By Charles Gross and Jeff Goodman
Charles: The Pink Ladies leadership jacket has been passed once again, this time to Sheena Easton making her Broadway debut. And you just did the 1000th performance of "Grease!"?
Sheena: Yes I did but it's actually not my Broadway debut. I did "Man of La Mancha" with Raul Julia. I was the Aldonza/Dulcinea to his Quixote. So it's actually my return to Broadway. But, it's true I am the newest of the Pink Ladies. I don't have to wear the jacket that everyone else did though because I got a brand new one. So, that's something thank god for that! Oh!
Jeff: It's nice to have a new jacket isn't it?
S: [in Rizzo accent] Oh! You gotta get new...you gotta get new clothes!
Charles: What is it about this production of "Grease!" that keeps drawing everybody from Rosie O'Donnell to Brooke Shields to Debbie Boone into the production?
Sheena: Well, I think it's because the show is a lot of fun. Before I took the role I came to see the show and I saw how much energy was there. I think what's really great is that the producers are very understanding that if you are not able to commit an entire year of your life, which most people want if you're going to do Broadway...if you can only give up a few months they're happy to take that. And they're happy to accomodate the schedule to work for you. So, if you're an actor and you wanna work live on stage, which is the best experience in the acting business, but sometimes you can't give up, you know, that much of your life so this is great. It means I get to come in here for the fall and work with and audience and go home and raise my kids.
Jeff: What's the difference between this and touring, say...cause when you tour don't you do the same songs every night?
Sheena: You mean doing rock and roll tours?
Jeff: Yes.
Sheena: The difference is when I do my own show I can change it if I want to. I can change what I say to the audience. I can change the order. I can move things around. When you're acting you have to try and submerge your own identity and become as much of the character as possible. Now when we're talking about "Grease!" it's not "Hamlet," it's not heavy duty angst every night. But, you still have to focus, tune in to what you're doing and put your own life aside. And you can't just go out there and say [in Rizzo accent] "You know what guys? Let's do act three first!" You can't do that. So, there's much more of a discipline involved when you're doing theatre. Even musical comedy.
Charles: Everybody seems to want to play Rizzo in this production when Sandy is actually the leading role. What is it about Rizzo?
Sheena: Rizzo's the bad girl! She's nasty! She's sassy! She's feisty! She's earthy! She's funny! Sandy...the girls that have been playing Sandy are wonderful. Actually the girl, or the young woman playing Sandy on the road, Sutton...she's probably going to be a big star in musical comedy. She's fabulous. Lacey, who plays her here on Broadway is wonderful. They're going to go on to do major major other roles. They do wonderful things with the part. But Rizzo's the most fun.
Jeff: We should add that you're wonderful too!
Sheena: [In Rizzo Accent] Oh!
Jeff: Not only is she a looker, she's a singer, she's a dancer --
Sheena: [In Rizzo Accent] Oh! Oh!
Charles: And she knows who to bribe!
Sheena: [In Rizzo Accent] Oh! I got a few dollars here!
Charles: Break a leg in the run. Congratulations and come back to Broadway after you've finished this.
Sheena: I will. Thank you for coming tonight. We appreciate it. Thanks a lot.