Spotlight On: Erin Campbell

Connecticut Theatre Company’s “Spotlight On…” series continues with a look into our talented cast and crew of Sondheim on Sondheim. Get to know Erin Campbell!

Introduce Yourself to Our Audience:

What has been your favorite role so far in your career?

I have so many roles that were near and dear to my heart.  I guess that I would say my most favorite would probably be when I was a Diva in “Priscilla Queen of the Desert”.  It was an unforgettable experience and the cast was next to none.

If you had a magic wand, what show would you do next?

My biggest dream role I haven’t had a chance to play yet would be Marmie in “Little Women”, the musical version.   So if I had a magic wand, I would do that show next.

When did you first perform?

I did a bunch of small kids shows when I very first started.   My first main stage production was when I was an orphan in “Oliver”.  My dad was Mr. Bumble.  It was a special experience.  “What’s a kangaroo?”

I think a lot of people will be surprised at how well everything is integrated.  The technical aspects of the show ended up being a little more detailed than we first thought.  The production team was able to take everything in stride and put together a beautiful show.  I can’t wait to share it with audiences.

Who’s the funniest person in the cast in real life?

Alexis makes me laugh the most.  She has a great personality.  I have really enjoyed working with her.

What is your favorite Stephen Sondheim show and why?

“Assassins” is my favorite Sondheim show.  My dad was in the first west coast production of it that was mounted at Theater Works in Peoria, AZ.  My dad doesn’t read music, so he listens to the show in order to learn his parts.  I rode in the car with him a lot and we listened to the OBC cast recording almost every time we were in the car.  I love every single song and every single character.  I can sing the entire score word for word.  I watched that production for every single performance and it is definitely one of my core memories.  I was also able to be in another production of the show at Theater Works with my husband as an adult.  If you have never listened to it, do yourself a favor and check it out.  I know you will love it!

How has Stephen Sondheim inspired you?

Stephen Sondheim has always been a part of my life since I started my theater journey.  He was the favorite composer of my theater mentor, David Wo.  We were always listening and singing along to the soundtracks.  He did some spectacular productions at the theater that I was able to watch and fall in love with.  He always wanted to do a production of his favorite show, “Sunday in the Park with George” but he was afraid he wouldn’t be able to do it justice with the space and limitations that he had as a community theater director.   I respected him for that.  Sondheim can make you laugh, cry, scream and think.  There really is no one else that is like him and I don’t think there will ever be another.  The way he makes words flow and come together is nothing short of genius.  Duane and I were able to attend his 75th birthday celebration at the Hollywood Bowl in California and I will be forever grateful.

Sondheim on Sondheim opens on August 30th and runs through September 15th at Connecticut Theatre Company.  Tickets on sale now!

“Sondheim’s words and music are, for all their intelligence and sophistication, most striking for their emotional fidelity to his characters and the universal struggles and joys informing their disparate journeys. Thus the frustrations driving Sweeney Todd’s demon barber and the gunslingers in Assassins are as eerily accessible as the romantic obsession captured in the songs Losing My Mind and Not a Day Goes By.” – Elysa Gardner, USA Today

“One sometimes wonders what the notoriously exacting Sondheim privately thinks of the many revues and revivals of his work that come along. No worry here; ‘Sondheim on Sondheim’ is engrossingly entertaining and thoroughly captivating. An enchanting, warm and provocative opportunity to hear not only Sondheim’s songs but — literally — the master’s voice.” – Steven Suskin, Variety