This transcript was automatically generated and might contain errors.

[0:00] Quincy Brown: Aaron Mackey just went back to tour recently. Yeah, Aaron just went back to tour, but who did I?

[0:04] Kevin Bianchi: You had Patti Murin. Yeah, Patti and, um, Amanda Jane. Somebody else too. Jen Gambatese.

[0:12] Quincy Brown: Oh yeah, Jen. Yeah, you're so good at this, Quincy. You really are good at this. He is an encyclopedia.

[0:16] Kevin Bianchi: I, like, lived it and I don't remember it. My name's Quincy. My name's Kevin. And this is Sentimental Men. But keep your thumb away from that skip button. We're here to talk, and maybe scream, about our favorite women in musical theater.

[0:36] Quincy Brown: Well, here we are. Here we go again. Um, we gotta get right into it because we know that our guest is currently waiting to join us. Yes, tonight's guest gets, like, Girl Scout points, Eagle Scout points, because Quincy and I always come on a half hour early to do the intro, and we, like, click in, and then Dee clicks in at the same time, and she's like, I'm sorry, I just was making sure I knew how to use it. Like, we had just logged on, weren't even, like, talking yet. We're truly just, like, getting situated ourselves, and then she popped in, and I was like, oh my god, did we mess up the time? Should we just launch into her resume?

[1:15] Kevin Bianchi: Yeah, we might as well, since we just ruined the surprise. Do you want to take us on this journey, Quincy?

[1:21] Quincy Brown: Sure, sure, sure. Sure, sure, sure. Sure, sure, sure. Oh, that is apropos for this episode. I'll take us back to the year 2000. Pokemon Alive is making its way around North America, and Miss Dee Roscioli is playing Ash's mom, Mrs. Ketchum. Does she have a first name?

[1:39] Kevin Bianchi: Um, I think, but I don't know what it is.

[1:44] Quincy Brown: Were you a Pokemoner?

[1:44] Kevin Bianchi: No.

[1:44] Quincy Brown: Oh, I, like, fully was.

[1:44] Kevin Bianchi: Yeah.

[1:44] Quincy Brown: Oh, no, I was not. Worth noting that Andrew Rannells was also on that tour as one of the Team Rocketers, right?

[1:48] Kevin Bianchi: The gay villains.

[1:48] Quincy Brown: Yeah, the queer villains. Yeah, the purple hair, red hair, whatever he had. The gay villains. Jumping to 2002, she played Grizabella in Cats. We love a Grizabelphie. Moving on to 2006, where she broke into Wicked Standing By for Christy Cates in the Chicago production. She then took over the role full-time in Chicago, also was a temporary replacement for Vicky Noone in the San Francisco production.

[2:14] Kevin Bianchi: That's right. Also made her Broadway debut as Elphaba in 2009. My God. Also to the first national tour in 2011, and that, my friends, is where Quincy Brown saw her perform as his first Elphaba in Wicked the Musical. Saw her six times.

[2:41] Quincy Brown: In how many days?

[2:41] Kevin Bianchi: I was there for a good, I feel like it might have been there for like a month.

[2:46] Quincy Brown: It's not like you saw it six times in 12 days or something.

[2:51] Kevin Bianchi: No, I think I only did like one back-to-back, and then everything else was like once or twice a week. 2016 replaced Jessica Vosk as Fruma Sarah in Fiddler on the Roof. And then in 2018, stood by for Friends of the Pod, SJB, and Teal Wicks.

[3:02] Quincy Brown: Oh my God, yeah, we're like completing the triad tonight. So when Michaela Diamond takes over on Broadway, we'll have her on, and then we'll really have like worked our way through the shares.

[3:12] Kevin Bianchi: Oh my God, and then we'll just have to get Cher on. To talk about her Elphaba journey. When she plays Marble in the movie, that'd be kind of fierce. I'd be into it.

[3:23] Quincy Brown: That would be good, actually. Yeah. Yeah, so Miss Roscioli has been around the block.

[3:30] Kevin Bianchi: Yeah, I feel like we're like on this streak of, you know, these women who have like five, six, seven, eight, 100 contracts with Wicked. Like it was the same with Eden. I'm just like, who has the stamina?

