Leslie Stevens is a 2008/2009 Ovation Nominee in the Acting Ensemble Category for her work in DIVORCE! THE MUSICAL produced by Rick Culbertson, in association with Lynn Marks and Paradox Entertainment.
As an Ovation Award Nominee, LA Stage asked Leslie the following questions:
What was the moment that first inspired you to pursue working in the theatre?
I WAS IN KINDERGARDEN IN A K-12 SCHOOL AND THEY HAD A ALL-SCHOOL TALENT SHOW. I SOMEHOW WAS INCLUDED AS “THE LITTLE DUTCH GIRL” IN A MUSICAL NUMBER “ITS A SMALL WORKD AFTER ALL”. I WAS 5 YEARS OLD. I LIKED THE DRESS AND THE BASKET OF FAKE TULIPS - BUT WHAT REALLY MADE AN IMPRESSION WAS DOING MY LITTLE SOLO DANCE WHILE LOOKING INTO THE LIGHT (SPOTLIGHT). I REMEMBER VIVDLY FEELING IT THRU MY BODY: THE MUSIC, DANCING AND THE LIGHT. I THOUGHT “OH WOW, I LIKE THIS; MUST DO THIS AGAIN”.
What do you feel made the production you were nominated for particularly successful, either overall or for you specifically?
IT WAS AN EXTRAORDINARY GROUP EFFORT. ERIN KAMBLER POURED HER LIFE EXPERIENCE AND MUSICAL EXPERTISE INTO THE BOOK & SCORE. DAVID O IS AN EXCELLENT MUSICAL DIRECTOR. RICK CULBERTSON & LYNN MARKS WERE TIRELESS PRODUCERS/SUPPORTERS. THE CAST WAS BRAVE AND OPEN AND UP FOR A DIFFICULT PIECE FOR THE SHEER JOY OF DOING. RICK SPARKS IS A WONDERFUL DIRECTOR - A SENSITIVE ARTIST SOAKED IN THEATRICAL SAAVY. OH YES, WE HAD ROCKIN’ MUSICIANS, DESIGNERS, AND STAGE MGMT PEEPS. WE DID ALL THIS COMMITTMENT WITH VERY LITTLE $$… WE WERE CRAZY TO COMMIT TO IT. AND WE DID.
What project or projects are you currently working on?
DOING A READING OF “NIGHTMARE ALLEY” AT THE GEFFEN. ITS A NEW MUSICAL THAT IS REALLY COOL, A LITTLE CREEPY, MUSICALLY FASCINATING. LLUCKY ENOUGH TO SHOOT TWO TV THINGS TO AIR IN DECEMBER - “DOLLHOUSE” ON FOX & “CRIMINAL MINDS” ON CBS. I’M FINDING A NEW NICHE PLAYING CRAZY SOUTHERN WOMEN - or in the case of “Criminal Minds” JUST CRAZY.
What do you love most about theatre in Los Angeles?
THAT ITS NOT BIG BUSINESS NECESSARILY… IT FEELS LIKE THE NEED OF THE ARTISTS IN TOWN TO CREATE PIECES WORTHY OF THEIR SKILLS AND SENSIBILILTIES IS WINNING OUT OVER PRACTICAL BUSINESS …. AS IT SHOULD. THAT’S WHY ANY ARTS COMMUNITY GETS SET ON FIRE; WHEN THE DRIVE TO CREATE TRIUMPHS OVER THE “MEANS”. GO PEOPLE GO. WATCH HOW NEW YORK WILL DISCRETELY SLINK OVER TO BORROW THE BEST IDEAS. (ooops did I say that?)
What’s your dream project?
I DON’T WANT TO PUT A CEILING ON THE DREAMS. A “DREAM” PROJECT IS ANY OPPORTUNITY WHERE YOU LOVE THE PIECE, ADMIRE YOUR COLLABORATORS AND FEEL LIKE YOU’RE GROWING AND TAPPING INTO SOMETHING VALUABLE.
Biography: On Broadway Leslie originated the role of Anne in La Cage Aux Folles, and appeared in Victor/Victoria with Julie Andrews. Off-Broadway credits include James Lapine’s Twelve Dreams at Lincoln Center, Most Happy Fella with NYC Opera, My Fair Lady w Kelsey Grammar at the NY Philharmonic and Macbeth with The Shakespeare Project as Lady MacDuff. Regionally, she has appeared in Comedy of Errors at Actor’s Theatre of Louisville, as Miranda in The Tempest at North Shore, as Hippolyta in Tis Pity She’s A Whore at L.A.’s Odyssey Theatre. Leslie was featured in award-winning productions of Can Can and Ray Charles LIVE at the Pasadena Playhouse and On Your Toes and Li’l Abner with Reprise. Ms. Stevens has played Charity in Sweet Charity for Austin Musical Theatre and Downtown Cabaret Theatre in CT., both under the direction of Scott Thompson. She was acknowledged with two regional Best Actress Awards for that role, as well as a Connecticut Critic’s Circle nomination. She is a proud alumna of Hubbard Street Dance Co. & the Shakespeare LAB at New York’s Public Theatre. She’s danced frequently as a soloist with LA Opera and began a new chapter as librettist for LA Opera’s excellent Education and Community Programs Dept. This year Leslie was on-screen in “True Blood”, “Dollhouse”, “Criminal Minds” and the multi-award winning short film, “Charlie Thistle”. Reels are online at www.nowcasting.com/lesliestevens.
For a full list of Ovation nominees, or for information about the Ovation Awards Ceremony on January 11th, click here!
