Q&A with Kate Reinders

Kate Reinders, starring as Glinda in the Chicago production of Wicked most recently appeared on Broadway, starring in Good Vibrations. Other Broadway credits include June in the revival of GYPSY starring Bernadette Peters and directed by Sam Mendes, Into the Woods (2002 revival), The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, and The Sound of Music (1st National Tour).

Her regional credits include A Year with Frog and Toad (original cast) at Minneapolis Children's theater and Off-Broadway at the New Victory, HAIR at Bay Street Theater, and Nerds at New York Stage and Film.

What was the Good Vibrations experience like for you?

It was SUCH a learning experience... So different than anything I have ever done (and in a bikini, what?). Creating a role is a wonderful, terrifying, exciting thing. I made some great friends there and met a great guy as well. :P

You're making the move from a show that had its troubles, to one that's a sure-fire hit. Do you look at it as a different sort of challenge?

Every show has its challenges, but come on. Be in a hit? With a big entrance in a bubble? OK, if you insist. How can you complain about entering into a show that you know is already GREAT. The challenge of Good Vibrations was the same as all new shows...THEY'RE NEW. It's a different process...everything keeps changing and you never know what the outcome will be. With WICKED, that 'not knowing what is gonna happen' pressure is off to some extent because you already know that the show is loved and THAT is a WONDERFUL thing....there is just the different challenge of finding a way to make roles that are very specific, well known and loved...your own.

How is the theatre experience will be in Chicago versus Broadway?

Chicago is a big theater town, and they have welcomed us with open arms. Compared to New York, our theater is HUGE--and p.s. so is my apartment! Its also different here because we are one of only a few BIG Broadway musicals to be playing. There are some tours that come through but now we are the big sit down production...as in...we belong to Chicago. People are really excited to have us here and we are so excited to be here.

When did you first see Wicked and who was playing Glinda at the time?

I saw it right before we started rehearsals with Stacie Morgan Lewis as Glinda. She was the understudy to Jennifer Laura Thompson and she was absolutely fantastic.

What was the process of learning the charachter like for you?

Fun, hard, and tiring. The rehearsal process can be so difficult and yet it reaps such huge rewards too, because that is where you discover so much. I think I was lucky to have been fairly unfamiliar with the show and with how Glinda had been played before. I basically went into rehearsals a blank slate and let Joe Mantello and others guide me to be the Glinda I am now.

How has your relationship been developing with Ana Gasteyer?

She's the absolute best. I'm so lucky and thankful to be doing this with her. I adore her onstage and off and we have become really good friends. I cannot imagine this experience without her.

What steps are you taking to make the character your own?

I'm just letting my inner-Glinda out. I am told so often how much I remind people of Glinda in real life. Almost every day at the stage door for Good Vibrations, someone would say "You should be Glinda" or "You'd make a great Glinda". I just hope that I am proving them right! :)

If audiences are taking one thing away from the show, or your performance when they see it, what would you like that to be?

Heart. The show has so many great things about it...laughs, huge singing, and tons of fun for everyone...but it is also a very real story about characters with very real relationships and my hope is that the love and feelings that we all experience is life will come through in our performances and touch the audience.

What does Sebastian think about you falling in love with Kristoffer 8 times a week?

haha you'll have to ask him. Who wouldn't want to fall in love with Kristoffer 8 times a week. :) tee hee

What are the top 5 things that people don't know about you?

1. I vote "no" on working out. daily.
2. I vow to change that. daily.
3. I love dirty martinis. lotsa olives.
4. trash mags like InTouch and UsWeekly bring me great joy.
5. I think I'm tough but apparently am a "softie"
6. these aren't really secrets.

For more information on Wicked in Chicago, and to purchase tickets, visit http://www.wickedthemusical.com/chicago/