BWW INTERVIEWS: SOUND of MUSIC's Longest Running Gretl - Natali Ioffe

Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Sound of Music has had a fantastic and record-breaking run in Toronto at The Princess of Wales Theatre, including one final extension that has added shows until January 10th, 2010. This production features many children, some very young.  The role of Gretl (the youngest of the Von Trapp children) is shared by three actresses, one of whom has been with the show for the entire run.  Natali Ioffe, with the help of her mother, took some time to talk with BWW about being in such a large production at a young age.  She discusses the challenges of balancing work and school, how to maintain a normal childhood, and also shares with us some of the excitement that comes with this amazing experience.  

A lot of our readers aspire to one day perform in musical theatre productions, could you give us some insight into what is was like to audition for the role of Gretl?

We started to audition for the role of Gretl early in March of 2008. Our agent called me (Natali's mom) and asked if Natali could sing. I replied to let her know that she could and Natali was asked to learn two songs for the next day (Somewhere Over The Rainbow and The Hills Are Alive). We were also asked if Natali was able to belt, which was interesting as we wondered how much belting a five year old could really do.

The next day Natali went to the audition and we didn't hear anything back for almost a month and had pretty much forgotten about it. About a month after that we got a call from Natali's agent asking her to come in for a callback. After that, she had about five more callbacks. In August of 2008 she attended her final callback where she received the news that she had landed the role of Gretl. Rehearsals began the very next day.

What year of school are you in? How are you juggling your schooling and being in such a large scale production?

I was in private daycare (senior kindgergarten) when I got the part in The Sound Of Music and I was only five years old. I used to come to the daycare everyday but I would just come late in the morning and when I had to do a matinee performance I would leave early. On those days I would have to eat my lunch in the car, and show up at the theatre for the 1PM dress up and warm-up. Now I'm attending the Wilshire Public School in Thornhill, and am in Grade One. Since September I have only had to miss two days of school but I have been late nineteen times.

What has been your favourite part of being in the Sound of Music over the last fifteen months?

I actually have more than one favourite part after being in the show for the last fifteen months. I loved the rehearsal period in the beginning because I got to work with some of the British directors from the London production like Jeremy Sam and Gavin Mitford and all of the swings and understudies.

I also got to celebrate my sixth birthday party with the entire cast and have enjoyed celebrating the birthdays of other cast members and having going away parties. And I love my stage management, the director (Kerry Gage) is the best!

What is the hardest part about being in the show?

The hardest part of being in the show is doing quick changes. They are really quick and everything has to be perfect. Also when I get occasional colds, it is hard to hold back from coughing or sneezing.

Do your friends think it is neat that you are doing something like this?

My friends think that it is really neat that I am in The Sound of Music. Sometimes when I come in to class they call me a star and once I saw an advertisement for the show with a photo of me hanging in the school library, and that was pretty cool.

Recently there was a major cast change with the loss of Burke Moses and the addition of Simon Burke, how was it adjusting to having a new on-stage father so late in the run?

When Burke Moses left the cast of The Sound of Music it was a very sad day for Natali. She performed the last show with him and after the show the entire cast gathered for a farewell get-together. After the party I went to pick Natali up and found her in tears over Burke's departure. Stage management was really supportive and took her back to his dressing room for one more goodbye. Burke picked her up in his arms and carried her out to the car. They definitely had a strong bond after working together for fifteen months. Natali's favourite scene is when she gets lifted high into the air after they return from the honeymoon, and she used to always say to me "Burke threw me so high today that I almost flew on to the conductors head!"

Natali met Simon Burke about ten minutes before their first show together. He greeted her with a card that said To Dear Natali, the last Von Trapp that I have met in Toronto!! Lots of love Your New Stage Dad. And the show went on. Natali loved his accent (Simon Burke joins the cast from Australia) and also mentioned that he was a very good singer indeed...but she was quick to mention he didn't lift her as high as Burke Moses! *laughs*

The show wraps very soon, do you have any plans for what you hope to do next?

Natali will continue to sing. She loves singing and acting on stage. She is currently auditioning for Beauty and the Beast and hopes to perform on Broadway someday and release her own album. Natali also enjoys grade one, and loves to read and write plays with her friends.

* Note: After the interview Natali received word that she was cast in the regional production of Beauty and the Beast, due to begin in April 2010.

Do you want to continue being on stage? Is this something you want to do as you grow up?

When I grow up I want to be a school teacher, and be an actress and teach kids musical theatre.

Finally, could you sum up what a typical day is like for you from start to finish?

A typical day for me when I have a show is pretty busy. I wake up a little bit later than normal, usually around 9:30 and eat breakfast. Then I go to school. At 3:30 I come home and I like to have some time to play the Wii. I usually eat dinner a little later as well but if I am really hungry after school I eat right away.

My Mom usually makes me a snack to take to the theatre. Some of my favourite things include peppers, blackberries, tuna sandwiches, rice crispie square or tomatoes and my favourite drink is iced tea.

We leave the house at about 6PM to head to the theatre so I can be there by 7PM. I go to the stagedoor and my chaperone is waiting for me. They take me in and my parents are able to go home. The first thing I do is get dressed in my underclothes and put on a robe and then go and do vocal warm-up for about ten minutes. Then I go to the WIGS area to get my hair done. After that I go back to my dressing room and when the music starts I get into my first costume of the night and we wait until the show begins.

During intermission I like to eat my snack and I play with the rest of the kids and talk to the director. It is really fun. At the end of the show we climb the mountain and that is really exciting. Then we do a curtain call and the audience usually stands up for us which I really like to see. It is really great when I get to see people that I know like my family or friends in the audience. They are all very proud of me. After that we go to the stagedoor to sign autographs in the playbills for fans. I also really like to give Maria (Elicia MacKenzie) and my director a hug before I go home for the night.

The Sound of Music plays in Toronto at The Princess of Wales Theatre until January 10th, 2010.  Tickets for the additional performances from January 5th to 10th have been discounted and are only $30 and $50. This show has received rave reviews since opening and is family friendly, a great way ring in the New Year!  This will be the final extension, so don't miss your chance to see the show before it's gone!

When and Where?

THE SOUND OF MUSIC
On sale through January 10, 2010

The Princess of Wales Theatre
300 King Street West

Performance Schedule

Tuesday at 7:00 PM (note early time); Wednesday to Saturday at 7:30 PM; Matinees: Saturday & Sunday at 1:30 PM. Final Performance Sunday, January 10 at 7 PM

All tickets January 5th through January 10th, $50 & $30

Available online at www.mirvish.com or by calling Ticketking at 416-872-1212 or 1-800-461-3333
or in person at the Princess of Wales Theatre Box Office.

For more information go to www.soundofmusiccanada.com.

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