ANN SANDERS
Ann Sanders stars as 'Christmas Eve' in the Tony Award-winning musical Avenue Q, now playing Off-Broadway at New World Stages / Stage 3.
Place of birth?
Chicago, Ill.
You now live in?
Forest Hills, NY.
Did you go to training school, if so which one?
Chicago Academy for the Arts
Texas Tech University
As an actor, do you have a preference for stage, TV or film?
Stage - Nothing beats a live audience.
Your first stage performance was?
The Heritage Elementary School production of The Shoemaker and his Elves (Shoemaker’s Wife)
(We extended twice!)
Career highlight to date?
Working with puppets has been pretty darn fun
Also, playing Trina in Falsettoland and meeting Bill Finn
What roles would you most like to play?
Lately, I have been really interested in the classics…Maria in Sound of Music…come on non-traditional casting!
What is the best advice you have ever received?
Be in the moment.
Never wax off your own mustache (I did not listen to this advice)
What has been your most embarrassing moment on stage?
My wig getting caught in the Beast’s cape and all the tendrils falling out…I proceeded to sing “Home” pushing the hair away from my face like… wait for it…..Cher! Good times.
What is the most annoying part about your job?
Probably being sick and not feeling top notch…we are only human.
Briefly tell us how you become involved with Avenue Q?
I saw the show in previews on Broadway and thought it was the perfect balance
of crazy funny and heart. I asked to get an appointment to audition but couldn’t
get one, so I went to the open call. 4 rounds later got a cover position for
Christmas Eve and later learned the Bad Idea Bears track.
Briefly tell us about the character you play in Avenue Q?
Christmas Eve can sometimes come across a bit kooky-clueless, however, she is
quite intelligent. I think part of the clueless aspect comes from the fact that she
was not born in the United States so her delivery and language are a bit more
direct and not as filtered. But she always means well.
If you had not become a performer, what might you have done instead?
A therapist.
Who are your favorite actors/actresses?
Steve Carell, Meryl Streep, Sally Field.
If you could meet anyone in the world dead or alive who would it be
and what would you say to them?
My father…thank you for being everything a Dad was supposed to be and more.
Favorite after-show haunts?
Casellula.
What was the last book you read, and name some of your favorite authors?
Eat, Pray, Love
Timothy Keller, Martha Beck, Alice Sebold.
What was the last film you saw, and name some of your favorite movies?
An Education.
The Way We Were.
Favorite TV programs?
Modern Family, The Office, 30 Rock, Damages.
Favorite holiday destinations?
Palm Beach, Florida.
Florence, Italy.
Santorini, Greece.
Do you have any hobbies?
I love to travel.
Do you have any superstitions?
Shoes on your dressing room table…not even sure why???
If you were stranded on a desert island, what three items would you take with you?
First three episodes of Gilligan’s Island to set up shop like them :)
What are your future plans?
A concert May 21st in Granbury, Texas
Dinner tonight with my hubby!
Questions by Alan Bird
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