[3:38] Quincy Brown: Yeah, and Dee also holds the record for performing Elphaba the most in North America, I think, of any other actress.

[3:44] Kevin Bianchi: I think there are so many of these like very specifically worded things. Like Jackie Burns is the longest-running Broadway Elphaba.

[3:48] Quincy Brown: Yeah. But Dee is the most performances as Elphaba, I think. I think Dee's claim to fame, apart from everything, is she has played Elphaba the most of any actress on North America, in North America. Because we were saying too, or like, does that still hold? But like, I don't think the girls these days are doing as many contracts as the OG girls are doing. The only other person I was thinking was like Jenny Denoya, but Jenny Denoya is international hopping around too. So yeah, that's Miss Roscioli's Res Res Res. Kevin, do you want to hit us with the choices, options, and bootlegs?

[4:27] Kevin Bianchi: Oh my, which honestly, I'm gonna say I'm a little jealous because I feel like I have a lot of like a niche little videos that I'm obsessed with in Dee, but I'll let you take this one.

[4:34] Quincy Brown: Oh, now I feel bad, but-

[4:34] Kevin Bianchi: No, no, no, take it. This is like, I don't know, it's not the nichest thing, but it is true to who I am. Because as I said, I love Agrizzabelfie. And so of course, like what I'm obsessed with is the video of Dee doing memory.

[4:57] Quincy Brown: Sure. As we know, I love the big memory, you know, like the big final-

[5:05] Kevin Bianchi: This is my gripe with the person who posted that video. Okay, so it's like that's the big showy moment for Agrizzabelfie. But then it's like the first warm up memory is like where you get to kind of act a little bit. And I'm obsessed with the way that Dee starts the song. She's like, whisper singing. And then on has the moon lost her memory? It's like full belt out of nowhere. I love it. To me, it's like she is like singing it at the moon. She's like referencing something far away. So she's I don't know, I like it.

[5:38] Quincy Brown: Yeah. Doesn't it make you want the other memory though?

[5:43] Kevin Bianchi: Yes, for years, I've wanted the other memory. I wonder if she has it.

[5:46] Quincy Brown: Do you have the like memory memory that we want? If not, could you give us a little bit of it now?

[5:53] Dee Roscioli: Hello.

[5:53] Quincy Brown: Dee Dee, we are so excited.

[5:56] Kevin Bianchi: Yeah. Oh my god, I'm so happy. So I don't know if you know this, but you're my first Elphaba, Dee.

[6:01] Dee Roscioli: Oh, really? I saw you on tour in Hawaii six times.

[6:06] Quincy Brown: Oh my god, Hawaii. I had the best time in Hawaii. But also it's hard to work in Hawaii.

[6:13] Kevin Bianchi: Yeah, I want to get into that whole tour experience. Because for me, it was like, I was into the bootlegs at that point had never seen Wicked live. My only touchpoint was with the bootlegs. And then when it was announced, you were going to be our Elphaba. Obviously, you had been in the bootlegs because that by the time you went to tour, you had like, yeah, the Wicked blog. And Dee, I like could have been your personal press agent. I was running around town being like, yeah, Wicked's coming. But do you know who's coming in Wicked? Do you know how lucky we are that she's coming? They're like, who? I'd never heard of her. I was like, we're getting a seasoned pro.

[6:45] Dee Roscioli: Oh my god. Oh, I love that. That's so funny. I never think about that. I never think about like what like the fans of the show, like when you're coming to the city, I know that they know it's coming. But I guess I just never think that they're gonna look up the Elphaba, which of course they will. But yeah, yeah, no, it was a big deal. Because when they announced it wasn't you. It was I think it was like Mamie Parrish was currently on tour. And then Nicole Parker took over, I think. And then she left right before.

[7:10] Quincy Brown: Oh, yeah, you know what? Yes. Well, yes, because I keep forgetting that I went to tour twice. So and Mamie took over for me the first time. And then the second time I think is when you took it from Nicole.

[7:21] Kevin Bianchi: Yes, because that was Vegas.

[7:21] Dee Roscioli: Yeah, gotcha. Wait, so was the tour that second time you came back? Was that supposed to happen? Or was that like a emergency filler thing? I forget why they needed me. Allison Luff came after me. So maybe Allison was busy. Because yeah, I mean, I had done it so many times at that point. It wasn't like they were seeking me out. You know what I mean?

