Beth Leavel Was Contemplating Leaving the Biz When She Received a Career-Making Role

Just when it seemed every last ounce of emotion had been unearthed in the Stephen Sondheim classic "The Ladies Who Lunch," along comes Tony winner Beth Leavel.

The beloved comedic actor鈥攁 Tony winner for her hilarious turn in the title role of The Drowsy Chaperone鈥攊s tasked with interpreting the Company ballad in the wonderful revue Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends at the Friedman Theatre. Leavel manages to do the seemingly impossible, wringing even more comedy and anger from the show-stopping tune. Add to that her clarion belt, and it's no wonder audiences erupt into applause eight times a week. Everybody rise, indeed!

It's actually an embarrassment of riches in the Manhattan Theatre Club production, which will conclude its extended limited run June 29. In addition to Leavel, the cast also boasts Tony winners Bernadette Peters and Lea Salonga鈥攚ho similarly bring emotionally rich stage magic to their Sondheim interpretations鈥攁s well as a host of other Broadway and West End favorites. Leavel, it should be noted, also gets the chance to electrify in "You Gotta Get a Gimmick," humorously spar with Gavin Lee in "The Little Things You Do Together," and share the stage with all of the multitalented women in a humorously thrilling "Broadway Baby."

The Sondheim revue marks Leavel's 15th Broadway production, which also includes Tony-nominated turns as Dee Dee Allen in The Prom and Florence Greenberg in Baby, It鈥檚 You. She also originated the roles of The Duchess in Lempicka, June Adams in Bandstand, Emily in Elf, Mrs. Bixby in The Civil War, and Tess in Crazy for You. Other Broadway credits include Donna Sheridan in Mamma Mia!, Frau Blucher in Young Frankenstein, Dorothy Brock in the revival of 42nd Street, Ellie in Hal Prince鈥檚 Show Boat, and Anytime Annie, which marked her Broadway debut, in 42nd Street.

Other New York credits include Lucille in the New York City Center Encores! production of No, No, Nanette, as well as the Off-Broadway productions of Lone Star Love and Standing on Ceremony: The Gay Marriage Plays. She also played Miranda Priestly in the Chicago premiere of The Devil Wears Prada musical.

Leavel's screen credits include Ghosts of Christmas Always, The Bite, Walking Dead: World Beyond, and the final episode of ER.

In the interview below for the 半岛体育 series How Did I Get Here鈥攕potlighting not only actors, but directors, designers, musicians, and others who work on and off the stage to create the magic that is live theatre鈥擫eavel shares her favorite Sondheim songs and a career-defining moment.

Where did you train/study?
Beth Leavel: Still training! Still studying! But I have an MFA from UNC-Greensboro. And a BA in Social Work/Counseling from Meredith College.

Was there a teacher who was particularly impactful/helpful? What made this instructor stand out?
There was no theatre major at Meredith鈥攋ust a minor. But there was this teacher, Linda Bamford. She encouraged, taught, inspired, and enlightened. Same with Dr. John Joy at UNC-G. He changed my life by believing in me. And pushing me out of my comfort zone.

Your rendition of "The Ladies Who Lunch" was terrific! What was your reaction when you found out you would be performing that classic? Can you go into a bit of detail about how you approached the song?
I鈥檓 thrilled to be doing the classic "Ladies Who Lunch." Since I鈥檓 not actually playing Joanne in Company, I have more freedom to explore this complex song and not have to forward a plot. I love (with the help of the audience) discovering that this is a complicated woman: funny, bitter, acerbic, hurt, pissed! Still discovering her every show.

Jasmine Forsberg, Beth Leavel, Bonnie Langford, Bernadette Peters, Lea Salonga, Joanna Riding, Kate Jennings Grant, and Maria Wirries in *Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends* Matthew Murphy

Do you have a favorite Sondheim song? Is there any song that you weren't familiar with before this production that is now also a favorite?
"Children Will Listen." Gets me every time. Also, I really loved getting to hear the lyrics for "Worst Pies"! Brilliant.

It's such a star-studded company of theatre performers in Old Friends. What has this experience been like working with so many great artists?
Working with the cast is amazing. Such flipping talent! All triple threats!

Do you have any dream roles you've yet to conquer or artists you would like to share the stage with?
My next dream role hasn鈥檛 been written or is in the process of being written. Hmmmm鈥�.

If you could leave one performance from any show in a time capsule as
representative of your work, which performance would you choose and why?
Impossible to have just one answer! Dee-Dee Rose Stockwell [in, respectively, The Prom, Gypsy, Drowsy Chaperone]. I cheated.

Danny Burstein and Beth Leavel in *The Drowsy Chaperone* Photo by Joan Marcus

What do you consider your big break?
My big 鈥渂reak鈥� was Drowsy Chaperone! It was my sixth Broadway show, but that role and that Tony Award changed my life.

What advice would you give your younger self or anyone starting out?
My advice to my younger self (artists starting out) would be鈥�your singularity is your greatest gift. So learn, grow, experience, listen, be persistent! Be kind!

What is your proudest achievement as an actor?
My proudest achievement in my career (thus far) is when people come up to me, or write, that something I was a part of changed their lives.

Tell me about a time you almost gave up but didn鈥檛.
I was going through a really tough time. Work was scarce, and I had two kids. I remember thinking, "Wow, should I find something else?" Later that week, I was offered The Drowsy Chaperone. This business can be difficult. But I wouldn鈥檛 change anything.