5 Questions with MRS. DOUBTFIRE's Analise Scarpaci!
Kevin Ray Johnson
I would like you to meet Analise Scarpaci. Currently a junior in Pace University's Musical Theatre Program, Ms. Scarpaci will be performing the role of Lydia Hillard in Mrs. Doubtfire on Broadway where she has also been seen in Matilda and A Christmas Story. Other credits include The First National Tour of Matilda and Off-Broadway in Lolita, My Love at York Theatre. The 90's kid in me is so excited to see a fresh take of a movie that a lot of people I know grew up on. I am very happy to have the chance to interview this very talented young lady!
1.) How old were you when you knew you wanted to be a performer?
I guess you could say I knew from a very young age. I’ve been singing and dancing for as long as I can remember. I have my parents to thank for that since they would play videos of Shirley Temple for me starting before I was 1, and by the time I was walking and talking I knew every word and every step of her songs. Even though I sang all day I always considered myself to be a ballerina first. I started taking acting classes when I was in kindergarten, but being a ballerina was the main goal. That was until I saw the original cast of Billy Elliot. I was 10 years old and I couldn’t stop staring at the ballet girls. I don’t even think my mouth closed for the entire performance, I was so shocked. I remember saying to myself “Oh my gosh! They’re doing ballet and singing at the same time! This is the best thing ever!” I turned to my mom and said “I want to do that” and we found a manager that most of the girls had listed in their playbill bios... and the rest is history!
2.) Where did you study? Are there any mentors that truly helped make you the performer you are today?
My ballet training began at the age of three at the Staten Island Ballet. Then once I started acting professionally my training moved to the city studying with DanceMolinari and my voice teacher Badiene Magaziner. I recently completed my 2nd year at Pace University in the BFA Musical Theatre Program! I have learned so much from everyone I have ever trained with or worked with. More specifically my vocal coaches have gotten me to break through my barriers, my acting coaches have gotten me to overcome my fears and my dancing teachers have gotten me to exceed my expectations.
3.) Congratulations on Mrs. Doubtfire! Truly one of my favorite movies growing up! What are you most excited about when it comes to performing in this fresh new musical?
I cannot even express how excited and honored I am to be a part of this show! My dad was the first person to watch the movie with me so it already had such a special place in my heart. Specifically for Lydia, her world in this show revolves around the relationship with both of her parents, but especially with her dad. I’m really excited for audiences to see this story about the two most important things in life: family and love.
4.) Are there any other shows that you have done in your career that will always be near and dear to your heart?
Every show that I have done is so special to me, but A Christmas Story will always hold a special place in my heart. Those three months in the Fall/Winter of 2012 were three of the best months of my life. I had the opportunity to work with some of the most incredible actors in this industry at such a young age. I made friends that would become family, and some of us were in other shows together afterward. One of them came to my senior prom! It truly was the most magical experience that never even seemed real. It was exactly what you would expect your Broadway debut to be like: full of pure joy, magic, and love. And to be able to perform on the Tony Awards with this show and in the opening number was the icing on the cake. It was everything I had ever hoped and dreamed and I am so grateful to have been a small part of A Christmas Story.
5.) What advice would you give performers who want a career in this business?
This business is one of the craziest and hardest that there is. It is so easy to get wrapped up in the negative energy brought upon by others and that you may bring onto yourself. Please. Stay away from it. Always stay positive and always believe that something’s coming. You will hear thousands of “no’s” before you hear a “yes,” and your job is to take those “no’s” and learn from them. As long as you work hard, stay positive, kind and ALWAYS stay your authentic self, you are going to be just fine.
Previews for Mrs. Doubtfire begin on March 9th at The Stephen Sondheim Theatre. To learn more about the musical make sure you visit their official website at - www.mrsdoubtfirebroadway.com; and to learn more about Analise you can follow her on Instagram @analise.scarpaci or you can visit her website at - www.analisescarpaci.com