Hannah Cruz, who played suffragette Ruza in the Public Theater production of Shaina Taub's Suffs musical, can currently be seen in the Ogunquit Playhouse's American premiere of The Da Vinci Code, adapted from Dan Brown's best-selling mystery novel of the same name.
Directed by Leigh Toney, based on original direction by & Juliet's Luke Sheppard, the limited engagement also features Obie, Drama Desk, and Lortel Award winner Michael Urie (Buyer & Cellar, Ugly Betty) as Professor Robert Langdon and Emmy winner Charles Shaughnessy (Spamalot, The Nanny) as Sir Leigh Teabing.
Adapted by Rachel Wagstaff and Duncan Abel, the play鈥攁bout a curator of The Louvre who is found brutally murdered and the duo who has to solve the case鈥攃ontinues through September 23 at the Maine venue.
Cruz, who plays Sophie Neveu in The Da Vinci Code, was also seen at the Ogunquit Playhouse as Inga in the musical version of Mel Brooks' Young Frankenstein. Audiences around the country have seen her work in the national tours of Hamilton, earning an IRNE Award for Best Actress as Eliza, and Bullets Over Broadway, playing Ellen. Cruz also played the aspiring pianist Camille in MCC's Off-Broadway production of Only Gold.
In the interview below for the 半岛体育 series How Did I Get Here鈥攕potlighting not only actors, but directors, designers, musicians, and others who work on and off the stage to create the magic that is live theatre鈥擟ruz shares how Patti LuPone inspired her to be an actor and her most memorable day job.
Where did you train/study?
Hannah Cruz: Most
of my training has been on the job. I ended up going on tour out of
high school and then moved straight to New York at 19. I read and watch a
lot.
Was there a teacher who was particularly impactful/helpful? What made this instructor stand out?
You
know, I鈥檝e learned the most from my directors. Leigh Silverman [who directed Suffs] has taught
me a lot鈥攖o trust myself and have patience with myself and push me
when I need pushing.
I also took an Alexander Technique class at the 92 Street Y that helped me immensely.
What can audiences expect from The Da Vinci Code? Do you have a favorite moment in the show for your character?
It's a thriller. The fast-paced nature of a Dan Brown book on stage. It鈥檚
translated so well. I get to do so many cool new things in this show. I
get to fight! Which is a dream and a blast. Our fight director, Rick
Sordelet, is amazing.
Can you share a favorite moment onstage or backstage from your time in the national tour of Hamilton?
I
mean, I met my fianc茅! Edred Utomi was my Hamilton for the second half
of my contract, and doing that show with him was a dream. "That Would Be Enough" with him felt so true. I loved it.
What made you decide to become an actor? Was there a particular production or performance that influenced your decision?
I think I always had it in me, but I do have a specific memory of watching Patti LuPone in the Gypsy
revival at the St. James. I sat front row mezz, and I was bowled over.
I didn鈥檛 know someone could access things like that. It was the
ultimate inspiration.
Tell me about a time you almost gave up but didn鈥檛.
Oh God, I threaten to give up all the time. Mostly melodramatically, but
there have been a few times when I鈥檝e gone years without working and
I鈥檝e really questioned if it would ever happen. I know deep down because
of how stubborn I am, I鈥檒l never quit.
What do you consider your big break?
I guess Hamilton would be it. Up until that job, I had been up for leading ladies a lot. A lot. And I never booked it because I was too "green." Hamilton
took a chance on me, and for that I鈥檓 forever grateful. I really believe
that what鈥檚 meant for you, is for you, so it鈥檚 all a blessing, the no's
and the yes's.
What is the most memorable day job you ever had?
Between the Bullets Over Broadway
tour and when I went out to Disneyland to play Elsa in Frozen at the Hyperion, I
babysat for the company Broadway Babysitters. It was the best non-theatre job I鈥檝e ever had. I love kids. And I would pay to be around
them, honestly. So getting paid to do that felt like a steal.
What is your proudest achievement as an actor?
Thus far, it鈥檚 doing this play right now, The Da Vinci Code. Every job over the last couple of years has contained a big challenge for me. In Hamilton, it was leading a show and singing that show eight times a week. In Suffs, it was dialect work and my first real New York introduction. In Only Gold,
it was playing piano on stage. I鈥檝e been wanting to do a play for
years. Acting, above all other art forms, is where I find the most
fulfillment, but being opposite juggernauts like Michael Urie and
Charlie Shaughnessy was daunting. Here I am with no formal training,
acting with Juilliard-trained and seasoned
actors. I鈥檓 really, really proud of myself for rising to the challenge
and having a good time doing it. I learn every day, and that鈥檚 all I
could ever want.
