A Week of Waitress: Day 2!
Today is the first preview of the Waitress National Tour. To continue this “Week of Waitress”, Lenne Klingaman has generously answered some questions about her “Waitress” journey.
Lenne Klingaman!
Q: What is "Waitress" about? How would you describe it to someone who has never heard of the show?
A: I'd say it's mostly about friendship, motherhood, learning to dream, taking risks and daring to be your most true self in all its beautiful complexities.
Q: What role do you play in the show? How would you describe your character?
A: Dawn! I love Dawn. She’s kind and curious and funny and quirky and positive and loving and scared. She’s on the precipice of putting herself out into the world, her whole self, and with the help of supportive friends she dares to be who she truly is and when she does that, the most perfect love and partnership for her comes flying into her life like a torpedo. A beautiful Ogie torpedo of love.
Q: Had you known what “Waitress” was before/when auditioning for the show? Had you heard any of the music?
A: I had! I had been a reader for it in LA when Telsey (the most wonderful casting office) was casting for the ART production. When I heard the music, I wanted to sing it instantly and I went home and sang it with my husband to see if I could!
Q: How did the audition process go? Was it a long process?
A: It was surprising! I had just moved to NY a year before and since I had been the audition reader before for Waitress, I started doing that in NY when I moved there. I loved the material. The scenes were so complex and interesting and meaty and then these gorgeous songs burst out of them. I do mostly classical theater and straight plays. But this book and score spoke to my whole self. I came in as the reader for a week of auditions and Diane recognized me from having just worked at her theater (ART) in Fingersmith and at the end of the audition day she followed me out and asked if I sang! I said yes - I had an album they could listen to. So I auditioned- I got to work with Nadia and Sara on the music, which was enough for me to die happy right there. But then it kept moving forward and when I finally found out I got the part of Dawn I burst into tears of joy. I honestly could not believe it.
Q: How long after the audition did it take for you to hear back from the audition?
A: After my second callback, I got a call that day while I was on the train!
Q: Do you have a go-to audition song?
A: I like to sing Band of Gold or Wedding Bells by Hank Williams.
Q: Is this your first touring show?
A: Yes!!!!! Sort of. In this capacity. I have done co-productions that sit down longer in fewer cities. This is by far the largest, many-citied tour I have ever done. I’m learning the ropes!
Q: What inspired you to become an actress?
A: Storytelling! My parents read us stories, we then read them aloud when we got older. I made up characters in front of a mirror as a kid. I wrote short stories. I loved studying language and still do. Then I got to speak Shakespeare aloud in English class and realized my love of language and imagination could merge in theater. In high school I did my first play and I just fell in love. Shakespeare really hooked me especially. I love using stories to make people feel, to empathize, to connect, to see the world from other perspectives; to me it’s the most human, holy ritual we have. Telling stories.
Q: Do you have any pre-show rituals to get you warmed up and in character?
A: Yes but what it is varies on the character. I love the process of getting to know my character. Sometimes they are like the comfiest, most familiar shoe to slip on. Other times they are new and shiny and different. Dawn felt comfy instantly. She’s already taught me to look at the world with beautiful positivity and wonder. To let people in. She’s a joy. I’m finding that she likes a lot of things. She’s pun-ny and smart too! My process of getting into costume/character involves pink things, turtles, podcasts and upbeat music so far. She will keep talking to me though. She lives as I live. She can change day to day!
Q: What is your favorite number to perform in the show?
A: Soft Place to Land. Hands down. Who wouldn’t want to sing a SUPER GORGEOUS song with Charity and Desi? The first time we sang it together, something beautiful clicked between the 3 of us. I feel like in this song, Sara hands us this beautiful gift of exactly what the friendship trio is all about. In the harmonies, you can hear the 3 personalities and how they blend and fit together. And she leaves room for each woman to have her identity within the song while also being united in the life moment they are going through together.
Q: Is there a favorite role you've played?
A: Hamlet. In Hamlet. That was a chance of a lifetime.
Q: Is this your first time in Cleveland? Have you enjoyed your stay so far?
A: My husband is from Massillon OH so I’ve gotten to visit Cleveland once before and see the Rock n Roll hall of fame and the Arcade building. It’s an awesome city. I’m stunned by the architecture. I can’t wait to explore more!
Hey Guys!
How was your day? I got to see the first preview of the "Waitress" national tour! The cast is absolutely amazing! A cool surprise is coming tomorrow, so stay tuned! Check in on my twitter tomorrow to find out what comes next!
xx- Rachel
