Previews - Keely beirne interview

[music] And if you listen to the beat and hear what's in your soul, you will never let anyone steal your rock 'n' roll... >> Laura Sullivan: Memphis, the Tony Award winner for Best Musical, unfolds amid the underground dance clubs of the 1950s. It's the story of a forbidden love affair between a rising star and a DJ determined to change the world. The Center for the Performing Arts' Christie Black speaks with Keely Beirne, an actress in the touring Broadway production of Memphis. Beirne is making her national tour debut as a member of the ensemble and an understudy for the lead role of Felicia. The actress, a recent graduate of Penn State with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in musical theatre, discusses her role in the high-energy production and her life as part of the ensemble. She also talks about how her personal history reflects the story and dreams realized in Memphis. >> Christie Black: You've been in a number of shows including Phantom, 42nd Street and Hairspray, but Memphis is your first national tour, traveling to many different cities throughout the United States. What's been your favorite part about being on the road? >> Keely Beirne: I think it's the company that I have, our cast is really close, we're like, it's like my second family because I don't get to see my family all the time. I saw them when I was in New Jersey-in my hometown, and I mean I didn't even get to spend Thanksgiving with them so it's just great to have such a close group of people who really support each other and care so much about each other. >> Black: Well you've been a part of this ensemble for awhile now, but you also are the understudy to Jasmine Richardson, so you've stepped into the lead role of Felicia on the road several times. How is it that you are able to quickly step into another role, which I would assume would be very different than the one that you typically play on stage for Memphis? >> Beirne: Right, it's completely different. My normal role is mainly dance and then her role is mainly singing and acting so, we have rehearsals, like I'll have a rehearsal later today and then after that four hours we get to like get up and do it, do the blocking and the staging, and the singing, full out as if we are running the show just with the understudies in place and none of the leads come and we don't even have the full ensemble but we do try to walk through it as if it were really happening; and then usually we'll have like costume fittings and stuff like that before the show and make sure everything is in place. So, I'm pretty well prepared for it! And I think because her character is so distinct, it is easy for me to fall into who she is. Because as an ensemble member, I kinda play multiple roles. Here I would just have like this one character to think about who she is and then follow her arc which is really fun. >> Black: This show, for those who haven't seen it, takes a close look at race relations in the deep south during the 1950s and we all know that following our dreams can take us through uncharted territory and in difficult situations at times, so we can all take something from seeing this show. How has telling this story, especially in a lot of different roles, how is telling this story affected you, personally? >> Beirne: Well, it's kind of incredible because my mother is black and my father's white, so I kinda put it into myself like this all happened for a reason and it's so incredible that I can live the life that I live now. To put it back into their time and see how it's truly a struggle, it was really problematic for them to live like, it's really affected me thinking about where I've come from and how our country has progressed so much. So I try to think about that and how I've been blessed with so many opportunities, since our country has progressed. I'm like, I probably wouldn't have been born, first of all, because my parents wouldn't have been together. The characters in the show experience that, there are laws against them getting married. I'm lucky enough to be a product of that and have the opportunity to go to college and pursue this dream today. I try to think about that. It's kinda hard when it's been a long day on the road and I know I have to do a show at night but... >> Black: It's your motivation to keep going? >> Beirne: Right, of course! >> Black: It took Memphis 8 years to make it to Broadway and then once it did, it cleaned up with 4 Tonys in 2010 including Best Musical and also Best Original Score written by founding member of Bon Jovi, David Bryan. With a musical score including rock, jazz, R&B, and I know you mentioned that you do a lot of dancing in this show as well when you are part of the ensemble, it's a very, very high energy show. What does it take to bring 100% to the stage every night, especially on the road? >> Beirne: Before the show, we do a prayer circle and we all just kind of remind each other why we're there and fortunate for having this opportunity and this job. So that kind of gets me in the mindset right before the show to keep me centered and grounded and like thankful. I always have that prior to the show and then once the music starts and the opening number is Underground and the drums kick in, I don't know, my brain switches on and it's time to perform. Usually we have such an incredible audience response and we just feed off of the audience. >> Black: You are originally from New Jersey. How did you get your start in musical theatre? >> Beirne: I went to a performing arts high school and I did my first musical when I was a sophomore, it was West Side Story, and it's still one my favorite shows today, and I kinda of fell in love with it! I always grew up dancing and singing, but I didn't put it towards doing musicals and then focusing specifically on musical theatre, then by the time I was a junior trying to figure out what I wanted to do for college. I applied for dance schools and stuff, but once I heard about Penn State and their program and then I visited I just fell in love and I knew this is what I wanted to do and I knew that was the school I was gonna go... and do it! >> Black: And so we're excited, we're so excited that you're gonna come back and be a part of Memphis and for those who have not yet seen this show and want to their kind of deciding should I go get a ticket and come to this show? What can you tell them is the one thing about the show that they will take away with it and that they wouldn't want to miss? >> Beirne: I think our show is extremely unique and it tells an incredible story about American history and it's just a celebration of our country and if you think a how far we've come today and to see what people went through, the turmoil and the danger, it's just I feel people leave the theater uplifted and proud! >> Black: We will look forward to seeing you on stage! >> Beirne: Thank you! I can't wait to be back! >> Black: It'll be great to have you! Thank you so much, Keeley, thank you for taking this time to talk with us today! >> Beirne: Oh of course, anytime, thank you! >> Sullivan: Experience the touring Broadway musical Memphis, March 27th, 2014, at Penn State's Eisenhower Auditorium. For tickets or information, visit CPA.PSU.EDU or phone 1-800-ARTS-TIX.