Theatre Under The Stars’ 2009 production of CABARET originated from Seattle’s 5^th Avenue Theatre where David Armstrong is the Producing Artistic Director.  David blogs: “One of the goals of the 5^th Avenue Theatre is to create bold new productions of great classic musicals.  Like any classic work, from Shakespeare to Puccini, I believe that Cabaret can be re-imagined in any number of ways.  This production is markedly different from nearly every previous production I am aware of.”

David Armstrong goes on to state that the director Bill Berry and his design team did an extensive amount of research into the look, feel and performance style of actual 1930’s Berlin cabarets during the Weimar period in which the musical is set.  David argues that their production’s approach to CABARET is so unique some people questioned whether the staging and design is appropriate to the musical’s time, place and setting. 

The cast and creative team of Seattle's 5th Avenue Theatre were heavily influenced by 1930's Weimar Germany as they prepared for their production of CABARET.  TUTS presents CABARET at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts June 16-28, 2009.  The Hobby Center is located at 800 Bagby & Walker, Houston Texas. 

Therefore, I personally believe that the Houston audience is set for an unprecedented rendition, apart from the Oscar award winning movie (starring Liza Minnelli and Joel Grey) and all the other CABARET Broadway versions.  For the Houston performances, Leslie Kritzer is playing the role of Sally Bowles, the iconic role that earned Liza Minnelli the Academy Award for Best Actress.  Just to give you an idea of how enormously talented Leslie Kritzer is she did not have to audition for the part of Sally Bowles.  She was invited to perform the role and for the benefit of the Houston theatre-going audience, she graciously accepted.

Leslie Kritzer was born on May 24^th, 1977 and grew up in Livingston, New Jersey.  In 1999, she graduated from the University of Cincinnati College – Conservatory of Music.  She has appeared in several Broadway and off-Broadway shows such as Tracy in Hairspray, as Fanny Brice in Funny Girl and as Rizzo in Grease.  She received a 2006 Drama Desk nomination for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical for The Great American Trailer Park Musical.  Then it was followed by a 2007 Special Achievement MAC Award for her show Leslie Kritzer Is Patti LuPone at Les Mouches.  She also went on to win the 2007 Clarence Derwent Award for her performance as Serena in Legally Blonde.  On the day of this interview June 5^th, 2009 Leslie Kritzer was enjoying a bright, sunny day in Houston, Texas.

Leslie:  Wow it’s gorgeous out here, let me tell you.  I’m just looking out the window here and it’s such a beautiful day.

Theresa:  I’ve been googling you and found out you’re this big Broadway star!!!  I mean…huge!

Leslie:  Yeah, I guess you could say that….

Theresa:  And you’re headlining the show right now starring in this major production of CABARET.  Have you played CABARET before?

Leslie:  No.  I’ve never done CABARET before.  This is my first time.

Theresa:  In your own words, tell us about the part you are playing…

Leslie:  I’m playing the part of Sally Bowles, one of the major characters in Cabaret set in Weimar, Germany during the beginning of the Nazi takeover.  Obviously this was right before the Holocaust.  It is set in underground nightclubs and the phenomenal world of entertainment.  She is a young British performer that lives in the moment.  You know, a party girl basically (laughs).  She doesn’t really think about the consequences of her actions.  She just does what she wants to do in the moment.  So it’s a very fun character and heartbreaking as well.  She is carefree and wide-eyed.  To her, anything is possible. 

Theresa:  Prior to this you were doing Rooms: A Rock Romance…

Leslie:  Yes, in New York City.

Theresa:  How did you become a part of this production of CABARET?  Did you have to audition for it?

Leslie:  I did not.  I was offered the role and everything worked out scheduling-wise.  I didn’t know if I could’ve done it because of Rooms….and then Rooms closed.  I was so happy everything worked out.

Theresa:  Wow.

Leslie:  So I was very lucky.

Theresa:  You are destined to play this part.

Leslie:  I’m very lucky to have the opportunity to do this.  I think people just know of my work and they just know they wanted to work with me.  It seems like a perfect opportunity and it all happened.

Theresa:  Have you met Liza Minnelli?  Sally Bowles in CABARET is a role she made legendary.

Leslie:  I have met her.  She came to see me in a production that I did of Funny Girl back in 2001.  She and I had a wonderful talk.  After the show, we hung out and she told me she loved my performance.  She said, “If they ever do a movie about the story of my life you should play me.”  Yeah, she was very complimentary.

Theresa: (gasps) No way!!!  She actually said that?

