Interview with Max von Essen

Max von Essen can currently be seen as Sonny in Xanadu on tour. Max has also been in West Side Story, Jesus Christ Superstar, The Baker’s Wife, Les Miserables, and Dance of The Vampires just to name a few.

Th3heights: How did you get involved in theatre?
Max von Essen: It just was a natural progression. When I was a kid I was always drawn to the arts, and my first step was playing piano as boy. I got good enough to start accompanying singers in Middle School and playing for the choir. But as much as I loved it, I really wanted to be on stage, so that led to singing, which led to musical theater and plays. So by the time I hit high school, I was totally hooked!!

T3: What is it like touring with Xanadu?
MvE: Oh, it's amazing! I mean, it can be hard leaving NY and my apartment and my friends and family, but having such an amazing role in such a great show is a total honor. I am always thankful just to have a job in this business. Like I said, I don't always love being away from home, but I haven't toured in a long time, so this time around I've really enjoyed traveling the country again.

T3: Do you have any pre-show rituals?
MvE: Well, I guess they are rituals but I just call them warm ups. LOL. Like I'm not superstitious or anything. I usually get to the theater about 90 minutes before curtain and start my vocal warm up and physical warm up. Once I'm through with that, I head on stage with the cast 45 minutes before curtain and we have our skate call. That's just everyone on stage in skates warming up and practicing some of our moves. And then at 1/2 hour, I go back to my dressing room, throw on a little eyeliner, squeeze into my short shorts and then I'm ready. Showtime!!!

T3: What is your favorite show that you have done?
MvE: Hmmm...at this point, it's probably West Side Story. Tony is an incredible role and a thrill to sing and perform. Baker's Wife also ranks really high for me. Although I had a small role in that show, it was incredibly rewarding. In addition, I played opposite Alice Ripley and it was an experience I will never ever forget. She is an incredible force of nature on stage, and she brought out a passion in me as a performer I didn't even realize I had. So I will never forget it.

T3: What was it like to make your Broadway debut?
MvE: It was honestly everything I ever imagined as a kid. The show (Jesus Christ Superstar revival in 2000) wasn't exactly a hit, but it didn't matter to me. Being able to walk into rehearsal every morning, work our asses off, move into an incredible Broadway house and run for several months was a total thrill. I also understudied the role of Jesus, and had the chance to perform it many times. I mean, it was surreal. As teenager, I would see Broadway shows whenever I had the opportunity and I was in heaven sitting in the audiences. I'd wait at the stage door for autographs fantasizing about being one of those performers and now here I was, a few years later, one of those actors coming out of the stage door. It was amazing!

T3: What was your first professional acting job?
MvE: My very first one was during a summer break in college. I was at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill taking some summer classes and playing Jack in a local dinner theater production of Into the Woods. It was truly something else!!!! I used to nearly crack up every night, because I would always get to the lyric I sing to my cow just as I was selling her. I'd sing "I'll see you soon again...I hope that when I do...it won't be on a plate!" And inevitably, an audience member 2 or 3 feet from the edge of the stage would be sinking his knife into a big steak. It was tragic. LOL. But I had a blast doing the show!!!

T3: Do you have a dream role you want to play?
MvE: Oh yes, so many!!! But mostly I'd like to be part of something new and completely original. Until then, I'm looking forward to maturing into more adult roles, like many of Sondheim's leading men. Bobby in Company, George in Sunday in the Park...etc. He's one of the few who writes roles for thrilling and complex leading men.

T3: Who is your favorite performer and why?
MvE: Oh gosh, I don't even know where to begin. In the theatre, I love watching Brian D'Arcy James, John Lithgow, Sutton Foster, Alice Ripley, Gavin Creel, Christine Baranski, Harriet Harris and so many others, it's really too hard to choose. On the big screen, of course Meryl Streep continues to blow my mind for her versatility, and ever since seeing La Vie en Rose, I'm slightly obsessed with Marion Cotillard. I love Ewan McGregor, too!

T3: What is your favorite Broadway show and why?
MvE: I could sit through Gypsy at almost any theatre in the country and love it! I think it is so perfect and I'm lucky since there seems to be a revival every 5 years or so. LOL. Currently, I'm in love with American Idiot. It is so much more than just theatre; it is like poetry on stage! I love it!

T3: Who is your biggest inspiration and why?
MvE: My teachers have always been my greatest inspiration. Without having some of the most amazing and inspiring teachers in my childhood and even now in my adulthood, I simply would not in the arts or the performer I am today.

T3: Is there a quote or motto you live by?
MvE: "Find your bliss"

T3: Do you have any advice for aspiring performers?
MvE: Do the work!!! Having natural talent is great and a true gift, but no one can just coast through this business. It demands a tremendous amount of work and will require you to always challenge yourself and continue to strengthen your talent. Don't get lazy and DO THE WORK!!! It's all so much more rewarding when you do.

T3: Is there anything else you would like to add?
MvE: Yeah, go see a show! Anywhere! Broadway or at your local theatre! Keep the arts alive!

