OREM — Imagine if you will, from the inside of a garbage can, wearing a costume made by her mother, a little New Jersey girl singing her heart out in a children’s theatre production of Really Rosie. That little girl may not have known it at the time, but in her not-so-distant future, she would be defying gravity on Broadway as Elpheba and debuting a solo performance at Carnegie Hall. You may not have been in the audience when young Jessica Vosk belted out the music and lyrics of Carole King and Maurice Sendak, but Utah Audiences have the chance to see her perform at Utah Valley University’s Noorda Center for the Performing Arts on Saturday, September 21.
I had the opportunity to chat with Jessica about a range of topics that will give audiences great insight into who this multi talented performer is who will be gracing one of Utah’s loveliest venues.
Jessica spoke fondly of her first experience traveling into New York City to see the Broadway production of The Secret Garden featuring Tony Award nominee Rebecca Luker. She was immediately star struck and would often “listen to my cassette tape of The Secret Garden – take that Gen Z – to sing along voice over and over again.” Later Vosk would have the singularly significant opportunity to sing along side her icon in an experience that would exemplify what she loved about theatre.
I asked how she was notified about playing the part of Elpheba in Wicked and she relayed the following story.
“I was in my dressing room on broadway preparing to play Fruma Sarah in Fiddler on the roof, and I got a text from the casting director for Wicked saying he was outside the stage door with his dog and wanted to know if I wanted to say hi. I love dogs, so I went and met the puppy and he said, ‘act surprised when your managers tell you, but you got the part of Elpheba.’ My immediate reaction, while petting the dog, was, ‘you’re full of s—!” He was not, and I was thrilled.”
Jessica Vosk performs at UVU September 21 at 7:30pm | Photo: Jenny Anderson
Her inflection in the story was so delightful, and when asked about the film adaptation, she was delighted to see what director John Chu can do in the film format that a stage can’t. She shared that she is close friends with Ariana Grande who will be playing Glinda the Good in the upcoming movie musical production of Wicked and that she, like so many theatre-goers, has avoided trailers and spoilers other than conversations with Grande about the characters in the show.
When discussing her solo act, she mentioned that it’s not just a sing-through performance. “It’s as much a comedy as anything. I sing, of course, but the show is filled with stories and anecdotes – often unscripted – because I love the interactive part of the show. It’s not just one of those things that sing songs and check off a list”
When asked what he favorite song to sing is, a comedically affronted Vosk asked how I dare ask such a question. Yet, she obligingly let me in on three that she loves including “She Used to be Mine” from the musical Waitress, “Pink Pony Club” by Chappell Roan and “Nobody’s Side” from the musical Chess. It’s possible some of these personal favorites will make her set list for the show in Orem.
Vosk noted that there are many pros and cons to a solo show as opposed to being part of a major production. Solo shows allow for a liberated operation style. She can improvise her stories to meet the audience where they are. Bigger risks can be taken, and Vosk admits that at times it is nice to have fewer cooks in the kitchen. Yet, she’s also engaged in some exciting new projects.
In addition to her recent work on Amazon’s Hazbin Hotel and her current touring slate, she’s originating a hilarious role in a new musical called The Life of Death with music from Pentatonix’s Scott Hoying. She has dreams of playing Bette Middler’s role of C.C. Bloom from Beaches and thrills to find new projects that engage her.
Vosk has a great appreciation for being able to engage with students when she visits universities. Her advice to those seeking to break into the industry is centered on pursuing what you truly love and being kind. “When teaching classes and workshops I always try to say t’s very hard to always believe in yourself, but somehow you have to always be your biggest cheerleader every day. You’re going to hear ‘no!’ so often and it’s easy to feel defeated. I would be lying if I said ‘so easy to make You need to rreally love it enough to take the ups and downs. Please keep studying. You always need to learn by being in a show, or classes or workshops or working on something in a formal way or not. The minute you think you’ve got it made, the universe likes to remind you that you don’t, and I have to do the same things.”
Vosk shared details of her warm up routine including specialized warmups, steam, singing through a straw, and more. Utah audiences will be delighted to see her warmups pay off as she tells jokes, sings favorites, and takes the beehive state by storm tomorrow, Saturday September 21. Welcome back Jessica Vosk!
