TS: Do you think of Fred as a real-life version of Petruchio? Or is Fred Lilli’s Svengali? KO: The actress playing Lilli could never believe that Fred is like Petruchio. Lilli knows Fred is just posturing; otherwise, how could she believe in him? I wouldn’t give Fred that much satisfaction or credit to call him my Svengali. Fred and Lilli are equal players. Not every actress/starlet needs a Svengali seducing them, building them up, making them stars. Some women work their asses off right from the start, make their own careers, and fall in love on their own terms. They started together in the chorus. If Fred strayed after that, well, you can ask him why.
TS: What do you think binds them to one another? KO: Chemistry. History. Love. Art. Fire. Love of ham.
TS: What do you look for from a director, choreographer, and music director when you are collaborating on a role? KO: Consideration, teamwork, laughter, confidence.
TS: Where were you born and educated? KO: Born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, raised mostly in Elk City, Oklahoma, finished high school in Edmond, Oklahoma, went to college at Oklahoma City University and acting school at The Lee Strasberg Institute in NYC, and the school of life.
TS: What keeps you inspired as an artist? KO: Open communication, education, and understanding. And love.
TS: Public school students will read this interview and will want to know what it takes to be a very successful actress—what advice can you give young people who say they want to sing, dance, and act in the musical theatre? KO: I would ask them to define “success” for themselves. If they love this work and get to do it at all and with some consistency, that is success. And if they truly love it, always be true to themselves within it. If they expect anything else from it or compromise themselves to get it, rethink.•
Kelli O'Hara, Will Chase and the company of Kiss Me, Kate
KISS ME, KATE UPSTAGE GUIDE
5
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24
