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[0:00] Jayke Workman: You guys, it's September. It is Virgo season. Let the unhinged behavior begin. Oh my god, did you hear? Did you hear? Did you hear? Oh my god, guys. Hi, Jake is I'm God! Oh my god, you guys! What's up, everybody? My name is Jayke Workman, and this is Oh My Pod, you guys, a musical theater and pop culture podcast. And you guys, before anyone says anything, yes, I know that my voice sounds a little different. I've had a cold this week. I know I sound like Willem Defoe. Get over it. But when this episode comes out exclusively through Broadwayworld.com, it will be the day of the final performance of the revival of Funny Girl on Broadway, which I have the pleasure of attending. I know so, so many wonderful people in this company.

They have worked tirelessly for over a year to bring this show to Broadway. It's wonderful. I've seen it six times now, and I'm just wishing everyone in the company, the cast and crew, a huge congratulations on a beautiful run. And sending a special little shout-out to my bestie, my love, Miss Leslie Blake Walker. Congratulations. And with that, you guys, we gotta dive right into this week's Broadway World recap. Brought to you by my amazing partners at Broadway World.com.

[1:32] Jayke Workman: First, you guys, this week, Broadwayworld.com got an exclusive first look inside rehearsals for Sunset Boulevard, starring Nicole Scherzinger. And y'all, these photos look amazing. The show is gonna run for a very limited time, 16 weeks at the Savoy Theatre in London. And you guys, Nicole is everything. She's such a brilliant performer. She's so well seasoned, so to see her play Norma Desmond would just be unbelievable. And Nicole's alternate for Norma Desmond is none other than West End and Broadway star, Miss Rachel Tucker. So you know the show is going to be incredible. And be sure to check out those photos from Inside the Rehearsal Room exclusively on Broadwayworld.com.

[2:15] Jayke Workman: But you guys, those are not the only exclusive rehearsal photos that we got to see this week because Broadway World just shared photos from the rehearsals of the Broadway revival of Merrily We Roll Along. I am so excited about this revival, not just because I love the material, but also because it is starring three of my favorite performers, Lindsay Mendez, Jonathan Groff, and Daniel Radcliffe. The show is set to begin performances at the Hudson Theater on Tuesday, September 19th, and be sure to check out those beautiful rehearsal shots on Broadwayworld.com.

[2:47] Jayke Workman: Next, you guys, we have a little casting announcement. It was just shared online that Constance Wu and Corbin Blue are going to join the off-Broadway production of Little Shop of Horrors in September. And you guys, I am so intrigued by this casting. They are set to take on the roles of Audrey and Seymour, respectively, and while I'm very excited about it, I am just so surprised by this. I mean, Corbin Blue is no stranger to the stage, but our girl, Miss Constance Wu of Crazy Rich Asians, Hustlers, like she's done some amazing TV film stuff. So I'm so intrigued to see how she acts on the stage and in a musical. And honestly, I just have to say kudos to the producers and production team for Little Shop because I'm consistently impressed by the diversity of their casting. And you can catch Constance Wu and Corbin Blue in Little Shop of Horrors starting September 26th.

[3:42] Jayke Workman: Next, you guys, I am sad to share that Jay Harrison Gee, Tony Winner, has just shared an Instagram story saying that they will be out of Sun Like It Hot for at least six weeks in order to have surgery. In their Instagram story, they said, I'm okay, I will be okay. I am so at peace and grateful for this moment of restoration of healing to come. And I hope that you will continue to support the incredible cast of Sun Like It Hot at the Schubert Theater. So you guys, that is exactly what we're gonna do because the amazing standby Demarius Coops will be taking over the role of Jerry and Daphne for Jay Harrison Gee while they are gone. And we gotta show them love and support, honey! So sending healing and speedy recovery vibes to Jay Harrison Gee, and congrats to Demarius Coops for getting to play the role.

[4:29] Jayke Workman: And lastly, you guys, this week we got the very exciting announcement that Neil Patrick Harris is going to be directing Tick-Tick Boom at the Kennedy Center. And PH is such a versatile talent. He is a performer, obviously, but he has written things, he's directed before, he has a history of directing Jonathan Larson's work with productions of Rent, and he starred in the original London production of Tick Tick Boom. So this material is very special to him, and he knows it in and out. And I think it's a perfect opportunity to revamp such a beautiful and electric show. And what better home for this production than the Kennedy Center? So you guys can catch this show January 26th through February 4th of 2024. And you guys, this has been the BroadwayWorld Recap.

[5:15] Jayke Workman: Oh my pod, you guys, I am so excited to welcome my next guest to the show. She is a bona fide Broadway diva, and she is currently slaying the house down in the role of Celine Dion in Off Broadway's Titanique. Please welcome Queen Jackie Burns.

[5:36] Jackie Burns: Wow, that's quite the intro. I'm like, what is he talking about? Don't worry, I practiced, I rehearsed. This is good. I'm I you can you can introduce me anytime. Like, whoa!

[5:50] Jayke Workman: Yes. Thank you so much for being here. Can you tell me where are you calling from?

[5:56] Jackie Burns: I'm calling from my apartment in L I C Long Island City. My dog is looking at me like, why aren't you playing with me? And I'm eating my breakfast as I told you because I eat right at noon because I'm a quick person.

[6:12] Jackie Burns: The clock strikes 12 and we must eat. We must.

[6:18] Jayke Workman: Well, thank you so much for being here. I gotta tell you, I have been just a fan of you for so long. When I started this podcast, I had no idea that I would be entering into the world of speaking to some of my favorite people like in the Broadway community. And so to get the opportunity to talk to you is amazing, but I have to start by saying that I did get to see your performance as Celine.

[6:43] Jayke Workman: Celé Beon. Girl, this show, I mean the show itself bonkers cuckoo bananas, but you are unbelievable. I get to see the show again tonight, so second time around, but tell me what is it like to play this cuckoo crazy role.

[7:07] Jackie Burns: It is so cookie crazy. It was so funny, my when I when the announcement came out, one of my friends, um texted me and was like, you really want to put all of your mental insanity out on display like that. And I said, Yeah, I said, I mean, I have it anyways, might as well get paid for it.

[7:27] Jackie Burns: Exactly. Well, you know. Um, and I don't really, I've I've really never gotten to play a true comedic role before. I usually always live a drama. So getting to like be my kooky self is so fun. It's such a gift. Um, yeah, I'm having the best time. It's just it's just insanity.

[7:51] Jackie Burns: And it's also not just the comedy because you obviously have the vocal chops to back up literally playing one of the world's iconic singers, Miss Celine Dion, which is crazy. It's so fun because it that balance is so amazing to see you just like fully hamming it up, and then you're also like, one moment, let me just scream the house down boots.

[8:11] Jackie Burns: It is quite and Marla Marla Queen Marla who created this role, who is just like honic as I mean she I'm such a fan, such a fan. Um, she has just created such an amazing vehicle, you know, for herself and and for all of us women who get to follow in her footsteps, and um it's truly such a great, great, great showcase of everyone's talents, which is so brilliant.