[7:36] Quincy Brown: We got it. We know what Dee does. But I was really reliable. So it was like I was good for them when they were like, Oh, you know, this Elphaba that we want is busy for the next six months. Let's see if Dee can do it because we know that she's a sure thing. Because they do care about like getting good reviews. And they want a strong person. They don't want to experiment with someone.

[8:01] Kevin Bianchi: In between.

[8:01] Dee Roscioli: Yeah. And I thought it was interesting because they brought Clifton Hall into the tour, I'm assuming because it was stopping in Hawaii. And I thought that was like a really like cute, sentimental thing.

[8:08] Quincy Brown: Yeah.

[8:08] Dee Roscioli: And he was a boy that that man exhausted himself while he was there. You know, shows don't really go to Hawaii. And so he was so excited. I can't believe we're coming to my home. And like, he took every interview. And he had a lot of requests because he's a local. So and he was a trooper too. I mean, he did his shows every night. But yeah, he exhausted himself. He pushed himself very thin.

[8:30] Quincy Brown: And so is going to Hawaii on a tour? First of all, it was a big deal for us in Hawaii. Because again, like the only tours we get ever would be like a cats or a phantom like something that has just been doing the circuit.

[8:42] Kevin Bianchi: Yeah.

[8:42] Quincy Brown: But to be on tour and get the notice that you're going to Hawaii. Is that a big deal as an actor actress?

[8:47] Dee Roscioli: Yeah, it's like a dream. You're like, Oh my god. And we were there at the during the holiday too, you know, Thanksgiving and Christmas in Hawaii, right?

[8:56] Quincy Brown: Yeah, like eight weeks.

[9:01] Dee Roscioli: Wow. Eight weeks. Because I was like, I feel like it was a month and it was eight weeks. Wow.

[9:07] Quincy Brown: Yeah.

[9:07] Dee Roscioli: Why was actually really challenging time for me because the the Vogue.

[9:16] Kevin Bianchi: Oh, I didn't even think about that.

[9:20] Dee Roscioli: Yeah.

[9:20] Kevin Bianchi: Do you know what that is?

[9:20] Dee Roscioli: No, it's like volcano ash in the air, essentially.

[9:20] Kevin Bianchi: No.

[9:20] Dee Roscioli: But it's like acid. Yeah. It's not really great for your voice.

[9:29] Dee Roscioli: After we were there for like, maybe five days or so. And the show had just opened. All of a sudden, I started to get like, groggy in like a weird way that I had not felt before, you know, asking around the theater, the dressers and the locals were like, Oh, yeah, it's probably the Vogue. And I was like, the what? Because they said it so casually. And I was like, the Vogue? What the fuck is the Vogue?

[9:46] Kevin Bianchi: Like, oh, that's the volcanic ash here that comes over. From whatever volcano. Are you freaking kidding me? Like, yeah. And then bam, lost my voice out of the show for days. Really? Yes. So then I had to close all the windows. I never went outside. They gave me this Vogue tea that I drank, like gallons of. And then I was okay. But I had to like limit my time outside, which was unfortunate.

[10:26] Kevin Bianchi: Yeah, sure. I also have a quick story I have to just tell before we jump in. My partner saw you in Chicago when he was there for like Unifieds. And afterwards, he like, you know, staged or whatever. And he told you that you sounded great. You sounded really healthy. And you said, tell that to my ENT.

[10:46] Dee Roscioli: God, I love it when people tell me things that I've said and like, that I don't remember. And like, I'm like, I said that. Yeah. I mean, I guess I'm not surprised at this point. But that's really funny. That was a really nice thing for him to say too.

[11:02] Quincy Brown: Okay, so we start every interview with how did Wicked the musical come into your life? So not necessarily as an actress, but when did the show as a property enter Rossioli's life?

[11:07] Dee Roscioli: Um, so my best friend, Kyle Luker, he's also my manager, we knew about the show, because I remember I remember reading the breakdown, because they put like a breakdown and backstage at that point, I was looking through backstage was non union. I was a baby. And I remember reading the breakdown for Elphaba. And it said must be extremely physically fit.

[11:31] Kevin Bianchi: Yeah.

