Six Questions for Marnie Klar, Appearing at Don’t Tell Mama on Monday, November 5th

1. NiteLife Exchange (NLE): When did you first realize that you wanted to be a performer and when was the first time you sang or acted in front of an audience? 

Marnie Klar (MK): I always like to say that I popped out of the womb singing, so I think it was just innate in me from the beginning. Also, since I was a sickly child and had to frequently miss school, I would always use my time at home literally acting out entire movies as I watched them.  It seemed pretty clear to me, and my entire family, that this profession chose me.  I’ve always felt that I’m just along for the ride.  As for my first time performing in front of an audience… (in my opinion) it was a train wreck.  My parents found out that my school was going to have a talent show and urged me to sing.  I was in the third grade and didn’t know anything about performing, outside of my home, or what was involved.  So, I decided to sing, “What I Did For Love” from A Chorus Line—a cappella—to the Hebrew Academy of Tidewater (in Virginia Beach).  When I finished singing, you could hear a pin drop.  There was no clapping or talking or anything (except what I thought was laughter from the other kids).  I was devastated.  As I said, performing clearly chose me, since I’m still at it.

2 NLE: Did you always want to be a model or did it just happen? Were you an actor before a model? 

MK: I don’t think I really ever thought about being a model.  When I was 12, my mom enrolled me in a local “modeling class,” mainly to try to boost my confidence in being so tall, especially at such an early age.  I did enjoy learning how to walk a runway, mainly since it was the closest I could imagine to live performing.  Interestingly enough, in regard to your other question, when I was 15 I was cast and performing in my first show, a production of The Wizard of Oz (as Glinda) with a prominent local theatre company, the Hurrah Players in Norfolk, Virginia. A friend of the director, who was working with Starmites on Broadway, saw the show and suggested to the director and eventually my mom and me, that I really needed to come to New York to pursue modeling and that she would personally take me to find an agent.  Kinda long story short—that’s when I signed with Wilhelmina.

3 NLE: How did you eventually get involved in Cabaret?    

MK: I love this question! The short answer—I am so thrilled whenever I’m cast as an actor, because I know that’s who I am, in my being.  Yet, for a long while since I had moved to New York, I had yet to be cast in a musical.  I felt as though this City didn’t really know me.  Then, in the mid 2000s, a friend had recommended me for a musical, where the Musical Director is this man, Mark Janas.  Mark had just started this “little something” called The Salon, which he invited me to attend.  All of a sudden, I felt like I was part of a family. Then, I met Tanya Moberly, and again, my world changed.  With Tanya’s guidance and support, I learned that I could use this platform to really share with audiences my story (which had been aching to get out).  It’s been thrilling, because, even though I’m using other peoples’ songs, I’m telling my story.  Now, that I feel complete on sharing me, I’m excited to focus on other people.  As I will be in my new show, Marnie Klar Sings Bobby Gentry.

4. NLE: What is the most memorable experience you’ve had in your singing and acting career? 

MK: As of now, I think the most personally special and impactful for me is my cabaret show, Accidental Happiness, which was about a near-death car accident I had been involved in as a teenager. I had gone through 21 years of never telling a soul of what that had been like.  I was able to put it into a show and people heard it and I’ve heard it’s inspired others.  That’s important to me.  Otherwise, does cursing in front of my parents on stage for the first time count as pretty memorable!? I did feel faint.

5. NLE: What would you say is your current motivator?

MK: Life.  Curiosity. Talent. Positivity.

6. NLE: What do you like to do on your spare time?   

MK: Currently, I don’t have much spare time and I’m thrilled.  Ideally, reading on a beach is Utopia.  Since obviously, that’s not always possible, I really enjoy connecting with my close friends and family members.  And, since it’s football season, yeah, watching football.

For more information about Marnie Klar click here

For more information and tickets to see Marnie Klar at Don’t Tell Mama click here

Don’t Tell Mama is located at 343 W 46th St (between 8th & 9th Ave) New York, NY, 212-757-0788