Corine Cohen: Jen, Congratulations on your Drama Desk Nomination
and Lucille Lortel nomination for your hysterical performance in
Forbidden Broadway SVU.Thank you, Corine. It was very exciting and, more importantly, an honor. I truly owe the Drama Desk Nominating Committee and Lucille Lortel Nominating Committee so much. It is about the art, and I hope to continue working hard in each new project.
In Forbidden Broadway, what was your favorite skit? I loved your Kristin Chenoweth and you’re Bernadette Peters. How do you impersonate them so well? I wondered if it was live, or was it Memorex?
Thank you again! I think Bernadette was my favorite, as she (along with Madeline Kahn) were my idols growing up. I also loved impersonating Kristin. I actually think she named her dog Madeline, come to think of it. Kristin is the greatest. I have never had the pleasure of meeting Bernadette so that would be the icing on the cake. She will forever be THEE Broadway Baby.
Tell me when you realized acting was your calling?
At five years old. I was sitting in the front row balcony at a gorgeous theater built in 1915 watching “Fiddler on the Roof.” Got the bug right there. Just knew.
Fiddler, is a great show! Tell me about Dr Sex? Is it Sexy?
It is! But, also in the sweetest way in the world. It’s been said that it is “the cleanest show about sex in the history of musical comedy.” It is set in 1920’s-1950’s Bloomington, IN and explores the loving relationship between Dr. Alfred Kinsey, his wife Clara (yours truly) and their handsome lab assistant Wally.
I think it is important to note that this show is not a "movie-turned-musical" (which as a fan of "The Producers" I actually have no problem with) but this show is in no way based on the movie "Kinsey." The show was written before that and is wonderful in its chosen style; the writers have mirrored the innocence of the period with the innocence of musical comedy in its purest form.
Thank God for The Kinsey Report. You have to remember that "in the day" sex just wasn’t talked about. We take that freedom for granted today. Whatever the topic, true health comes first from the freedom to dialogue about it.
It sounds very interesting! I look forward to seeing you in it.
Let’s talk about one of my favorite shows, Forbidden Broadway for
a moment. After seeing you do an impersonation of Galinda in Wickeder,
(which, I like to call don't "Defy Jenoweth"), have you ever thought
of auditioning for Wicked? I would love to see you as Galinda! Let's
face it, you are a natural!Well, first: "Don’t Defy Jenoweth" - too funny. And though I’m flattered, I think the role was definitely made for Kristin and Lord she was great! I will say that if I did get to play the role, I would not do it like my “impression” in Forbidden Broadway as that was heightened for the sake of parody. But yes - I’d love to do it, or Elphaba and Nessa for that matter. Both of those roles pull at my heartstrings. There’s something to love about all of them and I certainly love the singing/acting in both the Galinda/Elphaba tracks. I guess I just have to get in front of Stephen Schwartz and Joe Mantello and let them decide. If it’s meant to be it’ll be, and if not, I’ll be a fan for life.
Congratulations on your new marriage, I have met your husband and he is very charming.
Thank you for the congratulations and the compliment on behalf of my husband. We met at “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change” in New York in 1999. We were just friends for a year and a half and finally started dating in 2001. He proposed to me on the Eiffel Tower PRE-Tom Cruise and I can honestly say that marrying him was the best decision of my life.
That is very sweet! I’m very happy for you! What do you want to do next?
My husband and I love to travel so, first chance we get, we are off to explore another country.
Go somewhere romantic. Tell me five things people don't know about you.
- Yellow is my favorite color.
- Young Frankenstein is my favorite movie.
- I love mysteries.
- I love "The Golden Girls" and "Roseanne" reruns.
- I love the rain.
If you could have one wish, what would it be and why?
Immortality, and health forever, and ever for all my loved ones. So I could always see, hear, touch and experience love with them, without ever having to say goodbye. Goodbye in the physical. But, the spiritual? Now that truly is, forever.
Photos: 1. Jennifer Simard; 2. Jennifer Simard (by Joan Marcus)
Interview conducted by Corine Cohen
