BWW Interviews: Julia Murney talks Free to Dream Concert

Free to Dream celebrates Colonial Williamsburg with "New Songs for the American Journey."  It marks a collaboration between The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation and Virginia Arts Festival.  The event brings together some of Broadway's best, including Julia Murney, Anthony Rapp, Matt Dengler and Darlene Love to showcase the people and places that make up the fabric of America.  

The singers will be joined by a nine piece band and Willard Scott is lending his recorded voIce To the program, which is going to showcase country, rock, pop, swing and the blues.  BWW sat down and spoke with Julia Murney about her involvement in the event, and about why people should come out to experience this unique evening of music:  

Congratulations on Free to Dream - this certainly sounds like a unique and different type of event compared to the stuff you normally do. How did you become involved with it?

I recorded a song for Bill Schemerhorn a number of years ago that played under the fireworks broadcast on the Fourth of July and we have always hoped to have a chance to work together again - so when I got the call I was thrilled! 

Proceeds from this concert go to benefit the non-profit Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, is this a cause you have been involved with before?

I haven't, but I have been to Colonial Williamsburg before and I loved it.  I'm very excited to get to bring my Mom with me this time around, as it is somewhere she has always wanted to go. 

You are tackling many different styles of music with this particular show, from country, rock, pop to swing, jazz and the blues. Do you have a favourite style when you aren't singing showtunes? What are you most looking forward to on this program?

I love singing all different kinds of music, as long as it feels good, I'm happy to sing it.  There are probably some genres that I'm better suited for than others but trying different stuff is part of what makes doing things like this concert so much fun.  I'm most looking forward to getting to sing with the rest of the group, none of whom I've ever had the chance to perform with before. 

For a younger audience (who might be less familiar with the cultural background of Colonial Williamsburg and what this event is trying to achieve) - what would you say to encourage them to come and support this event?

I hope they would come to at least just hear some new music, not to mention to recognize what a treasure places like Colonial Williamsburg are.  We're ready to give the audience a good time, so come on out, listen to some great singing and support a great cause while doing it. 

On a more personal note, what's up next for you? Are there any roles you are dying to sink your teeth into or anything on the horizon?

I'm doing a couple of songs in the "All singin' All Dancin'" show on July 25th at Town Hall in NYC and then two solo shows at The Signature Theatre in Arlington, VA on August 5th and 6th.  Beyond that, there are some symphonic concerts around the country and hopefully a show or two comping up.  I've been fortunate to be part of some readings of a new piece being written by John Kander (who I love) and we are continuing to work on that.  Beyond that, I guess we shall see - I have to get through Free to Dream first! 

And finally, with the new Broadway season approaching, which show are you most excited for?

Don't make me pick just one! "Master Class" because I'm obsessed with Tyne Daly, "Follies" because we did it my senior year of high school (which is totally inappropriate but gave me a deep love for the show), "Venus in Fur" because I missed it off-Broadway and heard great things, and (even though its not Broadway) I'm excited for a new musical called "It Shoulda Been You" that is being done in the fall at the George Street Playhouse in New Jersey.  It is directed by my friend David Hyde Pierce and stars Tyne Daly for goodness sake - it's win/win!

When and Where?

Free to Dream

Colonial Williamsburg Kimball Theatre

Performances are Friday July 22 at 8PM and Saturday July 23 at 2PM and 8PM

Tickets are $39 for adults, $35 for seniors and the military and $19 for students and children.  Tickets can be purchased by calling 1-800-447-8679 or online at www.kimballtheatre.com 

 

 

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