Jackie Burns

Q & A interview with Jackie Burns, who starred as 'Elphaba' in the Broadway musical Wicked, playing at the George Gershwin Theatre.

Birthday?
Oct 4th

Place of birth?
Connecticut.

You now live in?
Upper west, Manhattan.

Did you go to training school, if so which one?
I went to Uconn for acting.

Your first stage performance was?
I used to do dance competitions when I was little!

Career highlight to date?
Getting to go green on broadway!

What roles would you most like to play?
I have two dream roles, one I am playing now! And the other is Evita.

What's the best advice you have ever received?
Stop seeking perfection. Strive for if but don't let it rule your life.

What has been your most embarrassing moment on stage?
When I fell down the stairs in front of a whole B'way house in Hair!

What is the most annoying part about your job?
The green zits and hair line!! Lol!

Briefly tell us how you become involved with Wicked
I auditioned and got the tour and then after a year playing the role on the road I got brought to broadway!

Briefly tell us about the character you play in Wicked?
I play Elphaba. She is what everyone knows as the Wicked Witch of the West. Although thru this show we find out that she's not so wicked but more misunderstood. She is a passionate young woman who has a heart of gold - just terrible luck! She is also a little bit of a hothead which tends to get her in trouble!

If you had not become a performer, what might you have done instead?
I would have done something having to do with workin with animals.

If you could meet anyone in the world dead or alive who would it be and what would you say to them?
Shirley Temple! Thanks for entertaining me all thru my childhood.

Favorite after-show haunts?
NOT Bar Centrale! Lol! Jk! My couch!

What was the last Broadway show you saw?
The book of Mormon! Loved it!

What was the last film you saw, and name some of your favorite movies?
Moneyball. Favorite movies "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun", "Social Network" "The Proposal"...

Favorite TV programs?
I loved Chopped!!! I love the food channel!!

Favorite holiday destinations?
Hawaii at christmas!

Do you have any hobbies?
I like cooking, reading, biking, frisbee, kadima, cards, I can't sit still!!

Do you have any superstitions?
I have super-duper-stitions!!! Where should I start? ;)

If you were stranded on a desert island, what three items would you take with you?
My bikini, sunscreen, and my man!!!

What are your future plans?
To live in the present!