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What's New on the Rialto Interview with Lisa Howard
Songs of Innocence and Experience: The Music of William Finn
Nick Orlando spoke with Howard recently about the CD and release party. Nick Orlando: What can you tell us about your debut CD? Lisa Howard: It's a long time coming. The album is called "Songs of Innocence and Experience: The Music of William Finn"—all of the music and lyrics are by William Finn. It is a celebration of his songbook. NO: This is the first-ever solo recording of just William Finn material. Was it your role in Spelling Bee that made you want to pay tribute to Finn? LH: Yes, Spelling Bee is what I am most known for in the Broadway community. I fell in love with his music in college. I thought it was a good jumping off point.
LH: Wow. My favorite is actually a song he doesn't care for—"Holding to the Ground" from Falsettos. I also like "Anytime," "Sailing" and "The I Love You Song" from Spelling Bee. NO: What can fans expect from your CD release concert? LH: It will be a fun evening. I am not performing all of the songs; you still have to buy the album! I have great back-up singers. NO: On the album, you have duets with your Spelling Bee co-star Derrick Baskin and Sebastian Arcelus. Will they join you at Birdland? LH: Derrick will be there. Sebastian booked a gig out-of-town, so I got Tituss Burgess. Jessica Snow Wilson will also join me. NO: You will be playing Siobhan in the upcoming Twilight film Breaking Dawn with Taylor Lautner, Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson. How did this come about? LH: I was a huge fan of the books before I ever got the audition. My manager called and said you got an audition to play a vampire. I put myself on tape in New York, and the following week, I landed the role. We filmed in Baton Rouge. This was so different that doing theatre, but a neat experience. NO: Anything else in the works? LH: We are trying to schedule more concert dates, maybe one in my hometown. I will also be playing Paulette in Legally Blonde this summer.
Nick was born in Brooklyn and raised in Staten Island, NY, where he completed his studies. He received his B.S. in communications and marketing from St. John's University in 2005, where he was also inducted into the Golden Key International Honour Society and Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges. Nick considers traveling, theater, music and working out his favorite leisure activities. Nick currently devotes some of his personal time to volunteering with One Brick and God's Love We Deliver.
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