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MEET MEMBERS OF THE CAST OF
MEMPHIS
WITH OUR WEEKLY "GETTING TO KNOW YOU"
FIVE QUESTION FEATURE
GETTING TO KNOW...
FIVE QUESTIONS WITH
JULIE CARDIA
This past week, we got to chat with some members of the cast of
MEMPHIS for our weekly feature. This week, we're so happy to welcome in her MTW debut, Julie Cardia, who plays Gladys, the mother of the leading man, Huey Calhoun.
MTW: Hi, Julie and welcome to MTW and Memphis. We're doing our five question "Getting to Know You" feature for some of the cast of Memphis and we're so excited that you're the first interview for this electrifying show! Here's your first question: Can you tell us a little about where you're from originally and where you call home now?
JC: I am originally from the suburbs of Chicago, Glen Ellyn, Illinois, to be exact. I moved here from New York City and I now reside in Glendale, California. This is my first time working at Musical Theatre West and I'm extremely excited to be doing this show!
MTW: What's a favorite role you've played during your career?
JC: One of my favorite roles is Reno Sweeney in
Anything Goes. I played it last summer at Stages St. Louis, in St. Louis Missouri. This was my second time bringing that role and the amazing music of Cole Porter, to life. I was honored to win the BroadwayWorld.com Award for Best Actress for my portrayal.
MTW: Can you tell us a little about who you're playing in Memphis?
JC: The role I will be portraying is Gladys. Gladys is the hard working, God-fearing, lower-class, widowed mother of Huey Calhoun. She and her son were born and raised in Memphis, TN and will likely die there. She has always tried to do the right thing but has been taught to fear what is different from her. Gladys is forced to question the validity and sense of all the hatred and bigotry around her, when her own son falls in love with a black girl.
MTW: Why is it important for theater companies, like MTW, to tell the story of Memphis right now?
JC: The story needs to be told because unfortunately, the problems of bigotry, discrimination and racism still exist in America today. A story like
Memphis helps us to see our history's ugliness and cruelty towards one another. Through endearing characters and an incredible score,
Memphis calls us to overcome such cruelty and change for the better!
MTW: Do you have a dream role that you'd like to play?
JC: I have a bunch of dream roles but I would love to play Mama Rose again...I've done it once before but now that I'm older, I'd love another crack at it!
MTW: At the end of all our five questions we always ask our guests if they've seen any good theatre lately. Got any recommendations?
JC: My boyfriend and I just went to see
The Fantasticks at Pasadena Playhouse. It was beautiful! Such a hopeful story of life, friendship and love. And that THEATRE...I didn't know it was abandoned for about 20 years until they reopened it in the 80's. It's gorgeous and such a landmark to the LA theatre community.
MTW: Thanks for spending time with us, Julie. We're so looking forward to seeing you and the rest of the cast on stage during the run of Memphis, October 21 - November 6.
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