New Wicked Star Erin Mackey Enters the Broadway Bubble
Age: 23
Hometown: Fullerton, CA
Currently: Reprising the role of bubbly witch Glinda, which she’s played in Chicago and L.A., for her Broadway debut in the smash-hit Wicked.
The Real Stage Life of Orange County: Mackey, who has a personality as sunny as her native California, got her stage start at age five doing children’s theater and ambitious school musicals. “We had a wonderful director in town who was passionate about getting kids, including myself, onstage,” she recalls. “We did 1776 when I was in fifth grade!” Her community’s proximity to Los Angeles meant agents and managers frequently dropped in looking for young talent, which is how a 10-year-old Mackey ended up auditioning for television and film. “My very first audition was for the 1998 remake of The Parent Trap, and somehow I got the job as Lindsay Lohan’s double. Anytime you see her onscreen with her ‘twin,’ that’s me!”
Livin’ La Vida Lohan: Mackey’s dad, a lawyer who moonlights as a musician, stayed with the actress’ two sisters while Mom chaperoned her daughter’s six months of filming in London, Napa Valley and Hollywood alongside Dennis Quaid and the late Natasha Richardson. “At that age, I had no idea who these people were—I was more blown away by the amazing food we had on set!” Mackey says with a laugh. “But I recognize now how much they taught me.” She also learned a non-acting skill: shopping. “Lindsay [Lohan] and her family loved to shop. Before her, I’d never even heard of DKNY—I thought Target was high-end clothing!” Mackey still fields questions about working with the now infamous tabloid magnet. “Lindsay was always a smart actress and person, but her family life seemed crazy. The two of us got along fairly well as kids go, and I’ve always wished her well.”
Living in the Land of Oz: After high school, Mackey landed a coveted spot in Carnegie Mellon’s musical theater program. Over summer break, she auditioned for the national tour of Wicked on a whim, getting cast as a swing. “I had no idea what a ‘swing’ was, but said yes anyway. At my first rehearsal, the dance captain goes, ‘All right, today we’ll learn the first role you’re covering.’ I was like, wait—first role? There’s more?’” At just 19, Mackey ended up covering nine parts on tour, a “thrilling” challenge. A year later, the Chicago company tapped her as its Glinda understudy. “I didn’t think twice. I understudied for six months before moving up to the part completely in 2006, then played Glinda for a year and a half. Then I got sent to L.A. to continue the role for another six months. So I know that Glinda bubble very well!”
Wicked Love: Mackey didn’t just find long-term employment with Wicked—she also found true love with Chicago castmate Stanton Nash. “He played Boq; I was Glinda. We started off as friends, but soon we were going to church, grabbing lunch afterwards and heading to the show together every Sunday. It didn’t take long to figure out it was a perfect match,” she says, adding with a laugh, “It’s so corny. I can’t tell the story to anyone without them being like, ‘Um, I just threw up in my mouth a little!’” A year into the relationship, the pair were walking by the Chicago River when Nash suddenly popped “the question,” ring in hand. They married in January 2009. “Wicked has been exciting for me in every way, but meeting my husband is definitely the coolest part.”
Broadway Reunions: After a year off, during which Mackey got hitched and relocated to New York, Wicked tapped her to take center stage in the Broadway production, reuniting with current Elphaba and former Chicago co-star Dee Roscioli. “Not only do I know the role, but I know half the people in the cast from other productions,” she says. “To make my Broadway debut in a role I’m so familiar with, surrounded by people I love, is perfect.” Despite four years with the show, Mackey says she never gets bored. “Something about it being Broadway makes it even more exciting, and I’m falling in love with this city. It just spews forth theater and creativity.” She won’t be Glinda forever, however: “I want to originate a role, so that’s the new dream. But I am looking for a regional production of A Light in the Piazza because I’m dying to play Clara."
Taste of the Town: When Mackey isn’t at the Gershwin Theatre, you’re most likely to find her in a kitchen or restaurant. “My husband and I are total foodies,” she says. “Going out to eat is our hobby, and cooking is my favorite way to unwind. I’ve even been thinking about going to culinary school.” Any recommendations from this Wicked food aficionado? “I’m obsessed with Blue Hill restaurant right now! Everything is sourced from their farm and is incredible. Also, there’s a taco truck in Astoria, Queens, called El Ray Del Taco that is our favorite late-night place. It’s literally just a truck, with the best tacos. But Thomas Keller’s Per Se is the next place I have to go, so that might make the list soon,” she gushes. “I’ll keep you posted!”