Leslie:  Yes she did.  I mean that was a long time ago but she was very nice.  A very nice woman, I really, really enjoyed meeting her.  She is so supportive of me.  She is just great. 

Theresa:  Well it goes without saying.  She was really impressed with your role as Fanny Brice in Funny Girl. 

Leslie:  Yeah, she did.  She loved it.  So, you know, she was wonderful.  She was really, really wonderful.  It’s so funny when I accepted to do this part I didn’t go back and watch the movie.  I actually went to the New York Public Library and watched two different actual stage productions of it: the revival that was done not too long ago; and then the revival in the eighties with Joel Grey. 

Theresa:  Was Liza in any of the stage productions that you saw?

Leslie:  No she was not.  Natasha Richardson was.  It was just great to do research just to see what it was like. 

Theresa:  It is so sad to hear that Natasha Richardson recently passed away due to a ski accident.  Yeah, but I read somewhere that you don’t like to watch the movies when you’re doing a role.

Leslie:  Yeah, it’s just easy for me to copy.  To get a taste of two different styles, of two different productions was good.  I did a little research of my own.  Bill Berry our director had a lot of research material.  I kinda like to start from scratch but I don’t try to do someone else’s thing.  But of course you know Liza Minnelli is one of my idols.

Theresa:  That is mind-blowing.  I can’t believe you actually got to meet her.  And I do believe that what she said will happen one day.  You might one day be able to do Liza in a movie about her life. 

Leslie:  Maybe, maybe one day (laughs).

Theresa:  Wouldn’t that be amazing?

Leslie:  Yeah, that would be really cool.  She’s an incredible lady and I’m also a huge fan of Judy Garland, her mother.  I got a chance to tell her that when I met her.  I told her that I love her mother as well.  So it was just a trip meeting her.  And seeing what she had to say.  It was really, really cool.  The role itself is wonderful.  We’re actually gearing up to start tech next week.  Now we’re really piecing the show together.  We’re gonna start doing run-throughs this coming week.

Theresa:  But you do remember the movie where she won the Best Actress award.  I mean, it is such a classic.

Leslie:  A looooong time ago, yeah, a very long time ago.  Of course there’s like major clips that I’ve seen more than one time.  Like, when she does Cabaret.  But it’s been a long time.  So I kind of stay away from it just because I’m so good at mimicking things, my brain can’t help but copy that.

Theresa:  (Laughs).

Leslie: But it’s a phenomenal show.  I think this cast is wonderful and the director is a creative genius.

Theresa:  You starred in A Catered Affair, portraying Janey Hurley, the character played by Debbie Reynolds in the 1956 feature film of the same name.  Who are the most memorable stars you’ve had an opportunity to work with?

Leslie:  Harvey Fierstein, Tom Wopat, Faith Prince is definitely one of them.  The entire cast of A Catered Affair, Tom Wopat and Faith Prince played my mother and father.  Harvey Fierstein played my uncle.  So that was really cool.  I’ve been very lucky to work with some great people.

Nick Garrison as the Emcee in the 5th Avenue Theatre's production of CABARET.   TUTS presents CABARET at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts June 16-28, 2009.  The Hobby Center is located at 800 Bagby & Walker, Houston Texas.  Photo by David M. Allen Photography.

Theresa:  Tell us about what it’s like growing up in Livingston, New Jersey.

Leslie:  It was great.  It was a really nice, suburban town right outside of New York City.  It’s about a half an hour outside of the city so you had the best of both worlds.  I grew up doing what most kids do.  I played piano when I was younger and did school plays.  I went to prom.  I was a normal kid.  I was not a showbiz kid at all.  Just normal, I did choir and high school shows. 

Theresa:  You’re also a classical pianist.

Leslie:  Yeah.  I did study classical piano for awhile and then I kinda transitioned from that into voice and acting.  So it was a great place to grow up with my family.  It’s just a wonderful area to live in. 

Leslie Kritzer’s SNL (Saturday Night Live) Audition You-Tube Video

Theresa:  I saw your SNL auditions and you are so hilarious (laughs)!

Leslie: Ah-ha.  Thank you.  Thank you.

Theresa:  You do a great Liza Minnelli.  Is this something you get to audition every year for SNL?

Leslie:  No.  Every couple of years we get a phone call that they’re interested.  And we’ll send the tapes.  Basically, nothing came out of it so I put it on the Internet.  And then it kinda spread around and people liked it.  But that’s exactly what I sent in to them.  It was fun.

