Hayley Podschun's Page

Fresh from her run in the recent Roundabout revival of Pal Joey, actress Hayley Podschun prepares for a summer on the West Coast. The spirited actress will have a featured role in the highly anticipated revival of Jason Robert Brown’s Parade. Before heading out to sunny California, Hayley was kind enough to share some of her theatre story with us.

Name:
Hayley Podschun

Profession:
Actor

Current Location:
New York, NY

Hometown:
Overland Park, KS

Current gig or upcoming gigs:
I just finished Pal Joey on Broadway and will be in the Center Theatre Groups production of Parade out in L.A., playing the role of Iola Stover.

You have understudied several roles in your career, what was your most memorable understudy experience?
Definitely Sunday in the Park with George. It was the first show I didn't have to dance to get the job. Just a singing and acting audition. I got to cover three roles but also served as the dance captain, which meant that I learned ALL of the roles. It was a lot of work but so much fun.

Tell us how your involvement with the stage version of Hairspray helped you prepare for your role in the film?
I think doing Hairspray on tour for a year before filming was great for continuing on to the movie because it took a lot of the pressure off. I didn't have to learn lyrics while I was learning the dances. I knew that once I learned the dances and got them into my body I could enjoy myself and not have to think about what words came next.

Several of today’s musicals are based on films, including your current project, The First Wives Club. Why do you think Broadway has seen such a movie-to-musical trend in recent years?
I think a lot of movies are being turned into musicals because it's an easy way to make a "for-sure-hit”. The audience already comes to the theatre already knowing what they're going to see and that they will be pleased with it. With new shows, it's sometimes harder to sell tickets and people don't want to spend tons of money for something they know nothing about. It's kind of sad that new works aren't lasting as long as some of the "movie-to-musicals" BUT the fact that people are still working on them is great. Hopefully someday we can get the public back to seeing new works on Broadway. :-)

What are some of the differences between preparing a stage role for film and preparing a film role for stage?
For the stage you get ample time to prepare and to make it better over a long period of time. For film, you've got to get it right the first time and be ready at a moment’s notice. I think the big difference is the hours. For film, you'll sit for hours then work for maybe an hour which means you need a LOT of things to keep you occupied. For stage, sometimes you work for ten hours with a few half hour breaks. Stamina!!

If you could revive any role on Broadway, what would it be and why?
Ooh! Good question. Maybe Sally Brown from You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown? My parents and I saw it in '99 and I absolutely loved it. It was such a cute and clever production, it's a hilarious role and she gets to wear PINK!

What is your never fail pre-show ritual?
Hmm... Warm up, stretch, listen to Britney. Britney Spears, that is.

What is one of your favorite audition songs?
Favorite? Maybe this song called "Joey is A Punk Rocker" from a new musical called The Black Suits and the good ol’ standard "Cry Me A River".

Which Tony winner would you most like to have dinner with? What would be the topic of conversation?
Even though she didn't win, I'd say Martha Plimpton. We did Pal Joey together and all of us girls became good friends, so it'd just be a fun dinner with her. I'd want all my girls to be there, too. We'd have to have brunch though. That's our fave.

Put your iPod or iTunes on shuffle – what is the first song that plays?
"Circus" by Miss Britney Spears!!!!! I'm her #1 fan.

If you had 5 words to describe or sum up your “Theatre Story”, what would they be? .
Quick Chat with Spunky Hayley