INTERVIEW: Natalie Weiss is set to be ‘Downstage Left of Center’
Photo: Natalie Weiss will bring her one-woman cabaret show to New York City May 6. Photo courtesy of Natalie Weiss / Provided by Fortune Creative with permission.
Natalie Weiss, an accomplished singer and actor, has been around New York City’s theater scene and back again. She can be heard in the ensemble of The Greatest Showman with Hugh Jackman and the original Broadway cast recording of Dear Evan Hansen. She has also toured around in shows like Wicked and Saturday Night Fever.
Now she’s bringing her cabaret show back to The Green Room 42 in Midtown Manhattan. Audience members can check out her intimate performance Sunday, May 6 at 9:30 p.m.
Recently, Hollywood Soapbox exchanged emails with Weiss about the special show and her career. Questions and answers have been slightly edited for style.
What made you first fall in love with theater and singing?
I grew up going to lots of pop concerts with my parents including Janet Jackson, Madonna, Billy Joel, etc. I vividly remember running around my house as a child belting out tunes from The Bodyguard soundtrack. When I was 7, I saw my first Broadway show (Les Mis) in the back row of the balcony and remember thinking I wanted to be the girl who sang ‘On My Own.’
What can audiences expect at Downstage Left of Center?
I don’t want to say too much, but I will that say I will be doing some of the most outrageous stuff I’ve ever done on stage before. The title of this show basically means I am taking center stage, but doing things with a slight twist. Audiences can definitely expect to laugh a lot, hear epic mashups of popular tunes, but also do a bit of soul searching.
What’s it like to work on the cast recordings / soundtracks for projects like Dear Evan Hansen and The Greatest Showman?
I have known the writers of these projects for almost 12 years, so I am very fortunate that I still get a text from them to come in for these epic projects. Imagine being in a room with some of the best singers in New York City. Getting to collaborate with these forces is an electric feeling. That final Greatest Showman presentation truly felt like ‘the room where it happened.’
How important is YouTube for getting more exposure for your work?
My YouTube presence has certainly helped with my international travel opportunities and concert work in NYC; however, the majority of the musical theater world still requires in-person auditioning. I truly believe no one should put up a YouTube video if their aim is to ‘be famous.’ It can certainly help with exposure and recommendations for gigs, but does not guarantee virality. (Is that a word?)
What’s on the horizon for you beyond the New York City concert?
I am currently in the UK teaching and doing a few concerts, but after my May 6 show, although a few small things are on the horizon, I’m honestly not all that sure! Catch up on my DVR first? Ha!
By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com
Downstage Left of Center with Natalie Weiss will play Sunday, May 6 at 9:30 p.m. in The Green Room 42 in Midtown Manhattan. Click here for more information and tickets.