[8:41] Jackie Burns: That's what I think about is so um special about this show is that it's not just song, you know, it's every single character in this show has a star turn. You know what I mean? So it's a hundred percent like uh 90 minutes of just jam-packed star power on that tip.

[9:01] Jayke Workman: Yeah. And it's so I mean, I have gotten to sort of follow the progression of it from when they started at Green Room 42, and then they did their um like first off-Broadway run in the basement. And so now to like be at the Darryl Roth. It's such a beautiful progression. I think it's so cool to see something as original and just fun as this show on like a commercial setting. I just I love it, and I'm so in awe of you.

[9:26] Jayke Workman: I want to ask about sort of the um improvisational nature of this show as well, because that's also something that we don't usually get to do as as actors within a musical that's already been running. So how do you go about tackling the parts of the show that are new every single night? Do you just have full rain?

[9:48] Jackie Burns: No, I don't have full rain. Um, which is is uh great for me, less less work for me. Um Marla Marla did a different improv every night because she is a writer comic genius. Right. I am not a writer um at all. And also the woman who replaced Marla, uh Nicole Parker, who's a genius, uh comedic genius.

[10:10] Jackie Burns: Yes. Um, she also is sorry, my dog. Oh my god, no. We're friends, we're friends with the dogs on the pod.

[10:19] Jackie Burns: Oh, okay, great. Good.

[10:20] Jackie Burns: Yeah. So yeah, Nicole Parker who replaced uh Marla is also a comic genius and a writer and was on Mad TV and has been doing improv her whole life. Um I have not been doing improv my whole life. In fact, I've never done improv. Uh, you know, um, and so first day of rehearsal, that was one of the things that I was the most nervous about when I got the audition. I was like, oh my god. I mean, I I know I'm funny as a human in in my real life, but I'm like, you know, is that just funny to my friends because I'm mean? I don't want broad spectrum like audience funny, you know what I mean?

[10:55] Jackie Burns: Um, so I was like very nervous about that part of the role. But I was like, oh, this will be a good challenge for me to get out of my comfort zone and and just you know, sometimes fall flat on my face. Uh but the first day of rehearsal, I got in and uh the director and Marla were there, and they were like, So just so you know, you don't have to do the improv. Um, and I was like, what? And they're like, I have 10 improvs that I really love that I think work really, really well, so you can use those and recycle them however you want. And I was like, oh, okay, great.

[11:28] Jackie Burns: Um, so I have these 10 improvs that I have, but then now what's really cool about it for me, because I was like, oh, that's gonna get a little stale. Um, especially for the actors, Rose and Jack for me, you know, because they're playing along with me. So now I just every day come up within the guise of the the what's the word I'm looking for? And the structure of the improvs that Marla has written, I get to then put my own Jackie Flair on them.

[11:57] Jackie Burns: So I get to improv, you know, different parts within the structure every night. So they're different every night, except not. Do you know what I mean? So they're like situational, you know, and then I get to like play along whatever I'm feeling that day, or if maybe there's something that happened in the news that day that I can put in, you know, and then the spooky scaries that are to the left and to the right, that I that I get to change and do whatever I want every night, which which is a little stressful. Like every day I get up and I'm like, I look and see like anything funny happen today. I'm like, what can I say? Oh good, Ariana Grande is dating, you know, Ethan Slater.

[12:39] Jackie Burns: You know what I mean? Like, what can I, you know, something what can work? Um, so yeah. And then also it's interesting. I have realized depending on the night, the audience reaction to what I'm I choose which improv I'm gonna do in the moment of what the temperature of the audience is. Do you know what I mean? Like if there's more musical theater type people out there, I can go with this. And if there's more, you know, family-oriented uh, you know, people, then I know that this kind of improv is more geared for their comedy style. And so that's that's something I've learned as well. Because at first I was like, wait, this really hit the other day. Like last week, why isn't it hitting today? And I'm like, oh, it's a different audience, Jackie.

You have to of who's out there because that's the audience is my scene partner, and that's something that's also really hard is if the audience isn't with normally in a show, um, you know, your scene partner is the other actors on stage, yeah. Right. So you're you really don't have much to worry about because you're there with so the audience is not great, it's not your favorite, but you're still there having the eyeballs of the other person that's committed to the scene with you and you're getting to play, and you know, for me, as Celine, if m I don't have an a you know, I don't have a scene partner, the scene partner is the audience. So if I'm not getting anything back from them, the work is so much harder for me because I have to work that much harder to get them on board.

It's always hard for me in the beginning when I have my free reveal and then I high-five the people on the sides, and sometimes people won't high-five me. And that's always like really hard because it's like, oh god, if that's how I'm starting off, like somebody really can high-five me. I'm like, oh god, okay, this is gonna be I gotta win you, I really gotta win you over. Totally, totally. That's hard. I mean, and I think that's an interesting uh thing to have to deal with because like you said, when you're in a long running show, you typically don't have to break the fourth wall. You don't really have to worry about engaging with the audience. It's sort of up to you to carry the ride to the end, and if they are with you, they're with you, and you know, if they're not, then wah wah, that's whatever, like not a super fun show to do.

But um, this type of show, it is so like heavily reliant on the energy from the audience, which I think is so exciting and refreshing because it keeps it new. Obviously, you get to play a little bit here and there, but like when you're doing a long running show, there are days where it's like, girl, are we uh is this thing on? Are we even here? Yes. Insane. I mean, you obviously know. I uh we will get into your extensive run as Miss Alpha Bathrop. The longest running alphabet on Broadway, about who's counting. But before I ask you about Wicked, I would really love to know what led you to a career in the arts. Did you grow up doing musical theater? Did you have an artistic household? What was what was your upbringing like?

You know what? Actually, um, I am the only person in my family in the arts. Um, it's so strange. There's Oh my god. No one, no one in my on either side of my family. Like, not even a distant cousin. It's in your art. I am truly the black sheep of the family. Um, but they everyone supports and loves what I do so much. So it's it's always been a very um supportive, amazing uh upbringing. But yeah, no one, no one is in the arts. I actually started as a dancer. I started dancing when I was three. Um, and I danced up until uh high school and like did competitive dance, you know, like as that star power, you know, that I love dancing so much. And I actually thought I was gonna be a dancer. That's what I really really wanted to do.

And I always um sang, but I didn't ever take voice lessons because I was like, either you can sing, you can sing or you can't, you can't, right? You know? Um, and uh, so I know, stupid now. Looking back, I'm like, Techie, why didn't you learn how to A read music? That is something if I could go back in time, oh, if I could go back in time, I would learn, I would A, not quit playing flute after the first day. I have a hard time I repeat something right away, I'm like, Girl, same. Same. I don't want to my cat's awful! My Virgo brain. I'm like, if I'm not perfect at it immediately, it's gone in the trash. It's off it's yeah. I wish, I wish, I wish, I wish, I wish I had stuck with flute rather than, you know, quitting after one day.

