After becoming one of the most acclaimed Broadway performers in the last years, Lena Hall takes a further (a longer) step in her career as she stars in the out-of-town production of In Dreams at the Leeds Playhouse. Guillermo Nazara chats with the actress about her involvement in this original musical, to discuss all the details about a show dealing with the true important things in life.
How does it feel to be starring in the world premiere of a new musical created by such an impressive team?
It’s very exciting. And it’s always something that I desire and look for. Being able to work with new people is always high on my list. When I did start looking into it, I felt like I was in very good hands. And I was excited to work with someone who had such a strong visual element and had such a good hold on storytelling as far as staging is concerned, and what you can do with visuals on stage. And of course, David West Read is a brilliant writer. And he’s really good with comedy. They actually really wanted me to bring myself to the role as much as possible. They wanted me to bring my kind of music sensibilities and things like that to the project, because they wanted it to feel like this person really is a rock star. She’s had this journey, which is close to what I’ve been through. It’s interesting, because this is the first time I’ve ever played myself.
How much do you think that you are contributing to the construction of the character?
A lot. What’s such a breath of fresh air and what’s so appreciated from my end is that David and Luke are both open to hearing my opinions. They’re really good at explaining to me and getting me on the same page. So it’s a full collaboration. It’s wonderful. It’s just so awesome to be able to sit at a table with the writer and director and be very open about certain things in the show – and have such a safe space to create and to raise concerns and then to bring ideas. In the first rehearsal, Luke was watching my reactions very closely. He knows that I started in musical theater, but I don’t love musical theater. I certainly like more rock and roll, because you don’t need to be perfect, you need to let it live.
Would you say that this piece is closer to a pure rock opera than a rock-themed musical then?
I hope so. There’s a sound happening right now on Broadway that I personally don’t like. For me personally, it feels like it’s lost. The song in its purest form is already theatrical enough and does not need a power harmony or the musical theater singer effects – with performers feeling as if they have to copy what the other person did. Honestly, rock and roll for me is not about sounding like the original. Rock is very different. Rock is all about attitude, about storytelling and evoking emotion from it. It might have repetitive lyrics, but it does evoke feelings and it does tell a story. And there is a certain confidence and je ne sais quoi within the lead singer, although they’re not trained. They’re not singing everything perfect, but it’s super into their body. So for me, it’s so important to evoke that authenticity because we are telling a story. It is going to be musical theatre no matter what. But to bring for my character and for the show an authenticity to the performance of the songs, makes it feel as if she’s naturally a rock star.
Getting deeper into the plot, you play the role of Kenna. She’s a former singer that decides to reunite with her old friends and family in a restaurant – although none of them know what her true motives and secrets are. Without making any spoilers, what else can you tell us about her journey?
She was in a very popular band called Heartbreak Radio. They broke up, so she isolated herself and started touring on her own. And she’s pretty well off. But she gets some devastating news. And it just happens to be in New Mexico. She’s at a Mexican restaurant that throws ofrendas, which is a Mexican funeral where they celebrate the dead. Instead of being a sad moment, it’s more of a celebration of that person’s life and everything that they loved. So she goes to the restaurant and asks them if she could throw an ofrenda for herself, and invite her friends and call it a going away party. So she invites all her friends, but doesn’t tell them why – she just says she’s going away. She holds on to that secret as hard as she can. For her whole life she’s been closed off, pretending that everything’s okay and not letting people in. She is a tough nut to crack.
What of your own personal traits have you put into the creation of this character?
My dry humor, the ability to make friends with anyone and make them feel comfortable – thinking they know me when they actually don’t because I hide everything behind a wall of protection. I am a tough nut to crack. A lot of people say that they still don’t know me after a year. And also, now that I’m in my 40s, it’s interesting because when you get to a certain age, you start to get faced with your own mortality and things that you thought maybe would never happen to you, but now you’re facing them as they come on. When we’re younger, we think that we’re super powered, like it’ll never happen to us. But then by the time we get to this point in life when it does happen. And it’s sobering because there’s a lot of the regret – I wish I had treated myself better. But hey, I live so… whatever, I’m just gonna keep going! Kenna and I are very similar when it comes to thinking we’re invincible and nothing’s gonna get us. And also including emotions, people, love… She’s super compartmentalized as far as things are concerned – she doesn’t let people in. I let certain people in, but that’s my husband.
Would you say this is a story of self redemption?
Yes, sort of, because it does happen to her. She learns the lessons on the way. She learns how important it is to have the people that love you around you. After all, she has pushed away her family and all these people that knew her. Thinking that you don’t need other people is more self destructive than I think we really realize. So all the redemption things they come. Later, she is discovering them.
If you had to give me one single reason to come see the show, which one would it be?
There are many. I think that, at the end of the show, you’re going to leave, call your mom, dad or the person you’re closest to in your life and say: “I love you”.
All pictures credit to Pamela Reith.
In Dreams plays at the Leeds Playhouse until 5 August. Tickets are available on the following link.
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