In the days prior to the National Tour of Broadway’s Come From Away’s Nashville tour stop at TPAC’s Jackson Hall, I had the chance to pose questions to Australian actress/singer, Marika Aubrey, who plays Beverly Bass for my latest Rapid Fire 10Q. As the show wraps it’s Music City dates with matinee and evening performances Saturday and Sunday, April 23 & 24, here’s that conversation.
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RAPID FIRE 10Q WITH COME FROM AWAY star MARIKA AUBREY
JHPENTERTAINMENT: Captain Beverly Bass, one of the many characters you portray in the show, wasn’t just one of the pilots of planes diverted to Newfoundland on 9/11, she’s also the first female captain to ever fly a commercial plane for American Airlines. How did you research playing her?
MARIKA AUBREY: We are so fortunate to have access to the original interview transcripts, so I found those really insightful. It’s a helpful reminder of how big and raw our feelings were over the days of 911.
JHPENTERTAINMENT: One of my personal favorite aspects of the show is the spotlight it shines on both the things we all have in common and the differences among us. Can you speak a little about that?
MARIKA AUBREY: I think it’s the major theme that resonates for audiences from the show, especially right now in the world, when there is so much division. There really is more that unites us, more commonality of the heart, than what makes us different.
JHPENTERTAINMENT: On the Edge is s such a powerful moment in a show full of surprisingly emotional scenes. What do you do to mentally prepare each night?
MARIKA AUBREY: With any show, but possibly more so in a production that gear-changes so quickly, the challenge and joy is to live exactly in each moment to the next. It’s the simplest, and sometimes hardest thing to do. But therein lies the magic for our audiences, and the power of every show feeling like a fresh unique live experience.
JHPENTERTAINMENT: Let’s talk about the cardiologist scene. How much fun do you have with that one?
MARIKA AUBREY: SO MUCH! It’s a moment of true high play in the show. All those Annette fantasies are a treat. And I get to play with all our sweet boys!
JHPENTERTAINMENT: While the choreography of the show might not be what people typically associate with a Broadway show, every movement seems purposeful. That said, can you give me a little insider info on the rehearsal process involved in mounting a National Tour?
MARIKA AUBREY: Yeah, whilst it may look like there isn’t much traditional choreography in the show, the reality is that nearly every single moment is physically directed. From the pop of pressing the airplane light, to all the chair work. Kelly Devine’s choreography is the foundation, the language, of how we tell this story, with so many characters, so clearly, in 1hr 42 mins. The rehearsal process of learning what is essentially a long form movement piece is rather like a dance. We would learn tiny chunks of 1-2 mins, with each of the 12 of us individually being directed on how to move, then we would thread it together beat by beat. It’s a very specific process, but if we do it well the work is barely noticeable.
JHPENTERTAINMENT: As Captain Beverly, you get your moment in the spotlight with Me and the Sky. Among the song’s lyrics is “No one saying you can’t or you won’t.” Must be so empowering to lead the rest of the female cast in that number.
MARIKA AUBREY: 100%. I am very aware of how this anthem speaks to people, particularly women and young girls. I get messages almost every day from females, often pursuing a path in a male dominated field, and they need to tell me how “seen” the song makes them feel.
JHPENTERTAINMENT: Has being part of this show affected the way you interact with others when you travel?
MARIKA AUBREY: Ha ha. Yes. I hope I am a little more patient and kind. I’m also nerdily observing the pilots and flight personnel for insight!
JHPENTERTAINMENT: If you weren’t playing Captain Beverly, which other featured character would you
like to step into, even if just for one night?
MARIKA AUBREY: Nick. I love dialect work, and I do a sharp Brit! But also, the scenes between Nick and Diane are sweet and perfect and funny, and it must be lovely to share in that journey and partnership each night. Who doesn’t love a bit of romance?
JHPENTERTAINMENT: What’s your personal favorite message conveyed within Come From Away?
MARIKA AUBREY: That being kind and generous, particularly in times of crisis (when being kind and generous may not feel natural) is fulfilling. It’s the connective tissue of us humans, and if we all do a little more to help each other, how much richer we all would be. Also, GIRLS CAN DO ANYTHING.
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Come From Away wraps its time at TPAC’s Jackson Hall with performances thru Sunday, April 24. In case you missed my review of the show, click the above image that contains my quote from my review to check it out. CLICK HERE for tickets.
Not in Nashville? There’s still plenty of chances to see the show as Come From Away continues its North American Tour with dates across the US and Canada through the fall. CLICK HERE for show dates and locations or follow Come From Away on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube & TikTok.
For more about Marika Aubrey, check her out on Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.
As for TPAC, as their Broadway Season and Special Presentations continue, next up is Oklahoma!, May 3-8 followed by the World Premiere presentation of May We All: A New Country Musical, June 7-July 17. Be sure to check out TPAC online and on socials by clicking any of the following: TPAC.org, TPAC on Instagram, TPAC on Facebook, TPAC on Twitter and TPAC on YouTube.
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