Julia Murney

Julia Murney is an award winning performer who has crossed over the genres of theatre, television, and music. Julia was last seen on Broadway in "Wicked" as "Elphaba" after playing the role on the national tour where she won an Acclaim Award. Her other theatrical credits include "Lennon," Andrew Lippa's "The Wild Party" (Drama Desk Nomination), "The Vagina Monologues," "A Class Act," "Saved," "Crimes of the Heart," "First Lady Suite," and "Time and Again" (Lucille Lortel Nomination). Julia has performed at regional theatre across the country: Signature, Williamstown, Reprise! LA, Sacramento Music Circus, NCT, Lyric, Rubicon and Goodspeed and has performed in concerts at Joe’s Pub, Feinstein’s, The Kennedy Center, Caramoor, Town Hall, and Birdland as well as with the Philly, Cincinnati, and Boston Pops.

On television, Julia has been featured on such hits shows as "30 Rock," "Sex and the City," "Brothers and Sisters," "Ed," "NYPD Blue," and all three "Law & Orders." Musically, Julia can be heard on the original cast recordings of Andrew Lippa's "The Wild Party," "A Class Act," and the Grammy nominated Actor's Fund Benefit of "Hair." Julia also released her debut solo recording "I'm Not Waiting."

Now Julia can be seen in the Transport Group's production of Michael John LaChuisa's "Queen of the Mist" (click here for my review) starring Two-Time Tony Award Nominee Mary Testa along with Andrew Samonsky, Theresa McCarthy, Tally Sessions, Stanley Bahorek, and DC Anderson. "Queen of the Mist" plays at The Gym at Judson in NYC through November 20 (243 Thompson Street at Washington Square Park South)! Click here for tickets!

 For more on Julia be sure to visit http://www.juliamurney.com!

1. Who or what inspired you to become a performer? I started singing in my junior high choir, so props to miss Morris at i.s. 44, and then my parents forced me to go to summer camp and it happened to be stagedoor manor, where I did my first show, so props to all the theatre mad campers who showed me the twisted path to musicals.

2. Who is the one person you haven't worked with that you would like to? Don't make me choose! Stephen Sondheim. Graciella Daniele. Norbert Leo Butz. Cast members from Sesame Street. Christopher Ashley. I could go on, but those are truly the first that sprang to mind.

3. What attracted you to "Queen of the Mist" and what do you hope audiences come away with after seeing the show? What do you like about performing with the Transport Group? First and foremost, to get to do a new musical with Michael John LaChiusa-that's a massive draw. I hope the audiences are moved to think about life and the living of it-which sounds really heavy but not as much when you see the show.

Jack Cummings (the director) is incredibly giving and kind, and he assembles amazing groups to work with.

4. What do you love most about performing with this cast and what do you love most about your song "Break Down The Door"? It is a joy to get to be a ballast for Mary Testa, who is working her patootie off in this show. Break Down The Door is just fun and silly and I get to sing hooty, which is, well, a hoot.

5. What is your favorite part of the rehearsal/preview period in a show? Where is your favorite place to rehearse/practice on your own? When you're dealing with a new piece, I love the part where you watch it take its final shape...the shaping and molding is very exciting. 

I pretty much practice at home, but if I can be alone on a body of water, I'll practice there.

6. What have you learned about yourself from being a performer? I've learned how to find energy when I am positive that I have none. 

7. You recorded "West" for Scott Alan's "Keys" album. How did you and Scott find each other? What do you llike about Scott and his music? I think I first got to know him when I recorded demos for his musical 'Piece.' 

He seems to have his finger on the pulse of what a lot of young people want to hear-I have lost count of how many young people have told me how much they love his stuff. I sound very old when I keep saying young people.

8. What was the best part about playing "Elphaba" in "Wicked" (both on tour and Broaway)? What attracted you to that role? I suppose the best part was getting to be a part of the massive movement that has become that show. What a joy to be in a hit that constantly moves people.

I was scared to pieces of doing that role, which in a twisted masochistic way is totally attractive. And I got to be a green rock star.

9. What did it mean to you to release your debut solo recording "I'm Not Waiting"? How did you come up with the title and song selection? What do you get from performing your own music that you don't get from performing in a show? I loved making the album, which would have been impossible without the guidance of Kurt Deutsch, Joel Moss and Andrew Lippa. We did it very quickly and still i would not have done anything different.

The title came from a song Lippa wrote for me on the occasion of my first solo show-there was no question it would go on the album, and the title just seemed right.

It's simultaneously freeing and scary to just be yourself without a character to hide behind...mostly i love getting to jam with a band and sing all kinds of stuff that I wouldn't have a chance to otherwise.

10. What's the best advice you've ever received? Recycle.

11. If you could dream about anyone while you sleep, who would it be? Don't make me choose...Stephen Sondheim, Graciella Daniele, Norbert Leo Butz...

BONUS QUESTIONS:

12. Favorite way to stay in shape? Pilates, walking, spinning. Favorite way to spend your day off? In sweats, with my dog, at the lake.