And then learning how to read music would have been so good. If I could go back, because let me tell you, first day of rehearsal, music rehearsal is always the scariest day for me because I feel so stupid. I feel so incompetent. I feel I I just you know, and especially like because I go home and then like I memorize what they want out and then I have it. But then if all of a sudden the next day they come in and they're like, actually, we're gonna change this D to like a C sharp, you know, whatever, and like do that, I'm like, oh no. Because now it's in my voice, you know, and now my voice, no, I learned this, this is what we do. So I'm not as malleable as I should be because I don't read music, and so it is definitely um a what's it uh a hindrance.

Um so if I could go back in time, I would do that. But anyway, so then I always wanna knew I always wanted to be on Broadway. So I went to college for just acting, um, not for musical theater. Uh I I felt when I went the first time my first show that I ever saw on Broadway was Greece. Yeah, and now I'm gonna really show my age with um with um Brooke Shields and Rosie O'Donnell. I want to say Rosie French, that would have been so much cooler. Uh Rosie O'Donnell. Uh and I remember being like, I'm gonna sound so cunky. Oh no. I was like, wow, this I could do this. That this is this doesn't look that hard, like you know, because it just kind of so like eh. Um, and I remember being like, I wanna make sure that I am a good actor because I truly believe, as everybody does, I think, that you know, it all is storytelling, you know what I mean.

So at the end of the day, and this is what I tell a lot of the kids that I teach, at the end of the day, everybody has a good voice. Everybody has a good voice. Period. And what is gonna get you that callback and what is gonna get you the role is your storytelling. Is it making me feel something? It's not about the riff or the belting, scruting and you know, a G or whatever, you know what I mean? Those are all cool impress impressive things, but then when the next girl comes in who does, you know, can do that too. What's gonna make you remember you, you know? Yeah. So for me, I was like, I need to go to school for acting and make sure I you know know how to be a good storyteller. And you went to Yukon, right?

Yes, and are you from Connecticut? I went to school in Connecticut. I went to the University of Hartford, the heart school. So neighbors. Oh my god! Yes, so that was my parents, again, also very smart, very, very um not artistic, were uh I I wanted to move to New York right after high school because I was, you know, like I said, and you know, like be a star. And they were like, Oh yeah, exactly. Like toss toss. And they were like, um, I'm young for my grade, and so I was 17 when I graduated, and they were like, Well, you're not an adult, so you have to go to college. Um, and I was like, Oh, so I didn't really research any schools because I in my mind I wasn't gonna go anywhere. Uh so I only optioned for three schools, I have to do for NYU, Boston Conservatory, and UConn.

Um, and I didn't get into NYU. Ah! Those bitches. Those bitches. But you know what? I got last laugh, didn't I? Because, you know, I'm doing all right. Who's laughing now? Yeah, who's laughing now? And now I don't have to pay that crazy amount of money back. And then Yeah. And then Boss Conservatory, I got in hilariously as a dance major and a musical theater major, so I got to like choose. And then um I know it's so random. Now I'm like dancing. Oh my god, some like a dance call would be my worst nightmare. I would not after eight counts of I'm like my brain is like, I can't remember anything else. I'm old. Dancing through strife. Yeah, literally, I'd be so scared. I'm gonna know. Um, so then and then Yukon for just for acting.

And so uh my parents made the they were like, listen, the decision is yours. They were like, you can either go to Boss Conservatory, this is how much money we can afford, the rest is on you. Um, so you're gonna have you know, maybe a hundred thousand dollars worth of debt when you graduate. Right. Or you can go to Yukon, which I got a really big scholarship, basically on a full right. And they're like, you're not graduating to be like a lawyer or like something that you're gonna get a job right out of the gate. You're gonna be an actor, and we think, which is so lovely. My parents have always been supportive, and my parents are very honest to a fault. Like, they've always been like, if we didn't think you could actually make it, if we didn't think you were actually talented, we'd be like, let's find something else to fall.

Yeah, yes. You know what I mean? But my parents are always like, I do think you can make it. So, you know, they were like, but you never know. So, and so I decided to go to Yukon because I didn't want to have the stress of so much money and so much debt that I knew. Totally stressed out working 20 jobs, and then probably never auditioned. Um, so yeah, so I did that, and then made my life a little harder moving to the city because I didn't have a showcase or anything like that, so you know I had to like start going to the non act calls of like people waking up at four in the morning writing their name on a list that I'm officially. Lining up. I did not have the uh I did not have the gumption to do that.

Um my best friend though did and she it was a I this is so mean when I think about what I did I was awful. I live on I lived on 44th at night. So I lived so close. [23:09] And one of my good friends who is an actor um Miriam lived in deep Brooklyn like deep and she used to get up at four in the morning and travel in and put her name on the unofficial list and mine and then would sit there and wait all day and then when it would be get like an hour away from like when we were about to like go she would call me wake me up and be like hey I want to start like getting ready and warming up we'll probably be up in the next hour and I'd be like Oh my That is a dedicated friend beast. I mean come on she was the best she is the best yeah wow so when you graduated from UConn you said New York or bust.

Mm-hmm. You knew Broadway is the goal. Yes but I I did not like New York. When I first went to New York I I hated it so much. I’m from you know a small town in Connecticut in the woods. I love nature like water like streets. Breathable air breathable air yeah and I had never been around so many people before it was very overwhelming to me. I would go home almost every weekend. My parents were like why are you here again? I don’t like it here. I don’t like New York. Um so and and actually I went to my first audition and like I said, I went to school for acting, which is a completely different beast than musical theater. So I've never been in a room with that many musical theater women in that energy, which is a lot.

It's like the Jason Robert Brown where it's like all these women, you know, wearing the same dress, belting higher, you know, it's like and I was sitting in the um waiting room with like you know, a hundred women, and I had a full-blown pan panic attack, and I left, and I didn't audition for almost two years. I just like waited people's and was like, nope, I don't think I'm gonna do this. And my best friend from college, who was my roommate in college all four years, and then we moved to the city together, who is not an actor, she's um a masseuse, uh, came home one day with a backstage. I didn’t even know what it was, it was so cute.

[25:17] Jackie Burns: And uh she was like, You didn't come here to be a waitress. She was like, There's an audition today for this Tokyo Disney in Japan. I was like, You're gonna go to this audition, or you can't come out without us tonight, like all the friends don't. You went, so I went to the audition because I wanted to go out, and I cooked it, and so that was my first job was Tokyo Disney in Japan.

[25:40] Wow.

[25:40] Jackie Burns: Yeah, and then I met this guy climbing Mount Fuji in Japan, as you do, this Australian guy.

[25:46] Sure.

[25:47] Jackie Burns: Fell in love and moved to Australia for a year. And then Jenny Burns, just random.

[25:56] So random.

[25:58] Jackie Burns: It's like, yeah, I'll go vote just, sure. And then I finally got kicked out of Australia because all of the visas that I kept like, I kept changing visas. I was like, oh, work visa, a travel visa, a visitor's visa, and then I went to change again, and they were like, get out, girl.

[26:11] Get out.

[26:12] Jackie Burns: Yeah.

[26:14] Get it out.

[26:15] Jackie Burns: Yeah, get high. And I was like, alright.

