Video: And All That Jazz... with Sophie Carmen-Jones

are you ready it's the round table with me robert bannon well it's another friday and it's another

broadway world exclusive hi everybody my name is robert bannon you found us here on the round table

on broadway world where broadway comes and gets its news and one of my favorite shows and a show

we've talked about a lot because they keep having the best cast and they just keep coming with with ideas. And it's a score and choreography and a story that I can't get enough of. I think

I've seen it six times. I think I have to go see it again now with this next cast. Well, she's

comes from being a West End superstar, like in the biggest shows. She was in We Will, I was in We

Will Rock You Here. I didn't remember any of my words. You ever mess up Bohemian Rhapsody on

opening night? That's me. That's why I'm not on Broadway. And that's why Sophie is on Broadway

Sophie Carmen Jones has jumped into Chicago. She's with Ashley Graham right now

And you need to get a ticket. Sophie, welcome to the round table. Hi, thank you for having me

I need to hear the story about We Will Rock You. I need that story

I was Galileo in the New Jersey, very fancy, Sophie, the New Jersey premiere production

And I'm dead center stage. And I have the mic. And I am ready to sing Bohemian Rhapsody with all my might

the most known song in the entire world. And I get one tense moment in the show as well

Very intense. I sing one line and I just totally go blank

Opening night. Listen, we've all been there. Have you been there for real

The White Room? Yes. Don't make me tell my stories. I need to hear it

We need it. Oh, no. I hate saying the White Room stories

but every actor has them. And they'd rather not relive them because it gives you the sweaty palms

but we have all been there. Well, the good thing is to that audience

they all knew the words to the song. So once one person starts to sing, we just got right back on track

Oh, brilliant. I love that audience participation. They love to get involved

Speaking of audience participation and shows that people know and love, you have jumped into Broadway's longest running superstar

train of dancing, singing and extravaganza. Congratulations. Welcome to Broadway and Chicago

Thank you so much. Yeah, I'm loving it. Chicago is just iconic and has always been a dream for me

And playing Velma is just a total dream. I know people say that, like, this is a dream

But no, Chicago actually was the dream for me, truly. So yeah, I am living the dream

Is it exciting and terrifying and overwhelming to step into the shoes, literally

of some of the greatest performers of all time and one of the greatest roles for actors, period

it yes it is extremely intimidating to know the lineage of the show and the people that have

stepped into these roles but equally I think as an actor you do learn early on that you can't

ever think about trying to be like someone else because you're already trying to be someone else

playing a role so if you're trying to be how someone else played that role then you're just

going to be so off the mark you just have to bring yourself to it and naturally that will bring so

much individuality and uniqueness to the role well what i love about the show is it really at

the heart of the show is two people and a cast of characters but two people trying to make it and

figure out how to and we live in a society today that this show everyone's trying to be a social

media superstar everyone's trying to get their 15 minutes of fame and it's as relevant as ever

Yeah, it's actually wild, isn't it, how Chicago has stayed relevant constantly through the ages. There's one of the lines in the show. It's one of my very last lines in the show. It gets the biggest laugh because of things that are going on with politics in America right now. So that line is so current today. And I think there's been so many moments throughout, is it 26 or 27 years history that it's probably had that much relevance

well chicagothemusical.com it doesn't matter if you've never seen it or if you've seen it

10 times you every time you go it adds new life the cast adds new life so how was your journey

to this show did you get an email did you get your agent reached out to you did you have to

send in a tape like what's the journey to being Velma in Chicago on Broadway well it's a crazy

one because actually nine years ago I played Velma on the UK tour so I auditioned for it when I was

24 years old um I yeah went in an audition I don't think they knew what they were seeing me for

whether it was Velma or Roxy because they had me reading for both um and I ended up hearing like

way after the audition so I always think I'm not sure but I think I was maybe second choice

maybe third fourth who knows but I I ended up hearing like maybe a month or two after the

audition that I got the role of Velma on the tour and I had the most amazing time touring the UK

for a year It did so well It was like a best tour It was a total hit The cast was amazing Hayley Tammerdon was my Roxy John Partridge was Billy And it was just a phenomenal cast And it did really really well And I had the best time And then Life Happened took me here there and everywhere And then Moulin Rouge

brought me to Broadway two years ago. And whilst I was, there I am. There she is. That's actually

from the West End production because on Broadway I had a blonde wig so I can always tell from which

production. Where are you? About the hair. Yeah. So then whilst I was in Moulin Rouge here, my agent

here got me in to meet the team here because it is a different team that produces the show here