[11:31] Dee Roscioli: And I thought to myself, I was like, well, guess I'm not gonna play that role. I was like, I didn't, you know, I mean, I was like, I'm not like, I'm thin, like, I present like I'm in shape. But like, at that point, I wasn't working out. So I didn't really, right, you know, I didn't have like a workout regimen. And then when I read the Nessa breakdown, I forget what it said. But I was just like, Oh, I could be the Nessa. I could be a Nessa.

[11:56] Kevin Bianchi: Yeah, yeah.

[11:56] Dee Roscioli: And, and I didn't even I didn't even have an audition. Because it was all union stuff. So you had to that at that time was like, really weird, like being a non union person, you had to like sit in the non union lounge and wait for them to maybe or maybe not call you.

[12:12] Kevin Bianchi: Yeah, yeah. So I mean, that was really weird. So the first time I like heard the show was Kyle had gotten a bootleg from the San Francisco run.

[12:19] Dee Roscioli: That's a hot commodity now.

[12:24] Kevin Bianchi: I know. I wonder if he still has that I should ask him. So he got that. And we I remember him, I think it was on a CD player. And he put that CD in and I was like, Oh my god, because you know, he played to find gravity for me. So at that point, nobody I mean, if you could belt a C and a D, you were like good. And if you had an E in there, you were like a goddess.

[12:44] Dee Roscioli: And were you like I'm a belter at this point?

[12:49] Kevin Bianchi: Yeah, I would but I had all those C, D and E. Those are all my money notes. But Adina hits that F at the end and just sustains everything. So I was like, Oh, I can't. I can't do that. That's crazy. And then he was like, Yeah, and she's flying the whole time when she's singing. And I was like, what? And then when the show came to New York, then he got tickets for the very first preview of Wicked. And we saw that together in the nosebleeds at the Gershwin. Afterwards, he was like, you're gonna play that part. And I was like, there's no way I can play that part. I can't sing like that sustained and that high. He's like, you're gonna play the part. And then shortly after that, I got the standby in Chicago.

[13:29] Dee Roscioli: Well, so you were at the first Broadway preview of Wicked.

[13:31] Quincy Brown: Yeah.

[13:32] Dee Roscioli: That's really historic.

[13:33] Quincy Brown: Yeah, totally. Well, you know, what's funny, too, is that in the beginning, you know, it's, what, what are you all looking at? Oh, do I have something in my teeth? There was a line in there that I remember Dina would say, is my petticoat showing? There was like other weird, odd things that were in there that, you know, obviously got cut after a while. But yeah, I do remember that line, because I thought it was weird. So I guess it's good they cut it. But

[13:58] Dee Roscioli: And how did that kind of change? So at this point, you had listened to that bootlegged audio and been like, this is a crazy role. And then you see it and you see the book scenes and everything. Did that change your perception of the character at all?

[14:08] Dee Roscioli: I honestly was so stuck on that, those notes in Defying Gravity after I saw that I was like, I just don't know if I can ever play this. So I don't know if I paid attention to it in the way that like watching the book scenes like, oh, this is a character I get. I more watch a show like that now more than I did back then. Because you know, I guess I just didn't have enough self-confidence to really put myself in those positions. Like it just seems so unattainable to look at someone leading a show on Broadway and think that I could do that. Yeah, I yeah, I just didn't. I wasn't there yet. Yeah, yeah. So then after that, I just, I mean, I love the show so much. I just thought it was so good. And like, I would listen to the, to the cast recording when it came out, finally, then I started listening to it and listening to it. And then then I finally got the audition for the standby in Chicago and the rest is history. Yeah. And so at that point, you were like, Nessa, we're on to Elphaba.

[15:01] Dee Roscioli: Yeah, yeah. I think, yeah, I think after I started really listening to the soundtrack and listening to the cast recording, I should say, listening to that, I think that the Elphaba songs are just so exciting. Like, yeah, everyone, you want to play Elphaba. Yeah. Or if you're, or if you're a Glinda, you want to play Glinda, but really, you want to play Elphaba. So take us inside the audition process for standby. Yeah. Were you going in for standby all this?

