THEATRE Interview with Actress Katrina Lenk from Spider-Man Turn Off The Dark by Michael Martinez

Broadway’s hit musical SPIDER-MAN TURN OFF THE DARK has a new Arachne casting a spell and singing above the stage at the Foxwoods Theatre. The mysterious and seductive character is now played by actress Katrina Lenk. Katrina’s credits include the world premiere of Lost Land at the Steppenwolf Theatre and the title role in Lovelace: A Rock Opera, for which she won L.A. Weekly and Garland awards.

TIMMAG: The first thought that enters my mind when TIMMAG: Your character Arachne has gone through I think of an actor working in Spider-Man Turn Off changes since the show first previewed and has The Dark, is what a unique and thrilling experience it garnered almost as much press and Broadway chat must be for the actor. It’s not like you’re coming into room chatter as the main character. How did you view a revival of a classic musical, this production was your role when you were first cast and how do you see world renowned before it ever opened. What was Arachne now that you have had the chance to play her your experience like during the early stages of your in front of live audiences? involvement with this production, from landing the role to your opening night? KATRINA: I had only a small idea what to expect about the role when first cast. I knew Arachne’s track KATRINA: I have never been a replacement in a had been drastically modified from version 1.0, and Broadway musical before, so I wasn’t sure what to I knew two of the songs I would be singing (Rise expect - but I didn’t have much time to worry. After Above and Turn Off the Dark, which hooked me, as all the contract details were worked out, I had less soon as I heard them, hunched over my computer than two weeks while closing ‘Cloudlands’ at South watching the YouTube pre-audition), and I knew that Coast Rep, to Pack up my apartment in LA and get I would be flying, but that’s all I knew. I had heard tell to NYC. here, I was immediately put at ease that she is like Peter’s fairy godmother, but I think by stage management, who were extremely warm she is more than that. And not quite so benevolent. and welcoming... as well as the cast and crew. I had Through rehearsals and performances we crafted her three weeks before my debut in the role. The first days (or attempted to- I hope we succeeded!) as a creature were filled with costume, wig and make-up fittings trying to connect with the only other creature like with the wardrobe and makeup/hair departments. herself in existence: half human/half spider. She sees Then there was the job of learning the part: Spider- her chance to connect with and inspire someone like Man often has daily rehearsals for other purposes so her to go the route she should have gone, and, also, I had only just a few hours each week available to to turn his seemingly random ‘punishment’ into a gift. practice flying and scene work. Then I got to ‘shadow’ It’s a kind of redemption not just for Peter Parker, but the current Arachne, the wonderful and generous for herself. Even though her full story is gracefully Christina Sajous, to see what exactly her track entailed fluttering around the edges, I think that is her role in at show-time. In following her backstage, I was the show, and I truly hope audiences might catch a stunned, and still am, by the fluidity of the backstage glimmer of that in what I’m doing. traffic and scenery shifts. The crew is so focused and professional and calm, and the show knows itself so TIMMAG: You had the opportunity to work with well by now, that all I had to do was slip right in to the the Steppenwolf Theatre and with John spot carved out for me. And then wooosh, I Malkovich in Lost Land. One of my great theatre was on. experiences was seeing Malkovich in Burn This. What 22 was it like to work with Steppenwolf and Malkovich?