Interview: Broadway's Rachel York plays Anna in WST's The King & I

Rachel York has taken a big bite out of the Big Apple's leading lady musical theater roles. Mallory in "City of Angels", Fantine in "Les Miserables", Norma Cassidy in "Victor/Victoria", Marguerite in "The Scarlet Pimpernel", Christine Colgate in "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels", Dolly Levy in "Hello Dolly", Guenevere in "Camelot", The Witch in "Into the Woods", Cruella De Vil in "101 Dalmatians the Musical" and Kate in "Kiss Me Kate" just to name a few of her Broadway and Regional credits. Rachel also caught the crowd's attention with a courageous portrayal of Lucille Ball in the CBS movie, Lucy.

She's just been cast in a role that she claims she has "always wanted to play", Anna in "The King and I" which opens at the Walnut Street Theater in Philadelphia this holiday season. We caught up with Rachel as previews are underway.

Pati Buehler: Rachel, let's go back to when you were about 19. What or who gave you the confidence and passion to perform?

Rachel York: Who knows!? (laughing) I used to be a very shy person in school to read in public or other things.  But I guess it was in choir class, I discovered that I had a voice. I guess a bit better than many others. Out of that came the desire to become an actress. I practiced at home reading plays out loud and kept going.

A native of Orlando, Rachel found herself cast in the singing chorus of a dinner theater production of Kiss Me Kate and in true Peggy Sawyer fashion, was asked to go on for the lead on very short notice. She began studying with an acting coach after moving to Los Angeles and then ventured to the Big Apple in search of an agent and some serious roles. Her hard work paid off as she earned a Drama Desk Award for her portrayal of Norma Cassidy in Victor/Victoria with Julie Andrews.

 PB: You are versatile performer who can sing, act and dance. Which do you find the most enjoyable or perhaps challenging?

RY: Well I have way too much respect for dancers to call myself a real dancer, but I'm a really great mover (laughing). I did dance many years ago with tap as my forte. I'd have to say it's a tie between singing and acting. It's strange but life attracts life as I've sort of drawn these different roles to me in times of my life when I've played them as things I needed to express at exactly that time of my life, like a fatal attraction. So that's how I explain it. (laughing).

PB: With so many different iconic roles, do you have a personal method for getting into a new role?

RY: It's really different for every role. For instance Cruella drew me back to my childhood. When I knew that role was available I wanted to play it and I knew that I needed to use the Shirley Bassey voice. That would be my interpretation of her. Other times it's a slower process with research about the character. Little by little as I learn my lines and as I react off of the other characters I sort of absorb the character I am playing and become that person.

 Rachel had the rare opportunity to portray one of TV and films biggest female roles, Lucille Ball for the CBS movie, Lucy. Having to convey the complex character of the comedic actress standing in front of the camera as Lucy Ricardo and Lucille Ball, wife of Desi Arnaz, Rachel has this to say about that experience; "That was a role that demanded a lot of research and getting my hands on every bit of footage of her and documentaries about her personal life with Desi. I had about a month to absorb it all. Fortunately I have a keen eye for the way people look, speak and move. Lucille Ball was a perfectionist with her character. She was more of a serious person than the wacky woman she portrayed. She was the quiet reserved sometimes melancholy partner of her husband Desi. He was more relaxed, center of attention in a crowd or at a party. It was an honor to play this role."

PB: Any roles out there and up for grabs that you would like to play?

RY: Interesting that you should ask that right now. I've always wanted to play Anna in the King and I for many years. I am very excited to be working with the Walnut because they put on such wonderful productions. I have to tell you that you and everybody coming to see this are in for a treat. The set design is absolutely beautiful and the talent is magnificent. Marc Robbin our director has a few surprises in store in that he has changed the choreography in Tuptim's dance in the Uncle Tom piece. Her dance is more of a ballet. It's really quite beautiful. I appreciate that they cast an Asian actor to play the King. There's something more authentic about it".

PB: Any advice to share with young passionate theater students?

RY: There's more competition than ever these days. You have to have a lot of drive and passion to fuel you for this career. You need to follow your heart. While it's good to have something to fall back on but to split your energies is almost too much. A secondary job to pay bill is sometimes needed. But again there is so much competition in major theater ventures. Many people are happy to work a main job and do regional or community theater and that's great if they are happy with that. It really depends on what you want and what you can do in reality.

"My father wanted me to be an engineer. But I really didn't want to do that. My passion was to perform. Fortunately I didn't take his advice and it has worked out. I think he's happy too. This career is not one for the feeble hearted. You have to be very strong with a lot of drive and work very hard to hone your craft. There's no map to getting work in this business. You need time and dedication."

"The King and I" plays at the Walnut Street Theater in Philadelphia from November 8 and runs through January 8. For tickets and information: visit www.walntstreettheatre.org  or call 215.574.3550.

 Photo Credits: www.rachelyork.net

 

 

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