Interview: Anneliese Vander Pol of THE MUSIC THAT MAKES ME DANCE! @ El PORTAL

Anneliese Van Der Pol has an extensive background as a Dutch-American actress and singer—most notably her role as Chelsea Daniels on Disney Channel’s That’s So Raven and Raven’s Home.

Beyond her well-known television presence, Anneliese has a distinguished theater pedigree, including her Broadway debut as the final Belle in Beauty and the Beast! and her award-winning performances in both productions of the acclaimed musical Evita! and Vanities. Her versatile experience across film, television soundtracks, and professional stage productions makes her a compelling live performer in Los Angeles.  Anneliese took TEN QUESTIONS IN TEN MINUTES with BWLA revealing the trajectory of her career from Broadway to Hollywood: 

What constellation oversees you and what town claims you as their very own?

Libra and a native of Naaldwijk, Holland.

Your earliest recall of your first time seeing live performers and who was its star?

Beauty and the Beast! at the Shubert (Century City) with Susan Egan. (Original Belle on Broadway)

How did your village support your dreams & aspirations?

I'm still Naaldwijks (Westland) number one star! :)

Any others in your DNA chain who were or are live performers?

My sister and father are wonderful singers!

Did you train professionally or learn from your pains and gains?

The renouned Orange County High School of the Performing Arts and mostly by doing and teaching. 

Professionally, what was the first call sheet you landed on?

 "The Good Times are Killing Me" was my first equity show at the age of nine . The production was at The Long Beach Playhouse in LA County

When did you realize you could sustain your being as a live performer?

Probably this first show around the age of nine.  My mother took the arts and myself very seriously!

Can you adjust to canned music tracks or do you prefer live orchestra? 

Who doesn't prefer a live orchestra?!

Your professional take as a singer of note: Should pop singers on Broadway be popping off eight counts on the final note instead of only three counts  as written by the composer? 

Hey, if you've got it... flaunt it. ;)

Where in La La Land do you most enjoy performing? Any bucket list venues? 

Performing live anywhere in LA is a treat since it's a dying breed since COVID. But The Hollywood Bowl was definitely a check off the bucket list for me. I also think The El Portal is pretty awesome... SO COME SEE OUR SHOW!!!

All Roads Theatre Company (ARTCO) will present the World Premiere of the musical revue, THE MUSIC THAT MAKES ME DANCE: THE SONGS OF Jule Styne!

The original retrospective musical is created by Scott Thompson and Fred Barton, this production celebrates the legendary work of composer Jule Styne. The show features a cast of Broadway headliners, including Anneliese Van Der Pol, Nick Adams, Lana Gordon, Angel Reda, Rhett George, and Neil Starkenberg, accompanied by an 11-piece band.

THE MUSIC THAT MAKES ME DANCE! will run for only five performances, from May 1st–3rd, 2026, at the El Portal Theatre aptly in the NoHo Arts District!

Deets:

- Location: El Portal (el por TAL) Theatre, 5269 Lankershim Boulevard, North Hollywood, CA 91601

   Parking:  Lot parking and street parking with nearby walk-up restaurants.

- Tickets: Purchase Online Here (https://ci.ovationtix.com/371/production/1266809?performanceld=1177123 Buy your tickets now as the good good seats are filling up!

 

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