| In the Spotlight | |
| Keleen Snowgren Interview Continued |
About OKC: And you've done quite a few shows, several of them pretty large-scale productions. How does this compare to those?
Snowgren: Well, it's amazing that I felt coming into this that I would be the weakest link of this show. And then you get in and realize that these are just people. I was really nervous because I'm working with Larry Gatlin because I had never met a Grammy Award-winning artist before. So I thought that this was just huge scale, and I would just be this little, small town girl. But everyone is so down to earth and so kind and friendly. It didn't feel like this huge change because it's just such a great ensemble, such a great group of people. Everyone gets along so well that it's a home away from home.
About OKC: Are there other Oklahomans in the cast or kind of a collection?
Snowgren: It's people from all over the place. It's a great mix of personalities and experiences. We have people from New Orleans, New Mexico, California, New York, Colorado, just all over the place. It's great. Every state we go to, if it's someone's home town or home state, they say, "You gotta try this. This is the best food that you can find." You really get to know what our whole country is all about.
About OKC: So what are you recommending for Oklahoma City?
Snowgren: Oh for Oklahoma City... Oh, I totally recommend going out and seeing the nightlife that we've got. I mean, people think "Oh Jeez, it's Oklahoma." But really, it's got such great people that are so down to earth, and everyone's so friendly. It's very different, you know, because I went from Oklahoma and moved up to New York. And they don't have that 'everyone's a neighbor' feeling. You have to get used to your surroundings. But it's going to be really great to go back to Oklahoma just because it's like family. It definitely feels like I'm going home.
About OKC: Do the other cast members look to you for any perspective on Will Rogers since you have the Oklahoma experience?
Snowgren: When I went to school at OU, I learned a lot about him. And what's so sad and amazing is that people will forget who he is, and I think that's why this show is so important because he had such a big influence on not only the United States but the world. It's important for us to tell the story about him. He wrote 365 newspaper columns a year. He did over 70 films. In a time when there wasn't television and all of the little gadgets that we have today, he was still so known and valued as a person for how he could make people laugh. I had asked people if they knew about him beforehand, and not a lot of people at all know. But you see him everywhere. That's what's really neat. We travel all over the nation. He's everywhere, but I think people have lost what he's really about, so that's why it's so important to do the show.
About OKC: Sure. So tell me about Larry Gatlin as Will Rogers, working with him.
Snowgren: Oh my goodness. I was so nervous to meet him. The first day of rehearsal, he was instantly so personable. He would make you laugh and make you feel so comfortable. He's just this fun-spirited, spunky little guy. I think he's like our little cheerleader because he really makes you laugh and he really makes you enjoy your job. He's really wonderful to work with.
About OKC: You're living up in New York City now.
Snowgren: Yes. I moved up there after I finished I Want My '80's Musical at Lyric Theater. With my two sisters, we drove a 24-foot Budget truck from Dallas all the way up to New York, and I set up my apartment. After that first week of getting settled in, I went out to my first New York audition which just so happened to be The Will Rogers Follies. And the only reason why I went is because my roommate dragged me out of bed and said, "You have to go."
About OKC: Wow. So you got the first one you went to, huh?
Snowgren: I did. I was so lucky that my roommate dragged me out of bed. I owe him my life. I moved up there, and I had a little money saved in my bank account. And I drove everything that I own up in a big old truck and moved into my apartment that I'd never seen.
About OKC: A great start. A lot of people go up there and they work for so long...Snowgren: Right. I'm so blessed, and I'm fortunate. And I'm lucky. I cannot believe it's happening to me. I never thought it would.
About OKC: And what are your plans after the show?
Snowgren: The life of an actor is always unknown. I know I'm going to spend some time with my family, and then move back up to New York and audition and take dance classes and voice lessons, try to find a really great job that can pay the rent. And enjoy myself, make sure that I always make it home for Christmas.
About OKC: Exactly. Well, thank you so much for speaking with me Keleen.
Snowgren: Absolutely. All in all it's just been amazing. I feel like it's a once in a lifetime opportunity, and hopefully it'll happen more than once in a lifetime.
About OKC: Well, I look forward to seeing you in the show when you guys are down here in Oklahoma City.
Snowgren: Ah, I'm really excited to get to Oklahoma City.
About OKC: I guess I should say 'break a leg."
Snowgren: Yes. 'Break a leg' is always important. Thanks Adam.
