BWW INTERVIEWS: Natalie Joy Johnson Continues Her LEGALLY BLONDE Journey

ORANGE COUNTY, CA -- For Natalie Joy Johnson, currently wowing audiences in the national tour of LEGALLY BLONDE THE MUSICAL, life on the road can be both fun and enlightening. She began her pink trek when she originated the role of Enid in the original Broadway production. For the past year, she has since traded Enid's dark, butch outfits for a lighter, girlier wardrobe in her role as Paulette, the show's timid salon owner with a fetish for Irish UPS guys. Paulette also serves as our lead protagonist's Cambridge-area confidante. On top of a grueling eight shows-a-week schedule, she also recently premiered the west coast debut of her one-woman show at the popular Upright Cabaret in Los Angeles.

As she and the tour cast prepare to take the musical from its one-month stop in Los Angeles on to the stage of The Orange County Performing Arts Center on September 8, Natalie sits down with BroadwayWorld correspondent Michael Lawrence Quintos to talk about her early work, her gay iPod, and living her musical theater dream, one new city at a time.

BWW: First, I have to ask, how did your Upright Cabaret appearance go last night?

Natalie: It went great, actually. It went really, really well. I had a great time... We actually sold out, which was super exciting! I don't blush, but... This was only my second time in L.A. and third time ever as a [solo show] performer... so that was exciting to just have people be there! And so it went really, really great and I got to team up again with my old musical director Our Lady J. It's been a couple of years since we worked together and so it was just such a thrill to reconnect with her in front of an audience. And, um, really it was such a great time! I'm excited and really thrilled that I get to do it again next week [on September 7]... I'm really looking forward to it.

Did it feel different performing the cabaret show for a California audience?

You know what, I want to say no. For doing my own cabaret, it didn't feel different [from doing the show in New York] even though it was in a room I've never been in before... I will say, though, that playing LEGALLY BLONDE in front of a California audience absolutely has been a greater response... more intense than what we get from some of the other cities that we've gone to. The show is always pretty well-received, wherever we've done it... we've got great audiences. But, you know, I think being in Elle Woods' hometown and on her turf, certainly doesn't hurt. They get all the jokes!  And I feel like we'll have the same kind of experience when we play the show down where you guys are in Orange County!

Was the Los Angeles run (ending September 6) the longest engagement for the show?

We've had three cities where we've been able to sit down for a month: Washington D.C., Chicago, and of course, Los Angeles. I'm surprised, because once you finally get to know a city, like, I can kind of drive around to certain places now without having to use my little Google maps. But then we have to leave, so I'm really bummed about that. But it's been really great being here; I know we're all kind of sad to go... but I'm excited to come to Orange County... what is it, like, an hour away from L.A.?

Yes, about an hour. You'll certainly be a little bit further away from all the fires.

Exactly! Well, that's good... because, let me tell you, since they've started, my throat has been very dry and hoarse. Apparently, Liza [Minnelli] at her concert at the Hollywood Bowl the other night commented on the same thing.

So you'll have just one day of rest in between your last night of LEGALLY BLONDE in L.A. and the opening night in Orange County on September 8.

That's how fast it rolls on tour, honey! It's been a long year and it's been so much fun... but when you're changing cities every one or two weeks, and Monday is your day off, it's really NOT a day off because you're traveling most of the time. But we have days like yesterday [Monday], where we actually didn't have anything to do... so it was like a "golden" day. So we all really appreciate that when we get it.

Well, of course, now we have to talk about how you started in LEGALLY BLONDE when it was on Broadway, originating the role of Enid. Now you are terrific as Paulette in the national tour. The two roles, obviously, are decidedly different from one another. How was it for you to transition from one character to the other?

Well, I have to say, it's been great and it's been so much fun being able to, you know, switch it up kind of half-way through my life with the show. People have asked me before which of the two roles is my favorite, and honestly, I can say I love them both. I mean, Enid was my Broadway debut! That was the dream come true! I cherish every moment of that, and to this day still do, and had a wonderful time when I was doing it. And now, it has been fun to play someone completely different. It's a complete opposite to go from the butch, feminist, hard-core Enid to vulnerable, insecure, feminine Paulette. It's been a really nice challenge for me. But I love them both. Paulette is a great role! I get a dog, the Bend-and-Snap, and a hot guy at the end! It's been really great and I have had an amazing time doing both roles, and I'm happy to still be out here doing eight shows a week!

Before your Broadway debut as Enid, how did you get started on the path for a career in musical theater?

