Colby Reisinger
Colby Reisinger (Inga)
YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN THE MUSICAL
SEPTEMBER 17 — OCTOBER 31
What excites you about Young Frankenstein the Musical?
I'm most thrilled to be back at Vintage Theatre working with people... hanging around old friends and forming bonds with new cast mates is a great feeling. It's a true blessing, considering the times.
What’s your process like in preparing for a show like this, and how does that process change (if at all) from other shows?
I'm definitely preparing for this role more than I have in shows past as I try to make each new role my personal best. I am upping my workouts and am taking voice lessons to help with the German diction for my character, Inga.
What’s your biggest challenge about taking on this role?
The song "Roll in the Hay" is the biggest challenge, absolutely. The yodeling is the most acrobatic singing I've yet to perform in musical theatre and I'm quite enjoying the challenge. During the song I will have to bounce around as if we are riding in a hay wagon so breath support is also going to be tricky in that piece.
How did you get started performing?
Choirs, piano and voice lessons growing up got me singing, my first love. I'm a few credits shy from a dance minor from Webster University where I graduated a semester early instead and majored in voice. I had one summer of tap, ballet and jazz at COCA in St. Louis before training in college. In my upper years, I was placed in classes with dance majors, most of whom had been dancing a decade plus compared to my measly two years... boyyy did I hold back the class! It turned out to be a highly motivating, effective crash course though.
Why do you still perform?
It just feels like what I was born to do. I'm an artist and I'd be lost if I wasn't. I am so grateful that I am lucky enough to do it.
What’s your dream role, and what do you feel you would bring to it?
It's gotta be a three way tie... Roxie, Velma in Chicago or Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar. As for the girls, I've done Chicago once as a much more naive girl and wasn't cast as either lead role... looking back, I'm glad! I wasn't ready for them. The raw life experience is here, but only now.
As for Judas, I rightfully lost the role to an incredible vocalist in high school and was totally in awe of her performance. I've worked diligently on my vocal technique and can only hope I could perform it to her standard and in my own way. I loved the blind casting and seeing a woman in the role... my love for Jesus-"Yeshua"-means everything to me so to be able to help tell his story as any lead role would be amazing... I'd settle for Mary Magdalene, any day!
What’s a fun fact people may not know about you?
I am a record holding swimmer! I hold the longest record at Missouri Athletic Club for girls aged 6-7, butterfly stroke. My husband will cream me in any sport we play... except for swimming, where I happily butterfly circles around him!
