August 21, 2017 10:46 AM ByJeryl Brunner Parade @jerylbrunner More by Jeryl <\/p>\n
Just last week, Brandy Norwood came back to Broadway for a special engagement to play Roxie Hart in the razzle dazzle musical Chicago. The Grammy Award-winning, multi-Platinum selling artist credits the role for saving her life. A year before I got the call to do Roxie, I was very depressed. I wasnt dreaming. I was heartbroken. And I got tired of feeling like that, Norwood explains. I started writing in my journal, working out, changing the way I was eating and began affirming that I am here for a reason. I finally decided I was getting getting ready for something big. <\/p>\n
At that moment she got the call about Chicago. When she got the part, everything changed for her. When I walked on stage everything I felt before went completely away. She saved me, she shares. In fact, the part was the gift that kept giving. In 2015, after playing Roxie with a four month extension, Norwood went on to reprise the role in Los Angeles and Washington D.C. <\/p>\n
Norwood continues to cherish revisiting Roxies vaudevillian jazzy world. Roxie is every kind of emotion. Shes up and down. Shes crazy. Shes passionate. She funny. Shes bubbly and sexy. She wants to dance and sing and do it all. She wants to be a star and make all of her dreams come true, says Norwood. I cant relate to all the stuff she does, but I can relate to her dreaming and wanting her dreams to come true. <\/p>\n
Norwood shared more with Parade.com. <\/p>\n
What is exciting about coming back to play Roxie? <\/p>\n
Brandy Norwood:The joy is that it never gets old. Its new every night. I just love this team of people. I was so embraced and welcomed by the company. They made me better because they have been on Broadway for years. They were really supportive of trying to bring me up to where they were. So thats amazing. Also, all my teachers are great. <\/p>\n
Was there a moment you knew you had to be a performer? <\/p>\n
Norwood: From the time I was around seven, I knew I wanted to be a singer. When I was young, I went to a Little Richard concert. He called all these kids onto the stage. He sang with all of them. But I veered off, started waving to the crowd, blowing kisses and bowing. I saw myself as a star. I felt that was my crowd out there, even though it was Little Richards crowd. <\/p>\n
Do you have other dream roles? <\/p>\n
Norwood: Annie Oakley in Annie Get your Gun. I love the songs. I love the choreography. I just love the story. I want to feel how I sound singing those songs. I especially love, Anything You Can Do I Can Do Better. <\/p>\n
How proud is your daughter of you? <\/p>\n
Norwood:My daughter is so proud because she has never seen me in this light. When she first saw me as Roxie, she cried. She said, Mom, you were phenomenal! It was the first time she said that word about me. Phenomenal is my favorite word to this day, because she said it. <\/p>\n
What was the first Broadway show you ever saw? <\/p>\n
Norwood:Actually, Chicago was the first Broadway show I ever saw. It was unbelievable. I thought, I have to do this one day. But I was too frightened. It was ten years ago. At the time I wasnt ready because I was so afraid. I knew it would take a lot of discipline. I knew it was going to be a lot to do eight shows a week. So I was always afraid of it. But then I couldnt turn it down, especially ten years later. I kept saying Im getting ready for something big. <\/p>\n
If somebody had said to you ten years ago, when you first saw Chicago, that you would be Roxie one day, what would you tell them? <\/p>\n
Norwood:I wouldnt believe it. Roz Ryan [who has played Matron Mama Morton in Chicago for many years] says, Do you understand that you came backstage ten years ago and told us that you wanted to play Roxie? Then it happened ten years later. So you just never know. <\/p>\n
What advice would you give to your younger self? <\/p>\n
Norwood:Be patient. Everything is working in divine order. Youre fine. Everythings going to be okay. Stay away from boys. And stay focused. <\/p>\n
Brandy says hello to Parade.com below. <\/p>\n
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More here: <\/p>\n
Which Role Saved Brandy Norwood's Life? - Parade<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" August 21, 2017 10:46 AM ByJeryl Brunner Parade @jerylbrunner More by Jeryl Just last week, Brandy Norwood came back to Broadway for a special engagement to play Roxie Hart in the razzle dazzle musical Chicago. The Grammy Award-winning, multi-Platinum selling artist credits the role for saving her life. Continue reading