[15:20] Dee Roscioli: Yes, yes, yes. Because the Chicago company wasn't supposed to be a sit down. They, I think Stephanie, she was the first on tour, right? And so when they went to Chicago, it was such a giant hit that they left their touring set there. And they built them built the tour a new set.

[15:36] Quincy Brown: Oh, that's cool. That's interesting.

[15:43] Dee Roscioli: Yeah, because they had sold so well. Yeah. And so that set in Chicago was the original touring set that you know, and then the tour got a brand new set. Or at least that's how it's explained to me. And it's all lies. And then yeah, then then Ana Gasteyer started that. And so when Ana was about to leave Christy Cates, who was on a standby was going to be taking over her spot. And so I had auditioned and then I got put on the waitlist.

[16:05] Quincy Brown: They communicate to you that you were on the waitlist?

[16:11] Dee Roscioli: Yeah, like, yeah, because my my feedback Kyle called me and they said they're like, they really like you. They just don't feel like they have a spot for you right now. So they're just, you know, they're not this isn't the end. This is just they're putting you on like what kind of like a waitlist like they know that they're going to need Elphaba's in the future. And so they're just and I was devastated, of course, and I cried all day. And I think like a day or so later, I got a call back and they're like, Hey, just kidding. Can you come in for a work session? So sometimes in the audition process, if they find somebody that they really like, but maybe they're a little rough around the edges, or they're not quite getting what they want from the actor, they'll have like a work session because they really want to use this person.

And it's like an audition, but it is a rehearsal. Essentially, you get like a mini rehearsal. Yeah. So it's like, you know, you'll have like maybe an hour and you and it at this time, it was Lisa Luguio. And she basically directed me through all of the scenes, because she knew what she wanted. And I wasn't exactly giving that. And then I had another callback with everyone again, was like Joe and Steven, and I think Winnie was there. I mean, you know, all the producers, everybody. And was it working acting things? Or was it working vocal things?

[17:20] Dee Roscioli: I think it was more acting beats that they were looking for that I wasn't quite hitting. And they're tricky, because at that point, the show had been really established. So they, they, they want certain things. So it's not, I mean, a lot of people have work sessions. So it's not like a, it's not a negative, it's actually a positive. They want to make it happen. But yeah, so after that, then I went in and the auditions start with the big part of Defying Gravity. So you walk in, you're like, Hello, hello. Hi. Hi. Great. Okay, ready? And you're like, that's how it starts. So it's a little shot out of the cannon.

[17:56] Quincy Brown: I mean, talk about setting people up. I mean, that is just I mean, I'm not that girl. But at this point, mentally, are you like, this is a role I can do?

[18:06] Dee Roscioli: Oh, yeah, at that point, I was like, I want this. Now I had wrapped my voice around Defying Gravity. I was like, Oh, my God, I can actually sing this now. I got this. I know I can do this. And then, you know, reading the scenes and doing acting the scenes. I was like, I know this person. I know this character. This is this is very much like me. So I've just, I felt very close with her. And you went to school for straight acting, right?

[18:31] Dee Roscioli: Yeah, yeah. They didn't have a musical theater program there. I mean, I wish I would have paid more attention at school. I really, it wasn't a conservatory, you know, so it was like a liberal arts school. And we had a, you know, I have a degree in theater. But yeah, I just wish I would have read more of those plays. And I didn't. Yeah, we all wish we were better in school.

[18:50] Quincy Brown: Right, though, right. And it's like, it's not until you get older, you're like, what was I doing? There's still a class freshman year that I'm like, I should have paid attention to that class, because I actually use this skill.

[19:01] Dee Roscioli: Yeah, yeah. Okay, so now we're standing by in Chicago. What was the ask to take over full time? And then what was the ask? Did you go straight to Broadway? Or no, you did San Francisco in between, right?

[19:08] Dee Roscioli: Gosh, you're really good. Yeah. Um, yeah, I they that was an emergency cover that they needed, because I think Teal. Yeah, it was Teal. But I went, I went two times and Teal was injured. And then the standby, the understudy, which was Angel Rita, who was in the Cher show. She was on vacation. And so the standby, oh my god. Yes, thank you. I was like, I can't she'll kill me if I blank on it. She'll literally kill me. So Vicky needed a standby in essence. And so I came and I was like, I just acted like Vicky standby, which was awesome. Because I just was like paid to be in San Francisco and sitting around and, and were you doing it full time in Chicago at that point already?

