The 2017 winner of Mama’s Next Big Act, Heather Villaescusa, is bringing her show, The Happiness Project—A 10 Week Guide, back to Don’t Tell Mama on Monday, October 29 at 7:00 pm and Friday, November 9 at 7:00 pm. The show is directed by Lennie Watts, with musical direction by Steven Ray Watkins on piano, Matt Scharfglass on bass and Don Kelly on drums. The Happiness Project is about Villaescusa’s 10-week experience through the Mama’s Next Big Act contest—from the last second decision to join the competition, to fighting gremlins (of the mind) as she struggles to balance performing with being a wife and mother. The show features songs by Jason Robert Brown, Kander and Ebb, Joe Iconis and Steven Sondheim, featuring backups performed by Lennie Watts and Rachel Hanser, with special guest Jay Haddad.
1. NiteLife Exchange (NLE): When did you realize you had a gift for singing and what were your early influences?
Heather Villaescusa (HV): I always loved to sing. But it wasn’t something I studied. It wasn’t until college that I really focused on my vocal studies and really built up my range. Up until then, I was really just a belter, but my amazing college vocal professor showed me I also had a legit soprano voice in there, as well. As for my influences, I couldn’t get enough of Judy Garland, Frank Sinatra and anything Broadway related.
2. NLE: When did you realize that you wanted to be a performer and when was the first time you sang and or acted in front of an audience.
HV: As a child, I was painfully shy and even though I auditioned for a few shows, I was never cast. I experienced my first musical when I was a freshman in High School. I auditioned for Guys and Dolls and was cast as a sightseer. I walked on stage in the beginning, stood under a lamppost and pointed to the sky, then walked off stage. My next entrance was the curtain call. My mom encouraged me to audition for the next thing to come along, and after being cast as the lead, I was hooked. But my first solo dates back to grade school. I sang “Hey, Good Lookin’” by Hank Williams in the 3rd grade choir concert.
3. NLE: How did it feel to find out you were the 2017 winner of Mama’s Next BIg Act?
HV: I was floored, thrilled and excited. I had followed along closely the two previous years and was blown away by the talent that was up on that stage and the commitment it took to go on week after week. I wasn’t sure if I had the mental bandwidth or, as a working mother, the time to participate, but after Lennie Watts let me know there were spots open, and I had the support of my husband, I jumped in. It was a wonderful way to work on your craft due to the amazing feedback you received every week. It was a very humbling experience and a gift to win.
4. NLE: Which is the most memorable experience you’ve had in your singing/acting career?
HV: I was a late bloomer to pursing acting as a career. Before I moved to NYC in my late 20s I had never even visited NYC. As a kid from Wisconsin, I never thought I would actually move and pursue acting as a career. My most memorable experience isn’t actually a job or a performance. It’s me, standing in line at an audition about to try out for a Broadway show that was my favorite show of all time. And right before I went in to sing, a wave of gratitude washed over me and I said, “I’m here, I”m really doing this. This is really happening.” That proved to me anything is possible if you just trust the process and take chances.
5. NLE: With regard to future shows, how many others do you already have in mind? What are the ways you go about sourcing material for your projects/shows?
HV: I am always thinking of shows to do. I have two specific shows in my mind right now that I’m trying to develop. Both need quite a bit of research and development before they come to life. As for sourcing material, I listen to a lot of music. I try to listen to things I don’t normally listen to, but I also pick the brains of my director, Lennie Watts and musical director, Steven Ray Watkins. They both have a wealth of knowledge.
6. NLE: What do you like to do in your spare time?
HV: WHAT spare time? I love spending time with my family. My husband and I have an 8-year old daughter, so after a long week at work, I love family time. I love to bake with my daughter and we play a lot of family games. As for my own spare time, I tend to wake up early to enjoy a cup of coffee on the couch while everyone else is sleeping. If I had a day just to myself, i would be curled up on the couch all day with my cats, books, coffee and Netflix. I can dream, right?
Heather Villaescusa’s The Happiness Project—A 10 Week Guide is at Don’t Tell Mama on Monday, October 29 at 7:00 pm and Friday, November 9 at 7:00 pm. For more information and tickets click here
Don’t Tell Mama is located at 343 W 46th St (between 8th & 9th Ave) New York, NY, 212-757-0788
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