Tina Arena as Roxie Hart
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Australian sensation Tina Arena is currently knocking ‘em dead as merry murderess Roxie Hart in Chicago at the Cambridge Theatre. Arena previously appeared on the London stage playing the role of Esmeralda in the French musical Notre Dame de Paris. She also appeared onstage in the Australian production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and played Sally Bowles in the Sam Mendes production of Cabaret. The Melbourne-born pop singer began her career, aged just seven, on an Australian TV series, Young Talent Time. She later emerged as an adult recording star with the album Strong as Steel in 1990, which included the single “I Need Your Body.” She released the album Don’t Ask in 1994, which included the hit singles “Chains,” “Heaven Help My Heart,” “Wasn’t It Good” and “Sorrento Moon.” Her next album, In Deep, released in 1997, was the highest selling Australian album of the year. Arena also recorded the theme song for the film The Mask of Zorro as a duet with Marc Anthony. Arena is excited to be back in the West End, and we’re excited to have her back! Want to know what it’s really like to have all that talent, fame and glory? Read her answers!
From Jay Parsons: Why did you want to be Roxie Hart?
Tina responds: There are so few great roles for women so the opportunity to play Roxie, who is feisty, energetic and a go-getter was too good to pass on.
From Niall Kinsella: Roxie Hart is such a great role! Have you ever seen anyone else play it? Who was your favourite?
Tina responds: I only ever saw one other person playing Roxie, but my take on the role is very different.
Tina Arena in Chicago
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From Graeme Marshall: Hey, Tina! Well done on your amazing French album! I've been a big fan of yours now for a long time and can't wait to see you in Chicago. My question is there are a lot of great female roles in the West End at the moment aside from Roxie—is there another you would love to play?
Tina responds: I haven’t had the chance to see any other shows recently so I need to catch up on what's going on.
From Theodore: I adored your performance in Notre Dame de Paris and have both the English cast recording and the original French recording, but I was wondering if you would ever consider doing a foreign language musical, and if so, which one?
Tina responds: Now, that would be ambitious wouldn’t it? Can’t say I've thought about that!
From Adam Starr: What is your favourite song in Chicago?
Tina responds: “Nowadays.”
From Clare: Since you began your career at just age seven, did you ever feel like you missed out on a "real childhood"?
Tina responds: Not really, my parents made sure of that.
From Brigitte: It's so great to have an Australian doing so well in show business! What is your best advice for getting through the audition process?
Tina responds: Make sure you're doing it because you really want to. Don’t be seduced by the business—it's really tough.
From Katherine: Do you think your personality is anything like Roxie?
Tina responds: Her feistiness is… her desire to be a celebrity is definitely not!
Tina Arena in Chicago
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From a fan: How do you cope with the pressure of doing a West End musical?
Tina responds: Make sure you have got great support at home!
From Rhonda: How do you stay in top shape?
Tina responds: I don’t know! I eat well, drink lots of water and sleep!
From Carla: As a pop star with a long career behind you (and hopefully in front of you), what do you think of today's pop stars? Any favourites? Any you despise?
Tina responds: Today's pop star is not a star. The word has lost its meaning, I'm afraid. Anyone can do it, that's why it’s become very mediocre. I don’t truly despise anyone, and I don’t really have any favourites either.
From Heather: What music do you listen to? What do you do for fun?
Tina responds: I listen to everything and anything—Brazilian jazz, classic, great singer/songwriters. And for fun… I love hanging with my family.