My Top 5 Showtunes: Gemma Sutton
Gemma Sutton's theatre credits include Carousel (Arcola), Chicago (Curve) and Legally Blonde (Savoy), she is currently starring as Louise in Gypsy at the Savoy.
We caught up with Gemma and asked her: "If you were stranded on a desert island, which five showtunes could you not live without?"
1. "Someone to Watch Over Me" from Crazy For You
GS: Crazy for You was one of the first shows I did in my teens and playing the character of Polly made me realise how much I wanted to go into performing as a career. Also, my Mum loves this song and I love Gershwin (and my Mum of course!)
2. "A Boy Like That/I Have a Love" from West Side Story
GS: Does it get any better than Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim together? The lyrics of "I Have a Love" make my eyes fill up every time I hear them.
3. "Bill" from Show Boat
GS: I always end my cabarets with this one. I'm such a fan of that era of 20s/30s/40s classic American songwriting – the melodies, arrangements and lyrics work just as well as jazz standards as musical theatre songs and I love exploring that and listening to the greats like Ella Fitzgerald interpret them so beautifully.
4. "I Know Where I've Been" from Hairspray
GS: I played Amber Von Tussle in the 2013 UK Tour of Hairspray and had such a wonderful time – the show is very special and can't help but put a smile on your face. I'll let you into a secret – although it is sung in the show by the Motormouth kids, in our version the Nicest Kids also did the backing vocals from the wings. I adore singing harmonies and for the whole cast to be singing that very moving song together each night is an experience I'll never forget.
5. "If Momma Was Married" from Gypsy
GS: Well I have to choose one from Gypsy don't I!? As writing for musical theatre goes – this show has such depth – especially with Imelda Staunton at the helm. Having played June and now to be playing Louise is such a thrill. They are both such interesting characters and we can all relate to the complexities of the parent and child relationship, they don't get much pushier than Mama Rose though!
Gypsy runs at the Savoy Theatre until 28 November 2015.
