Interview: Trista Moldovan of THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA TOUR at Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier, Place Des Arts

Trista Moldovan has been part of THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA for nearly 10 years, having played Christine in the 10,000th performance on Broadway as well as on tour. She is currently on tour with the show, this time playing Carlotta. The tour makes a stop in Montreal from October 4 - October 15, 2017 at Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier, Place des Arts.

Moldovan considers herself a native of Cleveland, Ohio, but says she moved around a lot as a child. As a young actress, she got her start at Playhouse Square, the largest complex of theatres in the United States, which rivals the Kennedy Center. A graduate of Baldwin-Wallace University in Ohio, Moldovan obtained her degree in Musical Theatre. After college, she moved to New York City, started waiting tables and earned her Equity card doing regional theatre. In 2007, she got her big break when she was cast in the National Tour of THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA. A couple of weeks into her run in the ensemble, the production needed a new Christine. She was offered the role in which she says, "I was at the right place at the right time."

I had the privilege to chat with Moldovan just prior to her arrival in Montreal, to discuss her past projects, along with her current run as Carlotta in THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA on Tour.

Hannibal: Many of our readers are students and young adults. They are very interested in the background of working actors as that is their ultimate goal. How many productions have you been a part of in your career thus far?

Moldovan: I've done regional theatre all across the country (US). I just played this game with myself recently of how many states I have been in. I think it was 40. I only have 10 more states to visit! I can attribute that to all the regional theatre I've done. I've been a part of 50 + productions across the United States. I definitely consider myself well travelled!

Hannibal: What is your favourite role that you have had the chance to play?

Moldovan: About a year and a half ago, I was involved in the National Tour of THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY. Jason Robert Brown wrote the score and Marsha Norman wrote the book. It's a beautiful, beautiful story, as most people know. The score is one of Jason Robert Brown's best. He is a poet and tells the story in a very human, very complicated, very adult way. As soon as I saw it on Broadway, I knew Francesca was one of my dream roles. I had the honour to understudy Francesca and got to go on in the role quite a bit, while on the road. It is categorically my favourite theatrical experience.

Hannibal: BRIDGES is such a beautiful show. I was disappointed it didn't last longer on Broadway.

Moldovan: Luckily it garnered more of a cult following with the National Tour, which is great. I am starting to see regional theatres around the states perform it, which is great. I'm so glad it continues to have a life because it really is a beautiful, beautiful, stunning piece of theatre.

Hannibal: What is your dream role? Something you haven't had the chance to play yet.

Moldovan: Ever since I saw FUN HOME on Broadway, the mother (Helen Bechdel) has been on my radar. I feel like as I get older, out of my peripheral vision, I'm looking at roles like that. It's exciting because even a year ago, that wouldn't have been on my radar. Now I'm of the age where I can start looking at these really meaty, complicated female roles that are often mother or women that have a really juicy story because they've lived a life. I'm really excited to delve into that.

Hannibal: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Moldovan: I have no idea! I know this business is part of my flesh and blood and I know I'm going to continue in it for the long haul. But I think for self preservations sake, I think you have to think sort of short term, like in the next year. That's a good way to approach this career because you get to see what's on the radar, what projects are coming up. If I had to give an answer, I would say in 10 years, I will look back and I will have been part of some wonderful projects. I will still be in New York. I will still be doing what I'm doing. I will still have my finger on the pulse of what's on Broadway and off-Broadway.

Hannibal: Do you have a different approach playing Carlotta than you did playing Christine in THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA? Has it been challenging for you taking on a different role within the same production?

Moldovan: I think it helps that I've always secretly wanted to play Carlotta! The approach as an actress is always the same. You want to make sure you are telling the character's truth and especially with THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, you're not falling into melodrama, but rather approaching it in a very truthful way. Personally, I find similarities with both characters. With Carlotta, I think it's important and more effective that you don't approach her as a sort of villain or as the temperamental diva. It's important to ask why people see her in that way. She's not a bad person. Here is someone who has worked very hard and along comes this young ballerina who she has never heard sing a day in her life, who could potentially upend her career. I think it helps to justify why she acts the way she acts.

To learn more about Trista Moldovan, visit her website www.tristamoldovan.com

THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERAL runs October 4 to 15, 2017 at salle Wildfrid-Pelletier, Place des Arts.

Tickets are available at the Place des Arts box office or by phone: 1 866-842-2112
Order onine: www.evenko.ca or www.placedesarts.com
Ticket prices: from $38.25 to $129.25 (including taxes and service fees)

For more information, visit https://ustour.thephantomoftheopera.com

To post a comment, you must register and login.