Heidi Kettenring
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Wicked Woman: An Interview with Heidi Kettenring
Actress Heidi Kettenring (C95) will play Nessarose, ill-fated sister of the Wicked Witch of the West, in Chicago's resident company of the Tony-winning Broadway musical Wicked. She recently spoke with NAA about the show's appeal, her Northwestern training, and other current offerings on the Broadway stage.
(NAA's Chicago Theatre Night at Wicked on September 9, 2005 is SOLD OUT. However, tickets are available for another of our popular Chicago theater events: "The Pain and the Itch" at Steppenwolf.)
NAA: What is it that drew you to the musical Wicked?
HK: I heard the soundtrack a year or so ago and loved it. The music is
just thrilling. I had also read the book about 10 years or so ago and
really enjoyed it. Needless to say when I heard that Chicago was
going to have its own production I was thrilled! It is a fantastic
show, and I get to do it at home!
NAA: Tell us about your character, Nessarose, and how you're preparing for the role.
HK: Nessarose is the younger sister of Elphaba, the "green" witch. She was born too soon with her legs all tangled up, and therefore has to spend her life in a wheelchair. She has always been dependent on her sister, but she is also embarrassed by her sister. It is a difficult marriage of feelings because as much as she loves and needs her sister, she is ashamed of her.
NAA: Have you read Wicked, the novel by Gregory Maguire, and if so, how did it influence your portrayal of Nessarose?
HK: I read it so long ago and knew that the book is so different from the show. I did not pick it back up before rehearsals. I am going to, however, now that we are up and running. I want to be reminded of the differences.
NAA: What criteria do you use when considering a role in a production?
HK: I can find something interesting in almost any role. Getting to step into the shoes of a new character is always exciting. I just want to do good work. Nessa is exciting because she is a small role in size, but her effect is great. She sort of sneaks up on you. And she is challenging. She keeps me on my toes. Or, on my wheels, I guess. [laughs]
NAA: What kind of stage productions do you like to see, and can you tell us about some of the more recent shows you've seen?
HK: I am actually pretty easy to please. I just was in New York for rehearsals and saw several very different shows. From John Patrick Shanley's Doubt to the Elvis musical All Shook Up, both of which I loved. If the material is good, and the performers are respecting their show and their audience by doing the best work they can, I will more than likely leave the theatre satisfied. Truly, I love to see musicals, I love to see tear-jerker drama. I just love to see good theatre. However, recently I think my favorite thing I saw was The Pillowman.
NAA: Can you speak to the value of your Northwestern experience, both as a student and now, as a professional?
HK: Northwestern was a remarkable experience. As a student, I was in a world of liberal arts and theatre all at the same time. Going from a class in the English department focusing on Nabokov to my acting class at the Theatre Building, my days were always so diverse and full. I think that all helped me in my acting class because I felt a part of the world around me and could bring that to class. And now I can look back on that time and know that I was working with such talented professors and students. I think I knew it while I was there as well, but the knowledge of that grows more acute as I get older.
NAA: We read that you originally wanted to major in Radio/TV/Film. How did you decide to focus on Musical Theatre?
HK: As soon as I got to school I knew that I had made the wrong decision in my major. I think I didn't start in theatre because I was afraid to. But it only took three months before I switched.
NAA: What's it like working on a show that originated outside of Chicago, as opposed to one that developed here?
HK: It is interesting. I guess most shows I have done originated elsewhere. I haven't been a part of too many original works. But in this case it is fun to be a part of something that still exists on Broadway. They are constantly evolving, and we will get to benefit from that. Being able to work with all of the amazing people who originally worked on this, wrote it, conducted it, directed it – it is truly thrilling. I feel very blessed.
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