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Music Journeys: Natalie Girard

A musical in town for a limited run marks a special homecoming for one of the cast members. 

This edition of Music Journeys features Natalie Girard, who grew up in central Ohio. She stars in Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella, which comes to Columbus for a performance March 8 and two shows March 9 at the Palace Theatre. We hear about her Ohio roots, her role in the show, what it means to be back home, and of course her responses to the Fast Five. Thanks for listening. 

000 Introduction, topics include Yola and Bryan Adams

4:00 Natalie Girard feature begins

9:35 Natalie’s Fast Five

15:00 Wrap up and preview of the next episode

Natalie Girard remembers always being animated as a child. Whether singing or dancing, she loved being the center of attention. 

"My stepdad had one of those big cam recorders, and when I was little I used to act out little scenes from movies we watched," Girard recalled. "I wanted to be on camera, on stage, and acting. My parents always encouraged that."

Transformations plays...

Girard grew up in Gahanna, attending St. Matthew and Gahanna Lincoln High School. She completed her college courses at Wright State University, then moved to New York. Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella marks her first national tour, and it brings her back home for two performances March 8th and 9th at the Palace Theatre.  

"I'm playing Gabrielle, one of the stepsisters in Cinderella. Gabrielle is a little bit different than the normal stepsister. She's much more sympathetic in this version of the show. She has much more love and concern, and she's there to help Ella on her journey. You see this sisterhood and friendship bond with them throughout the show. That's really special and different to this production. Bringing this production to Columbus, which is my hometown, is beyond a dream come true for me. This is something I've worked at my entire life. I remember my mom and I just dreaming this day would come true. Now that I'm here, I want to soak up every moment."   

A Lovely Night plays...

"The message that's so deeply rooted in the show is kindness," Girard said. "My job is to tell a story and share it with an audience. Being on stage and being able to share the message of kindness, I couldn't ask for a better career or way to spend my life. Being able to share the message of kindness and hope. When people walk into this theater and they come out, they are two different people in a way. Maybe they'll decide to make better choices in their life that include kindness and following a dream that they have, however impossible it may seem." 

Cinderella March plays...

The ultimate goal for Girard would be performing on Broadway. She also didn't rule out some sort of music release in the future.

More information about Natalie Girard can be found here.

Tickets and show information here.

The national tour is also collecting dresses on behalf of Columbus’ Fairy Goodmothers to go to Columbus teens needing dresses for prom. Donations of gently used costume jewelry, girls’ princess dresses and teen prom dresses for girls will be accepted at every performance at the Palace Theatre March 9 – 10.

Here's a link to the feature on Yola referenced in the podcast.

Mike Foley joined WCBE in February 2000, coming from WUFT in Gainesville, Florida. Foley has worked in various roles, from producing news and feature stories to engineering Live From Studio A sessions. A series of music features Foley started in 2018 called Music Journeys has grown into a podcast and radio show. He also assists in developing other programs in WCBE's Podcast Experience. Foley hosts The Morning Mix, a weekday music show featuring emerging and established musicians, our Columbus-area and Ohio-based talent, and additional artists that inspire him.
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