OnlineHost:
Joining us tonight is Sheena Easton, who currently stars as
'Betty Rizzo' in the long running hit Broadway musical "Grease!"
Chart-topping, Scottish-born, two-time Grammy Award winner Sheena
Easton is best known for her work on the concert stage where she
packs them in from Las Vegas to Tokyo. As an actress, she has
guest starred on numerous television shows spanning the last
decade, beginning with "Miami Vice" and, most recently,
in the Showtime series "Outer Limits."
Her voiceover work is featured on several cartoon series, including the Disney hit "Gargoyles" and the animated feature "All Dogs Go to Heaven, II." On Broadway, she starred (as Aldonza/Dulcinea) in "Man of La Mancha" opposite the late Raul Julia.
Also, tonight, besides answering your questions, Sheena will draw the name of the lucky Playbill On-Line member who entered our Playbill On-Line "Grease!" drawing. The lucky winner will get a walk on role plus two tickets to the finger-snapping, toe-tapping, hippest musical on Broadway. Stay tune for that. The winner might very well be you!
I'm Katia Lundy, you emcee for this evening and now, without further ado, heeeeere's Sheena Easton!
Hi Sheena, welcome, welcome to cyberspace.
SheenaE99: Thanks it's nice to be here. Can I breath normally? Does it have oxygen?
Playbill On-Line: Yeah, it sure does, take deep breaths. Our members have lined up to speak to you. Ready to take some audience questions?
SheenaE99: Sure. Let's do it.
Question (GARYDWELLS): You once sang a couple of numbers from the musical "Brigadoon" at a banquet for Sean Connery. Do you wish to do this musical for your third Broadway appearance in the future?
SheenaE99: I was invited by Sean to sing personally for him since we are both in the industry and since we are both Scottish. I decided to sing a couple of Scottish songs -- traditional folks song that I knew would make him happy and songs from Brigadoon happen to fit nicely in the program. These songs were in no way done because of some B'way aspiration but because of our heritage that these songs were chosen.
Question (Sabeha): Sheena, When is your new album due? I heard you a doing a remake of Modern Girl for Japan.
SheenaE99: I'm definately making an album for Japan that we will be releasing in Japan next year. None of the tracks have been decided yet and I don't make my decisions on which tracks to include until we get closer to our deadline.
Question (Sabeha): Sheena , After New Year's Eve , when next are you coming to Atlantic City for concerts? Any plans to play at Foxwoods in Connecticut?
SheenaE99: I'm not sure. I know I will be back again next year. Maybe in the spring. To be honest I'm not sure. As my true fans know, I perform in Vegas, Atlantic City, Tahoe, and Reno frequently throughout the year.
Question (BALEX6318): You've got a gorgeous voice!!! Have you done anything else since 'No Strings Attached'?
SheenaE99: I guess you must mean the album that I recorded "No Strings" and Yes a lot of stuff!
Question: Sheena, what direction are you going with the new album? Pop like the wonderful My Cherie? Or dance like in What comes naturally?
SheenaE99: I've always described my category of music as Pop. There will be ballads, uptempo, more 90's top bands on the new album.
Question (Gavroche3): Hi Sheena! I am a young actor who wants very much to be succesful in getting to shows, what have you learned that helps you at an audition?
SheenaE99: Auditions are the hardest part of this industry. Sometimes they are the cruelest part. Often someone's talent can be hindered because of nervousness. What directors want to see is the true essence of that person. And the best thing you can bring to the auditon is your confidence and what makes you unique. Don't ever try to give them what they want, give them YOUR interpretation of the role.
Question (JRainey69): which media do u prefer performing in?
SheenaE99: I really enjoy all of them. My favorite is TV.
Question (Irodier): hello sheena. How long have you been working on the show
SheenaE99: I've been on the show 4 months now. And I'm enjoying every minute
Question (DJBABALOO): Sheena! I remember you when you were on "Tizwas" in the UK back in '78 or '79.. got your hair gooey .. do you remember?
SheenaE99: The honest truth, I don't remember. That's just one of hundreds over 16 years. It's hard to remember every appearance on every show.
Question (JOC Navy): Sheena, would love to see you in Miami in "Grease". Any road show planned?
SheenaE99: I have done "Grease" in several cities. So far there's no plans for me to perform in Miami but that does not mean that the show is not scheduled to be there any time soon.
Question (Sabeha): Sheena, will you consider doing an album of remakes?
SheenaE99: Yes I'd consider it.
Question (JOC Navy): Sheena, how does America differ from Scotland as far as working conditions. Other actors say we work longer hours here. True?
SheenaE99: No...I think actors in any country work long hours. The public tend to see the tip of the iceburg. It all starts with your preparation and rehearsing of the role and the official rehearsal process. The other thing that most of the public are not aware of is the fact that rehearsal continue during the lenght of the show's run. So we are not working just for those 2 or 3 hours on stage on any given night. I would believe that since the craft of acting is the same no matter which language you speak or which country you are from that the process must be the same also.
Question (DuffyNC): Hi Sheena, I was wondering if you are going to do more theater? I think you would be a great Fantine In Les Mis. You are a fantastic talent and we don't get to see you live very often.
SheenaE99: Thank you very much, that's a very wonderful thing to say. I appreciate the compliment. Quite a few people have mentioned that particular role. I guess it may be a possibility in the future. I will continue to perform in live theatre as it is a great pleasure to perform in front of a large audience.
