Interview: Lexy Baeza Talks 'RUDOLPH'

Santa Claus is coming to town! Or better yet, Rudolph.

Nashville's Tennessee Performing Arts Center hosts the touring production of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer this week. Here at BroadwayWorld Nashville, we had the chance to interview Rudolph himself (or herself!), Lexy Baeza.

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BWW NASHVILLE: First of all, thank you for taking the time to answer a few questions for all the readers in the BroadwayWorld.com Nashville region. I know you have a busy touring schedule and I appreciate you taking the time to help us out.

Do you have memories of watching the Rudolph television special growing up?

LEXY BAEZA: Absolutely! It had been played in our household every year for as long as I can remember. It's not only a classic in our family, but with a lot of families as well which is what makes bringing it to life so special.

BWW NASHVILLE: Do you feel the original television version of the show had an effect on your performance in this staged version?

LEXY BAEZA: Well, since we have the iconic TV special to use as our guide - it helped all the actors and creative team members. It affected the way I spoke each line and interacted with other characters. But, since it's stage, I get to bring the heart to the character every night.

BWW NASHVILLE: Since the television version was first introduced in 1964, I can assume that you have people bringing their own children and even grandchildren to see this show that was such a part of their own childhood. Though the tour is just beginning, have you had a chance to meet any fans with stories of their own experiences with the film?

LEXY BAEZA: While I was in Hartford, CT last week, I was grabbing food one day when the cashier asked what we were in town for. We mentioned that we were in the tour of Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer and her eyes lit up. She said it's a big part of her family and her husband even looks exactly like Yukon Cornelius! She took a picture with me and said she would be in the audience that following Sunday. That was awesome!

BWW NASHVILLE: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer gives you the chance to play a male role. How do you feel that this works for the show?

LEXY BAEZA: Well, my voice is unchanged and I can sing like a little choir boy (haha!). Having boyish looks in my normal life, I'm able to take the spunk and tomboyishness I already have and use it for Rudolph. It's totally in my comfort zone, which is nice.

BWW NASHVILLE: You also played a boy in the touring production of Peter Pan. How is playing Rudolph different from playing John Darling?

LEXY BAEZA: John was very stuck up and set in his ways, until of course he meets Peter and the lost boys then he loosens up a bit and discovers the wild side, so to speak, within himself. While Rudolph, I feel, is very open and loving to everyone and everything around him. He puts himself out there only to get rejected by others. Which is so awful! But despite being rejected, he still opens himself up to Hermey and Yukon. I think Rudolph has such a good heart, I just wanna hug him and tell him it's okay!

BWW NASHVILLE: The costuming for Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer appears to be very different from a lot of costuming in staged shows. The audience doesn't see much of your face throughout the performance. How do you convey emotions when your face stays mostly hidden?

LEXY BAEZA: My face is actually the only part of my own body that's shown! Although, it does fall over my eyes sometimes and I have to work much harder to convey the emotions of Rudolph. I use body language as well as genuineness in my voice.

BWW NASHVILLE: What was your most embarrassing moment on stage?

LEXY BAEZA: Oh gosh! Okay, so I'm really bad with getting the giggles but I can usually contain it onstage. When I played Anna in Spring Awakening, in one of the more serious scenes, I don't remember what set me off but I kept it together as best as I could while the scene was still happening. But when we all sat on the sides of the stage, I couldn't help but shake with stifled church giggles. I eventually got myself to stop but I felt horrible!

BWW NASHVILLE: Do you have a moment that you knew you wanted to be in the theatre business or was it something that you stumbled into?

LEXY BAEZA: Well, my mom put my sister and I into theatre when I was about 5 or 6. Being the outgoing kid I already was, I just kinda did my thing and people ate it up. Getting that reaction only drove my passion more and more and here I am today, still loving every moment.

BWW NASHVILLE: I love to ask all my interviewees this question: If you could perform (act and/or sing) with anyone, living or not, who would it be? What would you perform?

LEXY BAEZA: Probably Lucille Ball. What an amazing woman, and a pioneer for female comedians. I would've said Bernadette Peters but she blows me away and I'm very intimidated by her talent!

BWW NASHVILLE: As Rudolph the Red-Nose Reindeer comes to Nashville, what would you like to tell audiences to expect when they come to see the show?

LEXY BAEZA: Expect the TV special coming to life right before your eyes, with actors who imitate the voices spot on, amazing costumes and lighting, and the catchiest songs that you'll find yourself singing days after you've seen our show!

BWW NASHVILLE: Thank you again for your time!

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Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer plays at Tennessee Performing Arts Center through December 21st. You can purchase tickets on their website or by calling the box office at 615-782-4040.