An interview with Phantom’s Kate Rockwell
By Jon Chattman

Kate Rockwell is arguably best known as one of the finalists on NBC’s “”Grease: You’re the One that I Want,” but she’s quickly changing that. The actress/singer is currently earning raves for her role as Christine Daee in Westchester Broadway Theatre’s (WBT) “Phantom,” the acclaimed Yeston/Kopit production, and has snagged a role in the upcoming “Sex in the City” movie. We recently spoke to the Baldwin-Wallace College Conservatory grad and asked her how it feels to be on the verge of stardom, and star in what many consider to be the superior “Phantom of the Opera” production at WBT.

What has the experience been performing at WBT? How has the audience response been?
I am loving this show. We have had such a great time. The cast is fantastic, and so much fun to work with. It’s also nice performing so close to home. I get to sleep in my own bed at the end of the day!
The audiences seem to love the show, which is fantastic. We love it, too and put so much of ourselves into it. It is so nice to see them responding the way they do at the end of the show. I have had
women and men come up to me after the show and say “thank you so much, it was great. I cried,” and that is just the perfect thing to hear. I usually tell them, “I cried too!” because I cry every show still.

Were you aware of the theater beforehand? Where are you originally from?
I knew of the theater just from working in New York, but hadn’t worked here before. I am originally from Cincinnati, Ohio. My dad and brother still live there and I still think of it as “home.”

Were you aware there was another “Phantom” musical out there prior to signing on?
Yes, I learned about this particular “Phantom” in college. I grew up listening to and loving the Lloyd Webber version, and when I first heard this one I was like, ‘it’s so different!’ The music is so beautiful and I love all of Maury Yeston’s work. He is a genius in my book.

What do you think of the Broadway version compared to this one?
I love both versions for different reasons. The Broadway version has always been close to my heart, but I think the story and the book of this show are so beautifully developed. The characters are much more fleshed out, and the music is so gorgeous. It’s less of a rock opera score than traditional musical theater, and I think it works so well with the story. I also love that the character of the Phantom is so well developed in this version. He is a real person with real feelings. And at the end, you truly want him and Christine to get together as opposed to wanting him out of the way. It is a real love story between them, rather than a love triangle.

What drew you to the character of Christine in the first place?
My heart is in real, classical soprano singing. I am a trained coloratura who rarely gets to use that voice, because pop and belting are so popular right now. So when I was given the chance to do one of my favorite shows and sing my favorite type of music, how could I not be overjoyed,

How big a break was “You’re the One That I Want?”
“Grease” was a huge stepping stone for me. I had just moved to the city about four months before I got cast in the live show, and was so amazed, grateful and terrified all at the same time. I had no idea if it would be a good move or a bad move-I mean, a reality show? Really? But it turned out to be amazing. I met some incredible people-some of the other contestants are my closest friends now and I got a chance to sing for millions of people all at once. It really was a gift.

How soon after you left the show did the offers start coming in?
[Laughs] I wish they came in like that! As far as “offers” go, those have been mostly readings. I still have to go in an audition for everything. This is a tough business just because you did one thing,
doesn’t necessarily mean you will do another. I am still proving myself every day (I hope!) in audition rooms. Which I think is a positive. I like to know I worked for the prize-I think if things were
being handed to me based on “Grease,” I would feel like I hadn’t done anything to deserve the prize. This way, Grease gets to be an amazing stepping stone, but not the only stepping stone, and I can continue to build my career the old fashioned way, which is what I had always wanted. Good work begets more good work, and I can only keep doing what I’m doing in that regard.

You’re in the “Sex in the City” movie – can you describe your role?
It’s so small. I will be in one scene with the other three girls playing “young” versions of the stars. I don’t want to give things away I’m not supposed to, but it was so fun to work on, and I got to meet Sarah Jessica Parker and work with her as well, and Michael Patrick King. It was fantastic! Not bad for my first film!

Lastly, What’s up next after “Phantom?”
I wish I knew! As of right now, “Phantom” is as far as I can see. But I am constantly looking ahead and doing auditions to line up the next project. If you have any good ideas or want to offer something, please call me!