BWW INTERVIEWS: THE SOUND OF MUSIC Star Elicia MacKenzie

Andrew Lloyd Webber's new production of The Sound of Music recently celebrate its' 1 Year Anniversary in Toronto. Currently playing at The Princess of Wales Theatre, BWW got a chance to talk with two of the leads in the show about what it is like being in a hit show for a long period of time, and the various challenges they have faced. Two weeks ago we featured our interview with Burke Moses, this week, I'm talking with Elicia MacKenzie, winner of the CBC hit show "How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria?" and the current Maria in the production.

First, congratulations on the recent one year anniversary of the show! After being in the role for so long, how do you keep it fresh every night?

For me, I try and remember that the people in the audience are seeing it for the first time and it is a new and exciting experience for them. Keeping that in mind helps me stay fresh and bring that out for them. Even for all the people who may have seen it before, I want it to remain fresh and exciting for them.

Is there a particular part of the role that you find the most challenging?

Probably at the very beginning it was finding my mature side. I think that was one thing that was more difficult for me. In the second act Maria becomes a wife and she is taking care of seven children and finding that maturity and her "grown-up" self was a bit difficult.

Do you have a favourite part that you look forward to performing?

I love working with the kids. And one of the parts that I love doing is "Goat Herd." It is a fun little scene where we are in my room and the children are frightened of the thunder. I comfort them with the song and they stop being afraid. It is a lot of fun to do and I really look forward to it.

Speaking of the children, do you find there are any unique challenges when working with a cast that compromises so many young children?

Not for me. We have chaperones for the children and also they are all very well behaved and so professional. The casting people really chose great children. They are all very talented. I don't feel there are any specific challenges, I love working with children and I find that it makes the environment so much more fun to work in everyday.

You made your professional debut in the Sound of Music after competing on "How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria?" It is a pretty amazing success story. What was it like going from a National TV Show to being on stage every night?

It was a complete whirlwind! I started off in this extremely long audition process that ran over a few months, and then at the end of that I was given this amazing opportunity. At the time I was thrown into it very quickly as we only had about a week and a half off before the rehearsals started. A year later I still don't feel like it has completely sunk in. Both experiences were amazing and challenging.

Andrew Lloyd Webber appeared on the TV show a few times, what was it like getting to perform for him?

It was amazing and wonderful to get his insight on these pieces, especially his songs. It is amazing to hear what he wants for them and what he intended them to sound like. We got a couple of coaching sessions with him as well and it was wonderful to work him. He is a very wonderful man, very encouraging and funny.

Your costar Burke Moses is a Broadway veteran; did he have any helpful tips for you?

Oh yes of course. He was very kind and generous. I was very intimidated about meeting him at first but he is a very good person. He didn't give me any acting or coaching tips but he was very helpful and reciprocal if I had any questions or anything like that.

With The Sound of Music nearing the end of its run, do you have any plans for what you would like to do next? 

I would love to continue doing musical theatre, and Broadway is definitely one of my goals. Who knows what will come up next but I'm looking forward to the next project!

Do you have one dream role you would love to get a chance to play? Or a show you would really love to be a part of?

There are so many great roles out there. I would love to try Elphaba in Wicked or Christine in Phantom of the Opera. And Funny Girl is a great show. There are a lot of shows that I would love to do so I'm not limiting myself to anything just let.

If you could give one piece of advIce To young people out there who are hoping to make it in musical theatre, what would it be?

To not give up. Always work hard and you will preserve. It just takes time and it takes that one great opportunity to come along, so never pass up an opportunity that comes along.

When and Where?

The Sound of Music - FINAL EXTENSION (Tickets on Sale Until January 3rd, 2010)

The Princess of Wales Theatre - 300 King St West, Toronto, ON

Performances: Tue at 7:00PM, Wed-Sat at 7:30PM, Wed, Sat and Sun at 1:30PM

Tickets range from $26 to $110 with a special number of student rush tickets available two hours prior to the show which can be purchased in person at the box office. To purchase, please call 416.872.1212 or 1.800.461.3333, go online at www.mirvish.com or in person at the box office.

For additional details please see http://www.soundofmusictoronto.ca/

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