10 Questions for...Patti Cohenour

Patti Cohenour made her Broadway debut in the Grossman/Comden/Green musical A Doll's Life, playing the role of Helga and understudying Betsy Joslyn's Nora. She received two Theatre World awards for her work in La Boheme and Big River, and was nominated for a Tony Award playing Rosa Bud in The Mystery of Edwin Drood.  She was also seen on Broadway as Christine in The Phantom of the Opera and as Mother Abbess in The Sound of Music.  In Seattle Ms. Cohenour has been seen as Rosabella in The Most Happy Fella, Auntie Em/Glinda in The Wizard of Oz, Abigail in 1776, Lili in The Secret Garden, and Clarice in The Servant of Two Masters.  She also happens to call Washington home.  

Ms. Cohenour is currently doing double duty on Broadway as Signora Naccarelli and Margaret Johnson (on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings) in the smash musical The Light in the Piazza. This amazing performer recently sat down to answer our first "10 Questions for…".

1. Do you have any pre-show rituals?

Right before I get ready to go on I close my dressing room door. I say a few prayers, go through my first few lines of the piece, jump a few times to get the blood going, open the door and go to "places." At "places" or on my way to "places" I drink a cup of water. I drink so much water throughout a performance that a dresser once told me she was going to just hook me up a hose to keep me going!

2. What was your experience like working on A Doll's Life, your Broadway debut? In your opinion, what went wrong with the show?

Watching Hal Prince work was absolutely amazing! Five minutes with him was worth five years with other directors. I learned so much, and just couldn't believe that I was working with all of these theater greats! Hal, Betty Comden and Adolph Green, Larry Grossman and George Hearn! I was so intimidated and excited all at the same time. I think the experience taught me how to handle the pressures of understudying or performing a huge role! Nora was extremely difficult; technically (12 costume changes, 11 wig changes), physically, intellectually. The libretto, script, and music changes were so numerous on a daily basis; I still to this day do NOT know how I kept up with it. I guess I got my confidence as a leading actress by getting through a performance of Nora (with one hour notice) and having my director pleased with my portrayal especially without any real direction. I also believe it set me up psychologically for all of the situations that followed i.e. alternating Mimi with Linda Ronstadt in La Boheme, alternating Christine Daae' with Sarah Brightman in Phantom and of course covering the role of Margaret in Piazza!

What went wrong? The book was dense, and the subject matter was maybe more than an audience wanted to take on at that particular time in musical history. I think the score was beautifully melodic and I was very honored to have the chance to sing it for three performances; two times in L.A. and once in Previews on Broadway!

3. What is your fondest memory from The Mystery of Edwin Drood?

The first one to come to mind was getting to sit at the great Cleo Laine's feet while she sang "Garden Path to Hell" The sheer brilliance of that performance was truly a memory that I will carry with me forever. My other memory was recording "Moonfall" for the Cast Album. I was in an isolation booth and the orchestra (under the direction of Michael Starobin) was in the large room. We began, and even as I was singing the piece I knew that we were all "in the groove" for lack of a better term. When we finished, Rupert Holmes clicked into my headset and said "I don't want to touch that" and I replied "I don't want you to either!" or something like that. So the first take is what's on the recording. That makes me very proud!

4. How do you prepare to make the transition from playing Signora Naccarelli to playing Margaret Johnson?

I try to just take each moment as it comes. I could get completely overwhelmed if I looked at the big picture. My concern was and continues to be the vocal challenge. The switch from "Auitami" (the most difficult vocal piece for me) to all of the Margaret music is very demanding. My voice does NOT like going back to "Auitami" after singing the lead. I must vocalize and warm up thoroughly to get the High C in "Auitami" and I find that sometimes it doesn't spin for me like it should. The acting demands are another huge challenge. I so want to connect Margaret's "in between" moments, and only getting a
couple of shots a week at it just shows me how very much more work needs to be done with Mrs. Johnson. My Signora has been worked out, and even though there is nothing about me that is Italian I so enjoy playing her! It's been an honor making the journey of both characters and they have given me huge challenges and cherished memories!

5. What role has given you the most difficulty?

Rosabella in The Most Happy Fella. I was cast in the role a few of years ago and had a short rehearsal period. I just never was completely comfortable with my work. There were cuts made in the piece for "time" and maybe my instinct was feeling the "hole" in the journey. I really loved the score, and would like to get another shot at it but who knows if I will. If I did, it better be sooner than later because I'm getting a little "long in the tooth!"

6. How do you keep your gorgeous voice healthy and in shape?

I've been fortunate to have been cast in roles that were vocally right for me. I think singers get stressed now because they have to be able to do it all! I'm a lyric soprano, period! Yes I can belt, but why do it when your instrument isn't happy about it. I may not work as much but my instrument will stay healthy because I didn't ask it to do more than what it was meant to do. The "performance" ritual for me is QUIET and SLEEP; SLEEP, and QUIET!!!!

7. You've worked with the talented Bart Sher a few times. What do you
think makes him such a great director?

He is a highly intelligent and educated man who utilizes both tools very successfully.

8. What is the last show you saw that you weren't in?

Opening night of Clifford Odet's Awake and Sing on Broadway at the Belasco Theater a couple of weeks ago.

9. What is your favorite thing about Seattle (or Washington State in general)?

Of course the beauty that truly is the Pacific Northwest but my favorite thing is my home! I really, REALLY miss it, my husband, my dog, my flowers, lawns, lawn mowers and our Brinkman barbecue!

10. Are there any dream roles you've yet to play?

I have no idea where I'll be from one moment to the next but I suppose my dream role........Mary Tyrone in Eugene O'Neill's Long Day's Journey into Night!

Top: Patti Cohenour as Margaret Johnson in The Light in the Piazza

Bottom: Patti Cohenour as Rosabella and Cheyenne Jackson as Joey in The Most Happy Fella