The Fame Reporter interviewed incredible theatre performer Romina Villafranca. Romina is currently starring in the talented ensemble of the new smash-hit Australian Tour of Chicago The Musical, playing at QPAC’s Lyric Theatre from 2 January.
Romina is one of Australia’s most accomplished and sought-after performers. Originally from Wollongong on the South Coast of New South Wales, her long list of music theatre credits include HAMILTON (Michael Cassel), Chicago (GFO/Crossroads Live) and West Side Story on Sydney Harbour (HANDA Opera & Opera Australia).
Additionally she starred in – In The Heights at the Sydney Opera House (Blue Saint Productions), Singin’ In The Rain Australasian tour (TEG Dainty), Strictly Ballroom as Liz Holt and Vanessa Cronin covers (Global Creatures), the roles of Victoria and Sillabub in the Korean tour of Cats (Seol & Company), Brigadoon (The Production Company), the world premieres of King Kong, Moonshadow and Self.
Romina’s career started at a young age in the Australian productions of Wicked (GFO), Into the Woods concert (GFO), Oliver, Les Misérables and Swan Lake with the Australian Ballet.
She is also no stranger to the big screen, appearing in George Miller’s Happy Feet 2 and Baz Luhrmann’s The Great Gatsby.
We sat down with triple threat Romina Villafranca and talked about her love for performing, why she wanted to return to the hit-musical Chicago, the joy of understudying Roxie Hart and more.
Welcome to The Fame Reporter Romina. What was it that sparked your interest in performing initially?
Fortunately one of my preschool teachers was a dance teacher and I rarely napped in preschool because I had so much energy. I used to do cartwheels or dance by myself during lunch. So she called mum and said I should start performing. We would do end of year concerts so for my final concert she gave me the role of Sandy in Grease as a 5 year old.
What about the stage show of Chicago enticed you to want to be involved in it again for its return season?
It’s CHICAGO!!!! But honestly this show means so much to me.
There’s this feeling you get when you get to perform this iconic choreography and sing these iconic songs.
It made me evolve constantly last tour and it still does to this day.
What are you most excited about working with this talented cast?
I mean….. Come on Look at this stellar cast. They are all so unique and individual. Spanning many years of experience or even debuting their first show.
What is the most rewarding and challenging part about being in this show as an ensemble member in a dance intense show?
Despite Chicago being such an iconic dance show what has struck me the most is the acting and the storytelling through its writing and direction.
Whether you are sitting on stage watching your colleagues, or dancing the cell block, there is an energy and essence that pulses throughout. It is priceless to experience.
What is it like juggling your ensemble role with understudying the iconic role of Roxie Hart and what does being an understudy or swing mean to you?
I was blessed in luck to have covered Roxie Hart which was played by the incredible Natalie Bassingthwaighte last time so I’d learnt the role previously. So, coming into this rehearsal process it was lovely to just focus on my own track. It allowed me to watch and learn from the amazing Lucy Maunder create her Roxie Hart.
Being a cover or a swing means the absolute world to me. The show cannot go ahead without the integral part of the machine that covers and swings are in a cast. It’s an honor that I don’t take for granted.
What 3 performers dead or alive would you love to have a dinner party with?
Bob Fosse, Gwen Verdon and Ann Reinking because they come as a team in my honest opinion, Barbra Streisand and Patti LuPone.
Why should audiences come along and see Chicago at QPAC or return to see it again?
Each generation of performers brings something new to the show. There’s a reason that after 28 years the show is still going strong. Audiences should come and see why.
Fame Reporter Word Play
Chicago
That Jazz
Dream collaborator
Bob Fosse
Favourite song of all time that you never get sick of?
Purple Rain – Prince
A cause that you are passionate about
Workers rights and mental health.
A Chorus Line
Don’t pop the head Cassie
Celebrity Crush
George Clooney
Hamilton
Not throwing away my shot
Dressing Room Necessity
Hydralyte and perfume
Place you want to travel to
Norway
Go-to dance move
Back flip step out or some Brazilian samba
West Side Story
I want to be in America
Lin-Manuel Miranda
In the heights
Favourite Chicago Song
Nowadays into Hot Honey Rag
Singin’ in the Rain
Drenched
Strictly Ballroom
A life lived in fear is a life half lived
Unlimited show budget – what dream show would you do? Who would you play and who would play opposite you
42nd street, id love to play Peggy Sawyer and there’s so many incredible talents who could play Billy Lawlor! You’d want at least 30 ensemble members for the tap numbers on those stairs and a full orchestra
TV Binge
This is difficult. The Witcher, The Last of Us and Stranger Things
Future Dream
To be able to do what I love for the rest of my life
Favourite thing about performing
Creating an atmosphere that an audience member can escape and be engulfed in a story completely removed from their life
TICKETS
Lyric Theatre, QPAC
Playing from 2 January
Photos supplied
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