So I auditioned for them and I had to, I got in at the, I think it was at the semi-final. They

had me in for the dance round, then had to sing, do some scene work. And then the final

again. And yeah, it didn't happen straight away. There was some conflicts with doing Moulin Rouge

but then a year later I ended up doing the show. So what is it like in rehearsal? Because I know

that the show, it's not like you're starting a new production. So it's like a put-in rehearsal, but you're Velma. So what's it like? Well, because I hadn't done the show

I did it in Tokyo actually, I almost forgot. I did it in Tokyo for like two weeks, three weeks

We did a very quick run there. They just put a cast together to do it in Tokyo for that short amount of time

which was amazing. If you've ever been to Tokyo, literally best place in the world

But yeah, so I actually did it. That was three years ago. So I revisited it then

But then they were really kind here and gave me a three week rehearsal period

which was longer than I expected. But I guess it was just, you know, on Broadway, it is the mothership

there is a level of yeah just making sure it's all correct like we really went over all the

choreography checked that it was exactly how it should be and yeah I had the joy of working with

Dylees a couple of weeks into my run here and she is just phenomenal she is the epitome of a

fossey dancer yes learning from her for a few weeks I felt like I was getting a proper Broadway

masterclass in how to do Chicago correctly. And that is what I love so much about it is because when you think of Fosse, when you

think of stereotypical standard, what you think Broadway is, this is as Broadway as

Broadway can possibly be. And you get to do it every single night, eight shows a week

So when you get in and you start to, firstly, people, it's the greatest finale in all of

Broadway, period. the second that music starts and you do those steps and that curtain comes down and those

roses are thrown at you at the end of the show it has to be the cartwheel whatever happens in

this show so when you learn the choreography are you somebody that for our young dancers and

actors out here are you home practicing it are you leaving it in the rehearsal space are you on the subway doing your five six seven eight what how do you stay ready to jump in here

and do this. Yeah, I'm not, I'm not a subway rehearser. I'm definitely an at home rehearser

I, yeah, I like to also in the studio, I'll always be like, if they say, do you want to go again? I

will always say yes, because that time you have in a studio in front of a mirror is so precious

because then when you open in the show, you're not in front of a mirror again for ages. So that's

really the time for you to be able to finesse and perfect and really see like sometimes you're given

a note but you don't realize you might not realize that you're even doing what they say you're doing

so it's really important to check in in front of a mirror and yeah I am someone that goes home and

I do go over the script they'll think about what we spoke about that day think about how I can

apply that to maybe other parts of the show that we spoke about a certain tonal shift in the

character or something, I can think how I can adapt my whole show thinking of that

I can't help but take it out of the rehearsal room. I believe, I get it

Well, the arc of the show and the arc of the characters is just as fun as the music and the dancing because you get to act too, because it's a wild story with a wild cast and a real

fun, gritty, I don't know, criminal. It's just a bad girl and you get to have fun with that, I'm sure, on stage as well

While we're watching everybody Make sure you follow Sophie You can go to Sophie Carmen Jones

To stay up to date on all the shows that are to come And all the events and all the future projects

And all the fun that you'll have As you carry on your cast in this I know that we have a picture from the previous

The previous here We have a little Erica Jane Housewife royalty superstar

Broadway queen Now what was it like to be able to jump in this with her

And now the one and only gorgeous Beautiful talented Ashley Graham Yeah, honestly, it's a dream

So Erica had already been in the show when I joined. So that was, I was the newbie and Erica was so gracious

and we just, we gelled straight away. She played Roxy in such a, as you can imagine

very true to herself like dry blunt sort of way that worked really well which is actually surprising because usually Roxies tend to be maybe more I don know doe and naive

but I thought Erika Jayne brought such an interesting take on it

And yeah, she was really present and she didn't miss a show and she was super fun to play with

