On The Road: Ginna Claire Mason

This week's On The Road features one of my magical Wicked family members, Ginna Claire Mason! I first met Ginna Claire back in 2016 when I became a full-time dresser at Wicked, and we bonded immediately. Ginna Claire has been a such an encouragement in my life, and I am so blessed by her friendship!

Ginna Claire is a Nashville native, and you might recognize her from the national tours of Newsies, Flashdance, or when she was a member of the Wicked's Broadway company as the Glinda standby. Currently, she is in Wicked's touring company and floating (in a giant bubble obvi) around North America starring as Glinda the Good Witch! I hope you enjoy getting to know my adorable friend a little bit better, and if you are ever lucky enough to meet this little angel in person, please give her a big hug from me!

How long have you been a performer?

My performance debut was in first grade when I played the pivotal role of “Little Miss Muffet” in the smash hit show Goin’ Buggy. The fans (parents) rallied to extend the run, but the principal thought it was more important for the students to return to class, and learn to read and write.

When did you realize that you wanted to be on Broadway?

In fourth grade, I went on a trip with my parents to New York City. I’ll never forget sitting in row K at the Imperial Theatre watching Les Mis for the first time. I turned to my mom at intermission, and asked “People do this for a living?!” I thought that getting paid to act and sing and dance sounded like the best job in the world.

How old were you when you first saw Wicked and did you know in that moment that you wanted to be in it one day?

A few years later, I was on a business trip with my dad in NYC. He asked the concierge for show recommendations for taking his 13 year old daughter. She raved about a new show called Wicked that had opened a few months prior. We went to the Gershwin Theater and entered the lottery, but didn’t win. We came back the next day and tried again! And lost. That time we scurried over to the cancellation line, and landed 4th row seats to the brilliance of Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth. In true intermission heart-to-heart fashion, I turned to my dad and said “I’m going to be Glinda someday.”

What was your "big break"?

Goin’ Buggy.

After that?

A few months after college, I booked the role of Gloria in the first national tour of Flashdance. I earned my equity card with this gig, and was given a chance to see the country, pay off my college loans, and meet some of my best friends in the world.

What is your favorite show you've ever worked on?

Probably Goin’ Buggy.

Ok, ok. I’ll stop : )

Every show is special. But because Glinda was my lifelong dream role, I have to say Wicked!

How did you feel on the night you made your Broadway debut?

Like Cinderella. You might be thinking, “Cause the ballgowns, right?” Nope. Because I lost one shoe. Yup. During the “Popular” scene, one of the straps on my shimmery pink heels popped off. I figured I was in my dorm room, so I ripped the other one off just as the song was beginning, and carefully performed the number in my tights.

How long have you been on tour with Wicked?

Just over 13 months! (Where does the time go?!)

What are some items you absolutely can't live without backstage?

Biotene! It’s this dry mouth spray that actually works really well for singers because of how it moisturizes your throat/mouth. I probably go through a bottle a week. I also have two water bottles, and hot ginger tea that I keep in my Corkcicle. I also love Chimes Ginger Chews and TheraMints!

What is the most interesting day at work you've ever had?

Every day I get to go to work with Mary Kate Morrissey is an interesting day. She’s the most entertaining person in the world.

Who is the coolest celebrity you’ve ever met at work?

We just spent a month in Nashville, which is my hometown! I was really hoping Brad Paisley would come to the show because he’s one of my favorite country singers. That same night I found myself wishing this, his wife Kimberly Williams Paisley posted that she was at the show! I’ve been a fan of hers since Father of the Bride. The next morning, Mary Kate, my Elphie, and I were singing on the talk show, Pickler & Ben. After soundcheck, Kimberly walked over and introduced herself. It just so happened that she was a guest on the show that day, as well! I geeked out a little, and there are photos on my Instagram to prove it. Thanks for coming, Kimberly!

What has been your most memorable moment OR most hilarious moment on tour so far?

It was a Wednesday matinee in Chicago over the holidays. The opening number finished, and I’m up in my bubble for the button. There’s a moment shortly thereafter where I motion to the stage crew, to lower the bubble so I can step out onto the stage. But the bubble wouldn’t come down! I said all the lines I could, but the story literally cannot move forward with me stuck up in the air centstage. They stopped the show (for the first time in 5 years!) to fix it. Five men and a ladder had to come help me down out of the bubble, ball gown and all! We held for a bit while the crew manually removed the bubble, and then we picked up where we left off. It was impressive to see everyone jump into action to correct the issue, and the audience was very supportive!

What is your favorite thing about your job?

Telling this beautiful story of friendship! Our cast gets to play a part in encouraging audiences to look past appearances of someone who may look different. I think the lessons of Wicked are just as relevant today as they were when the show came out almost 15 years ago. I feel especially lucky that my onstage friend, Elphaba, is played by my real life friend, Mary Kate.

What is the most challenging part of being an actor on tour?

Traveling! Flying, driving, living out of a suitcase, always hunting for that next perfect airbnb. It can also be tough to be away from all the comforts of home. I miss my apartment and my bed and living under the same roof as my husband. But Prince Eric comes to visit me every week!

Is being in Wicked’s touring company drastically different than being in the Broadway company?

