Interview: 6 Questions & a Plug with LITTLE MERMAID'S Alison Woods

Disney's THE LITTLE MERMAID presented by Theatre Under the Stars takes the stage in Minneapolis Oct. 9 - 18, 2015, with the famous redhead, Ariel, taking flight in a unique production that gives a new perspective to the show. Alison Woods plays the iconic mermaid and shared more about her role in 6 Questions & a Plug:

Ariel is your "dream role" -- did you grow up watching the film and singing "Part of Your World," over and over like many little girls did? How does this compare to the dream you had about it as a child?

Absolutely! I was immediately captivated by the movie and grew up watching it over and over again. I fell in love with Ariel and wanted to be her. She had such spirit and courage and heart, and the fact that I had red hair, too, was thrilling to me. I've also pretended to be a mermaid every time I've gone swimming my entire life since then. And yes, of course, I would sing "Part of Your World" every chance I could! But getting to play this role in this production exceeds everything I imagined as a child. Not only is it like living in the movie onstage (the sets are incredible), but I get to FLY. I've wanted to fly onstage my whole life, and the fact that I get to do it while playing the role I've wanted to be my whole life is, to steal a line from the show, "beyond my wildest dreams!"

Can you tell our readers about how you're rigged to fly and more about how it's used in LITTLE MERMAID?

It's STUNNING! It's worth seeing the show just to experience the spectacle of it. Paul Rubin, our flight choreographer, has created such magic with the flights. While under the sea, we swim through the air and it adds such an element of reality to the story. In the Broadway production, the mermaids skated across the stage on wheels. But our director Glenn Casale's vision was to get us off the ground, and the effect is beautiful. Of course we can't all be suspended in the air for the entire show, but the moments when we are really heighten the experience for the audience (pun intended :)). I remember watching one of the flights early on in rehearsal, and it took my breath away. Everyone got chills. And that was with no sets or costumes or anything. It's truly magical.

Is this production your biggest role to date? How did you get cast in it and what lead you to this point?

It's definitely one of them. I've been lucky enough to play some big leading roles in my career thus far, but this one is way up there as far as the size of it. Partially because I don't rest the entire show. When I'm not onstage, I'm sprinting to the opposite side backstage, getting hooked up to fly, or doing a quick-change. It's a marathon!

As far as getting cast in the show, I auditioned for Glenn Casale in LA back in May. Then I had a callback with producers the following week. Then I heard nothing. I was convinced I didn't get it. But I still really wanted to do the show. Then a couple weeks later my agent called and told me I was offered the role. And...I cried. I know I know, it sounds so cliche, but this was my dream role in the definitive production and I thought it had already slipped away. Also, it was a long time coming. Years ago when I was just starting out professionally, I auditioned to replace Ariel in the Broadway production. The casting director and producers were really excited about me, but they wanted me to build my vocal strength, and said they would call me back in to audition again a few months later. So I got an amazing voice coach and worked really hard for months -- singing, strength training, even swimming. Fast forward a few months and I found out they were going to be auditioning again! And then, I kid you not, the NEXT DAY they announced that the show was closing. So I never got the chance to show them the results of all my hard work. I was crushed. Of course, I don't regret it for a second because it was great training, but I thought my chance to play Ariel was gone. Which makes this experience that much greater. I'm so grateful for this opportunity, and I couldn't be happier.

Is performing in a national tour more demanding than you thought it would be? What other things have you discovered about being a part of a tour and acting in such an iconic show?

I've never toured before, so a lot of it is new to me. I wasn't sure how I would feel about it at first, but I am having a blast! I can't lie, it is exhausting since most weeks we travel on our one day off. But we have such a great company and we're all in it together. It's a very special experience to bring a show to different places, especially a show as beloved as this one. I've met so many kids after the show who tell me it's the first play they've ever seen, and I can see the glow in their eyes and how amazed they are by the whole thing. And I love to talk to them about it because I was one of them, too.

One thing I didn't know about touring is that we don't get to rehearse in a new theater before the first performance. So every opening night in a new city is our first time on that stage. Also, we have a new crew and a new orchestra in each city, so opening night is actually the first time we're all working together as well. So as you can imagine, sometimes things go wrong, but for the most part the audience doesn't know the difference. Gotta love live theater!

Is there anything that will surprise audiences who are familiar with the movie version when they come see the musical for the first time?

Yes! I think a lot of people come expecting to see the movie onstage. And while this production has everything the movie does, it has a lot more, as well. We delve deeper into the relationships between the characters, and the prejudice between the mermaids and the humans. It's all a bit more heightened which makes the story more adult. A lot of parents are surprised by how touched they are by the show. The kids love it, but the adults are pleasantly surprised, too. Not to mention the MUSIC! There is a lot of new music in the show that is not in the movie (about double the amount of songs) and some of the most beautiful music is new. But for those die-hard Little Mermaid fans who want to see all of those key moments from the movie, don't worry, you won't be disappointed.

Just for fun: You mentioned that you are a redhead/ginger in real life -- do you use your own hair or wear a wig for the production?

I am! I'm a natural redhead, but I do still wear a wig in the show. Ariel's hair is so iconic that it's almost a character in itself! So it has to be just right. But I love the wig. The hair is such a big part of the character, and adds a lot to my characterizations. And wearing a red wig is fun, it just feels like me.

Time for a plug for your next project - what will you do after the tour ends?

Well the tour doesn't technically end until next summer, but our first leg is over in a couple of weeks. Then I'll go home to LA and my project will be planning my wedding! Then next year we head out again to Sacramento, Dallas, Fort Worth and La Mirada. I'm from LA, so I'm really excited we'll be ending up in that area so all of my family and friends out there can see the show. :)

Alison Woods bio:

ALISON WOODS (Ariel) is over the moon about going under the sea in her dream role! She created the roles of Cassandra Clark in First Wives Club (Chicago) and Anne Shirley in Bend in the Road (LA, NYMF). Regional: Reprise's The Fantasticks directed by Jason Alexander, Sound of Music, Rocky Horror, 42nd Street. TV/Film: "CSI:NY," "90210," "Big Love," Superhero Movie, Detention. Alison lent her dancing and mannerisms to Disney's Tangled as the animation reference for Rapunzel. www.alison-woods.com

More info:

On stage now through Oct. 18, 2015, at the Orpheum in Minneapolis. Visit http://www.hennepintheatretrust.org/events/disney-little-mermaid-broadway-tickets-orpheum-theatre-minneapolis-mn for tickets and more.

Photo: Alison Woods as Ariel. Photo by Bruce Bennett, courtesy of Theatre Under The Stars.

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