Gerrilyn Sohn returns to Don’t Tell Mama for an encore performance of her cabaret debut show Something Cool on November 3, 2019 at 5:30 pm. Directed by Gretchen Reinhagen, with Musical Director David Gaines, this show pays tribute to some of Gerrilyn’s favorite musical influences, be they shows or artists, with an eclectic mix of songs from Broadway and The Great American Songbook—and the stories that go along with them.
NiteLife Exchange (NLE) celebrates Gerrilyn Sohn (GS) with Six Questions plus one:
NiteLife Exchange: When did you realize you had the gift of singing and what were your early influences?
Gerrilyn Sohn: When I was 7, my parents were watching the Porgy and Bess movie on TV. I was mesmerized. They had the album, so they gave it to me to listen to. I listened to it so much that I warped the record. I would sing along with it. Then, I would listen and sing along with other cast albums that they had: Funny Girl, West Side Story, The Sound of Music.
NLE: You received a BA in theater from Central Connecticut State University, performed in various theaters and toured Europe with the Company of Hair before moving to New York; how did you eventually get your start in Cabaret?
GS: I wanted to find a way to continue performing while being able to work around my schedule, so I Googled cabaret classes. I came up with Gretchen Reinhagen’s class at the Singers Forum. I’ve been taking classes and workshops for years, and I decided it’s time to do my own show.
NLE: What are the ways you go about sourcing material for your projects/shows? Do you have anything in mind in regard future shows?
GS: I have songs that tell a story that I want to convey. I also have stories that I want to share, and I found songs to go along with the stories. I do have a tribute show in mind.
NLE: Which is the most memorable experience you’ve had in your singing and acting career
GS: My most memorable singing experience was the first time that I went on as Crissy in Hair in Switzerland. Also memorable and moving, being raised Jewish, was singing in Hair about freedom on a stage that Hitler had built for himself in Nuremberg.
NLE: What do you like to do on your spare time?
GS: I like to go to shows, museums, have dinner with friends. I like walking and exploring the city.
NLE: When you’re alone what do you listen to?
GS: Classic Rock
NLE: If someone was narrating your life, who would you want to be the narrator? And why?
GS: Morgan Freeman. He narrates everything
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