Kelli Barrett – Fosse/Verdon

By starrymag | April 9, 2019

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

Q) What are the recent projects that you are working on?

A) I’m always working on a number of things at once. Right now, my husband (Broadway’s Jarrod Spector) and I are currently gearing up for his solo concert at Sony Hall on April 15th of which I am the guest performer (called “Con Artist”). In early April I have a “show in concert” at 54 below. And in addition to acting, I’m also a writer and director currently working on a new piece that I hope to be able to share soon!

Q) How did become a part of the series “Fosse/Verdon?” 

A) I auditioned.

Q) What was your audition like to play the iconic Liza Minnelli?

A) My first thought when I got the appointment was “this is my role.” My second thought was, “I can’t play LIZA MINNELLI! She’s untouchable!!” The audition process itself was two separate appointments. I had an initial on-tape with casting and then a work session with Tommy Kail (director) and Alex Lacamoire (music) who was Skyped in because he was out of town with “Dear Evan Hansen.” Towards the end of the work session they brought choreographer Andy Blankenbuehler to also watch. The whole thing was truly wonderful. They’re all so good at what they do that they were able to communicate what they wanted to see and also helped me to get there. Tommy and Alex were most concerned with capturing Liza’s energy in my own way. No one in this project wants an impersonation. We’re going for a “loving homage” that is authentic to the actor playing the role. Both Tommy and Alex (and later Andy) really helped me to make my own unique version of Liza come through and took the pressure off of me being an exact replica. I think, ultimately, it’s what will make the series so special. It’s not a Vegas act, we’re striving for authentic storytelling and honoring the real life icons we know we can never be. Towards the end of the work session they brought choreographer Andy Blankenbuehler to also watch.

Q) Were you nervous at all about portraying such a legendary performer?

A) Nervous is an understatement. I’ll never be Liza, failure is inevitable. Once I accepted that, it got easier.

Q) What was your process for getting into character?

A) I watched everything I could get my hands on-every performance, every interview. I started building my version of her with what struck me the most and that was her energy. Tommy put it best when he said that every time, she performs it’s like it’s her last. She gives it all. She’s a storm but also the eye-energy swirling everywhere yet simultaneously laser focused. I started there and built layers on top of that energy-her vulnerability, physical ticks, vocal nuances, etc.

Q) What kind of voice/dance prep went into your portrayal?

A) I trained with Fosse icon and personal hero Valerie Pettiford for the dancing. She was such a wonderfully patient teacher and champion. She shared the intimate details of where the movement originates in the body from Fosse’s own lips. She cried a lot when I would succeed and it was just so overwhelmingly supportive. I owe so much of my confidence in the dancing to her. I was bruised and sore everywhere, but it was an experience I’ll never forget. Along with Valerie I had Morgan’s (Andy’s Assistant) support and guidance and then eventually Andy’s. Nicole Fosse herself would even drop in from time to time to add insight. It was insane. For the vocals it was a lot of listening. Alex Lacamoire is one of my favorite people on the planet. He’s a total genius and knows how to get the best out of everyone he works with. He helped me get her intonation just right but with a bit of my own flair to keep it authentic. He encouraged me to take some chances and try new things and we had a complete blast in the recording studio. I thought the vocals would be harder than they ended up being because of his effusive love and encouragement.

Q) Was there someone in particular you were most looking forward to sharing a scene with?

A) Sam [Rockwell] for sure. I’ve been a fan for a long time and he did not disappoint. He is a generous actor who is truly one of the best we have doing it right now. I was also excited to dance next to those crazy good dancers. I know I’ll never be as good as they are, but man was it fun to pretend.

Q) Talk about working with costars Sam Rockwell and Michelle Williams.

A) Sam is genius, sweet, gentle and entirely singular in his ability. He was effusive in his compliments of all the people doing the singing and dancing and constantly saying we were the real stars.  Michelle was also lovely and complimentary watching me perform. I only had one scene with her, but she was a delight. Neither of them could seem to comprehend how we do what we do every day and their humility was inspiring.

Q) What were some of your most memorable moments from behind the scenes?

A) The hair and makeup and costumes on this needs to win all Emmys for the rest of time and getting to have wigs and clothes custom made for me was so special. Melissa Toth and Joseph La Cort (costumes) are two genius dream humans who made me feel like a glorious star. The Cabaret makeup (in part because of my eyebrow prosthetics) took four hours each day and I got to know and love everyone working so crazy hard behind the scenes. Christopher Fulton (hair) and Debbie Zoller (makeup) are the best humans personally and professionally and I don’t know how they did it, but I actually did end up looking like Liza.

Q) What moments are you most looking forward for viewers to see on screen?

A) I don’t know where to start. People are not going to understand what they’re looking at because they are getting the best of film/tv and Broadway to tell this story with the greatest creative minds living today. I think I may cry through every single episode. I think my television may explode. I don’t know what will happen, but the show should come with some kind of warning “what you’re about to see may drive you to complete insanity and cause you never to watch anything else.”

Q) What do you think it is about “Fosse/Verdon” that will make it such a standout series?

A) See last answer. The best of everything in one show. BOOM. Watch out.

Q) You are a part of social media. Are you looking forward to the instant fan feedback you’ll receive to the episodes?

A) Yes, of course. I’m so excited for young theater crazed kids to see this thing and to learn about these incredible humans who shaped our theatrical identity.

Q) As an accomplished Broadway actress and singer, what were some of your favorite projects to be a part of?

A) My first Broadway show, The Royal Family, was a play. Everyone on that stage was a Broadway icon except me – Rosemary Harris, Jan Maxwell (may she rest with the angels), Tony Roberts, Larry Pine, Ana Gasteyer and John Glover. It was surreal and I learned more doing that than almost all my years of training. I also got to play “Eliza Doolittle” with Michael Arden directing and it was a role and collaboration I will never forget. I learned so much about following my own instincts and making a role uniquely my own.

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?

A) Truly thank you. We can only tell stories to people who listen. And the future of this world belongs not to those brave enough to tell anything but those who are humble enough to listen.