Q&A with Susan Egan

By: Oct. 26, 2004
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Susan Egan will be appearing live at Joe's Pub on November 7, 2004 at 7pm as part of BroadwayWorld.com's Front and Center Concert Series. Click here to purchase tickets.

Your most recent Broadway appearance was in the final cast of Thoroughly Modern Millie – what was that experience like?

I really enjoyed it! MILLIE was the perfect balm for the darkness of CABARET, which I loved but which can be hard to lose afterwards. I literally went from closing CABARET on a Sunday to starting MILLIE on Monday, and after the shock of seeing no Nazis, or women in their underwear, or bruises and drug track marks, I was very comfortable! I also don't have much chance to really dance these days and I am a huge fan of choreographer Rob Ashford -- I loved the typewriter-tapping the most! The experience was also a cool full-circle experience. I had been asked to do an early workshop in 1996 and turned it down, simply because I had just finished BEAUTY AND THE BEAST and wanted to take a break from the "good girl" role, even though I really liked the material in MILLIE and (even then) had the haircut! BUT I finally got to do it after all – perhaps when I most needed a "good girl" image again!! And to work with Michael Mayer again -- who directed TRIUMPH OF LOVE back in 1997 – was wonderful. I really enjoyed this MILLIE experience!!

Any dream parts you're thinking about for your sixth Broadway show?

I get asked this a lot, and the trouble is ... I like new work, so I suppose the role I'm dying to play hasn't yet been written. =) But you better believe I'm reading lots of books in search of the show that COULD BE a musical. =)

 You've been busy on a number of projects recently, including participating in the Lord of the Rings Symphony concerts at the Hollywood Bowl. What's that all about?

It's about two-and-a-half hours. [sorry, bad joke] I JUST today got back from the Detroit Symphony where I did my third LOTR concert. I'll go to Utah Symphoony, New Jersey Symphony and Baltimore Symphony as well in the next two months. It's such a strange thing that fell my way. Hollywood Bowl conductor extraordinaire, John Mauceri, asked me if I'd like to sing in this new symphony that he helped Oscar-Award-winning composer, Howard Shore, put together. YES, I said. And now the symphony is proving so popular with all those LOTR fans out there that it's being booked all over the country! So now I Sing in Elvish! Crazy. I especially enjoy when audience members come in costume – pointy ears, furry feet -- they're called "Ringers." Outstanding!

Tell us about the making of Coffee House, your third solo CD?

A dream experience. My good friend Christopher McGovern had just finished producing Rebecca Luker's new CD, which I really enjoyed. He and I hadn't seen each other for a few years and basically we got together to catch up, and by the end of the dinner we had a whole CD planned. This CD had been in my mind for the last 6 years or so, but I had yet to meet the perfect partner to make it a reality -- Christopher was the guy!! It was such a marvelous, collaborative, creative, open process -- really freeing and flexible, since we recorded in his own studio and could take all the time we wanted. I literally recorded throughout my five months at MILLIE. I'd head to Christopher's around 1pm or so, record until 6 then go do MILLIE -- already warmed up! He is a true talent and great friend and now ... we are going on tour together next year -- 22 cities booked already!!

What reaction has the CD been getting?

The reaction has been AMAZING!!! I really expected it to be a little hot and cold, because the music on the CD is a bit of a departure from how folks know me -- ie: it's not big loud Broadway fare. BUT the reaction has been really wonderful – yea for open-minded people! And it turns out that the music I really like – other people really like, too. Makes me happy.

How much of your Joe's Pub concert will come from the new CD?

Probably two-thirds of it. I also like to do some music from projects I'm currently working on and a few tunes from the past – so those will be there too. But for the most part, the concert I did in California as the launch for the CD worked really well, so we'll basically stick to that. Tunes from the Coffee House and a few "bonus tracks." =)

What else can audience members expect?

Who knows – maybe I'll go CRAZY and sing a Lord of the Rings song. A few from MILLIE, a song with re-written lyrics to talk about my "favorite aspect of being a Broadway actress" – you'll have to buy a ticket to find out what that racy piece of knowledge is! I also like to look at the ridiculous evolution of my career path – a little odd and schizoid to say the least. Nothing is taken too terribly seriously – but expect a few poignant moments, too. =)

Any guest stars or will you be flying solo?

You never know. =) And a FREE CD opener for all in the audience!!! Now you, too, can get those nasty bar-code stickers off your new CDs!!

What's next for you after the concert on the 7th?

More LORD OF THE RINGS in December. A new Miyazaki animated film called PORCO ROSSO will be released in February – I just recorded the voice over for the film trailer this week. It's (like SPIRITED AWAY) a truly beautiful film. Tons of symphony concerts, lots of travel, and starting 2005 – a full tour of my solo concert (with a bit more traditional Broadway music then what you'll hear at Joe's Pub).

I believe you're performing back in LA on the 8th?

Oh Yeah!! I have a concert at the new (Frank Gehry designed) Disney Music Hall on the 8th – a concert in Santa Barbara on the 9th. As far as New York, I have a solo Children's Concert at the Promenade Theatre on the Upper West Side on February 12th. And things I can't remember right now. =) You can always check out www.susanegan.net and the BUZZ page has my performance schedule!

See you all at Joe's Pub!!! I promise we'll have a very riotous time! Also know that at any time in the show you can ask me outrageous question – simply adds to the spice in my view!

Susan Egan will be appearing live at Joe's Pub on November 7, 2004 at 7pm as part of BroadwayWorld.com's Front and Center Concert Series. Click here to purchase tickets.


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