Interview: A Conversation with Alex Scolari: On Tour with DIRTY DANCING

Alex Scolari always knew she wanted to perform. From the age of 5 she was performing in musical theatre productions in her community just outside Los Angeles. At the age of 9, she was competitively competing in dance with The Millennium Dance Complex's Junior Dance Company. Her life was essentially, school, dance and rehearsal until in 8th grade, she was cast in her first professional job, Jason Robert Brown's, 13, in it's first pre-Broadway run at the Mark Taper Forum. Two years laster, when the show transferred to Broadway, Scolari was just a little too old to continue.

After her experience with 13, Scolari realized that she could actually perform for a living. While in high school, she applied to 20 schools that offered musical theatre as a degree program and was accept into her first choice, The University of Michigan. Well known for it's musical theatre program, U-M alumni include Gavin Creel, Hunter Foster, Andrew Keenan-Bolger, Celia Keenan-Bolger, Andrew Lippa, Andy Mientus, Benj Pasek and Justin Paul.

Upon graduation in May, 2015, Scolari moved to New York City, where graduates participated in a "Senior Showcase." Casting directors, agents, writers and others involved in theatre, film and television in New York City, were invited to this showcase where performers got 90 seconds to show their talent. Scolari performed "I Can't Concentrate," which not only showcased her voice, but also her dance experience as the song featured a dance break. 24 hours later, Scolari was emailed a list of those who wanted to meet with her and was offered an audition for Lisa in DIRTY DANCING. 3 weeks after arriving in New York and after several auditions, Scolari was offered the role of Lisa and packed up to join the DIRTY DANCING tour in Dallas, Texas.

I had the opportunity to chat with Alex Scolari just prior to her stop in Montreal.

HANNIBAL: How would you say you related to your character in DIRTY DANCING, Lisa Houseman?

SCOLARI: I love Lisa. We are very different, but I also think we are similar in some ways. Lisa is very strong in her opinions. She may not always be right, in fact, sometimes she is wrong, but she is very committed and she's very passionate. Her priorities in life lie different than those of Baby's. Baby is very much into politics and current events and how the world is progressing and Lisa strives to conquer the world. Someone like Jackie O would be her inspiration with her fashion sense and her marital status. Lisa and I differ in that, but I think that she is very passionate about certain things in her life. She's bubbly and outspoken and I hope to share some of those qualities with her.

HANNIBAL: What role that you have portrayed is your favourite?

SCOLARI: Well, definitely I would have to say Lisa, right now. Getting to be her 2 1/2 hours every night, sometimes 5 hours a day is so fun. She is the comedic role in the show and those are the roles I love. In high school, I was definitely drawn to those roles, like Charity Hope Valentine in SWEET CHARITY. Roles that are powerful women who also have a comedic side to them. Lisa definitely has a lot of that in her. The last role that I got to play at University of Michigan was Baker's Wife in INTO THE WOODS, which was a little different for me. Usually I play the brassy, sexy alto but the Baker's Wife is more of a strong leading lady who has a lot on her plate. It was such an honour to play her. She is right up there with Lisa Houseman.

HANNIBAL: What is your dream role?

SCOLARI: I would love to do a professional production of SWEET CHARITY and play Charity Hope Valentine. I identify with her so much. I love her. Coming from a performers side, it's such an incredible role. She's a triple threat. She is on stage the entire time and carries the show. It's a really big responsibility. The one tiny break that she has is just "Big Spender" where she is off stage doing a costume change. I think that would be, not only a role that I identify with and would love to play so much, but also such a rewarding role. You know at the end of the day how much work went into the performance. She has great songs and an incredible character arc.

HANNIBAL: Have you ever been to Montreal?

SCOLARI: I haven't! I'm so excited. I know a lot of people compare it to Europe. I studied abroad for a semester at the Royal Academy of Dramatic art in London, England. I got to go to Paris, Spain and all over Italy, so if it's what people say it is, at least a little European, I will love it. I'm obsessed with Canada. We've been in Toronto, Vancouver and even Saskatoon. I am a big fan of Canada, so I can't wait to get there!

DIRTY DANCING runs from Tuesday, May 31, 2016 through Sunday, June 5, 2016 at Place Des Arts - Salle Wilfred Pelletier, 260 Boulevard De Maisonneuve West, Montreal

Tickets are available by calling +1 800-430-8903 or by clicking here

To post a comment, you must register and login.