Well, I've always been singing ever since I was a child... and ever since I knew that [this profession] was a possibility, I've been singing. And then, I guess, in middle school I did some shows. Then in high school, I got to really perform in my first musical, which was really exciting. That's when the bug really hit me... and so I did theater all through high school. In college, I majored in Theatre at Mary Washington College in Fredericksburg, Virginia. It was kind of a natural progression of things that I eventually moved to New York. I did a non-Equity tour right after graduation, and then moved up to New York in 2001 and just, you know, pounded the pavement and did what we actors all do. I worked at kind of crappy jobs that I didn't really like. But those jobs provided the silver lining for me to say "okay, at least this allows me the opportunity to audition for the dream job!"

Most audiences really got to know you first in BARE: A POP OPERA which, by the way, when the soundtrack first came out, became one of the most frequently played albums on my iPod! It's really awesome that most of the cast that was involved in that off-Broadway production have become musical theater superstars, like Michael Arden, Jenna Leigh Green, John Hill and, of course, you. How was that experience?

I have to say that BARE was kind of my first experience of, yeah, "Hi, New York! I'm Natalie Joy Johnson!" It was so great...Actually, John, Jenna and Michael—all three of them were at my Upright Cabaret show last night. It was fun having them there with me. But, anyway, working on BARE was an intense experience. It's funny because John [who also sang] was saying last night at the show that it was two months at a theater on top of a court building, in a very random space. It was a short process, but fulfilling nonetheless. I had a great time doing it. Working with [BARE director] Kristin Hanggi was a really great experience. It was definitely a big challenge for me, that lives with me to this day.

Who were your musical influences growing up? Any current favorite artists?

Well, both of my parents when I was growing up were always listening to the radio. My dad used to be in a band, actually, prior to me being born. So music was always big in my house. My vocal influences now, I would say, tend to generally be the lady singers. I love me some lady storytellers! My iPod® is pretty much the gayest thing ever! I mean, I love Judy Garland. Nancy Wilson is one of my all-time faves. I cannot get enough of her. She is just so fantastic! I don't know if you know her at all, but you have to go to iTunes and download her 2-disc Anthology album! Just amazing! Her voice is fantastic, and her storytelling, is absolutely ridiculous! I highly recommend her. Let's see, who else? There's Eva Cassidy. I love her. Christina Aguilera! I love Whitney Houston! I mean, nobody sang better than her, especially when she was in her prime...no one could even challenge her. I also love Céline Dion. I mean, women that can really sing their face off are really inspirational to me.

So you love the big belters! Hence, the gay iPod.

Exactly! I can't help it... I guess that's why! I love big-voiced ladies. When it comes to music, I love pop and I love musical theater. I'm a big musical theater queen! I can't help myself, I love it... my life is a Broadway musical! Literally, last night at my show, I was on stage and I just quoted from JOSEPH to myself out of nowhere. [Laughs]

That's awesome. I wish my life was like a musical. Speaking of being a big musical theater queen, if you had the choice, are there any other roles in other musicals (current or otherwise) you would love to play if they ever do a revival of it?

Well, of course! There are a few roles that come to mind. I think it would be great if they do another revival of GYPSY, in maybe 15 or 20 years, with me as Mama Rose! Or a role in any Sondheim show, like Dot in SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE, that would be a dream role. But I'd probably need to lose a few pounds to do that [Laughs]. There's Mrs. Lovett in SWEENEY TODD, Mrs. Walker in TOMMY, and Maureen in RENT was always a dream role for me, but again, would probably need to be a few less pounds to play. But even getting the opportunity would be a thrill!

Now, you've been on the road with LEGALLY BLONDE for almost a year. Can you describe to our readers what life is like on tour?

It's great and it's interesting. And... we're a fun, crazy, dysfunctional family. [Laughs] When you're dealing with, like, 50 personalities... we really are kind of a troupe of gypsies. There's around 50 of us, you know, that make up the core of people that travel to put the show on. There's about 30 actors and anywhere between 20-25 crew members. Together, nightly, all over this country, we put on this fun show and serve it to different audiences. So, it's this calm, weird...wonderful, happy, dramatic...dysfunctional family. You know, you're kind of in your own little bubble being on tour, because your real life is put on hold. My apartment in New York with my friends is on hold right now; and this is my real life at the moment. And so, it is interesting that you totally get stuffed into this bubble. Sometimes you feel like you're in high school again, because you're just so concerned about what's going on with the people around you.

