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Interview: Laura Osnes On Her Show at AMP By Strathmore
By: Isabella Basco Feb. 06, 2018
Laura Osnes is preparing to visit the nation's capital! Michael Feinstein chose the Broadway fan favorite to be part of a concert series at AMP that will transform it into a Cabaret Supper Club. She talks about the concert, why she loves visiting DC and her next steps in her career. BWW Correspondent Isabella Basco asks her a few questions about what to expect next.
What can fans expect from your cabaret show at AMP?
An entertaining, heartwarming, and inspiring showcase of highlights from my musical theater career, complete with silly stories and special memories, plus songs I just love to sing and dream roles I'd love to play. Ranging in feel from soft and silky to big and belty, you'll experience my full "bag of vocal tricks", up close and personal!
You were selected by Feinstein to perform as part of his Feinstein Presents series at AMP. What is your history with Michael Feinstein and how does it feel to be tapped for this series as a torchbearer for great American song?
I am so honored to call Michael Feinstein a friend. He first invited me to be a guest at his Carnegie Hall Valentine's Day concert in 2014. I think it's safe to say we both fell in love, haha! I have since joined him in concert with the Pasadena Pops, at the Las Vegas Smith Center on New Years Eve, taught as an Ambassador for his American Songbook Academy, played multiple solo concerts at his 54 Below and Nikko venues, and just recently performed with him aboard a Playbill Cruise. I can't wait to represent Michael and join his legacy at this beautiful D.C. venue!
What do you enjoy the most about performing in D.C.?
I love D.C. and always look forward to visiting and performing here. I am awed by the history, landmarks, cleanliness, and architecture of D.C., and I appreciate all the phenomenal restaurants and the incredible value this town - and its patrons - have for the Arts!
You just finished your run with the show, the Bandstand! What did you love the most about playing Julia compared to other characters?
Julia was probably the most fulfilling role I've ever played for a few special reasons. Firstly, I got to completely originate this role. Julia Trojan has never existed in a movie, book, or play, so I felt a unique sense of ownership creating her and making her 100% my own. Secondly, I believed so strongly in the story we were telling in Bandstand. The cast did so much research for this show, getting to meet dozens of Veteran heroes and hear their stories. It was life-changing. We all adopted the show's message and cause so deeply in our hearts and wanted to tell these Veterans' stories as truthfully as possible. I also had to learn to navigate a very emotional and vocal rollercoaster night after night with this role - one of the most difficult, yet rewarding challenges!
Fans have seen you evolve so much in your career. How do you hope to keep growing?
I've been so grateful for the doors that have opened in my career up to now, and I can't wait to see where the next ten years takes me. The one good thing about getting older is we get more life experience to bring to every character we play, and I hope I get to keep challenging myself with richer, stronger, layered, complex leading lady roles. I also set a goal this year to take an "acting for camera" class, since I have so little experience and don't feel as confident doing that. Maybe I'll branch into some tv/film things eventually, but I have to admit, musical theater is my favorite. :)
Are there any more "dream roles" you want to play?
Marian Paroo (The Music Man), Eliza Doolittle (My Fair Lady), Peggy Sawyer (42nd Street), Belle (Beauty & the Beast), Clara (Light In The Piazza), and Allie in a musical of The Notebook - someone please write it!
What's next in the cards for you?
I am keeping my fingers crossed that this revival of Crazy For You I've been working on comes to Broadway in the 2018-2019 season! And in the meantime, I'm traveling with my solo cabaret, symphony gigs, and The Broadway Princess Party concert I created with my MD, Ben Rauhala.
The concert is happening on Feb. 7, 2018 at the AMP by Strathmore at 8 pm. Tickets range from 37 to 57 dollars and VIP ticket holders have the chance to get premium seating and meet Laura Osnes after the show.
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