And Ashley is so different in so many ways. She's such a, how do I explain it

Ashley is like a ball of just energy. She's constantly in a good mood, I swear

She's just always up for it. And that brings such a beautiful, youthful freshness to Roxy

which I think is a great contrast to a Velma too. And that's the wonderful thing about all the Roxys coming in

is they're all so different. And these roles really do leave room for you

to be able to bring yourself to it. So Dylee brought such a beautiful energy to it too

You really believe that when you find out that Roxy was a member of the chorus

you totally believe it with Dylee. You're like, well, yeah, we can tell. That dance technique, absolutely

And her monologue was just so engaging. And you really felt brought in and fall in love with her, Roxy

So, you know, you really want her to win, even though at times she's being, you know

a bit of a, a bit difficult. I don't know if I can swear on this

You can, you can say whatever you want. I'm a . Yes. I'm a to Belmer at times

And yeah, it's amazing seeing how, and it's so amazing for me that I get to play with them all

You know, it keeps it so fresh for me. And when the understudies go on as well

like I think people think with these old shows that if you came already, that it will be the same again

And it is so different because the actors will bring so much to it

The mamas, the mamas change regularly. At the moment, we've got Rima Webb, who is fantastic and brings so much sass and flavor to the role

It's like, yeah, it's so fun to play with. I'm so excited for her

I love her. She's been here multiple times on this show. Oh, she's the best. For her to jump from, she's done so many Broadway shows and now she's up there singing her face off as mama

and and then you have greg hildreth who is like funny broadway legend legend is a phenomenal amos he really is your heart just oh yeah you proper

fall in love with him you're just like oh okay and then max von essen who is you know another

broadway superstar sings he could sing the phone book he's just his voice is gorgeous

It's phenomenal. Every night on the Tannoy, it's phenomenal. You have a cast over there right now

Y'all are out here singing and dancing. It's true. Yeah, it does feel, it feels strong

Are there people there that have been in the ensemble or some of the principals that have been there for a long time

Do they lead you through the ropes? It's got to be a real family there because people don't seem to want to leave

They love a job over there at Chicago. It's true. And it's not just the onstage jobs either

You know, it's the the dressers, wardrobe staff crew. It's definitely a building which has a lot of history

And people have been there for a very long time and have all the stories, which is it's new for me

I've never been a part of a show that is this that has been this long running

So, yeah, it's it's got a lot of character since 1996. I remember being there in 1996

My Uncle Joey and Aunt Susan took me in 1996 to see Anne Rankin, to see Bebe Neuwirth

And you could, a pin could drop. I mean, there is, and then you look back at the original and you think about Kander and

Ebb and you think about Bob Fosse. And like I said, this is the quintessential Broadway show to see this summer and spring

when you come to New York City. For you, was theater always the goal

I mean, you're from the UK? Yes, I'm from Wales, a Swansea in Wales, which is relatively small and doesn't really have

a buzzing theatre, a community, I'd say, but I, yeah, I took dance classes, singing and acting

and just fell in love with it. I think people ask that a lot, like, when did you know? And I guess it

was from an early age, but it was so early that there was never another option. It was like

that is what I was going to do. That is all that I love to do. It was just, it was always such a

huge part of my life from, from as long as I can remember. I've just loved performing and loved

being part of shows and part of telling stories. So yeah, it's just been what I've ever wanted to do

And for you, the West End, being from UK, must have been a huge deal. What was your West End debut

We Will Rock You. Oh, come on. Yes. Come on, Queen. Come on, Queen. We Will Rock You

Boom. There it is. And then from there, you love a big show because I saw you did Wicked. We talked about Moulin

Rouge, but there's something about you, you conquered West End. And then a lot of West End

actors don't get to go to Broadway and a lot of Broadway actors don't get to make it over to the West End. So when the opportunity came, was it scary to come to New York? Was it, it's a big

change in culture and climate and it not your home So what was it like when you got the call and the move Yeah Well first of all I just felt super lucky because like you said it is it pot luck I got so lucky that I was in a show that was on Broadway at the same time

