NR: How do you keep it interesting? That's another good question. You're coming out doing ensemble every night, unless you're called for the other parts. How do you keep that from being boring?

JP: I can tell you it's harder than keeping a role interesting. I think the hardest part of feeling bored, or the potential of feeling bored, is often feeling like we don't matter because we're not the ones that people are laughing at or clapping at, or whatever. I think for me, the best way to keep it full, keep my track full, is to always appreciate that I'm on stage with 40 other actors, to know that any time, someone can be looking across the stage and reacting off of me and that I've got 40 other actors that I can choose to interact with. I know that I can draw on that kind of variety and that I choose to be there for other people and that's a way to keep my job most interesting.

NR: Now you've got the ball costume which all the women have, and you've got the "Storybook" costume and that wig in the beginning.

JP: Yeah, which barely stays on my head.

NR: I know. I'm watching you while you're dancing, and you're trying to keep that wig on your head, while you're tilting it. Do you have any costume horror stories to share? (laughs) How do you do that?

JP: Oh, let's see. I think only two. A couple of months ago, you know we have a quick change out of "Madame Guillotine" into the wedding, and that's timed really right down to the second. My zipper broke on the front of my costume and I missed my entrance. But, not only did I have to come on stage late, they still didn't have a chance to repair the costume, so I actually had to take my fichu and tuck it into the waist band of my costume to cover the HUGE GAP where my zipper was standing open on the front of my costume. (laughs) I mean, we have corsets on underneath, so it's not a big deal, but I'm sure that it wasn't the most attractive thing you've ever seen. Just yesterday actually, when I had my quick change into my mob costume, into "Madame Guillotine", I pulled the zipper up and I just kept going and there I had the tag in my hand, which meant that it was fine for that number, but when I got out of it, I wasn't able to put it back on. So actually for the "Rescue," I had to wear one of the swings' costumes. But, that's fun. It's really fun to wear someone else's costumes. I mean, it sort of adds a little "spice."

NR: (laughs) Now, you are staying, right? You're staying for the new version?

JP: I'm staying.

NR: So how do you think you're going to feel on May 30th?

JP: I think it will be sad, but you know, it's built in. It's a built in part of what we do. We celebrate the beginnings of shows and we celebrate the closing of them. It will be sad to not be in the same group of people, because this group is magnificent and we all have really wonderful working relationships, and personal relationships. But, it's a part of the job and I know that for many of us we will continue to keep in touch even though we're not working together. And for those of us who stay on, I think it will be important to have each other as a support system and it will also be very exciting to welcome new people into the show. That's always a great part of it.

NR: It's a whole new version.

JP: Yeah, that will be exciting.

NR: Was the League a surprise to you when you came?

JP: I don't think so. The first time I heard the word "Pimpy," I thought someone was joking. But I have friends over at Jekyll and Hyde and so I know that there's a pretty big Wildhorn following. It was interesting to me. I remember getting on the Net and surfing around a little bit to find out what the general feeling was out there. It's very exciting to know that so many people are thrilled to watch you work, and thrilled to be a part of this project - this wonderful project.

NR: What do you like to do when you're not working?

JP: Sleep.

NR: (laughing) Sleep - everybody says that.

JP: Oh damn - I thought I was going to be original. Well, my husband and I are both photographers. He's much better than I am. In fact, we have a small head shot business that we run together. So I take a shot (pardon the pun) at some amateur photography. It's funny you know. So many of the hobbies that I was involved in before I got this show have really kind of fallen off to the side. Between understudy rehearsals, and voice lessons and classes, and everything that's involved with coming to work six days a week, I really find that my free time is spent just catching up on the rest of my life, and spending time with my husband and relaxing.

NR: Now I know that you're staying with the show, but a couple of years down the road, what would you like to do?

JP: Honestly, I would love to work in animated films.

NR: Really. Doing what - voices?

JP: Voices, yeah. I've worked on some demos for some of the new Disney things and Dreamworks things, and I find them so fascinating because you're standing in front of this microphone and you have the ability to create any character you want that's not limited to your physique, your age, how tall you are, how old you are, what you look like. It can be really freeing and it can be, I think, an incredibly creative process, and a really interesting way to work. So I'd like to explore that.

NR: Well good luck.

JP: Well thanks!

Jessica is a delight to speak with, and although I've never seen her play Marie, I have seen her play Marguerite a few times and she impressed me greatly. I'm very happy that she will be a part of SP3, and that she will be given more opportunities to shine.

Questions suggested by:

Renee Girard, Nesha Sellers, Michele Bettwy, Meena J. Rao, Josie Smith, Jessica Boston, Marc Roselli, Helen, Leona Hoegsberg, Carolyn Peters, Jody Uyanik, Lauren Teweles, Melanie, Karen, Amy Lovett, Stephanie Henkin

Interview conducted and photographs by Nancy Rosati.