13. Favorite skin care product? Estee Lauder. Favorite kind of shoes? Whatever they're rocking at DSW.

14. Favorite website? CNN. Dlisted. Yes, both.

15. Superman or Wonder Woman? Wonder Woman, with her invisible airplane and her damned tiny little waist.

Andrew Samonsky

Photo Credit: Laura Marie DuncanAndrew Samonsky is another rising performer who made his Broadway debut in the Tony Award Winning Revivial of Lincoln Center's "South Pacific" alongside Tony Award Winner Kelli O'Hara! Andrew then went on to star in the out of town try-out of "Little Miss Sunshine" at the La Jolla Playhouse in California and this past summer Andrew starred in world premier musical "Tales of the City" at ACT in San Francisco based upon the books by Armistead Maupin. "Tales of the City" had a book by Tony Award winner Jeff Whitty ("Avenue Q"), direction by Jason Moore ("Avenue Q" and "Shrek the Musical"), and music by the pop stars Jake Shears and John Garden of the Scissor Sisters. Prior to "South Pacific," Andrew was performing around the country in the National Tour of Disney's "On The Record" as well as in regional productions of "Falsettos" (opposite Malcom Gets and Jason Alexander), "White Christmas" (Denver Center), "Shenandoah" with Scott Bakula (Ford's Theater), "tick, tick...BOOM!" (LA Premiere), "Smokey Joe's Cafe," "Into The Woods," "Forever Plaid," and "Once Upon A Mattress." Andrew has also appeared on CBS' "The Guiding Light" and has been a guest soloist in concerts around the country, including many of award winning composer's Bobby Cronin!

Andrew can next be seen in the Transport Group's production of "Queen of the Mist," by 5-time Tony Award Nominee Michael John LaChiusa and starring Two-Time Tony Award Nominee Mary Testa. According to press notes, "Queen of the Mist" is based upon the true story of Anna Edson Taylor, who, in 1901 at the age of 63, set out to be the first woman to shoot Niagara Falls in a barrel of her own design. Navigating both the treacherous Falls and a fickle public with a ravenous appetite for sensationalism, this unconventional heroine vies for her legacy in a world clamoring with swindling managers, assassins, revolutionaries, moralizing family, anarchists and activists. Convinced that there is greatness in her and determined not to live as ordinary, she sets out to battle her fear and tempt her fate." "Queen of the Mist" will run from October 18-November 20 at The Gym at Judson (243 Thomspon Street at Washington Square Park). Click here for tickets!

For much more on Andrew be sure to follow him on Facebook and Twitter!

1. Who or what inspired you to become a performer? As a kid, I used to take voice lessons for fun from a friend of the family, Linda Ottsen. I never practiced and, even more, did not like singing in public. I was a pretty shy kid. But after my first year of college, I was still at a loss for what do with my life. Linda wrote me a beautiful letter encouraging me to pursue a singing career and the rest is history. She has been my biggest supporter and I always credit her with my career. Thank you Linda!

2. Who is the one person you haven't worked with that you would like to? Well, there are a ridiculous amount of talented people I would be honored to work with. I wish I could say Danny Burstein, but we did "South Pacific" together. I am in awe of that man. But, I think the best part about our business is going to a new job, meeting the people you don't know, and discovering all this talent you can't believe you never knew about. However, if Kate Winslet wanted to do a musical with me, I wouldn't say no.

3. What attracted you to "Queen of the Mist" and what do you hope audiences come away with after seeing it? What attracted me to QUEEN OF THE MIST was the fact that Michael John LaChiusa wrote it. I mean, he wrote the whole thing: the book, the music, and the lyrics. It's remarkable. Even better, I can safely say it's the best piece of musical theater I have ever worked on. It is the story of Anna Edson Taylor, who in 1901 became the first person to go over Niagara Falls and live. Wild, right? But the musical is a powerfully profound story of her decision to risk everything to find her place in the world. I hope everyone has the chance to come see it and be as moved as I was when we workshopped it last year.

4. What is your favorite part of the rehearsal/preview period in a show and where is your favorite place to practice/rehearse on your own? I think that first preview where you get the show in front of a live audience is pretty special. To finally see how an audience reacts to all that rehearsal you've been doing is exciting and terrifying. And then to know that you get to come to come to rehearsal the next day and continue to improve the show and "test" it again. I mean, we do this for the audience. If they don't love it, we haven't done our jobs. But I'm hoping people are really gonna fall in love with QUEEN OF THE MIST. My favorite place to practice is in the bathroom. Always the best acoustics!

5. What have you learned about yourself from being a performer? Well, as I said earlier, I was a pretty shy kid, and it took theater to crack the shell. Being an actor and an artist is an incredible journey of self exploration and life exploration. It opens you up to the world in every direction. I would hope it's made me very open minded and curious about everything. And working as an actor has made me a very grateful and very humble person, knowing how many other talented people there are on this planet.

