BWW Interviews: Jennifer Richmond, A Life in the Theater

Jennifer Richmond is one of the most fascinating people you could ever hope to meet. Seriously. She's smart and intuitive, to be certain, and her ever-inquisitive mind moves quickly from one subject to the next. In many ways, she is a modern-day Renaissance woman: She's good at very many things.

A fine and versatile actress, she's starred in the iconic role of Sally Bowles in Cabaret at Franklin's Boiler Room Theatre and as one of the three stars of Lydia Bushfield's 1940s musical I'll Be Seeing You at Chaffin's Barn Dinner Theatre. Now, she tackles a far more difficult role: Maybellline in the premiere run of Nate Eppler's Long Way Down, a darklky comic tale of small-town morality that is thrilling Nashville audiences in its run, produced by 3PS Productions at Street Theatre Company. While it might be, at first glance, rather jarring to see the glamourous Jennifer Richmond dressed-down and make-up free, she attacks the role with relish, bringing the simple-minded Maybelline to vivid life onstage. It's a starmaking turn, of course, and she delivers the goods with her seamless performance.

And this fall, she'll be back as red carpet hostess for First Night, The Nashville Theatre Honors, which gives her the opportunity to show off her impeccable fashion sense and zany sense of humor. Today, taking a break from Long Way Down, she offers some insight into her "Life in the Theater." Read and enjoy, but be forewarned: You may fall a little bit in love with Jennifer Richmond.

What was your first taste of theatre?  My parents were concerned about me being an only child and wanted to make sure I learned to "play well with others". They were always looking for events with other kids to get me involved in. My mom danced as a child, so she enrolled me in group dance classes which led to singing lessons. I really enjoyed performing and so naturally when the Christmas pageant rolled around in fifth grade, I auditioned for it. I got cast as Mrs. Finkle who was this mean teacher in charge of the pageant who hated kids. I still remember my first line with these exact inflections: "I can not pay any attention to the children today or the important  characters in the pageant will have no idea what to do". I was a bit shy off stage, but discovered it was such a release to be someone else. I had a blast and couldn't wait to do it again.

What was your first real job or responsibility in the theatre? My first paycheck was from Knoxville Opera for H.M.S. Pinafore. I played a little boy, the mid-shipmate. It was a comedic role created by the director. It was a great experience. Since I was a boy in the show, I got to hang out with all the men and because I was considered a principle, I was invited to all the special parties and was wined and dined and my hair and makeup was done for me everyday. It was an inaccurate first taste of the business. It has never been so glamorous since (except for at the First Night theatre awards, of course).

When did you know you wanted to pursue a career in theatre? My friend Angie Smith and I won tickets to see Les Miserables at the Orpheum in Memphis because we were the top program ad salesmen at our school. We were both glued to our seats. I remember being annoyed if someone even slightly shifted in their chair, I was so drawn into the story and music I wanted no distractions. I knew I wanted to be in the entertainment industry but, I didn't realize that I wanted to do live theatre until I walked out the Orpheum that evening. Angie and I are both working in the theatre today.

Why do you pursue your art in Nashville? What are the best parts of working here? I know what this answer is supposed to be, but the truth is I made a life for myself here - friends, family, love. I tried to leave, deny it, but home is here. It took a lot for me to learn that and even more for me to admit it. The teenage version of myself would say this is weak and that  someone who feels this way isn't cut out for this line of work, but I've learned success means less without a home.

If you could play any role, direct any work, design any production, mount any production...what would it be and why? I had always wanted to play Abigail in the Crucible because I feel like she's usually just played as evil and manipulative. I feel like she's a girl who was thrown into a grown up world in a time when everyone was scared and she's just trying to survive. I'd love to just play the truth of that. I think in many ways, it's scarier. I'd also love to play either of the girls in the rarely produced She Loves Me. It's full of colorful characters and the music and lyrics are so clever. It's a perfect musical. BUT more than anything I want to do that role that's not even been written yet. I want to be in the premier production of a show that grabs people the way Les Mis grabbed me years ago. I want to be the mold, the person who breathes life into a character for the first time. The roles that have been around that I feel so drawn to, I want to be a part of creating more roles like that.

Who would play you in the film version of your life story? I'd love for my life story to be an old Hollywood film and Paulette Goddard would probably be a good choice to play me. Judy Garland or Deanna Durbin could star in it if it were a musical. The modern film would have Rachel McAdams and Zooey Deschenel playing the Gemini twins that make up my personality.

What's your favorite play/musical? I've already mentioned some of them. My favorite script I've had the pleasure of working on might be Osborne & Eppler's Rear Widow because not only was it a spoof/homage to some of my favorite old movies, but I got to play multiple characters that were tailored to me and I got to fulfill that lifelong dream of being a Cigarette Girl!

If you could have dinner with any three figures (living or dead, real or fictional) who are a part of the theatre, who would you choose and why? Hugh Jackman's Curly from Oklahoma!, Lumiere from Beauty and the Beast for ambience and Wilbur from Charlotte's Web because I like Bacon!

Imagine a young person seeing you onstage or seeing a production in which you played a major role coming up to you and asking you for advice in pursuing their own theatrical dream...what would you say? If you can, be in as many shows as possible with good experienced actors. Watch them, follow their lead. I think many young actors walk into a show where they have a great resource of a more experienced director and actors and they spend the whole time trying to prove themselves and being defensive instead of listening to their director and learning from those around them. No one expects you to bring the same tools to the table as someone who has been in the business 20/30+ years. Relax and learn. That's how you grow. Also, KNOW YOUR TYPE! If you don't like your type then learn to like it or be active in doing what you can to change your image. If you don't want to do the work, then this isn't the industry for you.

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