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Broadway actor Marissa McGowan shares her passion for musical theatre with MTI, from her first role in a middle school production of Annie on Long Island to her role as Mrs. Anderssen in the Broadway revival of A Little Night Music.

There is something special about Marissa McGowan. Looking at her, she seems almost angelic, radiant with a golden light. Audience members encountering McGowan for the first time come away feeling they have witnessed something remarkable – her intimate and thoughtful portrayal of character and her delectable talent for interpreting a song invoke feelings of magic and discovery. Marissa McGowan is the real thing.

Growing up, McGowan loved to sing, but never thought she was particularly good – something that defies explanation, but falls in line with her humble, approachable nature. At age eleven, someone reached out and gave McGowan the push she needed to take her love of music to the next level.

“My music teacher from elementary school encouraged me to audition for Annie. It was a long shot since I was only a sixth-grader and the leads usually went to eighth-graders. I remember everything about that experience so vividly… listening to the soundtrack over and over to memorize the songs for my audition, what it felt like to see my next to the title role on the cast list… being so nervous and excited for our first performance. After performing on opening night, I was hooked. I knew that I had found my niche and that it was something I was good at and that filled me.”

McGowan’s passion for theatre grew as she participated in community theatre in and around her hometown.

“I did many, many shows that filled my nights and weekends during high school (and kept me out of trouble)… I was fortunate to play some amazing roles and develop my first theatre family.”

At sixteen, McGowan played the role of Anne in Sondheim and Wheeler’s A Little Night Music and began a love for Sondheim’s work that would follow her into her professional career. In the fall of 2009, McGowan will play Mrs. Anderssen in the Broadway revival of A Little Night Music, directed by Trevor Nunn. There is no doubt that this highly anticipated production will shine brightly with McGowan among its constellation of stars.

Q&A with Marissa McGowan

MTI: What MTI shows have you been in?

MG: Les Miserables (National Tour and the original company of the Broadway Revival), Sweeney Todd (Johanna, Geva Theater), Into the Woods (Cinderella, Syracuse University), West Side Story (Syracuse Stage)

MTI: Anything you’d still like to play?

MG: One of my favorite MTI shows is The Last Five Years. I am dying to play Kathy in a professional production of it! I also happen to really love A Little Night Music.

MTI: What was it like playing Johanna?

MG: Incredible! What a wonderful role. Glorious singing and you get to be funny and crazy. I loved working on the show and would do it again in a heartbeat.

MTI: What are your favorite lyrics from A Little Night Music?

MG: Some of my favorite lines are from “A Weekend in the Country” – what a way to end an act!

Some of McGowan’s favorite lyrics from “A Weekend in the Country” by Stephen Sondheim:

ANNE:
“Your presence” – just think of it, Petra!
“Is kindly” – it’s at a chateau!
“Requested” – etcet’ra, etcet’ra,
“Madame Leonora Armf--” Oh, no!

A weekend in the country—

PETRA:
We’re invited?

ANNE:
What a horrible plot!

A weekend in the country—

PETRA:
I’m excited!

ANNE:
No, you’re not.

Video clip of Marissa McGowan singing “On My Own” as Eponine in Les Miserables. Visit Marissa's MTI ShowSpace profile for more information.

Great read! Thank you for sharing this with us! Very inspirational.