[26:18] Yeah.

[26:19] Jackie Burns: Um I was like, okay. And then I got back to the city and I still I like just did not like it. So I was like, alright, and so I auditioned for a cruise ship and got that and went out on the cruise ship. Um and I was just been out there for nine months, and after four months of like step touching the old people sleeping in the front row, I said, I think I'm gonna take myself seriously. I'm gonna move to New York and give it a try, like and stop being, you know, afraid.

[26:45] Uh and so I moved, I quit the cruise ship halfway through my contract, and I had to lie because if you leave a cruise ship job early, you have to pay out your contract.

[26:59] Right.

[27:00] Jackie Burns: And I don't want to pay out my contract. I was a principal singer, I was making a lot of money. I mean, so I said that I was having um thoughts of jumping, needing to see the land.

[27:15] In true Titanic fashion.

[27:18] Jackie Burns: Literally, how did I I mean like a full circle?

[27:22] Yes.

[27:27] Jackie Burns: Oh my god. Yeah, and they were like, and the director was like, No, she totally knew I was lying. And she was like, now Jackie, she was like, if you really want to say this, you'll never work on a cruise ship again. Like you can't liability-wise, liability, darling.

[27:42] Yeah, they were like, So are you sure you wanna say this?

[27:44] Jackie Burns: And I was like, uh, yeah, I'm good. I'll take the plunge, thank you.

[27:50] Thank you so much.

[27:51] Jackie Burns: And uh landed. They got on land and um yeah, and then I moved to I like I really came to the city and then I booked Hair, uh, in um Shakespeare in the Park. And it was funny, I knew I knew that it was gonna be a game changer, and I called my parents and said something. I was like, I just booked this show called Hair, it's in the park, you know, and they were like, Oh, that's cool. And I was like, no, no, no. I was like, this is a game changer.

[28:10] I was like, I just know it.

[28:19] Jackie Burns: And it was, you know. It was. And it was hilarious because as I was doing Hair in the park, all the girls in my dressing room were going in for this new show called Rock of Ages. And so I called my agents and was like, can I get in? Can I get in? But I had a small agent at the time, and they couldn't get me in. And finally they got me in when there was one role left, the swing, the dance swing, uh, for the three strippers.

[28:42] And uh and that audition was hilarious. Like I went in and I sang, and the music director Ethan Pop really, really liked my voice. Um, and the director liked me as an actor, and that's the only reason why I got it because in the dance call, I'm not kidding you. It was the classic, like everyone was going right, and I was going left.

[29:01] Like it was like I have absolutely been there.

[29:04] Jackie Burns: It's not like the other. You know what I mean? I was like, uh, this is and I was like, oh, there's no way I'm booking this. And I did.

[29:13] I thanks to like the director and the music director liking me enough.

[29:16] Um iconic.

[29:18] Jackie Burns: Yeah. And then so I was doing Rock of Ages during the day and Hair at night, and then they both went to Broadway the same season. So all of a sudden I went from zero Brave shows to two Broadway offers in the same week.

[29:28] You know, like, oh my god.

[29:31] Right.

[29:32] Jackie Burns: Yeah.

[29:32] So and which did you choose?

[29:34] Jackie Burns: I chose Hair.

[29:37] Correct.

[29:38] Jackie Burns: Yeah.

[29:38] The correct choice.

[29:41] Jackie Burns: Yeah. Hair was on stage.

[29:43] Hair, I you know, and recognized I was a swing, so it was like, I wanted to like, you know, yeah.

[29:49] And you were in the black boys trio?

[29:51] Jackie Burns: Yes, I was in the black boys trio.

[29:53] Hell yes, bitch.

[29:54] Jackie Burns: Singing. It was so fun. You know, it was so fun.

[29:57] Iconic.

[29:58] Jackie Burns: Well, I mean, obviously, you have an extensive list of credits, and you are just a truly such a renowned singer and performer. But I have to ask.

[30:12] The time has come.

[30:12] Jackie Burns: I must ask about your road to the Wicked and playing the iconic role of Elphaba on Broadway.

[30:27] How did you first know of the show?

[30:31] How did you audition for the show?

[30:34] You went into the the road company first, I believe.

[30:37] Yes.

[30:38] Jackie Burns: Yeah. And then you went to Broadway!

[30:41] And I was right.

[30:42] Jackie Burns: You know the funny thing is, remember how I said my first job was Tokyo Disney?

[30:46] Yeah.

[30:46] Jackie Burns: So the night, and that was the first time I had ever left the country. So my parents and my brother, my little brother, came in the night before I was leaving to, you know, have the last night with me and then drive me to the airport. And I was dating this guy at the time that was friends with somebody in the company of Wicked, and they were in previews, and it was like the hardest ticket in town to get.

[31:09] And um, and so he got me and my family tickets.

[31:13] We had like front row, like, you know, like third row orchestra house seats. I was sitting next to do you remember?

[31:19] Um the show Smallville.

[31:21] Of course.

[31:22] Jackie Burns: Oh, okay. So I was sitting next to Superman, and so hot.

[31:28] Oh my god.

[31:29] Jackie Burns: So super hot, but I was like, yeah. And I just and Kay Diggs was in the show at the time because remember how North Rio Bud turned himself.

[31:37] Anyways, and so the you know, the orchestra started, and I immediately was like, oh my god, this is the most magical thing I've ever seen. And Adina finished Wizard and I and I turned to my mom and I was like, Oh my god, I want to play this part so bad. And I was like, This is like, you know, I was like, this is the coolest thing I've ever seen in my life. I'm so in awe of the show and that role particularly, as every woman was.

[32:07] Um yeah, so I saw the show then, and then um then was it like eight years later, I think I did that or seven years later.

[32:15] Uh yeah, and the actually the first so the first time I auditioned for the show, um, it did not go well. Because I like I said, don't read music.

[32:26] And I also am not, I'm gonna be chastised for this, but I'm not a big musical theater person.

[32:32] Um I never see things more than once. I don't listen to musical theater albums, I don't listen, I just I don't know.

[32:39] I I like I love what I do and I love the arts, but I just it's not like you have other things, yeah.

[32:47] It's just like I don't know. I I don't so like I saw Wicked, and it was amazing. I was like, I want to play that role, but then I never listened to the album or anything, so like I it wasn't like singing Defying Gravity around the house, and never I just was like, Oh, that'd be cool to play that role one day, you know, and that's it.

[33:00] Um I'm going to Tokyo Disney Beach.

[33:02] Now I'm going to Tokyo Disney Beach Green Girl.

[33:06] Uh so uh so that was the track, Green Girl and Brown Girl, because you had a green costume or a brown costume.

[33:12] Little did you know you were going to be the green girl.

[33:14] I know, isn't that hilarious?

[33:16] Jackie Burns: Um, so then so then uh when I got my first audition, I I uh I got it at like six o'clock at night for the next day at like ten in the morning, as you do, so it's so rude.

[33:26] Classic.