[19:50] Dee Roscioli: I closed Chicago. Got it. Oh, so this was like a nice little I was like, I got this. That's what my confidence kicked in. I got this. It's fine. You know what I mean? And I think that yeah, I think she I think Vicky maybe missed like one show that week. I was there for like two weeks, maybe. And then I came back to San Francisco to when Teal was recovering and like she got better. She was only doing like a split week and Vicky had vacation. So I came to cover Vicky's vacation, but I went on for half the week in San Francisco.

[20:19] Quincy Brown: Gotcha. Gotcha. And then so when brought it came time for Broadway. Well, first walk us through like when you took over full time for Chicago, was it just like a Hey, do you want to do this? Or I mean, kind of at that point, I was doing twice a week. So I was doing the Wednesday matinee and the Saturday matinee for Christie. I was like structured in that way. Yeah. And which was, it's a blessing because that's how you build your stamina for that show. You know what I mean? You learn, you know, you're doing it twice a week, you're like, I got this. And then like, I remember going on for a week for Christie and being like, wow, this is really hard. It's no joke. Like it's an adjustment, your body needs to adjust.

That's why I feel bad for every alphabet that's coming in without being a standby. First, everybody needs to be chill on those alphabets for like a good month, two months, just to let them build up their stamina, because it's just so hard. So I was doing twice a week. And then it was after a matinee one day, and I was in my little standby dressing room, and David Stone came in and I was cleaning my voice steamer. And I was like, Oh, hi, David. He's like, Hi. It was like super casual. He's just kind of looking around. He's like, so we would love for you to do the show full time. And I was like, really? And I cried. And he's like, Yeah. And I was like, Oh my god, yeah, I would love to. That'd be great.

Thank you so much. And, and yeah, David Stone, too. Yeah, I know. It was he's, he's, you know, he is the big producer, but he's also he's not soft, but he's sentimental. We love a sentimental man. Gosh, I didn't even mean to do that.

[21:50] Dee Roscioli: Yeah, so David offered it to me then. And then of course, they worked on all the contract details. And did you feel ready at that point to be like, I can do this eight times a week?

[21:57] Dee Roscioli: Yeah, I was scared. But I was like, it's time. Like there was a voice that was like, enough. That's okay. You can be scared. You have to just take the leap.

[22:05] Quincy Brown: The show is at the peak of its like mania at that point. As you were saying, with like, kind of building up through standby to principal Elphaba in terms of stamina, I would imagine that also helps with the weight of the show as well.

[22:18] Dee Roscioli: Yes, that's exactly what it's like. Yeah, that's why I feel bad for the Elphabas that have to come in without because it's like you're getting kind of bombarded from both sides. You have like, the expecting fans, and then you have the creative team that expects a certain thing and then your cast that expects and then your expectations on top of that for yourself and what it means to get to play a role like Elphaba. You know, as a woman, those types of roles don't come along that often, or they didn't at that time. It's different when you're like, you know, at the audition, or when you're standing in your room and you're singing, you're like, yeah, I got this, I got this. It's totally different when you're on stage, because there's so much, there's just so much there's like, you wouldn't believe like, when they come and give notes, you just wouldn't believe it.

I don't know, I had it in my head that I would get, oh, D, great job. Just got a couple things for you. That is not how it goes at all. It's like, okay, I don't know what you're doing. I got to figure this out. First thing, you got to be on four, not six. And it's just like, it goes. And it's like, they have to get it done. It's like, you know, there's no time to kind of coddle you and to say, you're really great. You're so good. That's your mom or your dad or your best friends are going to do that for you. And that's where you get that from. You don't get that from the creatives because they have a show to run. Yeah, it can be hard. You kind of have to build yours. I mean, after I've done that, I feel like I can, I did a show sometime after that.

And one of the actors was like, God, the director really doesn't ever say good job or anything. And I was like, oh, I don't need the good job anymore. I stopped expecting, oh, you did great a long time ago. It's not like I never got it. Yeah, but you just got used to like, it was just down to business when they were giving notes. And it's a lot. I mean, it's like, you know, it's the bag and the broom and the hat and the whatnot. And then make sure you're in this light and not that light. And, you know, there's fog and your hair. And I mean, it's just like, it's a lot. Nicole Parker kind of talked to us about the mental health toll that playing this role can have on you, especially when you play it for extended periods of time. And I feel like you've kind of alluded to that in other interviews you've given. Is that something that you can relate to?