Question (Gleda1): When did you start singing?
SheenaE99: I've sung for as long as I could speak, literally.
Question (C peace 1): Sheena what are you doing musically, ie. concerts?
SheenaE99: I can't do concerts the same time as I'm performing on Broadway. My next concert will be in Atlantic City during New Year's.
Question (HS543): How long are you going to be performing in Grease? Are you enjoying it?
SheenaE99: I leave NY on November 24th. I have a commitment to go to Japan on December 1. And yes, I'm enjoying it.
Question (WRD123): Between being on Broadway and singing in concert, which do you prefer and why? Also, will you be touring in the next year in the USA?
SheenaE99: Between performing on Broadway and concerts there's no comparison. They are two different arenas that require different skills. When you are performing as a headliner at your own concert arena, you are in complete control of the situation -- choice of material, choreography, arrangements etc. -- and your biggest assest is to exploit every aspect of your own personality. That is what the audience has come to see. When you are in any theatrical production, playing a role, the skills you require are different. You have to be very much a team player and have the ability to absorb someone else's direction, choreography, choice of material, etc. And as an actor, you have to focus on the elements of the role you are playing and bring out those characteristics and subvert most of your own if they don't happen to match up. They are both very different mediums and I enjoy them both for the different challenges that they present.
Question: What is the part of the show you like best?
SheenaE99: All!
Question (Ghuliani): Sheena, are we going to get your album here in the US? Please say yes!
SheenaE99: I haven't made a decision on that yet. I may release it under my own independent label or maybe not.
Question (BENSDADOO): Sheena can you comment on your Miami Vice Days. I thought you were excellent. How do you think the show stands up?
SheenaE99: Miami Vice was my introduction to my TV career and it helped me gain some of my initial acting credibility. Thank goodness it was favorably received by both the critics and audience and it has lead to many of the acting roles that I've done since.
Question (USCGAMCOX): Sheena, how did you become interested in doing stage and how long is the show going to run?
SheenaE99: I got my recording contract when I was studying at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama. So, from my teenage years I was studying both music and theatre and most of my fans know that I readily admit to being 37 and it's been 20 years now that I've been pursuing acting.
Question (Sabeha): Would you consider doing a Bond movie if approached? I think you and Pierce Brosnan would look great together on screen!
SheenaE99: I would consider a Bond movie if the role was right. If the script was suitable. It would be a great honor to appear in a series of films that have become classics in our modern film culture.
Comment (Rudegir34): I saw "Grease!" in NYC 2 weeks ago and loved it!! I played Rizzo in a school production. You were incredible!
SheenaE99: Thank you very much. We've been lucky to have many audience members to have performed "Grease" in High School or College. And it's nice to have a compliment from someone who has performed that role. I appreciate it.
Question (Mers11): I am trying out for "Grease" at school in a couple weeks. I am a freshmen, and the majority of the us usually don't get very good parts. I was wondering if you could give me any advice for playiing/developing this character. Rizzo. Thanks.
SheenaE99: The Key in my opinion, and I stress my opinion, is to remember that Rizzo's so called tough outer shell is only there to protect her vulnerability. If you intend to try out for this part, you may want to keep that in mind. Especially toward the end of the play. The other thing to remember about Rizzo is that she has a sense of humor and is extremely loyal to her friends. But the most important thing of all is to read the script and find out which moments in her dialogue trigger the most experience in yourself and explore. As I've said before, it's important to play your version of Rizzo and not one that you've seen.
Question (Talamasca): The beginning does not mention your appearance on Highlander. How did you like playing an immortal?
SheenaE99: I really enjoyed my appearance on "The Highlander" and a great many people tell me they enjoy that show. I think it's somewhat of a cult favorite. One of the interesting things about playing that part was that I had to draw upon the sword fighting skills that I had learned in College. It has been more the 20 years that I had picked up a sword. But I was still surprised at how much I remembered. But of course a good stunt double didn't hurt either.
Question (KimbieOH): Are there any new acting endeavors that you can tell us about?
SheenaE99: None that I am firm about at the moment.
Question: Hi Sheena, I've been a fan for a while, but have lost touch with what you've been up to for the last few years. How would you say your music has changed since the late 80s?
SheenaE99: Not Much
Question (JIM9665): Have you ever thought of acting on the big screen?
SheenaE99: Yeah, it's possible but I think I'd like to wait until my 2 children are a little older. Unfortunately, 90% of the films require long stays on the set and it's not a good environment for a toddler.
Question (WRD123): Do you still have a contract with MCA or are you looking for a new home?
SheenaE99: Yes. My contract for MCA is with MCA Japan.
OnlineHost: I think our time here is just about up. And now, the moment has come to pick the lucky member who will get a walk on in "Grease!" plus two complimentary tixs to the show.
OnlineHost: Uffa, this barrel is heavy. Okay, one, two, three...and it's spinning. Round and round it goes, where it stop nobody knows. Okay, Sheena, watch your fingers, dig your hand in there and pull out the name of uur lucky member.
SheenaE99: Okay...and the winner is Shirley Neill from New Jersey. Congratulations!
OnlineHost: Congratulations, Shirley! you are the winner of our "Grease!" drawing. We will be calling you! Thank you Sheena! I had a blast hope you did too
SheenaE99: Yes. Thank you to everyone who came online to talk with me this evening. It's a great honor that you gave up your busy schedules to talk to me. I appreciate it. God bless.
Copyright 1996 Playbill, Inc.