BWW Interviews: Natalie Weiss - WICKED, LES MIS, and DIVAS SING SCOTT ALAN!

Hi Natalie! Scott Alan's concerts are a rare and much-anticipated treat in London. When did you first become aware of his work?

I believe it was my junior year of college. I had asked a friend about what songs their class used for their senior showcase. She mentioned that her character actor friend performed "His Name", by Scott Alan. Not knowing  who he was at the time, I checked out his website and was instantly hooked!

You've got a bit of a stunning story about your first big break involving Scott - that must have been a nervewracking but amazing experience - can you tell us a bit about it?

Well, I remember the day very vividly. (Small backstory - a few days prior, he had emailed me letting me know he wanted me to be a part of his Monday Nights New Voices series. I freaked out! Just wait...) I was co-teaching a vocal health convention in Pittsburgh, PA, when all of a sudden I get a text, email, Facebook message, AND a voicemail saying, "How about you sing Say Goodbye at my concert and I'll make you a big star." I've never forgotten those words. I was instantly so confused but sooooooo excited. Carly Jibson apparently had to back out of his January 7th concert (I remember the exact date) so he needed a quick replacement. I said, "OF COURSE!" and I started to prepare the song.

Later, I get another text explaining that Eden Espinosa was very sick and would potentially also be out. He asked me to learn I'm A Star on "standby", just in case she couldn't make it. Literally never having met me or seen me sing in person, he claimed he watched a bunch of my YouTube videos to see if I could hit the notes. When people told him he was crazy for taking a chance on a "no-namer", he stuck to his guns and took a leap of faith. The rest is history! It truly was an incredible moment when I got to sing the opening number in Scott's concert! Not to mention that I was also sharing the stage with some of my idols, Shoshana Bean, Stephanie J. Block, Liz Callaway...

And now you're one of Scott's trusted collaborators - that must be a bit of an honour and a responsibility?

It is truly amazing to think how far we have come. Starting out as a "newbie" in this business, he put all of his faith in me for that one magical night. Now I can truly call Scott a friend.

Tell us about your favourite Scott song to sing.

I love Say Goodbye. I also love performing Kiss The Air. My new favourite that I recently discovered is "Anything Worth Holding On To".

And you're coming to perform in London for the first time! We really hope you're excited to be coming because we're excited to have you! What are you most looking forward to and will you have any time for the touristy things?

I have been wanting to come overseas for about three years! I am so excited to perform for the London audiences. My best friend will be with me so we hope to have time to sight-see. I will also be teaching a few masterclasses at some musical theatre schools in London and Scotland, then going to Paris for three days!

You've recently returned from the US Tour of Wicked - that show is invariably on the wishlist for every musical theatre actress nowadays. What was that experience like? 

I could see myself performing in that show forever and NEVER getting sick of it. Unfortunately, I was temporarily replacing somebody with an injury in 2009, so my contract was only 10 weeks long! It was so exciting to know that each night, at least ONE person in the audience had probably seen their first musical that night, and you were a part of that experience.

You were most recently seen on Broadway last year in Everyday Rapture - will we see you back there again soon, or perhaps over here in London for a longer stay? What are your next plans?

Everyday Rapture was a truly amazing experience. Sherie Rene Scott is an absolute genius. I wish the show was scheduled to have a longer run! I am currently on tour with Les Miserables - taking a vacation from work for my London trip - so I plan on being on tour for quite some time, while continuing to do solo concerts as I travel the US.

Natalie Weiss is part of Divas Sing Scott Alan on Sunday November 13 at the Arts Theatre.

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