The biggest difference is obviously that the Broadway company is stationary, and the tour is in a new theatre and city every few weeks or so! Other than that, the differences are subtle. The Broadway stage is raked (or angled), which has its challenges. In the touring show, two students fly in the second classroom scene! That doesn’t happen on Broadway. On Broadway, almost every set piece is automated, but on tour the majority of our set is moved manually (and usually with choreographed moments so you wouldn’t necessarily notice!)

Was it absolutely surreal doing the play back in your hometown?

When I toured with Flashdance, the show came to Nashville right before I joined. When I toured with Newsies, the show came to Nashville right after I left the company. So third time’s a charm! It was thrilling that the first time I played my hometown was in my dream role. I had friends and family at every show, and it was totally magical!

What is your favorite fun fact about Wicked?

I love that Elphaba’s name comes from the initials of the author of The Wizard of Oz: L. Frank Baum → LFB → El-pha-ba!

What is your favorite number to perform in your show?

I love singing “For Good” with Mary Kate. It’s a beautiful song, a powerfully still moment, and an important affirmation of their friendship. The perfect way to wrap up each show!

What is your favorite thing about playing Glinda?

When I was 13, I loved Glinda because she is sparkly and wears pretty dresses and sings fun songs. Now I love her because I think she’s a dynamic character with a redemptive arc. She’s silly and funny, but she’s also honest and vulnerable and compassionate. It’s an honor to play such a multi-dimensional character and to go on her journey eight times a week.

What is your favorite part about telling this story every night?

The people! Every day we bring to work our experiences, our struggles, our joys. What a gift to step onstage each day with a group of people and listen and respond and play and learn together.

What is the best advice you've ever been given?

I have this beloved teacher from high school named Allison Allen. She graduated from Carnegie Mellon and performed on Broadway with Grease. When I couldn’t even get the part I wanted in my high school shows, she believed in me, challenged me, and kept cheering me on. She wrote me this letter years ago that I always keep handy. Want to see it?

On the days where you doubt it, because those days will come…stop, remember, breathe, and believe this: You have a gift, one placed there by the God of the Universe, tucked into your very DNA as much as your hair color or smile, or ability to laugh easily. The gifts are no less a part of you than those things. And even with this being so, days will come when you will feel as if you never knew how to act, or sing, or even dance. There will be a circumstance, or a teacher, or a call-back that conspires with the voice in your head that says: “See, you’re not good enough. You don’t have it.” Don’t you believe it.

Take the lesson, learn all you can, even from those who critique and come darned near to crushing you, but don’t ever believe the lie in your head. In the inimitable lyrics of Switchfoot, “Doubt your doubts and believe your beliefs.” The doubt will tell you this life, as a Christian and as an artist, is impossible. The belief is: With God ALL things are possible, even being a successful performer who stays close to her Christ.

These are things I wish for you. These are the things I believe for you. Because, in my heart of hearts, I believe you were made for greatness.

What piece of advice would you give your 18 year old self?

“You’re gonna be ok.”

What advice would you give to a young person who wants to pursue a career in the arts?

I think well rounded people make well rounded performers. That’s why I often encourage kids to seek out liberal arts universities. To study singing and acting and dancing is great! But it’s also hugely beneficial as an actor to study English and psychology and science and anthropology, etc. I’m so in love with the BFA Music Theatre program at Elon University. It’s conservatory style training on top of a liberal arts education. They also have the number one study abroad program in the country. I had the chance to spend a semester in London, and I’m forever grateful for that experience. Go learn as much as you can about the world and the people you meet!

What is your favorite Backstage Blonde memory?

I was so excited when I heard Teale was moving from Aladdin from Wicked! She has such amazing energy, and I couldn’t wait to work together in the same place. As the standby, I spent a lot of downtime on the couch with my sweet Elphaba standby, Alyssa Fox. I was often times cuddled up in my most comfy clothes. One cold winter day, I was curled up in a friend’s sweater. I wandered down a floor and had to chance to see my new friend, Teale, who was working, but still managed to make time to chat with me. She dawned me with a Gagged Girls’ choker called “Sweater Weather,” which was perfect for my current outfit. We took selfies, and she let me keep the necklace. I knew we would be friends forever.

FUN FACTS:

What was the first Broadway show you ever saw?

Les Miserables

What is your favorite Broadway show you've ever seen?

Oh! My favorite is The Light in the Piazza. But I never saw it in person! Probably Wicked. And ohmygoodness, I saw Hamilton when it was in previews and that was life-changing.

What is your favorite restaurant or bar that you've found on tour?

Nicholson’s in Cincinnati.

What is your favorite city you've visited on tour so far?

This is such a hard question! Nashville wins cause it’s my hometown! Boston and Chicago are tied for second.

What is your favorite costume in Wicked?

It’s always changing. I’m loving my Emerald City yellow dress right now.

What is your favorite costume you've ever worn?

Definitely the Bubble dress. I dreamed about wearing that longer than my wedding dress! I also had this quick-change dress in Flashdance that went from a tea length gown to a mermaid dress that tore away into a bedazzled leotard. That was pretty cool!

Images by Tina James

Nashville, Tennessee