Diana DeGarmo Q&A from the San Jose Mercury News

[jimnysf]

Posted: 8/6/06 at 11:36am

Posted on Sun, Aug. 06, 2006

http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/entertainment/15211721.htm

theater
From Broadway to San Jose

By Karen D'Souza
Mercury News

Sing out, Diana!

The last time Diana DeGarmo strutted her stuff at the American Musical Theatre of San Jose, she was a musical theater greenhorn cutting her teeth as Maria in ``West Side Story.' She's come a long way since then, baby.

The 19-year-old pop princess beloved by ``American Idol' heads went straight from AMT last year to making her Broadway debut as Penny in ``Hairspray.'

Now she returns to the Center for the Performing Arts as the title character in ``Brooklyn,' a musical urban fairy tale lit by street urchin divas, which runs Aug. 9 through 13. And she gets to share the stage with Tony winners Melba Moore and Cleavant Derricks.

What do DeGarmo devotees really, really want to know anyway? After all, some things are best left between an it-girl and her fans. That's why we fashioned this question-and-answer entirely from your questions (as posted to my theater blog at http://blogs.mercurynews.com/aei) and her answers.

Q Hi, Diana, I saw you in ``BKLYN' in St. Paul. The show was excellent! Your duet with Cleavant was amazing! (I hope you two are able to work together again!) I'm curious as to your process when it comes to dramatic acting. There are several dramatic scenes in ``BKLYN' that involve tears, anger or intense loneliness. Also, in ``West Side Story,' there was the whole ending scene that is extremely intense (that also involved an accent). How do you prepare yourself for these types of scenes night after night?

Posted by: Tara

A I do try to draw from personal experiences when trying to do a dramatic scene; but, in truth, when you become a character, you truly begin to feel the pain that they are going through. It's kind of strange. It's almost like you have a multiple personality. Luckily for myself, Maria's accent came very easily to me; so when it came time for me to have my emotional breakdown, I was so into the show that I really did feel as if I were her. It's kind of odd to describe, but completely amazing.

Q Diana, I spent my middle, high school, and a year of college singing in choirs. I was wondering if you have a favorite piece that you performed with your choir in high school? What's the name of the piece, and why did you enjoy it? What voice part did you sing? Thank you so much for your time.

Posted by: Tonia

A My favorite piece was ``Cantate Domino.' I did it when I was a freshman, and it has stuck with me ever since. I know all of the girls in my choir worked so hard on it, and it really paid off because every performance of it was amazing!

While I was in choir, I sang every part from first soprano to first tenor.

Q My question is about your acting career. Even with minimal experience, you seem to be doing well with roles in ``West Side Story,' ``Hairspray' and ``Brooklyn.' Did you take acting lessons, or are you experiencing ``on the job training?' Do you ever rely on your fellow cast mates for tips and ways to approach scenes, or do you try to approach your part without a lot of outside help?

Posted by: Amanda

A I had a little training when I was younger, and I got some help for ``West Side Story'; but most of it is definitely ``on-the-job training.'

I believe that we never stop learning; so when I go back to New York, I am already signing up for more classes in many different levels/fields of entertaining. . . . Each person does a character differently.

I don't mind taking tips, but I like to stick to my own natural instincts. I always listen to the director, though! :)

Q Hey, Diana, what was your favorite part in ``Brooklyn the Musical' and why? Are you going to do a tour for your second album? If you are will you be coming to Arizona?

Posted by: Serenah

A My favorite part of ``Brooklyn the Musical' is when I get to sing ``Streetsinger' with Cleavant Derricks. We have so much fun on that song. I would like to do a tour with my second album, but I don't know when or where we are going. We will keep you updated, though!

Q Diana, you made some interesting acting choices as Penny. What was the inspiration for your take on the role? Whose idea was it for your Penny to wear glasses?

Posted by: Emma

A Every Penny on Broadway has worn glasses. Penny's character took a slightly different turn from the movie to the theater.

My main inspiration was myself, actually -- oh, and my mother's dancing skills!

Any of my friends will tell you that I am a total hambone, so I just went from there. I just wanted Penny to be a loving, caring, slightly airy person who was just in her own world. Penny thinks she's a rock star, and that's all that matters.

Q I read an interview with Melba Moore, from the Houston newspaper, and she said that you were someone she found inspiring for your work ethic and your beautiful voice. What's it like to look up to someone like Melba and then have her turn around and say something so beautiful about you? Will you be keeping in touch with her after ``Brooklyn' is over?

Posted by: Terra

A Ms. Melba is an incredible performer and beautiful human being both inside and out. I love sharing the stage with her every night. She can sing the paint off the walls! I am serious! I very much appreciate her kind words.

Q Hey Diana! I would like to know which acting part -- Maria, Penny or Brooklyn -- has been your favorite to play, and why.

Posted by: Jamie

A They are all so different that it's hard to just pick one. I love Maria because I got to speak with a different accent and sing beautiful music. I love Penny because I got to be the goofy nerd who lives deep down inside of me. I could do pretty much whatever I wanted on stage, and I could always say that it was ``a part of my character.' I loved Brooklyn because she is so much like myself in many ways. Also, the show ``Brooklyn the Musical' is so different from your everyday, huge musicals that I was happy to take a step away from the ordinary and do something a little off the wall. They are all fantastic characters, and I would do them all again if asked to.

`Brooklyn the Musical'

Book, music and lyrics by Mark Schoenfeld

and Barri McPherson

Where: American Musical Theatre of San Jose, Center for Performing Arts, 255 Almaden Blvd.

When: 8 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Saturday, 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sunday

[Wildcard]

Posted: 8/6/06 at 3:18pm

This show must be doing badly. They're selling all seats for $13.

[nannerz60]

Posted: 8/6/06 at 5:38pm

I love that she answered my question - the first one.

[Becky]

Posted: 8/6/06 at 6:08pm

I saw the show here in Dallas this week, and Diana was incredible. (The show? Eh. But that girl can *sing*.) I was also a little surprised that her voice seemed in top form - it certainly didn't sound like she was singing that score 8 times a week.

She did a talk-back after the show and seemed extremely kind and down to earth. I'm so glad to see her doing well.....

[Parks]

Posted: 8/6/06 at 6:58pm

Becky, you were at the talk back? Were you at the one on Friday night?

[Becky]

Posted: 8/6/06 at 8:31pm

Yes Parks, I was there Friday. Were you the one that gave her flowers?

[Parks]

Posted: 8/6/06 at 8:33pm

haha, yes. I was kind of freaking out, if you couldn't tell. :-P

Where were you sitting?

[Becky]

Posted: 8/8/06 at 7:32pm

I was sitting on Row A, the aisle just left of center for the show. My friend and I sat about as far back as you (but far over to your left) for the talk back. She signed our playbills before you guys took pictures with her if that helps