NR: What's the most difficult part?

RY: Actually, the most difficult part is when I eat too much in between shows and then they put me in that corset and I can't breathe!

NR: How DO you sing in that?

RY: It's really hard to sing in it. That's where you breathe. Usually, it's not a problem. But when I eat too much I have a problem. Also, you know, corsets make you burp. (laughs) They do!

NR: (laughing) That's something we didn't know.

RY: They do! Ask any of the girls! You know, you'll be fine. You know, you ate dinner two hours ago and you're fine. Then all of a sudden you put the corset on and (sound effect). It doesn't happen that often. Actually, I've been able to control it pretty well. But there have been a couple of times when I ate maybe too close to the show and I'm out there singing and all of a sudden I get this burp in my throat and I'm trying to sing "enticing lies" with this bubble in my throat! (Rachel then did a demonstration of singing "If you could look at me once more...." - broke to clear her throat - "with all the love you felt before.") I've actually seen Rex do that a lot. I've seen him a couple of times. You know, Rex has cords of steel. But every so often you can tell he's got something in his throat. And he'll take that moment, the big pause in the song that he has, and he'll go "La la la (swallow) La la la." (laughs)

NR: Someone wanted to know how you learned the accent and is it hard to do it for the entire length of the show?

RY: (teasing) I can only do it for half of the show! Then it goes on strike.

NR: (laughing) Actually, I've heard actors do that. I've heard them turn it on and off! (teasing) Does the costume bring the accent on? Or the wig?

RY: (laughing) The corset is the one thing. I can't do the accent without the corset! (seriously) No, I love accents. I lived in France for awhile, but I like any accent. Actually, when I was 20 years old I got a gig. I was singing in a French band. When we were rehearsing, I was the only one who spoke English. I didn't speak French that well but I had to learn. I didn't stay with that group. The producer was kind of crazy.

NR: What were you warned about the League before you got here and was it a surprise?

RY: It was a surprise. When was the first time I heard about it? I think it was in rehearsal and Doug had received something and I said, "Oh, where did you get that?" and he said, "This is from the Pimpys." And I said, "The Pimpys? Who's that?" I had no idea what that meant. And he said, "Oh, yeah, we have QUITE a fan club." And I still didn't really grab the concept. I was thinking it was a fan club that writes letters. Then I first experienced them - you know, in the audience and after the show. It's great! I love it! I'm so glad. What a gift! I'm so glad that there is such a fan club for this show.

NR: I have a question from someone who wants to become an actress. She wanted to know if it's everything it seems and is it worth it?

RY: Yeah! I mean, for me, it's my life. I love what I do. It's healing to me. If you find that kind of thing healing, and if you get a high when you go out on stage ... You don't do it for approval or recognition. You can't do it for those reasons. You do it because you LOVE it. You do it because it feeds you. You crave it and it feeds you, and nourishes you. So, that's why I do it. So, if somebody feels that way about this, and they're not doing it because they want to marry a movie star or they want the recognition or the approval of other people. If they're not doing it for those reasons, but for genuine reasons, then YES, it's worth it. It's sort of like the song "What I Did For Love." I think that's sort of the feeling you have when you go into this business. Because it's like a very challenging love relationship that you have to put a lot of work into and be very patient with and you sort of "die" for this relationship.

NR: What do you wish you had more time for?

RY: I wish I had more time to read - what I want to read, not scripts but pleasure reading. Because I find that I don't have much time, it's such a luxury. Or write in my journal. I like those kinds of things.

EVERYTHING! If I could have more time to... When you're an actress there is that "feast or famine" thing. When I'm working I never have any time to go on vacation, travel the world, do fun things. I like to go see movies and when I'm working I never have any time to do that. And when I'm not working I'm working so hard to get a job, and I don't have the money. So it's kind of a "Catch 22."

NR: What do you want to do in the future?

RY: Film. Film and I'm seeing about doing a play on Broadway. I don't know if it's going to work out. But, we'll see. So, a play or film. I would love to do that. Or both. Everything.

NR: Everything?

RY: (laughs) You know, it's funny. I've been in this business for a long time and I've gotten to the point where I've had enough. I've had enough and I'm just going for it because that's the way you have to be. There was a time when I thought, "Whatever's meant to be will be. It will come to me in its time." And that's true, that's very true. But now I have to get out there and make it. Now I'm getting really aggressive. (laughs)

NR: Well, good luck!

RY: Thank you so much.

Rachel has been a charming addition to the cast. Her character has grown considerably since previews and her Marguerite certainly comes across as a "presence to be reckoned with." I thoroughly enjoyed speaking with her and I wish her the best of luck in Pimpernel and in the future.

Questions suggested by:

Susan Cassidy, Jan Kolb, Suzanne, Shovelin', Samantha, Andrew, Pat O'Neill, Peter Williams, Meredith, Farin, Shari Perkins, Thom Rosati

Interview conducted and photographs by Nancy Rosati.