got my number! They asked me to fly to New York to audition for the role of Effie and I did.
Rage: What was the audition process like?
M.A.: I went three different times to New York and flew out in monthly intervals.
By the third time it was our final call-back and the next morning my agent called and said I got the job. It was exactly a year after I was off tour with The Lion King. It was a three month process for me and was not as nearly as drawn out as some of the other processes I have been through in the past.
Rage: Was it intimidating to play the role of Effie so soon after the success of Jennifer Hudson?
M.A.: Not really, I felt empowered if anything, because you can’t really go into
this role feeling intimidated. I deliver what my personal take is every time I ap- proach a role.
Rage: What aspect of preparing and learning a role is most challenging for you?
M.A.: Honestly, this role and the emotions that Effie goes through hit close to
home for me. What I really had to do is tap into my emotions, as far as things I didn’t want to feel anymore and my own personal life, like heartbreak, insecurity and losing friends and all of that stuff. It’s an emotional roller coaster and I have been on it in my life. I had to sit in my apartment by myself and just let it all out to myself, so I could do it on stage.
Rage: That you did! Actually, I had the opportunity to see Jennifer Holiday’s performance at The Shubert Theatre in LA back in 1982. I loved her rendition of “And I’m Telling You” and your version really moved me too. Why do you think audiences respond so strongly to that song in particular?
M.A.: Well, I feel it is my duty, as Effie every time I go out on stage, every night to
have everybody go through it with me. That’s why they are there; they want to feel that journey.
Rage: What career would you have gone into if you weren’t in show business?
M.A.: That’s a good question. (Giggles) You know what? I actually have an an-
swer. . . I love animals. Probably not a veterinarian, more like nursing animals from the wild and helping them get back to their natural habitat.
Rage: What do you want to do after you finish playing Effie?
M.A.: I think the sky’s the limit. . . I think this is going to open so many doors for
Rage: Other then Effie of Dreamgirls; what was your favorite role that you ever played and why?
M.A.: I would have to say Sara in Ragtime. For a long time I thought that I was
only going to be cast in more comedic roles, so when I got cast in Ragtime, it was in the same theatre as The Wiz, but two years later. It’s my favorite show, the music is amazing, and I really wanted the role, auditioned and got it. It was so dramatic. I just wanted to challenge myself, so that was a very seriously fun role for me to take on.
Rage: How did you hear about the production they were putting together at the Apollo?
M.A.: I didn’t know there were auditions going on. I didn’t even know it was in
the making and about nine months after everyone was auditioning for it, just out of the blue Binder Casting called. It was so random; I don’t even know how they
me. I can not wait to see what happens with my career. I want to dabble a little bit in everything, but I really want to record an album and do music, express myself in that way. Going through that process in the music industry is something I would really love to do. I want to do movies as well.
Rage: Finally, I have a challenge for you.
M.A.: Alright.
Rage: Sum up in one sentence what Dreamgirls is about.
M.A.: Dreamgirls is a rags to riches story that helps people who have a lifelong goal understand what it takes to get there. . .
Dreamgirls
runs April 21-May 2 at Orange County Performing Arts Center, Segerstrom Hall, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. Tickets: 714.556.2787 or ocpac.org.
APRIL 2010 | RAGE monthly 11
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