In diesem Winter ist die Country-Sängerin Jennifer Nettles von unten in die Innenstadt gegangen und hat von ihrer Farm in Nashville, Tennessee, in das West Village umgezogen, wo sie lebt, während sie als Roxie Hart in der Broadway-Wiederbelebung vonChicago spielt. Als die singende Hälfte des viel dekorierten Duos Sugarland findet Nettles die Choreographie im Bob Fosse-Stil als den herausforderndsten Teil ihres Broadway-Debüts. Aber wenn man so groß wie Nettles ist, kann man von den Besten lernen – darunter die Fosse-Muse Ann Reinking, die dem Einwohner von Georgia dabei hilft, ihren inneren Hüftschub zu finden. Aber selbst mit Stunden und Stunden Probe vor ihrer ersten Aufführung (die am 3. Februar stattfand) findet Nettles immer noch Zeit, das Leben in der Großstadt mit ihrem Ehemann Justin Miller und ihrem zweijährigen Sohn Magnus zu genießen. Sie hat kürzlich mit uns über ihr Broadway-Debüt und ihre Lieblingsaktivitäten in New York City gesprochen.
How did the opportunity to make your Broadway debut come about?
Jennifer Nettles:
I had been waiting for the right timing in my career to be able to shift my focus and try new things. With the birth of my son two years ago, I became more inspired to make changes and brave choices.
Chicago
was looking for guest stars and reached out to my agent, and I said, “Let's make this happen.” It was the right role at the right time.
Had you seen Chicago before? What was your first experience with the musical?
JN:
I saw
Chicago
several years ago when Usher was playing Billy Flynn. He was so smooth in that role.
As the lead singer of Sugarland and a solo country artist you are used to performing as yourself on stage. How do you make the transition to performing as a character?
JN:
Although it's been a little while, I grew up performing in theater. The newest element for me in this role was the dancing. Luckily, I had a month of rehearsals with some of the most fabulous dancers around. They were super helpful in my making the connections within all the Fosse choreography. I love Roxie! She is a dreamer who found herself confronted with a unique opportunity to make those dreams a reality. She thinks on her feet and recognizes opportunity when she sees it. I can relate to that.
What was the most challenging thing about rehearsals for you?
JN:
My perfectionism has been most challenging! I was least experienced with trained dancing, and yet I want to suddenly be Ann Reinking. I had to learn to incorporate the Fosse choreography into my body and give my own interpretation in order to give my best.
Even though you are a country music star, do you have an appreciation for show tunes? What do you like in particular about the Chicago score?
JN:
I've always loved musical theater and show tunes; the first album I ever owned was
Annie
. The music in
Chicago
is fantastic. It is sexy and funny and very relatable.
Did anyone special come to see you on your opening night?
JN:
I had many family and friends in the audience, including my great aunt and uncle, who are in their 80s and 90s and are native New Yorkers. They took me to see my first Broadway show when I was 10!
What are some of your favorite things to do and places to go in New York City?
JN:
I love skating in
. I love the Met. I love just walking around holding my husband's hand and looking at old architecture, dreaming, eating and shopping. I love strolling through the residential streets of the
. I love flea markets and vintage shops. I'm a downtown gal.
What's next for your music career? Where are you going to go from here?
JN:
I'm hoping to make a new record in 2015. And yet I am so inspired by my Broadway experience that I haven't fully decided what's next and when. Whatever is next for me, it's gonna have to be fun.
Die aktuelle Wiederbelebung_Chicagos_läuft seit 1996 auf dem Broadway;kaufen Sie Tickets, um sie im Ambassador Theatre zu sehen.