Theresa:  It was awesome!  You’re very funny.  You can do Liza Minnelli very well, Bristol Palin (Sarah Palin’s daughter) and Amy Winehouse.  You can really do Amy Winehouse.  You have the voice - so you should take it a little further and do Amy onstage.  Whenever I see her onstage, she’s always singing with a drink in her hand.  Sometimes it’s a glass of scotch with a lit cigarette or a wine glass.  You can do that.  You’re just amazing.

Leslie:  Thank you.  Well I can’t wait for you to see the show.  The show’s gonna be great.  I haven’t done a big, big show like this since Legally Blonde.  A Catered Affair and Rooms (A Rock Romance) are smaller kind of shows.  They’re difficult but not big production shows.  This is like a full two and a half hour musical, big sets and big theater.  It’s the biggest theater I played in a long time since at least Legally Blonde.

Theresa:  Do you go on tour with this production of Cabaret?

Leslie:  This is the last stop for what it’s gonna be, just at the Hobby Center.  Cabaret had some engagements outside of Seattle where it first started.  But this is my first time with it.  But I performed at the Hobby Center before.  I did the National Tour of Urinetown which came through the Hobby Center.  This is actually the last city that I played before I did my first Broadway show which was Hairspray.  So I have very fond memories of Houston.  One of my favorite memories of Houston is going to the House of Pies and having a banana cream pie which is my favorite thing ever.

Theresa:  Was that after a show?

Leslie:  That was after a show one night and they’re like, “We’re gonna go to House of Pies.”  And I was like, “What’s House of Pies?” and we went.  And I said, “Oh my God…”  It’s great!  I mean, it’s been great here.  The weather’s beautiful.  The people are so nice here.  And I’m just having a great time.  I’m really happy to be down here and not in rainy New York, I’ll tell you that much.

Theresa:  Who influenced you as an artist growing up?

Leslie:  It depends.  When I think back to college, I had pictures on my wall.  It was Bette Midler, Linda Ronstadt, Judy Garland….you know I love character actors too.  Once I got a little bit more experience I discovered Parker Posey, Edie Falco (I love her!), Lili Taylor, Lily Tomlin and Gilda Radner…comedians.  I grew up watching Saturday Night Live so a lot of that kinda comedy.  A lot of comedians and then great musical actors and actresses, influences from musical theatre.  So I have like a wide array of different influences.  But Judy Garland, she was a big one.  And Bette Midler ‘cause she’s hilarious.

Theresa:  I understand rehearsals are very intense right now.  Can you describe your routine on a normal day?

Leslie:  Today is not a normal day because of our rehearsal yesterday.  Like I told Lauren (Lauren Lovell is the public relations manager for TUTS), today is not a normal day because they decided not to call us until really, really late.  That was decided very late last night.

If today was a normal day, I would get up.  I’d go to the gym for maybe an hour or 1 ½ hour depending on how long I want to stay.  Then I come home, eat something and shower.  I’d drive over to the theater and we’d have a 1 to 5 rehearsal; and then a 5-7 dinner break and then 7 o’clock to 10 o’clock rehearsal.  So it’s a long day.  From 1 to 5 we’re running scenes, we’re learning choreography, we’re piecing together stuff and we’re cleaning stuff.  We’re putting together the big party scenes and the scenes where there are more people. 

You also have to understand, I came here along with Tyler Hanes who plays Cliff Bradshaw.  We came here a week earlier than everybody else.  So we started a week earlier learning our scenes and doing scene work.  Then the ensemble came in and one of the other principals Leo Ash Evans who plays the M. C.  They started working so we’ve been in rehearsal longer than everybody because obviously we have the most scene work by ourselves.  So it’s been a test.  They’re long hours and…you work until 10 o’ clock at night so like after dinner, from 5 to 7…

By the way, we have a two hour dinner break because of the conservatory.  They need space to have their production rehearsal for the kids, which they’re adorable. 

So after 7 o’clock it’s very hard to focus from 7 to 10 at night.  After you eat dinner, you are tired.  You’ve already been up since 8 o’clock and it’s just like, you’re moving and you have to be present.  It’s difficult.  Then you come home and its 10 o’clock or 10:30 by the time you get home.  And you can’t just fall asleep.  You wanna watch TV and go on the internet.  And you’re trying not to eat too late (like if you want to snack or something). 

So it’s kind of….you just have to get used to it.  All of us are getting kind of used to it.  Thank God we’re in Houston which has beautiful weather.  It’s not really cold.  It’s a nice break from New York, at least for me.  Some of the people are not from New York.  Because right now in New York it’s raining and cold and I hate that kind of weather.  The schedule will get even tougher once we’re in tech. 

