Judy Kaye

You have to be good to sing that badly

Comments (0) By Robrt L. Pela Thursday, Feb 15 2007

Who says Phoenix doesn't turn out winners? Not former Phoenician Judy Kaye, on whose mantel rests a Tony Award for her portrayal of Carlotta in The Phantom of the Opera. Along the way, she's appeared in the original Broadway Grease (as a replacement Rizzo) and in numerous film and stage roles. This week, she brings us her portrayal — straight from the Great White Way — of dismal songstress Florence Foster Jenkins in Arizona Theatre Company's Souvenir. But not before ruminating on nudity and bad auditions.

Judy Kaye

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I knew I wanted to be in show business when I saw my first musical, a road show of My Fair Lady that played Phoenix. I then went to New York and saw my first Broadway show — the original production of Damn Yankees with Gwen Verdon!

The worst thing about being an actor is not being in control of your life — something all actors strive for.

The happiest day in my life was the night I won the Tony Award. Let's just say it was amazing!

My worst audition ever was for the road company of Company. I thought I really stunk it up. Years later, Hal Prince asked me if I remembered my first audition for him. I said, "Yes, it was awful!" He replied, "I didn't think so."

The fictional character I am most like is Kinsey Millhone, the character I read for the Sue Grafton "Alphabet" series. I feel like I understand her pretty well.

I am utterly terrified of tornadoes.

I laugh uncontrollably at Woody Allen's Sleeper.

The one thing I absolutely refuse to do on stage is take my clothes off. Nobody wants to see that.

Something I have never admitted to anyone before is something I'm certainly not going to tell you.

Currently I am reading a wonderful memoir written by a dear friend: Sixtyfive Roses: A Sister's Memoir by Heather Summerhayes Cariou.

The first time I got drunk I got really sick!

Like my mother used to say, "Eat your vegetables!"