[24:18] Dee Roscioli: Yes, a hundred percent. There was a whole period of time where I had a weird thing, like anytime I saw. So in the show, they have these hairpins that are like, they're kind of a U-shaped hairpin and they're kind of big. They're like this big. And they have like a little bead kind of glued onto the end because it's easier to pull in and out of wigs when they have to do quick changes. Sometimes those would find themselves on the stage, on the deck. And there was a whole period of time where if I would see one, I could not not pick it up. So there was a whole, yeah, because I was getting loopy. So I would just, because it was like at that point, that was when I was in Chicago and I had been doing the show for like, I think 18 months straight.

And then I took a vacation. So I had just done so much without taking any vacation. And I was just like, my mind was like, it was like, Ooh. And so, yeah, I was going through this period. I was like picking up hairpins off the floor and I was like, I gotta stop doing this. It's like distracting. I'd be like, what is she doing? Why is Elphaba bending down in the middle of a scene? I'd be like, I don't know, Fiyero, I don't know. Then I come back up.

[25:17] Quincy Brown: Do you think you did such a long run without taking a break? Because was Wicked Chicago in your career trajectory, kind of like the break?

[25:26] Dee Roscioli: A hundred percent.

[25:27] Quincy Brown: Yeah. Like, do you think that added pressure?

[25:29] Dee Roscioli: Yeah. The Wicked Chicago company was, I mean, I was a waitress before that. Well, we did Pokemon and Grizabella before that.

[25:36] Quincy Brown: Well, that's very true, but those were all non-union gigs. So like the big break into the business for me was for sure Chicago. I mean, I have a very good work ethic, but I was also new and I didn't know a lot. So to me, when I came there, I had this idea of like, just keep your eyes and ears open and your mouth shut. Just do what you're told because I didn't know. I didn't know that I could ask for certain things. If I was uncomfortable with something, I didn't know that I could say, hey, this isn't really working. Can we try it this way? I just did it.

[26:09] Quincy Brown: So at what point in your Elphaba journey would you say that you kind of settled into viewing it more as like, this is a job that I'm doing and I can call out if I need to call out and all of that jazz?

[26:20] Dee Roscioli: I think somewhere around Broadway, the end of my Broadway run, I kind of got that. I think tour is really the first time that I totally relaxed because I was like, oh yeah, I can do this. It's okay. It's okay. In Chicago and a lot of New York, I was very regimented as far as my pre-show patterns and doing my backstage choreography with the dresser and everything. She knew there were certain times that I'd want her there because I have to do a spray or whatever it was. But I think I was able to let go of all that more on the tour and be like, oh, it doesn't matter if I... It was a little bit of a...

[26:57] Quincy Brown: Ain’t you TIRED, girl? This week, #SummerWithSentMen continues with the history-making Dee Roscioli! Not only has she performed the role of Elphaba in North America more times than any other actress, she was also my first green girl and (famously) The Fourth Cher. Dee logged on with us to chat about all of this and so much more.

[27:27] Dee Roscioli: Thank you for having me! I’m so excited to be here.

[27:57] Quincy Brown: We’re thrilled to have you! You have such an incredible history with the role of Elphaba. Can you tell us a little about your journey with that character?

[28:27] Dee Roscioli: Absolutely! I started my journey with Elphaba back in 2007 when I first joined the tour. It was such a transformative experience for me, and I never imagined I would end up playing the role so many times.

[28:57] Quincy Brown: That’s amazing! What do you think it is about Elphaba that resonates so much with audiences?

[29:27] Dee Roscioli: I think Elphaba represents the underdog and the struggle for acceptance. Her journey of self-discovery and empowerment really speaks to people, especially those who feel like they don’t fit in.

[29:57] Quincy Brown: Definitely! And you’ve had the chance to perform in various productions across the country. Do you have a favorite moment or memory from your time as Elphaba?

[30:27] Dee Roscioli: Oh, there are so many! One that stands out is when I performed at the Pantages Theatre in Los Angeles. The energy from the audience was electric, and it felt like a true celebration of the character.

