We're getting to know both women who play Christine in the Phantom of the Opera!
Trista Moldovan, who plays the lead, stopped by the Sonoran Living studios to talk about her role.
Watch the interview with Trista Moldovan!
We also had a chance to spend a few minutes talking with Kelly Jeanne Grant, who plays the alternate Christine, about her part in
Phantom of the Opera as well as what she likes to do when she’s not mesmerizing audiences with her voice.
She will perform with the cast at
ASU Gammage from October 28 – November 22.
Stephanie:
How long have you been singing?
Kelly: “All my life it feels like. I might have done my first play in school on stage at a school.
When I was 9 years old I was Sacagawea.
You know the whole Louis and Clark expedition? I was in an little Indian constue with braids and the whole nine.
I’m happy to say I’ve come a long way.”
Stephanie:
When did you decide to say bye to the braids and kick it up a notch?
Kelly: (laughs) “Well, I started doing vocal competitions in high school and I had a teacher who pressed me, Carol Beaumier, my private voice teacher, to pursue singing.
But, I didn’t start training classically and formally with a teacher until I was around 14 years old.”
Along the way, I also learned to play eight different musical instruments. I still play a little piano. My violin has fallen off in a big way. I played Flute, piccalo, alto sax, tenor sax. I would say flute and alto sax are my strongest musical instrument.
Most recently I was in Company and I used some of the skills because I played the sax and the flute in it.
Stephanie:
So you’re a 'bluesy' babe?
Kelly:(laughs) Well sort of, yeah. Since then, I have been studying jazz with a teacher. And sometimes we get a few of the cast members and jam. It’s fun.
Stephanie:
What do you do in your down time?
Kelly:Well, I play the ‘alternate to Christine’ with Trista Moldovan the lead Christine Daae’. So, because I job share I am able to enjoy a lot of running in my spare time.
I’m actually a marathon runner and I just did one three weeks ago. It was number 8, but the second this year. I ran Boston in the spring and just recently did the Quad Cities between tour stops.
I ran my 1st marathon in 2004 at Walt Disney World because (laughs) I wanted the coveted Mickey Medal.
Stephanie:
How fast did you finish in?
Kelly:4 hours and 9 minutes. But, my last marathon was my personal record in 3:33:01!
And I once did a marathon in California and then went and performed as Christine that night! So, I guess I really do like running! (laughs)
Stephanie:
Wow! If you break 3 hours, I think I’m going to write a letter and see that you are pushed out of Phantom and put on a plane to Kenya to run with those guys!
Do you remember how you got started?
Kelly:My dad is how I got into it. He’s a runner.
But, let’s be honest, a good part of an actor’s journey is to fit in the costume. So when you’re in New York, you’re broke and starving is you don’t have a lot of money for a gym membership, pair of shoes is all you have. So it was the cheapest sport I could find … so I guess I’ve been running like 15 years.
Stephanie:Back to the show, what’s your favorite part of Phantom of the Opera?
Kelly:I don’t know. Maybe if I had to pick just one it would be the moment that Christine turns around from the boat and see the audience.
It’s such amazing technical moment and such and opulent moment for the audience.
I have this idea, actually. I keep wishing that I could put on a ‘Christine cam’ because I think my house is the best seat in the house and I would just love for everyone to get see what I see.
Stephanie:So, a little bird also tells me you bleed maroon and gold!
Kelly:Yeah! I’m an ASU Grad, but I came from Portland out of high school. I got a Bachelors of Music in Musical Theater Performance.
You know, I’m really excited to go back too! Facebook is a great tool and I found a lot of my ASU friends. And lot are still in the Tempe area so I’m looking forward to plenty of lunches and dinners to re-connecting with people. Especially my private voice teacher and mentor, David Britton who was there for me all the way through college.
KELLY GRANT(Christine Daaé at certain performances) is beyond thrilled to be joining the cast of The Phantom of the Opera.
She was seen most recently making her Broadway debut as Kathy in the 2007 Tony Award Winning revival of Company (Revival Cast Recording – Nonesuch Records).
She also performed in the cast of the National Tour of Show Boat – (Magnolia U/S & Performed).
Other National Tours include The Secret Garden and A Grand Night for Singing.
In addition to many Off-Broadway bows, some of her regional favorites are: Cabaret (Sally), Jekyll & Hyde (Lucy), Victor/Victoria (Victoria), My Fair Lady (Eliza), Evita (Mistress), and Peter Pan (Pan).
