Hey All-
Enjoy this most delightful interview with Jacquelynne Fontaine currently starring as Carlotta on the new National Tour of Phantom Of the Opera. She is so amazing!
Enjoy!
What is it like playing evil villain Carlotta in the 25th Anniversary tour of Phantom of the Opera?
Carlotta is such a fun character to create, especially with this talented, generous cast. Every night is slightly different :-) As for playing Carlotta- she “shoots out from a cannon” at the entrance with a held high D and C- and holding a severed head nonetheless! I wouldn't actually consider her an evil villain; despite her bad rap, she doesn't do anything evil in the show, save calling some names and yelling (a lot). I'd say Carlotta's an egotistical Italian woman who demands perfection, and who doesn't know how to manage her anger. And has a drop dead gorgeous wardrobe!
What was your audition process like?
So much fun! That's not what you expect to hear, right? I guess there comes a point where you have to make the conscious decision not to be nervous. It's a performance, and if that's the only performance of Carlotta I get? Shoot, I'm gonna have fun! The team, throughout the entire audition process, was really supportive, gave great notes, and you could tell was excited about the project. I knew if I were to get hired, it would be a really fun process, and it was!
When crowned Miss California, what was your platform? What was that experience like, and what was it like being able to be a part of the Miss America Competition?
When I was crowned Miss California, my platform was Music Education. I'd done a lot of work with local schools throughout Southern California, teaching music, conducting a children's choir in LA, and volunteering. However, the week of the competition, unbeknownst to me, my Dad suffered a stroke from undiagnosed diabetes and a hole in his heart. Dad is great now and better than ever, but it was scary! I immediately changed my platform to Diabetes Awareness. I worked with several national and statewide organizations for diabetes, including the California School Nutrition Association. It was a full-time job for a year!
The Miss America Competition was a whirlwind! It was nine days long, held in Las Vegas, and we got the royal treatment! Though, it was sure balanced with a lot of work :-) The night of the final competition, I was so honored to called for the Top Ten! Shocked, I mouthed "Holy smokes!" but that might have been read for something different on TV? We were all cheering for each other, so when Lauren, Miss OK, won, we rushed the stage to congratulate her! As for the swimsuit portion, woof. I'd had a fake tanning mishap so I was much darker -embarrassingly so- than I wanted. I don't think I even recognized myself!! Haha!
I have been able to see a couple of the ladies so far on the tour-- like Allison Rogers, former Miss RI, who now works at the state capital! On top of being Harvard educated and continuing to do amazing things, is one of the sweetest, humblest ladies around! Ladies, if you're driven and want money for school, I say give a look into this program. I greatly admire the women and volunteers of the Miss America Organization; they are some of the best people around.
What has been your favorite city to perform in (so far)?
I'm loving Philadelphia! The Academy of Music is a real -and gorgeous- opera house, so it's the perfect setting for Phantom! (I might sing aria snippets in the hall when no one is there, but don't tell). But we've been to great cities with wonderful people, so it's hard to pick!
From what I have been told you exude positive vibes which is what I am all about, and what this news network is about! How do you exude these vibes onto the show and onto the cast to keep a fun and no negative environment!?
Well thanks! :-) And thank you for what you do! This is truly a great cast, full of kind, hilarious folks, so it's easy to keep positive vibes. Even when we are tired from a long, long week, we still find humor even in that. How can you keep a no negative environment? Well, we all need to blow off steam sometimes to come back to reality. It's human! As long as you can find the humor in it, and find compassion, you're ok. It's easy to remain positive with this cast :-)
What was your favorite opera you have performed in?
Verdi's "La Traviata"! Hands down. Violetta is such a complex, loving, strong character, and the music is glorious. Also, singing Donna Anna in Mozart's "Don Giovanni" (on which Don Juan is based) in Viterbo, Italy, was a really cool experience.
How do you bring a new fresh twist to the character of Carlotta?
Laurence Connor, our fantastic director, stressed from day one – realism. He didn’t want over the top characterizations, but honesty. Every actress brings something different to her portrayal, and I’d like to think that the time I spent in Italy has given me some extra Italian sass! Another twist, I like thinking that Christine’s plea for help during second managers moves Carlotta, so she helps Christine on the side in navigating Don Juan’s difficult score.
What is your favorite song or scene in the show, and why?
“Prima Donna” into “Il Muto” of course! How much fun is it to be singing and acting with such talented colleagues, get to do a quick change into a huge powdered wig, then jump into a Mozart inspired opera? I love those scenes and look forward to them every night. Ok, ok, aside from what I do? “Music of the Night!” It still moves me every time I hear it. :-)
Do you feel like you can relate to your character in real life at all ?
One time the bag that's supposed to drop near Carlotta accidentally fell a couple measures too soon. It happens! That's what makes live theater grand. Everyone was ok, but shoot, you can bet it was genuine fear!
Other than that? I don't like the way she treats people. Haha, so no... Wait, I love her costumes.
What do you do to keep yourself. physically and mentally fit to play Carlotta?
I love yoga, walking (exploring the city when the weather is nice), Jillian Michaels workout DVDs, and meditation. Lots of sleep and lots of water, and I can do the show 8 times a week. :-)
What are some pre show rituals you do?
I love walking to work (it's a good warm up) then doing vocal warm ups with the cast while stretching. It's a nice way to check in with everyone, too. Before going on stage, I'll sing part of an aria or art song in my dressing room for fun and to get ready for that crazy entrance cadenza!
What is the best advice you can give to someone about wanting to make it in this industry?
Be the kind of person with whom you'd want to work. I look at my colleagues who've had long, great careers, and they are so humble, so professional. Always focused 100% in rehearsal, easy with a smile, and generous on stage and off. They are prepared, quick to acknowledge a mistake, yet quick to forgive themselves. Aside from preparedness, positivity and compassion go a long way in this business. Self compassion too. Keep those paramount, and you'll keep your sanity navigating this career.
Other than that? Perform as much as you can, in safe venues. Try, fail, try, succeed, try, fail again. It all helps you get comfortable in yourself and performing in front of an audience. Definitely perform in different ways- through speech, debate, pageants, dance, concerts, volunteering, teaching. Then go on the other side - direct, coach, build. These all make for a well rounded actor and human. :-)
These were great questions! Thanks for asking me to contribute! :-)