[33:26] Jackie Burns: And then I googled Defying Gravity Learner, because I don't read music, and the woman that I that popped up um did alternate notes in Defying Gravity, uh in in that one, and uh so I learned that version and went in and sang it and thought it was it did great, and then my agents called me were like, Hey, uh, are you not feeling it?

[33:50] And I was like, No, and they were like, because Casting is pretty curious why you did alternate notes um rather than sing what's on the page.

[33:59] And I was I didn't know it I didn't do it right.

[34:04] Like I didn't know. So yeah, so hence, yeah, didn't get a call back, obviously, and I was like, oh oops.

[34:10] Uh and then I didn't go in for like the next time I went in was when I got it.

[34:14] Um and obviously I learned the song correctly.

[34:17] Jackie Burns: Uh and I had I it was I had done Hair, I had just finished Hair, and our whole cast was going to London, and I decided not to go to London because I just moved in with my fiance at the time and I didn't want to leave, and I had booked Catch Me If You Can uh as well, so I already had another Broadway show to go to, so I was like, oh, this will be great.

[34:41] I can just, you know, go.

[34:43] And I was doing Paper Mill, Smokey Joe's at the time.

[34:47] Jackie Burns: Um, and I got the audition for Wicked, and I got it. I went in on a Tuesday, uh, and then I had a call back on Wednesday, and then I had a work session on Friday, and then I had my final call back on Monday.

[35:02] Um, and it was funny because and then when I found out that I had the show on Tuesday at Paper Mill, and um Mark Hobie, my director and the head of Paper Mill was like, Do you have anything to tell me? And he was like I was like, Yeah, actually I I booked Elphaba in Wicked, and he goes, I know.

[35:22] And I was like, How do you know?

[35:23] He was like, because they called me after like your after your work session on Friday to be like, because you know they didn't know me, and they were like, is this girl good to work with? Is she okay? We're about to give her Elphaba in Wicked, and you know, she has one Broadway credit and that's it, you know, like how is she, you know?

[35:39] And I was like, Oh my god!

[35:40] So it was really too, yeah.

[35:42] Jackie Burns: Um, but I think the reason why I got it, honestly, is because I didn't want it at the time because I didn't want to go on tour, and it was hilarious because my agent was so mad at me because leading up to it, first they called me a week like two weeks before being like, Hey, we got an audition for you for the understudy Elphaba track on the tour.

[36:01] And I am really bad at saying no.

[36:04] I am a people pleaser, um, I just want everyone to like me.

[36:08] It's a very bad, bad habit of mine.

[36:11] So I always pick up the phone and then say, sure.

[36:14] And then when I think about it, that I'm like, wait, no, I don't really want to do that.

[36:18] I would have gone to London with Hair, I don't want to leave, right?

[36:21] You know what I mean?

[36:22] So then I called back. I was like, actually, no, I don't, I don't, I don't want to do that.

[36:25] And they were like, okay.

[36:27] And then a few days later they called me and were like, actually, we have the audition for you for standby on the tour.

[36:31] And it's like, oh, okay, yeah.

[36:33] And then again, I was like, no, I don't want to do that.

[36:35] I don't want to.

[36:36] So I'd call back and was like, no, I'm sorry, I I I um I don't want to do that, right?

[36:41] Um, and then he called me like two days later and was like, okay.

[36:45] And he was like, I have an audition for you, the role of Elphaba. And before you say anything, he was like, You were my biggest pain in the ass client, and he was like, You are going in and that's it.

[36:53] And I was like, sorry.

[36:57] Jackie Burns: And I learned now to never pick up a phone call and let it go to voicemail and listen to the thing so that I could have a minute to be like, how do I truly feel about this before I because I truly always will say yes because I'm afraid to like disappoint anybody?

[37:12] Um, so yeah, so anyways. And so when I went in, I really I already had Catch Me If You Can, so I was like, oh, I'm gonna go do that.

[37:20] You know what I mean? Because it's coming to Broadway and I can be home.

[37:24] And um, so when I I when I went in, I wasn't as stressed. I remember I was like, there was three girls, I was the last of the three.

[37:33] I probably look like the biggest asshole because I had an Us Weekly, I brought an Us Weekly. I remember I loved, I used to love Us Weekly's like the magazine, and I was just like screaming through and they're you know, and they're all like stressed out and like freaking out.

[37:46] I was like reading about like Kim Kardashian or something like that.

[37:49] Jackie Burns: In my mind, I was like, I'm not gonna do this. And so, and it was I booked it, so I finished the audition, and it was an old Telsey’s office on 42nd Street, and I lived on 92nd at the time, and so I took the subway up to 92nd, which was like 20 minutes.

[38:10] Jackie Burns: Um, and my agent was calling me as I was getting off the subway, and I was like, there's no way. And I looked up and I was like, hey, and he was like, hi, Alfie, and I was like, Wait, who? Oh I was like, alright. It was crazy. Wow. Yeah. And so then how long did you have before you went out on the road?

[38:34] Jackie Burns: That's a good question. I don't even remember. I want to say like a few months. Did they rehearse you in New York?

[38:40] Jackie Burns: Uh for two days I went in and learned the score from the Broadway Dom and uh Dominic Amendo uh music director at the time. Um so that was crazy, like being in the virtual and up in like a personal room and like the show was going on and I'm like learning and Bandiconzales with the Alphabet at the time and it was like I was like, oh my god, it's so crazy.

[39:01] Jackie Burns: Uh but again, you know what's something that's really hard that a lot of people I don't think realize is um going into a show by yourself was really hard. I went into this show, Titanic by myself. And it's really, really, really hard because you know, you don't have that camaraderie of like going in with a few other people, like um, you know, before me, Nicole who played Celine and Lindsay who plays Rose and Brandon who plays Cal and Um Michael who plays Jack, they all rehearsed together and went in together.

[39:34] Jackie Burns: So you have like a bl a bond. Sure. Do you know what I mean? Um and now our new cast that's coming in, there's like five of them that are coming in, which is so cool, and they all get to rehearse together and have that bond. Uhhuh. I was by myself, and it's like you just feel like such an outsider.

[39:46] Jackie Burns: So I had a heart and Alphabet as a craft is such an outsider track. Right. Um, you're really by yourself and very alienated and isolated. And the only time you're really on stage with the rest of the cast, they're making fun of you and telling you how you're hideous and like literally you walk from to the Osdos and everyone stops stares at you, and they all add with like, Ew, why is she here? We hate you. Like this Yeah.

[40:08] Jackie Burns: You it's so hard as the actor because you're like, oh my god, you do hate me. Especially when you go in by yourself and you don't have those bonds made ready. You know what I mean? Right, right. Um so it was a re I had a really hard time in the beginning. Um it was really stressful.

[40:28] Jackie Burns: Uh Wow. To be honest. I was like very scared and I did not have a good time at first. Um yeah. And then thankfully when I went to Broadway, I got to go with the Glinda that I did it with on tour Chandra.

[40:43] Jackie Burns: So we got to go in and as his unit, and that well felt oh, it was just like night and day. Like incredible experience. It was like so much more. I was like, oh, I felt like I had a you know a buddy.

