A decade after crossing the pond to make her London debut in Dreamgirls, Liisi LaFontaine is officially making her Broadway debut in WANTED at the James Earl Jones Theatre.
Earlier this fall, at a press event for the new musical, she reflected on what making her Broadway debut means to her: “The West End is very similar, but there’s something about Broadway and what this industry has done for so many of us little theater kids. To be part of that fabric is very surreal and incredible.”
In WANTED, LaFontaine stars opposite Solea Pfeiffer, whom she first met at a reading for the show eight years ago. The two immediately became best friends. Together, they play the Sisters Clarke, Black twin sisters who passed as white in 1893 Texas and find themselves on the run.
As she celebrated her first opening night as a Broadway star on November 8, Broadway Direct was there to cover the very exciting moment for LaFontaine.
What is going through your head as you open WANTED?
I genuinely can’t believe this moment is real. I’ve been working for so many years in this industry and have gotten so close to this moment so many times. But the fact that this is my Broadway debut, with this show, starring alongside my best friend, is more than I could have ever asked for or imagined. I’m just so thankful I said yes to the reading of this show eight years ago. What a journey it’s been.
Who are the people you would like to thank for being with you on this journey?
My family, of course, especially my mom and sister, who have been the most consistent support. My dad, who is watching from heaven and who I do everything for. My grandpa, who grew up picking cotton as a sharecropper on land that his family once owned but got taken from them … and all the ancestors on both sides who sacrificed so much for me to have the life I have now. My godfathers, Ben Vereen and Charles Randolph-Wright, who have given me priceless advice and love since birth. I also have the most beautiful, supportive group of friends who have carried me through every season. Also, special shoutout to Tara Rubin, who quite literally started my career by casting me as Deena in Dreamgirls in London and who also cast WANTED! Very full circle!
What’s a funny moment you’ll always remember from this preview process?
There are too many to count [laughter], but probably all the little line flubs and mess-ups because our brains were so full of new information every night. I sang the complete wrong lyrics a few times.
What do you hope audiences will take away from WANTED?
I want them to feel inspired by the power and tenacity of these brave and complicated women. I want them to go and do some research on this incredibly complex and barely talked about time in America’s history. And I want them to NEED the cast album immediately!
If you could meet your younger self for coffee, what would she say about this opening night moment?