[30:37] Quincy Brown: That sounds incredible! You’ve also been known as The Fourth Cher. How did that come about?

[30:47] Dee Roscioli: It was such a fun experience! I got to step into the role of Cher in "The Cher Show," and it was a dream come true. Cher is such an icon, and to portray her was both an honor and a blast.

[30:57] Quincy Brown: I can only imagine! What was the most challenging part of playing Cher compared to Elphaba?

[31:07] Dee Roscioli: The biggest challenge was definitely the vocal demands. Cher has such a unique sound, and I had to really find that balance between honoring her voice and making it my own.

[31:17] Quincy Brown: That’s a great point. You’ve tackled some pretty iconic roles! What advice would you give to aspiring performers who want to follow in your footsteps?

[31:27] Dee Roscioli: I would say to stay true to yourself and never stop learning. The industry can be tough, but if you’re passionate and dedicated, you can make it.

[31:37] Quincy Brown: Wise words! And speaking of passion, what’s next for you? Any upcoming projects you’re excited about?

[31:47] Dee Roscioli: I’m currently working on a new project that I can’t quite reveal yet, but I’m really excited about it! It’s something different, and I think audiences will love it.

[31:57] Quincy Brown: We can’t wait to hear more! Thank you so much for joining us today, Dee. It’s been a pleasure chatting with you.

[32:07] Dee Roscioli: Thank you for having me! I had a great time.

[32:17] Quincy Brown: And to our listeners, make sure to follow us on social media and leave a rating or review on Apple Podcasts. We’ll see you next time!

[40:26] Quincy Brown: Ain’t you TIRED, girl? This week, #SummerWithSentMen continues with the history-making Dee Roscioli! Not only has she performed the role of Elphaba in North America more times than any other actress, she was also my first green girl and (famously) The Fourth Cher. Dee logged on with us to chat about all of this and so much more.

[40:56] Kevin Bianchi: Yes, we are so excited to have Dee with us today!

[41:24] Quincy Brown: Dee, how are you doing?

[41:44] Dee Roscioli: I’m doing great! Thank you for having me.

[42:12] Kevin Bianchi: We’re thrilled to have you here. You’ve had such an incredible journey in musical theatre.

[42:32] Dee Roscioli: Thank you! It’s been a wild ride, for sure.

[43:00] Quincy Brown: You’ve played Elphaba more than anyone else in North America. What does that mean to you?

[43:28] Dee Roscioli: It means the world to me. It’s such an iconic role and to be able to portray her so many times is truly a blessing.

[43:56] Kevin Bianchi: And you’ve brought so much to the character.

[44:24] Dee Roscioli: Thank you! I always try to bring my own interpretation to the role while honoring what’s come before.

[44:52] Quincy Brown: You were also known as The Fourth Cher. How did that come about?

[45:20] Dee Roscioli: It was such a fun experience! I got to step into the role and bring my own flair to it.

[45:46] Kevin Bianchi: That’s amazing!

[46:14] Dee Roscioli: It really was. Cher is such a powerhouse, and it was an honor to take on that role.

[46:40] Quincy Brown: What’s been your favorite moment on stage?

[47:08] Dee Roscioli: There have been so many, but I think the moments where I connect with the audience are the most special.

[47:38] Kevin Bianchi: That’s what it’s all about, right?

[48:06] Dee Roscioli: Absolutely!

[48:30] Quincy Brown: We’re excited to dive deeper into your experiences today.

[49:00] Kevin Bianchi: Yes, let’s get into it!

[49:30] Dee Roscioli: I’m ready!

[50:00] Quincy Brown: Fantastic!

[50:26] Kevin Bianchi: So, let’s start from the beginning.

[50:52] Dee Roscioli: Sure! I grew up in a musical family, so it was always a part of my life.

[51:18] Quincy Brown: That’s wonderful!

[51:46] Dee Roscioli: It really shaped who I am as a performer.

[52:14] Kevin Bianchi: I can imagine!

[52:44] Dee Roscioli: It’s been a journey of growth and discovery.

[53:12] Quincy Brown: We can’t wait to hear more about it!

[53:38] Dee Roscioli: Let’s do it!