And they happened to need the role filling that I just played on the West End

So I think so much timing, luck of timing had to play in that

So I just felt super lucky and grateful that the stars aligned and I was brought over here

and yeah it was a big shift actually I think people think that London and New York is super

similar and they are in many ways but you know you you leave all your friends and your loved ones

behind and as much as everyone's been out to visit as much as as they can it is hard but I was so

lucky that Moulin Rouge was the show that I was thrust into because that team and that building

is honestly pure joy to work. It's wild. It's such a hard show

But I think because of that, the energy in that building is phenomenal. People are crazy

Don't get me wrong. It's mental, but in like the best way possible. So I was thrust into a huge company

that just welcomed me so warmly. And yeah, just immediately had a big

and beautiful social circle. So I was really lucky in that way

Yeah, it's such a fun show. It's so much fun to watch. I'm sure over here at Chicago now

you have a lot less changes and a lot less props and scenery to work around

It's more subdued backstage for sure. But what we do on stage, especially as Velma

I'm still going crazy. So it's still a hard show for me. There I am. That's one of the numbers that

I go crazy in. I love that number so much. You have to take very good care of yourself. I mean

you are it's a very physical I mean this is a physical demanding role you are the set you are

you are you are the you know the scenery so what do you do to take care of yourself well funny

enough actually after this podcast I'm going to physio I see Dan at MIMS method physio once a

week and we just have a check-in sometimes we do sort of personal training session if I'm feeling

good and we just want to strengthen certain certain muscle groups or sometimes he'll treat

me if like my neck's hurting or my knee he'll yeah treat that so yeah I think anyone in a Broadway

show doing eight shows a week really has to look after themselves whether that's vocally mentally

physically I think it's it's tricky you know eight shows a week until you've done it I think people

always think oh that's hard but when you're doing it you're like it is it is hard you have to really

think like an athlete and to survive I think you do have to be quite disciplined I think Broadway

is you said it exactly right. It's the professional sports team of art because you guys are athletes

and what you do up there is beyond amazing. And we're so grateful because we get to buy a ticket

and enjoy your hard work. And there is nothing better than the electricity of a Broadway show

in the middle of New York city, like Chicago. Are we going to keep you now? Are you just a

New Yorker now? Are we going to keep you forever? You never know. Listen, you don't say no to

Broadway. If Broadway keeps me here, I'm here. But right now, well, until we see where she's

going to be at, wherever you're going to be, we're going to follow you so we could stay up to date with the next shows. And then you got to get a ticket to see Chicago and see what you bring to

Velma Kelly and all of the fun. And then see Ashley Graham as Roxy Hart and this incredible

all-star cast. And we could follow you. We could get a ticket. Bring your family. It's perfect for

everyone could hang out and come see Chicago. It's true. We do get lots of kids in and all

You wouldn't think it, but we actually do. A family friendly show about murder

I mean, there's not many of them, Sophie. No, we make light of murder. It's fine

Kids, come on in. Murder is fun. It's funny. It's good. Come on down

We got away with it. We're innocent. We didn't really murder our husbands. No

I can't wait. It's one of my favorite shows of all time. Everybody Chicago has been here since

Well, I don't need to tell my age, but it's been here for a moment. And we all, and we were, it's never going anywhere

We're really excited. So get your tickets to go see at chicagothemusical.com. And then Sophie Carmen Jones, CC, right on Instagram

You can follow her and stay up to date on all the things that's to come. I hope you have a blast here back in New York

I hope you have a blast here on Broadway. And I can't wait to come back. Maybe you've got to be my eighth time

I got to come check you all out. Yes, come. Let me know if you come. That's a deal

And if you need any help, I can direct you to a pizza place, a good bagel

You know, we've got to- Such good food in New York. Honestly, the best

I was going to ask you, you're this big and you're in the middle of New York City. I hate people like that, Sophie. No offense

I've had about 900 bagels since I've been here. You ate 900 bagels and I gained 22 pounds because of it. Thanks a lot

You need to do Chicago then. Done. Chicago burns off the bagel

That I believe. I can't do a cartwheel. I'll teach you. Will you teach me

Come watch and I'll teach you on the stage after. Done. That's a deal. Sophie Carmen Jones, everybody. Check out Chicago and have a great

week, everybody here on Broadway World. Thank you so much for being here. Of course. You're so welcome. It was lovely to chat

Lovely. Thank you