[40:54] Jackie Burns: And then the same thing when they went back to Broadway to do it again, there was five of us that went in, and we had a Madame Morrible, a Glenda, um, a Bach, a Nessa, no, there's six of us, um, a Fiero and me. There was so it was like a huge cash changeover, and we all got to go in together, and that also it was like, oh, this is so much more fun.

[41:15] Jackie Burns: Wow. And you go in by yourself, and you're like, I'm the new kid, and I also don't know what I'm doing yet, and I know you guys don't know what I'm doing, and also I'm you don't know me, and it's awful, you know. It's like so much, you know.

[41:28] Jayke Workman: Totally. Wow, that's incredible. So then how do you was it the road where you were able to sort of um get the hang of like building your stamina and doing it night after night after night?

[41:40] Jackie Burns: I mean, it it's arguably one of the most difficult roles to sing and to do physically. I mean, you are running around, you're in a ball gown half the time, like there are so many moving parts to the show. Did you feel like when you were on the road you got the hang of it?

[41:57] Jackie Burns: Or or what was it like to then, you know, now you're known as Broadway's longest running alphabet, and so it has to just be in your flesh and bones at this point, you know?

[42:07] Jackie Burns: Yeah, I feel like uh honestly, if I'm really honest with myself, the when I f I think I really came into my own the second time I did it on Broadway. I don't even the first time I the first time I did it on Broadway, I felt and I've said this in the past, like I felt like I was like holding on for dear life and like getting dragged along with the show, like I was not in the driver's seat.

[42:29] Jackie Burns: I just kind of was there and like hoping that it happened, you know what I mean? And then the second time I did on Broadway, I was in the driver's seat and the show was facilitated by me. You know?

[42:44] Jackie Burns: And uh and so then I I had a I had a really good time the second time I did it on Broadway. The first time I came home every night and my ex-hus my husband at the time would always be like, How was the show? And I'd be like, I sucked, I sucked, I'm awful, it sucked, I've buffed, it sucked, I sucked.

[42:59] Jackie Burns: And I think like maybe like twice he said in the year year and five months I did it the first time on Broadway, I said like fine once. I I think twice he was I was like, yeah, it's fine. And he was like, Oh, it must have been actually really fucking good.

[43:13] Jackie Burns: Um where the second time I did it on Broadway, I was like, Oh, this is fun. Like I'm having a good time, you know, like and it is, it was in my body. And I was able to have a life. The first time I did it on Broadway, I lived like a monk.

[43:24] Jackie Burns: I did nothing, I didn't talk on my day off. The next time I did it on Broadway, I shot a movie. I shot two movies, I did workshops, I went out and had beers with my friends after the show. Like, you know what I mean? Like, I had a great time because yeah, it was it was in the fabric of my body, you know.

[43:42] Jayke Workman: Yeah.

[43:43] Jackie Burns: So that's amazing. Are there are there like favorite parts of the show for you?

[43:49] Jackie Burns: I mean, I uh should I guess tell you that I just am obsessed with Wicked. I've always have been, and I probably always will be. I think I've seen it seventeen times. And I uh lovely friend of the pod, Miss Hannah Shankman once took me backstage at the Gershwin and we got to do the Elphaba run off stage left, down underneath the stage and up the ladder where the rungs of the ladder are literally stained green because of your hands, Jackie Burns.

[44:19] Jackie Burns: What is it like to sit in your chair at half hour, have them paint you green, and then your first entrance is literally r the doors open and you run straight down center. I mean, it must just be like the wildest rush ever.

[44:37] Jackie Burns: It is it is such a wild rush. I love um well, getting green, I always kept my door open so that people could come and visit me, because if you don't, it feels very alienating.

[44:49] Jackie Burns: Uh um, so it'd be really fun because people would always be coming in and saying hi and stuff like that, so then it was really great. But for me, the biggest difference between my first time and doing Ambrole and the second time is that I made sure to have five minutes to meditate by myself before I went out on stage, because it is such a like huge rush of like doors open, run center stage, huge applause.

[45:12] Jackie Burns: Next thing you know, you're on stage by yourself, singing an 11 o'clock number after five minutes of being on stage. Right. So if I don't if I didn't ground myself before I went on stage, it would be too overwhelming because it is such a massive rush of emotions.

[45:29] Jackie Burns: Um, that if you're not in a place of feeling grounded, it it can be overwhelming, and then you're spending the rest of the time trying to just overcome your emotions rather than be able to tell the story.

[45:40] Jayke Workman: Sure.

[45:41] Jackie Burns: Yeah, absolutely. That adrenaline pumping and everything.

[45:44] Jayke Workman: Yeah. It's so iconic. And then the other thing, but I also I'm also very um thrilled in the fact that like I show up to an entrance like the second I'm going on.

[45:56] Jackie Burns: Like I don't like you and I would be like having a you know like, oh my god, totally, and then I'll go on stage and like within a breath. And like if I if I get there too soon, I then I the the overwhelmingness of what you're about to do actually sets in for me and that mentally fucks me.

[46:16] Jayke Workman: Sure.

[46:17] Jackie Burns: So I try not to think about how amazing it is. Because if I do, then I I I do I mentally fuck myself.

[46:27] Jayke Workman: Sure.

[46:27] Jackie Burns: Like Well, yeah, go ahead.

[46:30] Jayke Workman: Well, are there elements I mean like there are just physical elements of the show that you are not it's not about you.

[46:37] Jackie Burns: Like you have to make sure that you step into that cherry picker and make sure it closes so that you get to go up.

[46:49] Jayke Workman: Like, what is it like to fly in the cherry picker?

[46:52] Jackie Burns: I'm just I'm amazed. I'm in awe. Um, you know, it's it's really inter again, it's like so interesting because like the lights are in your eyes, so you don't see how high you are.

[47:04] Jackie Burns: Uh huh. You don't know how high you are until the curtain goes down and you finish and you're going down and you're s and you see all the guys, you know, coming the crew to come like get you out, that you realize you're like, oh fuck, I was really high.

[47:20] Jackie Burns: Belting your tits off. It doesn't feel it to me, it didn't, because of the way the lights are in your eyes, I never felt like I was like, oh god, I'm really flying and out of control high felt like oh god I'm confined on this little box that I'm standing on that is basically the size of my feet so you feel a little constricted movement wise yeah do you know what I mean like that's totally I'm a very physical person in my body so that feels i that was a big adjustment for me being like oh god I have to like I cannot move my feet because there's nowhere for them to go.

[47:55] Jayke Workman: Yeah.

[47:56] Jackie Burns: Did you ever have a no fly to find gravity?

[48:00] Jackie Burns: Yes.

[48:01] Jackie Burns: So fly so many.

[48:03] Jayke Workman: You did Oh my god what did you have to get out of the lift and just sing it on the floor?

[48:10] Jackie Burns: Yes and this is this is the best part. So I did it on the tour for a year and I never I oh I never had a no fly show.

[48:19] Jackie Burns: And then I did went to Broadway so I didn't know what a no fly show was.

