. Performances are Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at 8:00 pm. (There will be no performance on Thursday, April 5).

The theater is located at 1625 N. Las Palmas in Hollywood.
 
For tickets, please visit www.brownpapertickets.com or overthemoonproductions.virb.com or call 310-903-6150.

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