Interview with Cathy Wilmot
Cathy Wilmot is one of those tour de force performers that we love to watch because, quite frankly, every time we see her in something, she’s a. amazing, b. giving an incredible performance and c. giving a completely different performance than the last time we saw her. She was killer as the Seasons of Love soloist (among others) in Rent, and was also an incredible understudy for Joanne. She’ll be seen next in our production of Forbidden Broadway imitating some of the greats including Carol Channing and Ethel Merman. We asked her a couple of questions about musical theatre and theatre in general.
What was your first musical theatre experience?
My first musical theater experience was in Grade 6 in a show called Dragons Tale. I was the Princess….and my twin brother was the Prince. We had to sing a love duet and get married, but, despite that traumatic experience, I knew I wanted to perform for the rest of my life.
What is your Dream Role?
Any role in Les Miz, Lady of the Lake in Spamalot, the Queen in We will Rock You – even though the show is horrible…the music is AMAZING
What is the scariest thing you’ll have to do in Forbidden Broadway?
Try and emulate the people the best I can.
What is the best experience you’ve had in the theatre?
I’ve had two. A summer up in Barkerville, and Rent this past summer. Both experiences reminded me why I love theater…the music and the people you work with.
Do you have any musical theatre role models?
Not really, but I did attend everything Colm Wilkinson did here when I was in high school.
If you could go back in time and be a part of any Broadway show which show would it be, who would you play, and why?
Tough question. I guess I would go back to the Vaudeville times before musicals really started. People really collaborated back then, and any idea seemed to fly. I quess it seems like writers have run out of ideas…for now.
List the four theatrical people you would have around your dinner table in an ideal world.
Liza Minelli, Julie Andrews, Colm Wilkinson, and Andrew Lloyd.
If you couldn’t perform, what would you do?
Go crazy. I would have to find another outlet. Performing is who I am and what I do.
What do you think is missing from the Vancouver theatre scene?
More professional opportunities. New musicals written by locals.