We chatted to the Broadway star and & singer-songwriter about her new musical Wild About You and collaborating with Eric Holmes.
Hi Chilina, could you explain what ‘Wild About You is about? Wild About You is a story about a woman who wakes up in the hospital with no memory of who she is or how she got there. As her memory comes back and she pieces together the messiest parts of her life, tragedy strikes and she tries move heaven and earth to connect with the greatest love of her life – her son.
How did the idea for the show come about? A few years ago, two colleagues of mine suggested that I turn my debut album of original songs into a song cycle. I took their advice and I pieced the beginnings of a story together through song and narrative. I asked my friend Mark (then resident director of Beautiful on Broadway) to help me with it and he introduced me to Eric Holmes on the phone. Before we ever met in person, Eric listened to my album, immediately connected to the material and had strong instincts about the story. Magically, he happened to have a week off from writing for The Good Fight and wrote the first draft of what is now Wild About You in less than 48 hours. I knew from that moment I had found my writing partner. Since that draft, the show has continued to evolve with new lyrics, brand new songs and new incredible arrangements by Daniel Edmonds.
What has it been like collaborating with Eric Holmes to bring it all together? Eric is a passionate and very funny creative human being. I couldn’t believe how deeply he connected to my music without ever having met me. He is always willing to change direction if a better idea is on the table and he also isn’t afraid to fight for something he feels strongly about. The strength of the show is always at the top of our priority list. Most importantly, at the base of our creative relationship, there is mutual respect and a deep friendship. I feel so lucky to have found him and that he was willing to create this piece together in such a supportive and collaborative way.
Musically, what was the starting point for you? I had been writing music for years and my debut original album called “What You Find In A Bottle” was the result of many songs written over about a decade. I was very shy to share my music with anyone and it wasn’t until I played my songs for Rick Fox (my friend and then musical director for Broadway’s Jesus Christ Superstar, in which I played Mary Magdalene) that I had the confidence to play a solo show in NYC. From that sold out event at The Metropolitan Room, we went on to record my first album. What You Find In A Bottle is deeply personal and some of those songs found their way in one form or another into what is now Wild About You.
What have you enjoyed the most about watching the show develop? I cannot tell you how thrilling it is to hear other artists interpret my music – whether it’s Daniel Edmonds’ exceptional arrangements, the Budapest Scoring Orchestra’s soaring strings or Jessie Mueller singing “Gold”. The group of artists we have on the concept album still blows my mind. Every time someone plays or sings my material, I learn something new about the song and the artist makes an imprint on the music that deepens the whole experience.
How do you feel about it getting its world premiere in London? I’m still pinching myself. Our lead producer is my friend and colleague, Tony Award winning producer Brian Spector. Brian has always believed in this piece, encouraged us to keep developing it and he has led the project to heights I only dreamed we would reach. I have a deep respect for the theatre community in England and a fondness for British culture, having lived in England for two years as a child. I am especially excited to see our musical in the hands of esteemed West End director Nick Winston and to hear the incredible cast sing the score, led by my friend and fellow Canadian Eric McCormack together with Rachel Tucker, Oliver Tompsett and Tori Allen-Martin.
What can audiences expect from the show when they come to see it? The show is a two act musical and it features a cast of six. The score is pop/rock/nouveau folk. I hope audiences leave the show feeling moved and inspired by the story and uplifted by the music.
By Emma Clarendon
Wild About You will play at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane on the 25th and 26th March. To book tickets click here.