Heather Headley, who won the 2000 Tony Award as Best Actress in a Musical for her title role in Aida, had a ready answer when people in her native Trinidad asked, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" She giggles, "The answer was simple. I wanted to sing for thousands of people."
It was a childhood fantasy, "but, long before I was aware Broadway existed, my dream was to be a recording artist. I prayed it would come true and prepared by putting on concerts in Barataria in my parents' Church of God. Of course, the seats were empty."
Not anymore! Except when audiences at the Palace Theater jump to their feet to award her a standing ovation.
This fall her dream of a solo album will be realized. In the meantime, she has Aida. Listening to an advance copy of the original cast CD, she said, "I don't listen to me. I listen to everybody else and they're amazing. (Co-stars) Adam (Pascal) and Sherie (Rene Scott) sound so good."
Theatregoers beyond New York will get to judge for themselves when the Aida cast album is released June 13. Fans can also hear her on the DRB Records cast album of the 1999 "Encores!" revival of Do Re Mi, in which Headley coincidentally co-starred with 2000 Best Actor Tony winner Brian Stokes Mitchell, 2000 Tony co-host Nathan Lane, and Randy Graff.
Heather, who's 25, is incredulous at her rising star and Tony nomination. "In college, I watched the telecasts, always hoping, wondering when I'd be there. I'm quite content." She's also delighted to be in the room with the Aida cast. "I work with real, supportive friends." And, although the musical won the 2000 Tony Award for Best Score, "we were hurt we didn't get into the Best Musical category. It's paradoxical to us, because audiences are on their feet, screaming and yelling. It's so overwhelming. I told everyone, 'We got five and could've gotten none, so we have to be happy.' We're all gung ho for what we have and going from there."
She's pleased at the spectrum of audiences Aida draws. "I've seen young and old. Kids bring their parents and grandparents, who also love it. That's encouraging."
Headley first performed at age two, placing second in a radio children's talent show. "Mom saw my love of music, and started me singing in church choirs." By age four, she was playing concert piano. At 15, the Headleys immigrated to the U.S. and Fort Wayne, Indiana, where Heather was introduced to theater -- not exactly an arena that had her parents' blessings. She won leads in school musicals [Man of La Mancha, Funny Girl]. Proud of her Tony Award, the mayor of Ft. Wayne declared June 10, 2000 "Heather Headley Day."
On graduation, to pursue her goal of becoming an opera singer, she studied musical theater and communications at Northwestern University, where she performed in such musicals as Pippin, and, professionally, in Dreamgirls and And the World Goes 'Round at Marriott's Lincolnshire Theater outside Chicago.
In 1996, at the end of her junior year at Northwestern, she auditioned for Livent's Toronto production of Ragtime. For six months she understudied and performed the role of Sarah. After considerable thought and family discussions, she dropped out of college "to continue my education on the job."
She came to New York to audition for "the most anticipated show on Broadway," The Lion King and was cast by Julie Taymor as Nala, Simba's feisty lioness. Then Disney voice-cast her for their animated "Lion King" sequel, "Simba's Pride: Return to the Pridelands." She was on the short list for the Elton John/Tim Rice tuner to portray Nubian princess Aida, who's captured and enslaved by Egyptian Prince Radames, who soon sees beyond her chains and falls in forbidden love.
"So many talented ladies auditioned," says Headley. "I never thought I'd have a chance." But she go it "and it's one of the greatest gifts I've ever had."
The Atlanta pre-Broadway shakedown (with the title "Elaborate Lives") had its share of stress, but ultimately the new director Robert Falls and wholesale revisions got the show back on track. "Being in Lion King, and working with such music giants as Elton and Tim, was the culmination of my dreams," says Headley. "I don't want the bubble to burst. It's like you're having this really great dream and you don't want to wake up. I just want to keep lying here, with my eyes closed!"
She laughs and says it's difficult for her to believe she's where she is. "I wasn't born with a silver spoon in my mouth. If I had any kind, it was made of plastic. I got to go to college, thanks to scholarships and grants. But life's funny! Who, but me, would have predicted this girl, born on a Caribbean island, could come to Broadway and find a place and a home?"
She adds, "When you want something bad enough, ask God for it. Then do your best. If it's meant to be, it will come. I still cling to an adage I grew up with: 'Reach for the moon, so, even if you miss, you'll be among the stars.' I always remind myself that God -- not Heather -- is in control! If we trust Him, He'll provide! He has for me."
[END]