Tari Kelly (Sally Bowles) and the Kit Kat Klub girls in The 5th Avenue Theatre's production of CABARET.   TUTS presents CABARET at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts June 16-28, 2009.  The Hobby Center is located at 800 Bagby & Walker, Houston Texas.  Photo by David M. Allen Photography.

Theresa:  Wow.  You’re just now getting started as far as the intensity of the rehearsals.

Leslie:  It’s been intense but it’s going to get worse because once we’re in tech we do….we call them 10 out of 12.  So we start basically at 12 o’clock in the afternoon and we go till 12 o’clock at night.  Of course we have a dinner break and all that but you’re in the theater all day.  You’re under lights and positioning. 

Before you know it, it’s opening night and there we go.  It’s great.  We’re all used to this process because this is what we do.  But it requires some patience with yourself especially when you get tired, knowing your limits.  It’s all a learning experience.  No matter how many times I’ve done it before, I always learn something new. 

Theresa:  Is this the biggest thing you’ve ever done?

Leslie:  Obviously I’ve done a number of Broadway shows.  No, it’s just another big challenge, I will say that.  Every time I do a new part, I mean I just came from starring in a show with only 2 people including myself for 90 minutes. 

Theresa:  That’s right.  Rooms: A Rock Romance starred you as Monica the singer / songwriter and Doug Kreeger as Ian the reclusive rocker. 

Leslie:  So that in itself was hard.  Doing A Catered Affair was hard.  You know, as far as like challenging and exposure and all that.  But regardless of how big or small a part is you know it’s always a learning experience.  I mean, of course, to star in Cabaret in this beautiful theatre – it’s a big deal for me.  But I try not to look at it like that because then I get freaked out!  I’m like, “Oh God!”  So I try to go, you know what?  It’s another show it’s another opportunity to learn and grow.  Once I think about it as too big of a deal then you could freak yourself out.  It’s like going on a roller coaster.  (Laughs) It’s not like a roller coaster because you’ve been here before but it’s thrilling.  It’s really thrilling and I can’t wait to get into costumes and wigs.  It’s gonna be a wonderful production.

Theresa:  It’s gonna be an awesome show.  I can’t wait.

Leslie:  Yeah.

Theresa:  So how do you prepare for a role as iconic as Sally Bowles?  Right after Rooms, did you start learning your lines?

Leslie:  I can’t memorize lines until I know blocking.  Until I know what I’m doing while I’m saying them.  It’s kind of like trying to study for a test and not really knowing…I need to know the world I’m in.  So once I get up on my feet and start learning when I’m saying the lines where, then I can memorize them.  They just come, same as music and lyrics.  Music and lyrics always come easier just because the music helps a lot.  Basically I dive in the first day of rehearsal and there we go.  And you know I have a great director (Bill Berry) so he takes the lead and we follow.  It’s a day by day process.

Theresa:  What is it like to star alongside Leo Ashe Evans as the Master of Ceremonies?  I mean he’s not like Joel Grey. 

Leslie:  No he’s very different.  And we know each other from New York so we’re good friends and he’s just great.  He’s just wonderful.  We haven’t spent a lot of time in rehearsal yet next to each other.  Now we’re putting the show together.  So now, it’s when we’ll be working together a lot more closely.  And then, it’s just so much fun.  He’s hilarious.

Theresa:  What about Tyler Hanes as Cliff Bradshaw, your love interest?

Leslie:  Wonderful.  We have the most intimate scenes obviously because we’re involved as a couple.  Just great, you know we clicked from day one.  And I also know him from New York.  So, it was easy.  We hit it off right away.  He’s just wonderful.  It’s really great, such a talented cast.  We’re very lucky to have each other, all of us. 

Theresa:  What about the director Bill Berry?

Leslie:  I’ve never worked with him before.  He really wanted me to do this show and I was just thrilled.  He’s just been great.  I mean, him and Bob who choreographed it, they really have put together a wonderful show.  We’ve only been working together going on 2 weeks so it’s been wonderful.  It’s just gonna keep getting better and better.  We’re having a great time.

Theresa:  So what happens after this show in Houston?

Leslie:  After Houston I’m just gonna come home and take some time off.  I go back to New York and we’ll see what happens.  I do have a couple of musicals I’m working on that are in development.  That’s not set in stone yet but I’m always working on new material and other composers to do stuff.  It’s nice.  I kind of have the summer off in general.  I’m happy about that because in the fall, everything starts to get busy.  So it’s nice to have the time off.  And I have a new apartment in New York that I’m kind of putting together.  So it gets me some time to do real life things before the craziness starts.

Theresa:  Are you single?

