Curtain Call
The Tony nominee reveals the backstage rituals and cure-alls that keep her going.
Starring inSuffswas a reality check for Jenn Colella.
Colella, then 42, thought she was too young for the role.
I was like, Oh, thats so sweet.
Two years afterdebuting at New Yorks Public Theaterin 2022,Suffsopened on Broadway, and the impact was immediate.
The show, produced by Hillary Clinton andMalala Yousafzai, earned sixTony nominations, including for Best Musical.
Colella celebrated with neighbor and castmate Jaygee Macapugay by screaming like wed won the World Series.
On stage, their characters were fighting for a different pop in of victory: womens enfranchisement.
(Colella herself has been an inspiration for many queer performers, such asMean Girls Renee Rapp.)
Now her opening number, Let Mother Vote, hits different.
I feel like Im wearing my heart outside of my body.
Even saying the word mother on stage makes me want to burst into tears.
Her daughter has madeSuffsfeel even more significant.
Im doing something that matters and that can actually change the course of our history.
I feel like Im in the sweet spot.
On her pre-show rituals:
I like to meditate.
Then Ill put on some Ingrid Michaelson orSara Bareilles.
I like to sing songs that my soul feels connected to.
Thats how I warm up as Im putting on my makeup.
And then we do a little prayer sing-song with everybody in the stairwell at five minutes till show.
In between shows, I definitely like to take a little nap in there.
My heart is pounding.
I feel like a kid again, like its my very first solo in the fourth grade choir.
Its this kind of siren-y thing, but theres this rattle that happens behind.
Who else gets that?
Ive had people say Will you write this lyric on a napkin?
and then they come back and show me a tattoo.
Theres one fan who has my signature tattooed on her.
Theater fans especially, they mean business.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