But it's also a killer way to get to see the country! We've been able to go to so many cities—some really cool cities, and some cities I don't ever need to visit again. You get to see how different the United States is, and also how very much the same it is, no matter where you are. So that's been a really cool experience. And being able to go around and perform for different audiences and see how they respond to the show is cool. Mostly the show has been really, really well-received. Regionally, you know, some scenes [in the show] play better in some cities than others. And, like I said, being here in California has definitely been great because it's a fun, hip place.

Do you have any scandalous or funny behind-the-scenes stories you want to share?

[Laughs] Um, I have a million! But I certainly can't incriminate myself or anyone else! I just know that we are all having a great time out here living the dream! But really, you know it's been so fantastic. There has been, of course, all sorts of crazy stuff... you know, when you get a group of 30 people traveling in an airport together, we all get cranky on our day off, having to lug our suitcases around... but, again, it's been really great. I'm thrilled to be able to be out here, and thrilled that I've been able to play Paulette and continue to do so. I can't help it, and this sounds so cheesy, but I have to say that this group of people in the show that we have out here are just so fantastic, and I've made such great friends that I know I will take with me for a lifetime. So, it's been really special.

I can totally tell! The entire cast seems like such a tight-knit group!

Well, when you travel around and are in each others' lives—and you don't have your other friends and your family to distract from that—there really is a bond there. We all have the same battle wounds together that only the 50 or so of us will ever understand and know what they really mean.

You may have noticed that LEGALLY BLONDE attracts a younger audience than a typical show. Do you have any advice for young aspiring musical theater students dreaming of the job you have?

Just. Keep. Doing it! Have fun, be yourself, and learn as much as you can every time you get an opportunity. And if you love it—if you truly love it—and you don't think you'll be happy doing anything else, then you certainly need to go for it. Like my professor from college always said, "if you can imagiNe Yourself doing something else, then do that, because this business is really hard" ...which I absolutely think is true. But, clearly, I couldn't imagine myself doing anything else, so I just had to throw myself into it, balls to the walls, full out, you know?  It's a huge challenge, but if the "want" is there, then throw everything that you have of yourself into it and make it happen.

Cool. Thanks for the advice. Okay, I have just one last question and it's kind of silly. LEGALLY BLONDE will be playing in Orange County for two whole weeks... Any plans to visit Disneyland while you're here?

You know, some of the cast have already gone to Disneyland on their days off! I myself haven't made it there yet, but I would totally be down for going, that's for sure! I mean, again, during your days off, you're like, "hmmm, what do I do today? Do I go to Disneyland or do I go to Kinko's?" I mean, on days off, it's a good opportunity to take care of the rest of your life then and do errands. But... I hear you guys are near the beach! So that's what I'm really looking forward to doing while I'm there. And, hey, if I get to go ride the teacups [at Disneyland], then I'm happy to do that as well!

Awesome! Well, thanks again for taking time to talk to us, and we look forward to the show coming to the O.C.!

It was my pleasure! Hope to see you at the show!

 

Photo credit: Natalie Joy Johnson as Paulette and China as Rufus by Joan Marcus.

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In honor of LEGALLY BLONDE THE MUSICAL’s debut visit to the Orange County Performing Arts Center, the shopping and entertainment destination The District at Tustin Legacy has declared Friday, the 11th of September "LEGALLY BLONDE THE MUSICAL Day." The special day will be inaugurated with fun-filled activities including a free live performance from the cast on the District Stage (in front of Borders Books & Music). Natalie Joy Johnson will perform “Ireland,” a popular number from the musical. After the performance, Natalie and cast members will perform and teach audience members how to properly execute the flirtatious move known as the Bend & Snap. Cast members will be available to sign posters. Also, happy hour specials with LEGALLY BLONDE THE MUSICAL-themed cocktails at participating restaurants and a dog fashion show open to all breeds and their owners will be part of the day's activities. All events are open to the public.

Tickets to LEGALLY BLONDE THE MUSICAL performances September 8 - 20 at the Orange County Performing Arts Center are $20 – $80 and are available online, in-person at the Center’s Box Office at 600 Town Center Drive in Costa Mesa, or by calling (714) 556-2787. For inquiries about group ticket discounts for 15 or more, call the Group Sales office at 714.755.0236. The TTY number is 714.556.2746. The 2 p.m. performance on Saturday, September 19 will be sign-language interpreted.

Visit www.ocpac.org for more information. For more information on the national tour, visit www.LegallyBlondeTheMusical.com.