[48:24] Jackie Burns: Oh I didn't know that if you don't fly you have to get yourself out. I didn't know that you have to stand in a place where the lighting there's like a certain place to stand because there's like a lighting cube to make you look like you're flying and that the on s like the ensemble comes out and lays at your feet to make you look taller.

[48:41] Jackie Burns: I I had no sorry she has things to say oh you in trouble do you need to have a timeout uh so wait was it oh yeah so I had no idea.

[48:56] Jackie Burns: So all of a sudden my first um no fly I um I get in and I'm like, it's not her. She's you know, and that's usually it starts moving forward, it moves forward and then up, right?

[49:08] Jackie Burns: And I was like, I'm not moving forward. This is strange. And uh, and then all of a sudden, as I'm still speaking, you know, I feel a tap on my shoulder, and a guy be like, plan B, plan B. And I'm like, I don't know how plan B. There is only plan A!

[49:25] Jackie Burns: I was like, What is happening? And so, and again, all while you're saying your lines, and you know, um, it's all going in your head, and so I was like, okay, and instinctually, like, just put my arm behind me as you're holding your broom and still singing, yeah today.

[49:42] Jackie Burns: Um, and found this, and it is literally this big. It's like this tiny little lever that you have to like unclip yourself so that the the arms will open so that you can walk forward.

[49:54] Jackie Burns: And so I found this little lever eclipse, and I just walked forward and did the whole thing. It was a nightmare. I oversang, it was terrible, you know.

[50:00] Jackie Burns: I felt awful.

[50:02] Jayke Workman: Which I'm sure was incredible.

[50:04] Jackie Burns: No, it was awful. It was not good.

[50:06] Jackie Burns: And I and then the curtain goes down, and MB, the stage manager comes out and she was mad. She was like, Why weren't you in your light? She was like, Why didn't she was like, you stand, she was like, Well, I don't understand. What what were you thinking?

[50:19] Jackie Burns: Like, she was like, You know that you have to stand here. And I was like, and I literally went, What are you talking about? I was like, I she was like, haven't you had a no fly show before? And I was like, No, never.

[50:30] Jackie Burns: And she was like, Oh my god, honey, I am so sorry we didn't teach you.

[50:35] Jackie Burns: What did you do? And I was like, that was the most mortifying moment of my life. I don't know, what the heck was going on? She was like, I'm so so sorry. It was awful. I was like, thank you. She was like, I'm s she was like, actually, I I'm incredibly proud that you even knew how to get yourself out. I was like, you know. Yeah, what the he but also it's like, can you just swing a spot over here? Oh yeah, it was awful. And then there was something wrong with the computer because the computer, my arm the arms were um I were clamped shut, but if the computer doesn't read that they're clamped shut, you won't fly. You won't go up. You won't go up. Yeah. So there was like a glitch in the system saying that I wasn't secure when I really was. Um and so the next five shows I had no fly shows.

[50:57] Jayke Workman: Oh my gosh.

[50:57] Jackie Burns: Yeah, it was awful. And finally I had a D moment and came off, and I was like, if you guys don't figure this out, I was like, I'm not coming in tomorrow. Cause I was like, because I can't, because I just did not sing well every time because I was just so scared and like over singing because I was like, I have to make this exciting, you know what I mean? Like I'm you can't of course fly and I'm standing and anyways, and then yeah, they figured it out and I didn't have any more no fly shows things up.

[51:48] Jayke Workman: Wow, that is wild. So how long did you in total do the role of Elphaba full time?

[51:54] Jackie Burns: I did it for a year on tour. I did a year and five months on Broadway the first time, I did it a year on Broadway the second time, and then I went out and did it in LA. Um and San Diego and Salt Lake City with Terra. So and that was like four months. So one thing about four years, a little over four years.

[52:14] Jayke Workman: Wow. And are there parts of it that just do you miss it?

[52:15] Jackie Burns: Are there parts of it that no?

[52:24] Jayke Workman: No.

[52:25] Jackie Burns: She said, no. I feel I feel um I feel like I got everything I needed and wanted to be out of it. I'm so glad I got to do it again on Broadway, because like I said, the first time I did it on Broadway, I didn't feel good about what I did, and I felt like I was holding on for dear life and I wasn't in control, and the second time I got to make the role mine, and I got to have fun, and I um got to experience the true joy of what it is to play Elphaba. So for me, I I ha uh I feel closure and felt feel so great about my time. And sure. Um they had asked me to come back again uh after that, um, and I slightly declined because I I I didn't feel like I had anything else to do with the role.

[53:14] Jayke Workman: Right. Well, and also there must be something about the fact that you are sort of seen as the face of the show because you got to shoot the promotional material. You did a beautiful um like pride campaign, which is so cool, and it's still like outside of the Gershwin. And there are so many, I mean, you know, you you sort of left your physical stamp on it because you are the face of the show. So that must feel like a nice sense of like, okay, I did it. I I made my mark.

[53:41] Jackie Burns: Yeah, well, when I went back the second time, that was the whole reason is they called me and they were like, uh, they want you to be, they're gonna shoot a bunch of commercials and be they want you to be like the they want you to be the face of Wicked. Um, which I was still honored. I was like iconic. So um, yeah, and that's that's why I went back the second time was to do all that.

[54:05] Jayke Workman: And I have one more question about Wicked, which is so silly and stupid, but do you leave the green on between shows?

[54:11] Jackie Burns: No, you can't because um you start the show young and end old.

[54:16] Jayke Workman: Oh, that's right.

[54:17] Jackie Burns: They they shift your face makeup. Yeah, so you can't then go from old to young. They can't like fix that makeup, so you can from scratch. So you get in that shower in the dressing room and scrub a dub dub between after every show.

[54:32] Jayke Workman: Yep.

[54:33] Jackie Burns: Wow. Fierce. It's a lot. It's a lot on your skin. I'm sure.

[54:37] Jayke Workman: Wow. Well, Jackie, before I let you go, I have a series of rapid fire musical theater questions that I ask every guest. Are you ready?

[54:48] Jackie Burns: I don't know.

[54:50] Jayke Workman: Okay, let's do it. Sondheim or Andrew Lloyd Webber.

[54:56] Jackie Burns: Oh god. Um Andrew Lloyd Webber.

[55:00] Jayke Workman: Oh, work Diva!

[55:03] Jackie Burns: I love a V.

[55:04] Jayke Workman: Oh, yes, of course. Who doesn't? Sweatpants or jeans?

[55:08] Jackie Burns: Oh sweatpants, yeah.

[55:10] Jayke Workman: Do you have a favorite musical?

[55:13] Jackie Burns: Uh uh Evita.

[55:15] Jayke Workman: Oh my god, incredible. Do you have a least favorite musical?

[55:20] Jackie Burns: Yes.

[55:22] Jayke Workman: Say it on the podcast.

[55:23] Jackie Burns: Say it on the pod.

[55:25] Jackie Burns: Hands on a hard body.

[55:31] Jayke Workman: Jackie, I am sure that you are not alone in that appearance.