Leslie:  No.  I have a wonderful boyfriend who is a musical director, a conductor and a composer.  He’s wonderful.  He’ll be coming down here to see the show.  He loves Cabaret and we’ve known each other for a long time.  We haven’t been dating a long time but we certainly have known each other for a while because we’re in the same business.  But-aahh, life is good.

Theresa:  You’re both in musical theatre.  It must be nice to be doing something you love to do.

Leslie:  Yeah I’m very blessed, you know?  I always work consistently (knock on wood) and hopefully will continue to do so.  If anyone comes to me after the show or writes me about wanting to do what I do, I encourage them to pursue their goals and their dreams because you only live once, you know?  I always knew that I wanted to do this and it just kind of happened. 

I try to inspire especially young people who ask me about going into this business.  I don’t discourage anyone even though it’s difficult.  I’m honest about it being difficult.  But if this is what they really want to do, definitely go for their dreams and try it.  Try to do something they really like with their life.  Mine certainly has turned out very well.  I’ve also been very lucky.  It’s not just about talent.  Its luck and timing, so I can’t just say it’s all me.  I’ve had a lot of help from people that have believed in me.

Theresa:  You’re pretty amazing, all the work that you’ve done, all the stuff on Broadway, it’s just amazing work.  And for Liza Minnelli to come up to you, you’re pretty much up there.  You’re recognized.

Leslie:  Not yet, man.  I’m getting there.  You know we always want more in our lives.  I try to just be happy and really do the best work I can do.  And have fun doing it because it’s such a great opportunity to do different parts.  I’ve been so lucky to do different kinds of roles, some dramatic, some comedic roles.  This is just another wonderful part that I can say that I played.  I’m very, very grateful to be here.

Theresa:  It will be an awesome show with huge sets, costumes and lighting.  What would you like the audience to gain from watching this musical?

Leslie:  Obviously what happened during the holocaust and World War II, it’s still happening in different parts of the world, hate-driven violence, extermination of people, genocide and all that.  We have to remember that it’s still an on-going problem.  It can happen anytime.  We can’t forget that this could happen again in the world.  We have to be accepting of all different cultures, race and beliefs.  Everyone has a right to live and be in this world.  To be discriminated based on their race or religious beliefs, we should not have tolerance. 

Theresa:  Are there war-torn scenes in the actual musical?

Leslie:  The take-over of the Nazis is very prevalent and it breaks up people, marriages, friendships and community.  People that were living peacefully amongst each other, they start to turn against each other.  So the Nazi take-over is a huge part of this musical.

Theresa:  So are there scenes with soldiers and stuff?

Leslie:  Not soldiers as much as muscle.  You will see in the show, the Nazi influence that start to infiltrate.  I don’t want to ruin it for anybody but that’s what Cabaret is…

Theresa:  People trying to escape from the Nazi occupation?

Leslie:  Yeah, and not understanding what was happening on the outside world.  How it would upset what was going on in the wonderful cabaret and entertainment world.  It affected everything.  Once the Nazi started to take over, life was not the same.  Regardless of whether you were Jewish or not, people were just discriminated against. 

That is the why the musical is so interesting.  I would love the audience to walk away going, “God, that can never happen again.”  And that must be remembered.  It could have been…..there were so many people that were killed that weren’t even Jewish.  They were just artists or were people who didn’t believe what the Nazis believed.  And again, that’s happening in the world now.  We can’t tolerate those hate-fueled belief systems.

Theresa:  Absolutely.  That’s so profound.  I love hearing you talk like that.  It’s such a contrast from the person that I saw on the You Tube video…..

Leslie:  (Laughs) Yeah.  And even my video was politically motivated.  It’s all about Obama and the election.  This show is multi-faceted.  You’re gonna get drama, a little comedy, glitz and glamour.  It’s so entertaining but there’s a meaning behind it.  They don’t make shows like this any more which is why everyone should come out and see it ‘cause it’s really a work of art in itself.  It’s up there with all the classic musical theatre productions that were ever written. 

Theresa:  Awesome!  We’re so happy to have you in Houston.  We’re really excited to see the show.

Leslie:  Thank you.

CABARET

What good is sitting alone in your room?
Come hear the music play.
Life is a Cabaret, old chum
Come to the Cabaret.

Put down the knitting,
The book and the broom.
Time for a holiday
Life is Cabaret, old chum
Come to the Cabaret.

Come taste the wine,
Come hear the band.
Come blow your horn,
Start celebrating;
Right this way,
Your table's waiting

No use permitting
some prophet of doom
To wipe every smile away.
Come hear the music play.
Life is a Cabaret, old chum,
Come to the Cabaret!