INTERVIEW: Donna Vivino is ‘Waiting for Johnny Depp’ at Rave Theater Festival
Photo: Donna Vivino stars in Waiting for Johnny Depp at the Rave Theater Festival. Photo courtesy of the production / Provided by press rep with permission.
The inaugural Rave Theater Festival, from the mind of Ken Davenport, is in full summer swing, and one of the most anticipated offerings is the new musical Waiting for Johnny Depp, with music by Janet Cole Valdez, Deedee O’Malley and Bettie Ross. Valdez and O’Malley pull triple duty as lyricists and book writers as well.
The show, starring Broadway performer Donna Vivino, follows an actor named Rita Donatella who is on a quest to land a cinematic role opposite Depp. As she changes her life in order to fit into this competitive industry, she begins to wonder whether the demands of career, dating and family are worth it in the end. Is giving up everything worth it for the chance to act alongside Jack Sparrow?
Waiting for Johnny Depp, presented by K.I.S.S. Theatricals and directed by Holly Friedman, plays Aug. 17-25 at Teatro Sea at the Clemente Soto Vélez Cultural and Educational Center at 107 Suffolk St. in New York City.
Vivino is well known to audience members in the New York theater community. She appeared on Broadway in Les Misérables, Fame Becomes Me, Hairspray and Wicked. Her other regional performances include roles in Merrily We Roll Along and Finks.
Recently Hollywood Soapbox exchanged emails with Vivino about the new show and new role. Questions and answers have been slightly edited for style.
What did you first love about this musical when you first read it?
The character is definitely so close to me and my experience in show business, but also her zany NYC energy. That spoke to me, and I loved Rita’s infectious energy. But there is a song in Act II that sealed the deal for me. I remember thinking, ‘I must sing that song. What a beautiful gift and message this song is!’
What do you believe the musical and this central character say about society in 2019?
Well … Rita is a struggling actress who is just about to age out of Hollywood leading lady. I think we have heard so much lately about women in Hollywood speaking up about ageism and sexism. It’s very timely in that we see the struggle for Rita in trying to mold herself into what type of ‘woman’ they want.
Are the songs in the show challenging to sing from your perspective?
The songs are so fun to sing that it’s not a challenge for me!
When did you realize you wanted to pursue acting and singing as a career?
I was 2-1/2 years old truly. I sang on my uncle’s public access TV show (The Uncle Floyd Show) and completely fell in love with performing at that moment. I remember it, and he paid me a dollar and told me, ‘You can make a living doing this.’
What was going through your mind the night of your first Broadway performance?
I was 8 years old and didn’t quite understand the magnitude of Broadway, so I just remember thinking, ‘There’s a party after the show tonight, cool!’ My first Broadway performance with Martin Short in Fame Becomes Me years later was absolutely surreal and unforgettable.
Are you a fan of Johnny Depp movies?
I think his performance in What’s Eating Gilbert Grape is one of the most underrated dramatic performances in the history of cinema. So, yeah, I guess I am a fan. He was great in the Whitey Bulger film too, and Pirates is good fun. But Gilbert Grape, my goodness! That was deep. Deep Depp! Haha.
By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com
Waiting for Johnny Depp, starring Donna Vivino, will play the Rave Theater Festival Aug. 17-25 at Teatro Sea at the Clemente Soto Vélez Cultural and Educational Center. Click here for more information and tickets.
