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When she learns that their father has died and left Nessa as mayor, Elphaba is happy.
But Nessarose, a wheelchair user, cannot be persuaded.
All of my life Ive depended on you, how do you think that feels?
Beginning March 4, Jenna Bainbridge becomes the first authentically disabled actor to play Nessarose on Broadway.
(Marissa Bode, also disabled, played the part onscreen last year.)
We asked her about her experiences that inform the part, both lived and onstage at the Gershwin.
What do I want to do next?
Is this show going to run forever?
She reached out to congratulate me, which was very sweet.
I am just so honored to be in this club with her, our little disabled-Nessas club.
She will always be the first.
A little exciting moment is that I will use my own personal wheelchair during curtain call for bows.
Curtain calls are fast.
And I do not sprint.
That is not in my bag of walking tricks.
So to use my wheelchair is great for me physically.
It saves my body at a time when Im already exhausted after the show.
And I love the symbolism.
As youre an ambulatory wheelchair user, whats it like to perform the scene where Nessa walks?
That dialogue, with no changes, has to feel less than ideal.Its a hard scene.
I dont really focus on that.
And times where Ive thought my life would just be easier.
When Im acting in that scene, I focus on that feeling.
Nessas disability isnt the problem thats proven in the show.
What else do you bring to Nessa that a non-disabled actor cant?Nessa is described as tragically beautiful.
And even just little things like that a boy asked her to dance.
I know that feeling.
Thats something that I dont think a non-disabled person can even imagine.
I also love my wheelchair.
It represents freedom for me.
And so to play a character who has a more complicated relationship with her wheelchair is really interesting.
And its broadened my horizons, but its been a fun acting challenge.
And the other trope is that their disability is something that they resent and it makes them evil.
Shes a fascinating person.
And when Im playing her, I think theres just been systems and people that have failed her.
Shes the daughter of the governor.
There are moments where shes really sweet and moments where shes really sour, and I love the duality.
Shes a deceptively difficult character to play.
I think about the Dream Ballet inOklahoma!all the time.
In the original production, the actor playing Laurie during the Dream Ballet was always replaced by a dancer.
Its a gorgeous moment and its the original staging.
So there are no excuses.