6. Favorite way to spend your day off? A trip to the dog park with my Boston Terrier Louie!

7. Favorite way to stay in shape? Hitting the weights at the gym. I really need to do more cardio. And stretch!

8. Boxers or Briefs? Briefs, always.

9. Favorite website? newyorktimes.com or espn.com

10. "Glinda" or "Elphaba"? Fiyero? But I like Elphaba's songs best. The end of Act I is one of the most thrilling in musical theater, right?

BONUS QUESTIONS:

11. What's the best advice you've ever received? Never try to be what you think they want you be. Be yourself. You are always more than enough.

12. If you could dream about anyone while you sleep, who would it be? I would dream about my grandfathers. They both died when I was one, and would love to spend some more time with them.

13. What was the best part about being in "South Pacific" and in the out of town try outs of "Little Miss Sunshine" and "Tales of the City"? "South Pacific" was one of those once in a lifetime experiences. The best part about it was simply everything. There wasn't one piece of that production that wasn't exceptional, but the friends I made in that show are most special. "Little Miss Sunshine" was special because it was the first brand spanking new musical I've ever worked on. And to have it be a James Lapine/William Finn musical was pretty insane! "Tales of the City" was an awesome production with a lot of fuel behind it!

14. You have performed in several of Bobby Cronin's concerts over the years, singing with Kate Pazakis on "Come Here Boy." What is the best part about working with Kate and Bobby and what is about Bobby's music that speaks to you? It is always a treat to sing Bobby's music. There are two songs, "Come Here Boy" and "8:01," both which are from the same show, and they are both wonderful songs.  It's his ability to tell the story (literal and emotional) in the song that makes him so good. And Kate is the perfect partner!

Jefferson Mays

In 2004, Jefferson Mays won a Tony, Drama Desk, Obie, Lucille Lortel, and Theatre World Award for his performance in the Broadway production of "I Am My Own Wife," the Pulitzer-Prize winning play by Doug Wright. His other Broadway credits include "Pygmalion" and "Journey's End." He has also starred in the "Quartermaine's Terms" at Williamstown Theatre Festival. His film and television credits include: "How to Lose Friends & Alienate People," "Alfie," "The Nortorious Bettie Page," "Kinsey," "The Closer," "Fringe," "Law & Order," and "Nurse Jackie. Currently, Jefferson Mays can be seen in the Off-Broadway production of "Measure for Measure" at The Duke on 42nd Street in NYC (with fellow "Adaumbelle's Quest" participant Mary Testa).

1. Who inspired you to become a performer? My mum.

2. Who is the one person you haven't worked with that you would like to? Conrad Veidt.

3. Do you have any strange or unusual talent that no one knows about? I can recite every English monarch from 1066 to the present in just under 18 seconds.

4. If you could dream about anyone while you sleep, who would it be? Departed friends and loved ones.

5. Starbucks or Dunkin' Donuts? What do you order? Starbucks: Tall Pike's -- no room for milk.

6. Books or Magazines? 18 inch stack of various books underway on bedside table, three foot column of partially-read New Yorkers teetering Pisa-like in corner.

7. Favorite play/musical? Currently: "Measure for Measure."

8. Favorite Quote? "The  readiness is all."

9. Favorite website? ALDaily.com.

10. Favorite pastime? Aimless rambles around town with  my wife.

Mary Testa

When two-time Tony Award Nominee, Mary Testa takes the stage, the audience takes notice, whether it's her impeccable comedic timing or beautiful singing voice including a belt that knocks the roof off. It's no wonder she was nominated for her roles in the Broadway revivals of "42nd Street" and "On The Town." Her other Broadway credits include "A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum," "Barnum," "The Rink," "Marilyn," "Chicago," "Marie Christine," "Xanadu," and the 2009 revival of "Guys and Dolls." Mary has also delighted audiences Off-Broadway in such shows as "See What I Wanna See," "First Lady Suite," "String of Pearls," "The Vagina Monologues," "From Above," "A New Brain", and "In Trousers." She was also a series regular on NBC's "Whoopi" and guest starred on HBO's "Sex and the City." Mary can currently be seen in the Off-Broadway revival of "Measure for Measure" (also starring fellow "Adaumbelle's Quest" participant Jefferson Mays) playing at The Duke on 42nd Street in New York City (229 West 42nd Street between 7th & 8th Ave).

1. Who inspired you to become a performer? Marcel Marceau.

2. What is the highest and lowest note you sing? high c (with my arms over my head) and low a.

3. Who is the one person you haven't worked with that you would like to? Luis Bunuel (unfortunately, he is dead).

4. If you could dream about anyone while you sleep, who would it be? Probably God.

5. Starbucks or Dunkin' Donuts? What do you order? Actually, I order decaf coffee from both.

6. Favorite play/musical? Play: A tie between "The Ruling Class" & "Comedians."  Musical: Anything by Michael John Lachiusa &  Floyd Collins.

7. Favorite store to shop in? Berdorf's during the shoe sale, and Lord and Taylor.

8. Favorite way to spend your day off? Shopping.

9. Favorite website? dilsted.com and awfulplasticsurgery.com.

10. "Mary" or "Rhoda"? Rhoda.