Jen Lilley – The Spirit of Christmas

By: Lisa Steinberg

Q) Please tell us the premise  for your film The Spirit of Christmas and about your character.

A) I play a sassy lawyer named Kate Jordan and she is a young warrior and she doesn’t really believe in love. She comes from a broken home. She is from Boston and kind of a take-no-prisoners kind of girl. She is a guy’s girl and a girl’s girl. She likes people, but she doesn’t really believe in love because her parents divorced when she was young and she doesn’t believe there is one person out there for everyone. She is really married to her job. Because she is young, she wants to get promoted in her firm. At the beginning of the film, her boss comes in saying she is one of their best lawyers, but if she wants to get a promotion she will have to have this property appraised and sold by the end of the year. They tell her that the place is haunted, which she doesn’t believe. She assures them that she will get the job done and she ends up running from the home screaming. She finds out the former owner of the inn (played by Thomas Beaudoin) died twelve days before Christmas. As a result, he is cursed to come alive again for twelve days before Christmas. It’s a classic romantic Christmas movie with a little bit of grit, mystery and a fantastical fantasy element to it.

Q) What made you want to be a part of the film?

A) I just loved the script! I loved that it was a female lead. A lot of times female lead roles have the character not being nice to other girls, which I don’t like. Kate is very feminine and not trying to be a man. I just like the strength of Kate. Most scripts follow a formula and the more scripts you read the more likely you are to be able to tell what is coming next because you are used to formulaic work. This story actually had two twists and turns that I did not see coming. I liked that there was an element of surprise. I thought it was a very charming story. I think it is a classic Christmas movie and I could see it airing over and over again. And I just love Christmas! I liked that it was shooting on location in Boston.

Q) What are some scenes that you are most looking forward to fans getting to see?

A) I’m really excited for the whole movie. We did have to do the waltz in the movie. Thomas and I had to learn how to waltz. Neither of us could waltz or took cotillion lessons growing up or ballroom dancing lessons. So, we would practice every night. They wanted us to do a traditional waltz. The waltz isn’t that hard, but it is hard when you have to know exactly when to turn so that your line is on camera and make it look natural. Every night we would have dinner, drink some wine and go up to the attic of the inn and mark it out so we could practice to be able to do the real thing. Then, we would waltz while we were laughing and stepping on each other’s toes. I’m really interested in seeing how that turns out. What was hilarious were the extras dancing in the background. They would bump into us, but I know it came together. It’s going to be a pleasure to watch because I know how much work went into the choreography of it.

Q) How did you do when it came to learning the ballroom steps?

A) Ballroom dancing does not come that naturally to me. I’m an alpha female so I’m bad at couples dancing because I don’t like being led. I want to be the leader. I did do ballet growing up. I’m fine at ballet, but I’m terrible at couples dancing!

Q) Was there anything you added to your role that wasn’t originally scripted for you?

A) I think every actor brings their own spin and mannerisms. I have very quirky expressions I made up when I was growing up. My mom said, “Don’t make that face!” I said, “What face?” I always also try to add my own physical buttons because I love physical humor. I’m a huge fan of Lucille Ball and Fran Drescher. So, I try to add comedic buttons and physicality. If you can do something with your body, I’m all for it!

Q) What do you hope fans take away from watching the movie?

A) One would be not to be jaded by past hurts. So many people come from broken families so don’t let your past influence future love and future opportunities to mend and have a meaningful relationship. The other would be that I hope this is a feel good Christmas movie for everyone. I really think it is! I know our producer, Andrea, said, “This is, hands down, my favorite Christmas movie that I’ve eve worked on.” I felt that way, too. There was just something about the story that was so timeless because Daniel dies through the early 1900’s so there is a time traveling element. There are just so many elements to me that seem so classic and timeless. It’s also a very feel good Christmas movie. My husband and I love the made for television Christmas movies so I hope that people feel really good about it and want to watch it over and over again. I hope it rekindles family connection and makes them want to reach out to their family members that they have maybe lost touch with. I hope it mends fences and also helps people feel good.

Q) You have a new album out called Tinsel Time. What is the meaning behind the name of the album?

A) I chose the title because it is also the title of one my original tracks. I just think it is fun. The song is a very upbeat, fun, Christmas tune. It reminds me a lot f maybe “Jingle Bell Rock” or one of those classic party songs that always instantly gets you into the holiday mood. My husband said, “This song makes me feel like a kid again!” The track elicits a really nostalgic, fun, upbeat spirit of Christmas that I love. I thought it would be great to title the whole album Tinsel Time because that’s what I want the people listening to it to feel – completely in the Christmas mood. I want them them to be putting up the tree while listening to it and having hot chocolate while decorating cookies with the kids. It’s such a fun album and has a lot of fun tracks. It has two newly penned tracks – “Tinsel Time” and “Santa, We’re All Waiting On You.” It has a classic ballad of “Silent Night” and “The First Noel.” It’s a melody that I made with my producer that I sung acapella. It was an add on last minute. We recorded it on a whim, but it ended up being my favorite track. I got to play it for my parents and everyone started crying. So, that’s my favorite track. It has a vintage jazz feel. I’m really obsessed with Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Bobby Darin and Ella Fitzgerald. That time period, to me, is the best music that ever was So, I did “Santa Baby” a la Eartha Kitt, which was very fun for me. I play ukulele on it, which was new for me. I did “Baby It’s Cold Outside” that is with a coworker. I did it with my costar Eric Martsolf and it is a song that I released last year. That single did really well so I thought, “Maybe I’ll do a whole album!” So, we did “Baby It’s Cold Outside.” He was on Broadway for years so he has this ridiculously amazing sounding voice. Then, I have “I’ve Got My Love To Keep Me Warm,” which is a straight take away from Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin. I did “Jingle Bells” a la Frank Sinatra as well. One of the coolest things for me is that I have these musicians that are melt your face off good! Gregg Field is on drums and Chuck Berghofer on standup bass. He is responsible for Nancy Sinatra’s “These Boots Were Made For Walking.” I have Tom Rainer on piano and he is Barbra Streisand’s go-to. These are ridiculously talented musicians! I have Kyle Wolverton on saxophone. I got so lucky with my musicians and we recorded three of the tracks at Capital Studios. I was literally using the same sound booth that Frank Sinatra had custom and would only sing in that booth. The whole thing was an amazing experience!

Q) We know that your character on “Days of Our Lives” got kicked out by Victor and Brady is helping her. What can you tease will be coming up?

A) All she has ever wanted in her life was a family and Brady led her on. She was like, “I thought we were going to be a family!” He says, “You were going to leave me!” Then, he turns around and kisses her. It’s all down hill for Brady from there. He is falling hard for this girl. So, there is definite hope for the ‘Trady” fans (Theresa and Brady). She is getting her life together and she is finally getting the family she wants, but at the same time they aren’t married yet. Brady and her are just getting back together, but she doesn’t have that marriage certificate yet.