BWW Interviews: Nancy Allen, A Life in the Theater

Nancy Allen's calendar has been rather full, of late, much to the delight of Nashville theater audiences who've been immensely entertained by her most recent performances - she recently starred (along with Jennifer Richmond and Melodie Madden Adams) in Lydia Bushfield's World War II-era musical revue I'll Be Seeing You at Chaffin's Barn Dinner Theatre and now she's holding forth as the mad, bad and dangerous (with apologies to Lord Byron) to know Velma Von Tussle in Street Theatre Company's production of Hairspray. Later this month, she'll take to the stage of Franklin's Boiler Room Theatre as one of the assembled Fanny Brices in director Scott Logsdon's concert staging of Funny Girl, the first offering in the Keeping Scores concert series.

As if that's not enough (frankly, just thinking about it exhausts me), she is nurturing and teaching new generations of musical theater performers as a voice teacher in Belmont University's acclaimed musical theater program. Add to that her busy schedule as a wife and mother, what with all that those roles require of her, and she seems constantly in motion.

Luckily, for Nashville audiences, she's been a vibrant member of the theater community since she first moved here more than a decade and a half ago, taking on roles at most of the region's leading theater companies and lending her gorgeous voice to some of the best musicals we've seen. At some point, however, she managed to squeeze in enough time to answer our questions and to offer us some insight into the mysteries of why she loves musical theater and its impact on her life. Take a look at Nancy Allen's "Life in the Theater" and buy a ticket to see her in a show this weekend...you'll love her onstage as much as we do. Enjoy!

What was your first taste of, or introduction to, theater? My first taste was at the age of eight when I saw the Baylor University production of Camelot in Waco, Texas. I fell in love that moment and spent years singing and listening to anything Rogers and Hammerstein and Lerner and Loewe.

What was your first job or responsibility in theater? Although I performed in high school, my first real experience with theater was performing with a student - run organization at Vanderbilt University called The Original Cast where I learned that I loved performing and especially loved theater people.

When did you know you wanted to pursue a career in theater? I knew I wanted to pursue a career in the theater the minute I graduated from college having not pursued it! So I went back to school and got a degree in music and began working in musical theater.

Why do you pursue your art in Nashville? What's the best part about living in Music City? I always knew I wanted to have a family and live in the south. Nashville seemed the place my husband could thrive in his work and with the music here, I figured I would also find opportunities, and I have. I love the quality of musicians and artists here. Vanderbilt University and Belmont University provide a place for creative and educated people to work and live. Being a Southern city with the country music industry roots here brings a personality and charm that I love. As an attractive place for many accomplished musicians and artists, Nashville continues to grow in its artistic community which means more theater all the time.

So, in your heart of hearts, what's your dream theatrical role? If I could play any role in any musical it would be Desiree in A Little Night Music - Oh my, it is perfection. The character gets to be funny, beautiful, sexy and smart all at the same time and have two men fighting over her. The show is Stephen Sondheim at his absolute best...need I say more?

What are your favorite musicals? I have loved Les Miserables since I saw its Broadway debut, Wicked blew me away all three times I saw it; I recently had a visceral and passionate connection to A Little Night Music which I saw twice in New York and it is probably the most perfect musical ever written, I am equally in love with the show Next To Normal (also saw it twice); and have a soft spot in my heart for my first: Camelot. My favorite recording to listen to in my car is a toss-up between A New Brain and The Full Monty. As you can see, naming a favorite is simply not possible - which is what I love about musical theater.

If you could have dinner with any three theatrical figures (real or fictional, living or dead), who would you want to share food and drink with? The three theater peeps I would love to dine with are Mel Brooks, because he is so funny; Stephen Sondheim, because he is a god-like genius; and Ethel Merman, to compare notes on fabulous belting.

What's your advice to a younger person thinking of pursuing a career in the theater? Start early - make sure you love it - go to Belmont's musical theater degree program (shameless plug) - head to New York City, where the hard work is just beginning.

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