Marisha Wallace is our right hand (wo)man!

Photo credit: www.marishawallace.com

If you've seen Something Rotten! on Broadway, you might've been close to falling out of your seat with laughter, fawning over that rock-star, William Shakespeare (Be honest with yourselves here, folks...we know you were.), or tapping your feet along to the insanely catchy tunes. You would have also noticed Marisha Wallace's vibrant personality and talent shining on stage. And, if you're lucky, you've seen her on as Bea Bottom!

We chatted with Marisha about her experiences on Broadway, being a strong and hardworking female in a male driven world and what she loves most about being in Broadway's Something Rotten!

First off, tell us a little about yourself! Where are you from? Do you come from an artistic family?

• "I grew up in Goldsboro,NC. It's a small town outside of Raleigh. I come from a very musical family, most everyone in my family can either sing or play an instrument. I get my big voice from my Grandma Mary who had a voice like Mahalia Jackson."

We read that you got your training from East Carolina University; could you tell us about your experience there? Was there a specific professor or instructor that helped push you to be your best? 

• "I had an awesome time there. It was kind of a diamond in the rough. The school had a lot of funding for the arts so we had a huge theater where we did full on Broadway musicals. In the summer they even hired Broadway performers  to do the shows with us. I got to do a lead role in "Best Little Whorehouse in Texas" with people who had been in it on Broadway. They ran the theater with equity rules as well. So I got a lot of experience doing shows there. Random fact: Sandra Bullock went there. I was a Teaching Fellow and used my Teaching scholarship to help me double major in musical theater and Theater Education. So I got a teaching degree as well. 
  
  There were many wonderful instructors but Karen Hall changed my life. I had to get vocal surgery the summer before my freshman year of college, and Karen Hall taught me to speak and sing again. She taught me to do what I do best, but healthy. My voice is stronger and better than it ever was because of her teaching. She was a God send. I still use her methods today. I would not be singing and belting eight times a week if it wasn't for her. Now I have chords of steel."
  
  

What has been one role that you have portrayed that you felt the most connection to? 

• "I felt the most connected to Effie. I guess because she comes from nothing to become a star but then obstacles happen and she is knocked down, but she continues to fight and finally reaches success with a little humility and hard work."
  
  
  
  

You were previously in Aladdin on Broadway, which seems like it would be truly magical! What was that experience like for you?

• "It was my first Broadway show and it was everything you would want that experience to be. I was in the Original Cast of a Disney show. I did the Tony Awards. I was a part of the cast recording and got to be apart an iconic piece of movie and theater history. I loved my track. And the funny part was, I was asked to do it. Like I needed to be asked, haha! Also, the people were and are still my family. Some of the best people I have met in the business. I was forever changed because of that show."
  
  
  
  

What was like being on a Broadway stage for the first time? Was there a moment of clarity, like you knew that you were meant to do this? 

• "It was surreal. You dream about things and when they actually happen it's like you are watching yourself from above. Every night when the light goes out right before the curtain call, I look out in the audience take a deep breath and say thank you to God. Because I know it was God that got me here. Only a mixture of hard work and grace and mercy allowed me to leave a small town to be on the biggest stage. Recently, I went on for Bea in Something Rotten! and I took that Broadway bow between Brian d'Arcy James and Christian Borle, and I knew I was right where I was supposed to be."
  
  
  
  

You were also in the touring production of Book of Mormon; what are some pros and cons of working on the road?

• "'Book of Mormon' was the show that changed everything for me. I went on the road and I loved it. It's hard moving around all the time and I missed my husband like crazy because we had just gotten married right before I left. I loved being the first national tour because you get to work with the creative team from the original Broadway cast and that's when I met Casey and I haven't stopped working for him since." 
  
  
  
  

Let's talk about Something Rotten! We at at the Pickwyck are huge fans! What do you love most about this production?

• "I love that this production is just fun, fun, fun! We get to be silly and everyone is a comedian. This show was a challenge because I didn't tap before Aladdin and had only done that one tap number in Aladdin before Rotten. But sweat, swollen feet, some tears and hard work paid off and I got it. So I feel really accomplished after every show."
  
  
  
  

Along with being a member of the incredible ensemble, you also understudy Bea Bottom, and we saw online that you were on as Bea for a few days! Congrats! What are some characteristics that you bring to Bea to make the character your own?

• "I bring a strong sense of self and sass to Bea. She is also nurturing and a go-getter. I am a character actress, so it combines that with leading lady qualities which I love."
  
  
  
  

Can you relate to Bea in any way?

• "I have played a man before so there's that, haha!  I played Babkak in Aladdin. But seriously, I know what it's like trying to make it as a strong woman in a male driven world. But I also love her softer sides too." 
  
  
  
  

What is your favorite scene/song in the show? (One of our favorite parts is where you sing the Dreamgirls-esque verse dressed as an egg. Kudos to you, it is amazing.)

• "I love that part too! It was added three days before we opened. Some of the best things happen at the last minute. I also love 'A Musical'! The crowd cheering and standing at the end is Broadway magic!"
  
  
  
  

If you could switch places with anyone in the cast for one performance, who would it be and why? (Gender doesn't matter!)

• "I would love to play Nostradamus. It seems so fun and I am a comedian. I would love to sink my teeth into that role!"
  
  
  
  

Aside from your career, what are you most passionate about in your own life?

• "I love my family and my husband is my best friend. We love to travel together. We've climbed the Great Wall of China, rode gondolas in Venice and traipsed through Thailand. Last year we rented an RV and went to see Dave Matthews Band in the Gorge in Washington State. It was the magical. We love adventure. I have a cabaret show called Baptized by Broadway that has done two sold out performances at Feinstein's 54 below, we are hoping to take it on the road. I also have a lifestyle vlog that I am currently working on that will be coming out next month!" 
  
  
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And finally, what does theatre mean to you?

• "Theater to me means freedom. Freedom to dream. Freedom to be who I want to be and to take the world by storm. Freedom to change people's minds about who they think I am and exceeding their expectations. It has been a long journey for me in this business but it is paying off and I hope to make a path and be a role model for girls like me."