(Continued)

 

AOS.com:  There were some amazing theatre veterans in that original cast with you - Harvey Fierstein,  Mary Bond Davis, Linda Hart, Dick Latessa, Jackie Hoffman - what are some of your favorite memories from that time?

LBB:  Oh!  There are so many...and some I would be shot if I confessed.  HA!

   But, I shared a dressing room the size of  a closet with Kerry Butler.  We had the best time ,and she became one of my closest and most trusted friends.  However, we are both a messy disaster, and she left a green juice in the

	Laura Bell Bundy (left), in Hairspray (photo courtesy Broadway.com)

fridge for our day off.  When we got back on Tuesday night, it had exploded all over the fridge - we never got the smell of green juice out of the dressing room from that point on.

    We also had a “hoe-down” at “five minutes” (before curtain) every second show of a two-show day.  We had Linda Hart (who played my second mom), Dick Latessa and Matt Morrisson on our floor, and every one participated.  It was insanity.  We would yodel, rap, dance - you name it!

     We also had some good times on stage. I fell off the stage once in tech rehearsal.  That was awesome...

AOS.com:  Let’s see - you went on to star in Legally Blonde, and your Hairspray co-stars Kerry Butler (Penny) went on to star in Xanadu and Matthew Morrison has been in just about every major Broadway show since then; did you know that Hairspray would be your launch pad for leading roles?

LBB: I didn’t at the time, but I’m very grateful for the opportunities it created for all involved.  It was a special group all around.  EVERYONE, chorus as well, has gone on to major roles in theater, film, TV or has a music career now.  There was a creative energy to every single person in the cast.  That is why the show was so successful and that is why the cast has gone on to to be successful.  I say, thank Bernie Telsey  - our casting director.

AOS.com:  And you also played Glinda in Wicked, which is also coming to Austin for the first time this year - any good behind-the-scenes stories from that experience?

LBB:  Well, I stood by for Kristin Chenowith and had to go on for her for Act 2, because she was having some stomach issues.  I wasn’t doing much better, because I had just had 12 buffalo wings.  It think the audience was confused as to how Glinda had grown a half a foot during intermission - and had gas!

AOS.com:  You worked with Jerry Mitchell when he

	Laura Bell Bundy in a publicity shot for Legally Blonde (photo by Paul Kolnik)

choreographed both Hairspray and Legally Blonde - and directed Legally Blonde for his Broadway directorial debut - so, is he really as super talented as he seems?

LBB:  He is a genius!  And, I have learned so much from him.  He can do anything and has a real ability to tell a story in pictures.  He has incredible vision, and I want him to direct my concerts and music videos!