BWW Blog: WICKED Talks Back

Hi guys! Welcome back to my final rundown of Broadway Talks Back (www.broadwaytalksback.com) for the year. We were so lucky to host Catherine Charlebois this past weekend! She is best known for playing Nessarose in Wicked on Broadway and on tour. Catherine is originally from the Charlottesville area, so she was visiting town to see her family while spending some time with us as well. It was also the 1-year anniversary of our first Broadway Talks Back event, which featured Waitress star Drew Gehling!

Catherine has been in and out of the company of Wicked for just about 10 years. She's worked with almost every Elphaba, and has become really great friends with many of her former castmates. She hosted a talkback on Saturday evening and met a ton of my classmates and friends. We got to chat about her time as a universal swing, as a principal, and some of the fun backstage magic that comes along with a show like Wicked. Catherine learned a total of 19 tracks over her tenure at the show, so she definitely knows the ins and outs that come with any part of the show. My mom and dad also came to the talk, and it was so great to show them how far the program has come since their last visit with Solea Pfeiffer!

On Sunday, we hosted a masterclass featuring cuts from Wicked. Catherine is SUCH an amazing teacher and was so kind to everyone. We all got to choose a cut for Elphaba, Glinda, Nessa, Fiyero, or Boq, and actually sing it and work it through with her. Almost every person who participated was a huge fan of the show. We got a few great laughs when she sat on some people's feet because they were so nervous!

I was actually the only one who chose to work the Nessa cut from the show. Wicked was my first Broadway show and really the show that sparked my interest in musical theater. Getting to stand in front of her and sing it was such a full circle moment. I have always been so inspired by the music and the story, so feeling like I could replicate even a 16 bar cut from the show helped me remember how much I love performing. It also helped that she is the nicest person in the world and that she encouraged me perfectly through my nerves!

I am truly so glad that we got the chance to work with Catherine. Whether she's in Wicked or another amazing production, I highly recommend getting the chance to see her perform. She is wildly talented and one of the most genuine performers on Broadway today. Be sure to check out her blog at www.charleboischic.com for some fun NYC, fashion, and life advice! You don't want to miss your chance to see this rising star in the next few years!

Keep up to date with Broadway Talks Back at our website.