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Interview With Erin Wilson

Erin Wilson is currently on tour with the 2nd National Tour of Wicked. Erin plays Shen-Shen and is one of the understudies for Madame Morrible.

Th3Heights: What was the audition process for Wicked like?

Erin Wilson: I went to an open equity dance call and Wayne Cilento [choreographer of Wicked] happened to be there. I made it past a few rounds and eventually was asked to sing. This is the ONLY audition I have ever not brought my audition book to {I was pretty sure I would get cut} and when they asked me to stay and sing I was freaking out. Luckily my friend was also kept and she SO kindly let me use her book. I flipped through the songs and realized the only song I knew well enough was "What I Did For Love" from A Chorus Line {coincidentally a show in which Wayne was an original cast member} and kind of nailed it. PURE LUCK and adrenaline because this isn't a song I sing, just one I know! This began my auditioning for Wicked--I was asked back later 2 more times to sing/dance/read for casting and creatives and finally booked it.

T3: What did you do when you found out you were cast in Wicked?

EW: I had a feeling that I had booked it and was HOPING for a call soon. I happened to be home at my parents house when I received the call. After I got off the official phone call I remember doing a little dance in my kitchen! Luckily my Dad was home and I went into the office and told him I had good news. I was so excited to tell him and my mom because they have been SO supportive over the years. We hugged and I waited all day for my Mom to get home from work so I could tell her face to face. Everyone was so excited and while I was pretty excited I was so nervous I was going to wake up the next day and find out it wasn't real! I guess a year and 2 months later its been quite a real experience :)

T3: What is it like being an understudy?

EW: It's really fun to know 2 different versions of the show. When I have had the chance to go on for Morrible I have LOVED every moment. She is such a wonderfully wicked character. We rehearse every few weeks, alternating with the other understudies. I think it is important to understudy and play in the ensemble so one can truly appreciate what the group does as a whole for the show.

T3: What is the funniest or weirdest thing that has happened onstage during Wicked?

EW: The other day was actually pretty weird. We had a stall in the lighting and the lighting had to be rebooted from the beginning of the show. When Elphaba is dancing for the first time at the Oz Dust Ballroom we basically ran through every light cue in the show. The house lights even came on for a bit! It was pretty funny, but we kept it together :)

T3: What moment or song do you look forward to performing in Wicked and why?

EW: I love performing What Is This Feeling? and all of the scenes. I really love scene work. It's a challenge to keep it real and fresh 8 times a week and I look forward to the challenge!

T3: Do you have any preshow rituals?

EW: I have a few little habits...I like to steam from time to time, especially when we change cities or climates. I always do this little vocal warm-up during the overture that sounds really funny but is actually really helpful. And, I always sing into my gloves and into a curtain the beginning of Defying Gravity to check my placement for my upcoming Act 2 solo.

For Morrible, I sing Dear Old Shiz the octave down and while I am getting ready some Tracy Chapman! I also do this little diction warm up as well.

T3: What is it like traveling around the country and getting to perform for so many different audiences?

EW: Really fun! Basically I would say all of America is kind of similar in a way. I mean, there is a Target a Wal-Mart, Walgreens, a mall and similar food places EVERYWHERE! We are truly a franchised country. But, it is finding the local haunts that make each place unique. Each city has had its own experience whether it be the weather, the shopping, the activities, etc. Seriously, I think in Memphis all we did was EAT. The different audiences are fun and can be funny. Some cities are very quiet where other audiences are a little more raucous. But in the end regardless of the audience there is always a standing ovation and you can tell everyone had a great time. That;s the brilliance of this show...it takes you on such a journey you can't help but get swept away in it regardless of who is on that day.

T3: What is your favorite part of being in a touring show?

My favorite thing is the first day in a new theater. So fresh, so exhilarating.

T3: What is your favorite Broadway show and why?

EW: I definitely can't pin down one favorite, but I really love Ragtime for the music and storytelling, Sweeny Todd for the orchestrations, Gypsy for being a perfect musical, Sunday in the Park for the story within a story, and Parade for the passion and conflict. But I could think of a million more I love too :

T3: Who is your favorite performer and why?

EW: I have a lot of actors I look up to for many reasons, but I don't think I have a favorite. I have always followed Sherie Rene Scott because early on I got a lot of comparison looks and performance-wise to her, but overall I like many different performers for lots of different reasons.

T3: Who is your biggest inspiration and why?
EW: Definitely my parents and family. My parents push me and guide me to be a better person daily. They help me to keep focused on the big picture. My family keeps me grounded and loves me unconditionally. I could never have chosen this career without their support and love.

T3: Is there a quote or motto you try and live by?

EW: My mom recently wrote me a letter and in it she reminded me of this:"We need to be sprucing up our own lives….stretching to be better. We need to push ourselves to be better people." I look to this often for inspiration and for help while I live in this tiny bubble of Wicked on the road :)

Check out Erin's website

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Check Wicked's website for tour dates

Wicked will be at The Orphuem Theatre this summer check here for more information