BWW Interviews: Julia Murney w/ the Houston Symphony Sept 3-5

On September 3, 4, and 5, the sounds and glamour of Broadway will take over Jones Hall! The Houston Symphony and Principal Pops Conductor Michael Krajewski kick-off their Cynthia Woods Mitchell POPS at Jones Hallseries with a spectacular musical showcase called Broadway Rocks!

Joined by the Gay Men’s Chorus of Houston, the orchestra will perform popular songs from the latest generation of Broadway shows including Wicked, Mamma Mia, Hairspray, and The Phantom of the Opera, while acclaimed Broadway stars Julia Murney (Wicked), Capathia Jenkins (Caroline, or Change, The Look of Love), Hugh Panaro (The Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserables)  Robert Evan (Jekyll & Hyde, Les Miserables) take the stage to perform the iconic roles they are known for. 

Julia Murney, whom I was lucky enough to see lead the 2007 Broadway cast of Wicked as misunderstood green-girl Elphaba (commonly known as the Wicked Witch of the West), was kind enough to answer a few questions about the Broadway Rocks! series, as well as other projects, both past and present.

How did you come to be involved with the Houston Symphony and the Broadway Rocks! series?

I've been doing the Broadway Rocks! program around the country for a while now-Houston says they want it and we show up...that's pretty much how it goes.  What's fun is it's the first time I've done it with Rob Evan and Hugh Panaro, both of whom I've known for years, so along with Capathia Jenkins (who I went to high school with), it should be a ball!

You're also traveling the US & Canada as part of Wicked Divas.  Who came up with the concept and who chooses "your Glinda?"

The concept came from John Such (who is a concert booker) and Steven Reineke (who is a marvelous conductor of numerous pops symphonies around the country), and I helped put the program together.  The Glinda often comes down to who happens to be available for a particular date-for our first date, it was actually Stephanie J. Block (who as many of you may know, is an Elphaba), and she (unsurprisingly) was amazing.

You released a solo album of cover tunes (I'm Not Waiting) a few years ago.  Can we expect another album someday?

I would love to do another album some day-it's just a matter of cost and figuring out the right timing.

What is your favorite song to perform?

There are many, but currently I have to say I do love doing "Ring Them Bells," which I do in the Wicked Divas concerts.  I've been doing it for years, but I actually got to work with John Kander last year, and now it feels like an extra honor to sing it every time I get the chance, as he is a joy of a man.

You quite possibly may have worked with every single person on Broadway by now, but if you haven't:  who would you like to work with and why?

Gosh, so many people: on the director side, I want to work with Jack O'Brien and Bart Sher and Casey Nicholaw...ooh, and David Cromer.  As far as actors go, there are people that I know socially and have never had the chance to actually do anything with-that list is endless, but there's Alice Ripley and Sherie Rene Scott...Norbert Leo Butz and Gavin Creel...David Hyde Pierce and Lin-Manuel Miranda...there really isn't enough space for the number of people I would love to work with.  The why is simple: they're all so filled with magic, I want to be as close as possible to them when they share it.

Who would you like to work with again?

I feel very blessed to have worked with some extraordinary people that it's impossible to choose, truly.  If you're holding a gun to my head, how about Brian D'Arcy James and Kendra Kassebaum?

You've said that Queenie in Andrew Lippa's The Wild Party has been your favorite role.  Idina Menzel recently said she'd love to revisit the show.  What would you say to a revival?

My God I would be simultaneously thrilled and terrified.  A revival would be delicious, but it would be scrumptious if we all got to be together again...it was one of the best times I've ever had, with people who were really worth their weight in gold.  We're all a bit older and wiser, but didn't Queenie's age stand still?  Here's hoping.

And if that's a pipe dream for everyone…will we see you back on a Broadway stage soon?

I would love to be back on Broadway-I would really love to do a play or a musical with comedy as its backbone, that sneaks up behind you and breaks your heart.

What is one thing your fans don't know about you?

People ask if I get nervous - of course!  Not necessarily during a long run, but in one night events or concerts (of which I do a lot), or at auditions, absolutely.  It's all I can do to not blow it just being nervous.  Some days I'm more successful than others in tempering the panic, but I'd rather eat my computer than audition.

Tickets are still available for the shows this weekend by calling the Houston Symphony box office (713) 224-7575 or online.

Photo credit: Dirty Sugar Photography