Interview: Stephanie Rothenberg on Prepping for Maria!

No, the Stratford Festival isn't doing another production of West Side Story. Chilina Kennedy already played that Maria at the Stratford Festival a few years back. The festival will produce the classic Rodgers and Hammerstein musical - The Sound of Music for their upcoming season. The role of Maria will be played by up-and-coming Broadway actress Stephanie Rothenberg, most notable for taking over the role of Rosemary in the Broadway revival of How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying opposite Daniel Radcliffe and Nick Jonas. I had the opportunity to interview Rothenberg about her upcoming time at the Stratford Festival.

READ MORE: See exclusive photos of the cast in action on the first day of rehearsal, here!

How did you hear about auditions for Maria, and that the Stratford Festival would be doing The Sound of Music?

My agents called with an appointment to audition for the show. I have always loved The Sound of Music, so I was very excited for the audition.

What was the audition process like?

The auditions were held in NYC with the creative team and casting. The process flew by quickly for me-I loved being in the room working with director, Donna Feore, and musical director, Franklin Brasz. It almost felt as though we were already in rehearsal while I was auditioning. Donna made adjustments to each of the audition sides and we worked through the material together, as I did with Franklin on the music. I had such a positive experience over those couple of auditions and callbacks with them that I knew I would love to work not only on this show, but with Donna and Franklin.

What is your favorite song in The Sound of Music, that Maria sings or otherwise?

Oh my! That's a hard one! Well, let's see...I have always loved "My Favorite Things"- my mother would sing it to me as a little girl, and the title song, because is so full of joy and hope-and you can't help but feel those things while singing it. Oh, and "Edelweiss"-that melody! I could go on....

Have you ever seen a production of The Sound of Music on stage?

You know, I haven't ever seen a stage production of The Sound of Music. As a little girl in Nashville, Tennessee I auditioned for the show at our local theater for one of the children's parts...but funny enough...I didn't get it! I guess I'm making up for it now!

Have you always been a fan of The Sound of Music?

Absolutely! I grew up watching the movie and singing the songs for my childhood voice lessons - [like] "Do Re Mi."

Did you always want to be a musical theatre performer?

Yes, I always knew that I wanted to be an actress-not just in musical theater, but in plays, television, and film. Growing up in Nashville, I was surrounded by a thriving artistic community, not only with country music, but with theater as well. I began to be involved in community theater at age 7, and that led me into the recording industry. I learned so many skills in the studio recording for companies like Disney and MTI that I still use today. In middle school I began doing professional theater performing in roles like Annie and Anne Frank, and by high school I knew I wanted to go to college to study Drama. That led me to New York University's Tisch School of the Arts.

Can you talk a little bit about your time in How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying with Daniel Radcliffe and later, Nick Jonas?

How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying was an incredible experience all around. Making my Broadway debut in this show was a dream come true! Daniel and Nick are amazing men, both onstage and off. Daniel in particular gave me a lot of confidence early on in the production when I went on in previews for the role of Rosemary. Before a show opens, understudies don't rehearse their cover tracks, so I had never had a rehearsal before I went on as the leading lady opposite Daniel Radcliffe. It was a crazy experience! I didn't have costumes, a wig, or shoes...but our crew was amazing and made it all happen by 8 PM curtain!

Right before the curtain rose, Dan took me aside and promised me that he was going to keep me safe if I just looked into his eyes onstage, and it turned out to be the most exhilarating professional experience I've ever had. I didn't know it until the performance, but I knew all the lines, all the songs, the blocking and had fun while doing it! I distinctly remember standing center stage singing Rosemary's first song "Happy to Keep His Dinner Warm" and realizing that the dream I'd had since I was a little girl was coming true in that moment. It was an unforgettable night-and my Dad ended up being able to get a last minute ticket so he was in the audience, which was so special to me.

About a year later from that first performance as Rosemary, I stepped into the role opposite Nick Jonas. That was a whole new, exciting experience, because I learned what it meant to be a leading lady on Broadway-the stamina it takes to do 8 shows a week and the way you have to take care of yourself. Nick was wonderful, and we had a great time onstage together, and became friends offstage. That show will always hold a very special place in my heart as will that entire cast of wonderful people.

Besides performing in The Sound of Music, is there anything else you are looking forward to doing either in Stratford - or nearby in Toronto?

I'm most looking forward to seeing the other Festival shows. I feel so honored to be in the company of such incredible actors at The Stratford Festival.Next year will be the first time that I've spent significant time in Canada, so I need all the suggestions I can get! Tweet me ideas!! @stephrothenberg

What do you like to do outside the theatre?

I love to cook-lately I've been gathering lots of soup recipes for the Canadian winter I've heard so much about! I'm excited to explore Stratford's restaurants and farmers' markets as well. I'm also very active and like to try all the new classes I can in NYC - barre, Pilates, and spinning are some of my favorites, but come spring I look forward to running along Lake Victoria!

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The Sound of Music will play the Stratford Festival from April 21 to October 16. Opening night is set for May 26th.

The Sound of Music
Music by Richard Rodgers
Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II
Book by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse
Suggested by "The Trapp Family Singers" by Maria Augusta Trapp
Director and Choreographer Donna Feore

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