[55:34] Jackie Burns: I'm sorry. I feel bad. Um, would you ever like to do a Broadway play?

[55:39] Jackie Burns: Yes.

[55:41] Jayke Workman: That's a resounding yes. You heard it here first, everyone. Hiya Jackie Burns. Are you a morning person or a night owl?

[55:50] Jackie Burns: Uh I'm aw, I'm neither. I wanna sleep. I know it's I'm like, it just depends. If I'm not in a show, I like to be a morning person. If I'm in a show, I can't help but be up later because I can't fall back. I can't fall asleep after the adrenaline, but I don't like being up late.

[56:09] Jayke Workman: Totally, totally. Um what is the craziest thing a director has ever asked you to do?

[56:23] Jackie Burns: Diane Paulus and Hair uh made basically everybody in the cast have sex with me. Like, you know, quote unquote. Like she I always you go have a threesome with Paris and Megan over here, and I had to pretend to eat Megan rankings and Paris Revillard was like, it was it was hilarious and fun, but yeah, it was always like my dad came and saw the show, and he was like, You're like the town bike, everyone gets a ride. Like, and then Jackie, you go have sex with this person, and Jackie, then you go jump on this person. I was like, okay. Hazard pay.

[56:59] Jayke Workman: Yeah.

[56:59] Jackie Burns: I'm gonna need a hazard pay.

[57:01] Jayke Workman: Yeah. Uh golden age or contemporary.

[57:05] Jackie Burns: Oh, that's so hard. Um you are a contemporary girly.

[57:10] Jackie Burns: I am a contemporary girly, but I love seeing Golden Age. I didn't even ask you about If/Then, which is like the most iconic contemporary show.

[57:19] Jayke Workman: I know, right?

[57:20] Jackie Burns: So I just feel like I would love to do more uh golden age, but with my look, I'm very contemporary looking. So just hard. So I think my heart is like wants you always want what you can't have.

[57:32] Jayke Workman: Yes, totally. Do you have a favorite role that you've ever played?

[57:36] Jackie Burns: Yeah, Elizabeth, and If/Then.

[57:39] Jayke Workman: Okay, we have to talk just super briefly about it because you did it on the tour, you replaced Idina. What is that like to step into someone's shoes that are that iconic?

[57:53] Jackie Burns: Yeah. Uh, it's a lot because um, it's a lot because uh she's Idina Menzel, and people are very uh fanatical about her. Um as initially, she's Idina, and um so it's really hard being not the girl who's not Idina, and uh it but I have to say it was really good for me for uh for me to have to be able to believe enough in myself. I'm very much like tell me I'm okay, tell me I'm okay because I'm not sure if I'm okay, you know what I mean? And I didn't get to have that. I had to prove that I was enough, you know, with being somebody without a name that I was enough to carry the show um and believe in myself enough as a skilled actor and singer, and so it was a very growing great experience for me. And I also just the role as an actor is so nuanced, and you get to go through every emotion um as a human. Um so it for me was the most gratifying as an actor.

[59:00] Jayke Workman: Wow. Well, you're a name enough to me, Queen Jackie Burns. Um, coffee or tea?

[59:09] Jackie Burns: I can only have decaf coffee, but I love decaf coffee.

[59:14] Jayke Workman: How about the hardest show that you've ever done?

[59:18] Jackie Burns: I think actually the hardest show I've ever done now might be Titanic work, diva song. Yeah, she's a beast. She's go go go, honey. She's yeah, it's it's the audience thing. It's it's having never knowing if you're gonna have a good scene partner or not. Never knowing.

[59:37] Jayke Workman: Uh do you have a favorite costume you've ever worn?

[59:45] Jackie Burns: Um range. Phew, what uh I mean, let's be honest. The wicked witch dress in act two is so stun. Stunisha. You can't even really tell how incredible it is when you're like in the balcony. Oh my god. It is so flipping stunning. You just feel like so stately and gorgeous and it's so beautiful. And I felt so beautiful as Elphaba.

[1:00:11] Jayke Workman: I love that. How about who is the silliest cast member in Titanic?

[1:00:19] Jackie Burns: Oh gosh. It's a bandagoons in there. So they're all silly. Choose wisely.

[1:00:25] Jackie Burns: Uh they're all so silly, but for me personally, because again, like how I said I went in by myself. I have the biggest bond with Luke. Um, and he's my buddy and Luke never. Yeah, I feel the silliest with him because I feel the most comfortable with him because he taught me the show.

[1:00:43] Jayke Workman: Yeah.

[1:00:44] Jackie Burns: Um so he's just he just makes me giggle more than anybody just because I'm the most comfortable with him. And he's also brilliant.

[1:00:52] Jayke Workman: He's brilliant and uh British and that's enough for me.

[1:00:56] Jackie Burns: Yeah.

[1:00:58] Jayke Workman: Um have you ever missed an entrance?

[1:01:02] Jackie Burns: The other day I almost did miss one entrance in Titanic. Yeah. And it was awful. And I never miss entrances. Because you know what? That th this is another reason why Titanic is so hard is that Titanic, you come on and off the stage so much. I'm used to being in a show where I'm just on stage and that's it. And it's like we'll just start going, you just go go go go. There's enough time in Titanic for me to come off stage and like start kikiing with somebody and then being like, oh shit, I have an emphasis.

[1:01:29] Jayke Workman: Yeah.

[1:01:30] Jackie Burns: So there's I I almost miss my hashtag me to girlfriend. Awful. But I don't believe it, but it was I sprinted. Close.

[1:01:41] Jayke Workman: Um, do you have any pre-show rituals?

[1:01:43] Jackie Burns: Yeah, I meditate for every show.

[1:01:46] Jayke Workman: Love that.

[1:01:48] Jackie Burns: We gotta meditate where I'm a mess. And my last question for you, Queen Jackie Burns is what is one thing that you would tell young Jackie.

[1:02:00] Jackie Burns: Learn how to read music.

[1:02:05] Jayke Workman: You heard it loud and clear, Jackie. Learn.

[1:02:11] Jackie Burns: Yeah.

[1:02:14] Jayke Workman: Oh my god. Well, Jackie, I am just such a fan of yours. Thank you so so much for being on the podcast. Would you tell the listeners where they can find you on the interweb so they can keep up with your stardom?

[1:02:28] Jackie Burns: Oh, yes. Um, follow me at on Instagram at Jackie Burns NYC.

[1:02:34] Jayke Workman: Hell yes.

[1:02:36] Jackie Burns: And I have the honor and privilege of seeing you tonight.

[1:02:42] Jayke Workman: I will see you there.

[1:02:43] Jackie Burns: So exciting.

[1:02:46] Jayke Workman: Thank you so so much, Jackie.

[1:02:48] Jackie Burns: I so appreciate it.

[1:02:50] Jayke Workman: Bye!

[1:02:52] Jayke Workman: You guys, that's it for another episode of Oh My Pod. You guys don't forget to rate review and subscribe anywhere you listen to the pod, and you can follow the show on Instagram for all of your guest updates. At O My Pod, you guys. Thanks so much for listening. Talk soon. Bye.