CABARET VILLE MAGAZINE. P346
Interview with a New York Diva: Quinn Lemley
It's interesting that once you start getting inside doing the research of an individual, you begin to channel them and are able to make choices as an actor as the character by knowing them intimately. Lana Turner - I just love her glamour and self-assuredness. She is a quintessential movie star, glamour girl! Q: You chose the best: Marlene Dietrich, Rita Hayworth, Earth Kitt and Doris Day. Do you bring them back to life (except of course, for Doris Day and Eartha Kitt) with your nostalgic style or just "play them on stage"? And why not burst Quinn Lemley on stage, instead? Why them, not you? Quinn: Well, this is a theatrical piece and i'm playing a role in this show. As with any actor in stage or film my hope is people will feel my passion for the role and embrace my performance. I have so much respect for actors such as Nicole Kidman. When she was in the movie Moulon Rouge she played a character and sang the songs her way. I always use myself, my own personae. I love their materials, and it's fun to borrow their style, but it's always me. Q: Is it this sophisticated sensuality you cash in, or your originality? What originality are we talking about? Quinn: I think that I am a mixture of sophisticated sensuality because of the music that I am performing and the film noir - Jessica Rabbitesque look that I wear on stage; but I'm also a Midwestern girl that is fun, today and venerable. Q: What so special about your show "Quinn Lemley as Rita Hayworth"? Quinn: It's an exciting ride in the theatre of music, storytelling, costume and dance. You have a huge American Icon, the concept of What Price is Fame? - the duality between the image and the real person; a HOT 11 piece band with incredible orchestrations by Tedd Firth and Bob McDowell, a great story with historical characters like Orson Welles, Aly Khan and Frank Sinatra; gorgeous costumes by Susannah Linday -Norris and a celebration of all of these elements coming together. It is an evening filled with great music, humor, glamour and pathos. Q: What do you like most about cabaret? Quinn: Cabaret - the intimacy and connection with the audience. Q: And what you fear most? Quinn: My purpose and desire is to connect with an audience and have them feel with me, that is my wish for every performance for that magic to happen. Q: Do you really think American Standards fit Traditional Cabaret. The Parisian or the early German Kabaret. As you know, they originated what we call to day "Le Cabaret"? Quinn: I think that "cabaret" in America is a broad term. For us it could be the American Standards; Gershwins, Cole Porter, Irivng Berlin etc... which tend to be more about optimism and love; where many times the Parisian or German Kabaret have more political overtones and have a sharper edge musically, don't get me wrong - it's about love to but the expression is different because the artists and composer's experiences were different socially and politically.
I would LOVE to put together an
evening of Chansons - especially Piaf, Aznavour or Gansevoort....It would
be fun to do German Kabaret - as well, Ute Lemper is marvelous of
channeling that era. When I perform in Athens, I do Never On Sunday -
half in Greek (I try anyway!) and then I swing it in English. It's so much
fun to sing the International Standards, like Besame Mucho, Perfidia,
C'est Si Bon - they are universal and connect us all from country to
country. To me, music is an international language that connects us.
Q: Most pleasant sound to your ears?
Quinn: Music? Big Band, the Standard Singers,
Latin music. Classical Piano. -you know, I love anything beautiful and
great lyrics are paramount for me. Q:
And the most beautiful site to your eyes?
Quinn: That's a big question! Coming home and
seeing Manhattan, Santorini in Greece, The Seine in Paris; my friends and
family....oh and animals!
Q: What does success mean to you?
Quinn: Being able to do
what I love to do and have the freedom and resources to create it. To be
able to share.
Q: The best idea you came up with?
Quinn: Coming to New York.
Q: If you had to write your memoirs, today, what it would be the title
of your book?
Quinn: A Passionate Life!
Q: What is the best advice you got in your life as a human
being....and also as an artist?
Quinn: To go after your dreams, to trust, to
continually learn and grow, to be thankful, to love and to be authentic.
Q: And the best compliment you received?
Quinn: I got an email from a grade school
teacher in the Middle East and she asked for a cd and autographed picture
because she said that the girls take off their chadors and sing & dance to
my music. She said they felt glamorous and passionate about life and
would talk about what they wanted to be -thanks to my music. Max - they
were in first grade! That blew me away.
Q: Is your wardrobe part of your act?
Quinn: Five onstage costume changes with designs
inspired by Jean Louis (Rita's designer at Columbia).
Q: Do you follow fashion or you create your own?
Quinn: I am inspired by classicism but create my
own.
Q: Is there anything so special and so particular you want to get
right now if you can? Besides an international success, of course?
Quinn: Particular? Well, from the stage to film
and television- i would love to do it all. I'm an actress and vocalist and
right now this stage show is a really fabulous platform to incorporate
everything I love. If I had to say something particular it would probably
be a television part that exudes all the glamour I love about the arts.
That would be a really fun experience. When I was on "Oprah" and "Geraldo"
it was great fun.
Q:
What's next on your agenda?
Quinn: BB King's is our launch with the big
show. Then my fabulous manager, Paul Horton at Century Artists has me at
major Performing Arts Centers around the country and Canada and at
Christmas we will play The Half Note for the third time, in Athens,
Greece. I sold out 25 nights there in the past so I'm keeping my fingers
crossed for another sell-out run. I hope we'll do allot more
international work, since I love traveling!!!! So, all you presenters be
sure to look me up.
And that was Diva Quinn Lemley. What a singer! And what a stage presence! Beautifully intoxicating...