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| Kathy Fitzgerald, with Jonathan Shew in Something Rotten! photo by Reg Madison Photography |
by Gil Benbrook
For anyone who saw the original Broadway production of The Producers, Kathy Fitzgerald was someone who stole literally ever scene she was in, playing various kooky characters throughout that hilarious, award winning, and hugely successful production. She's also appeared in numerous other Broadway productions over the years, creating the role of the Roz in 9 to 5, Mrs. Gloop in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and recently taking over the role of Madame Morrible in Wicked.
Before her success on Broadway, Fitzgerald made a home here in the Phoenix area and appeared in numerous parts at a multitude of theatres in the Valley, including the Phoenix Theatre Company.
Fitzgerald is back in town working for the Phoenix Theatre Company again, this time in the role of director for the hilarious musical comedy Something Rotten!. This production was set to open in March 2020, and was just ready to start previews when COVID shut everything down.
Fortunately for theatre lovers in town, Phoenix Theatre and Fitzgerald simply put a pause on the opening of this show and it finally had its opening night this past weekend, also now featuring Fitzgerald playing the part of "Nostradamus," who gets to lead the cast in the show stopping number, "A Musical."
Fitzgerald sat down in between performances to answer a few questions about this show, her time in Phoenix, working for the Phoenix Theatre Company, and how the COVID shut downs impacted her.
Something Rotten! had a healthy Broadway run as well a national tour, but for someone who has never heard of the show what would you tell them it’s about?
Kathy Fitzgerald: "Something Rotten! is a twisted musical comedy set in Renaissance England in the year 1595. The story follows the Bottom brothers who are struggling to find success in the theatrical world as they compete with the wildly popular William Shakespeare. Audiences will experience an over-the-top comedy with fantastic songs and dance numbers. It is amazing!"
While you didn't grow up in Phoenix, you lived and worked here for many years. What was your previous experience working in town like?
"I grew up in Los Angeles but moved to Phoenix in the late 80's early 90's. At that time Phoenix had roughly 10 Equity/Union theatres, so I had constant employment for seven years! I even bought a house in Scottsdale before moving to NYC for my first Broadway show. "
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| Kathy Fitzerarld in Gypsy - 2012 Photo courtesy Phoenix Theatre Company |
This isn’t your first time working at The Phoenix Theatre Company, what can you tell us about some of your favorite productions you worked on in the past at Phoenix Theatre and other theatres in town?
"My favorite production at The Phoenix Theatre Company has got to be portraying Mama Rose in Gypsy. At Actors Theatre of Phoenix I enjoyed being part of The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe and at Actors Lab Arizona I enjoyed being part of 6 Women with Brain Death."
Why did you want to direct this show at The Phoenix Theatre Company?
"Before the pandemic, Micheal Barnard, Producing Artistic Director at The Phoenix Theatre Company, called me to direct Something Rotten!. He was struggling to find a funny director and knew I would be perfect to bring this show to life. Now more than two years later, I am thrilled to see it finally on the stage in front of audiences."
How has your past experience working at various theatres in town, regionally and on Broadway prepared you for not only directing but acting in this musical?
"Well, I've been a working actor for 42 years with 25 of those on Broadway. In my opinion, actors make the best directors. It is valuable to be able to see a production from both the eyes of an actor and the eyes of a director. It makes for a well-rounded production which is beneficial for everyone involved."
You also play Nostradamus in this production, a part usually played by a man. I know you also played another iconic musical comedy role usually played by a man, when you appeared herein town as Pseudolus in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum at Southwest Shakespeare Company. What are some of the challenges you’ve found in playing this nominally male part?
"The funny thing is the modification of making Nostradamus a female character instead of a male in Something Rotten! was pretty easy. We actually we didn't run into challenges and only had to change one line in the script. It was meant to be, I guess. "
The shutdowns not only cancelled shows around the world but also stopped so many performers from doing what they love. What did you do to pass the time during the shut downs?
"COVID was frightening especially because no one knew what was going to happen – especially in the theatre world. We were all scared and wondered if we would ever get the opportunity to be on stage in front of a full audience again. To pass the time I gardened and wrote a play. But it was the first time in 42 years I didn't act and honestly, I hated it!"
What was it like coming back to town to finally bring this stage to life in front of an audience?
"Fabulous! Wonderful! Simply the best! I cannot say enough good things about being back on stage. We all need art in our lives and we all need to laugh – especially after the last couple of years."
You’ve appeared in numerous Broadway shows, including being featured in the original cast of The Producers, what was that experience like?
"Being part of The Producers on Broadway was an amazing experience. It was Hamilton before Hamilton and my first big hit so it holds a very special place in my heart. We won more Tony Awards than any other play in Broadway history and no one – even Hamilton - has beaten us."
Like how COVID sidelined this production, you also had a similar experience when the events of September 11th cancelled Broadway shows, including The Producers. What was it like when you resumed performances?
"It was very emotional. We sang 'God Bless America' every night at bows. We cried and the audiences cried."
What do you hope audiences will take away from seeing Something Rotten! at the Phoenix Theatre Company?
"I hope we uplift audiences with fun and laughter. We all need to laugh right now. We've been through a tough couple of years - and truthfully, laughter is the best medicine. Join us at The Phoenix Theatre Company for Something Rotten! and I have no doubts all your cares will disappear for those two hours. It is a riot and you will be laughing the whole time through!"
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| Kathy Fitzgerald in Wicked photo by Joan Marcus |
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