Farewell, Phoebe! Tony Nominee Lauren Worsham Looks Back on Her Killer Year in A Gentleman’s Guide

In the corporate world, employees leaving a job are often asked to sit through an “exit interview” with HR about their time at the company. Although that concept doesn’t exist for Broadway performers, we love checking in with stars as they finish up a successful run. Tony-nominated A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder star Lauren Worsham will hang up her (very, very elaborate) hat on October 26, when she plays her final performance as Phoebe in the Tony-winning musical. As Worsham says farewell to her Broadway family at the Walter Kerr Theatre, she looks back on her “surreal and hilarious” run in A Gentleman’s Guide.

How did you feel when you first got the job?
It felt surreal. I had been working so long in order to get to Broadway but along the way I veered into a different career path and thought maybe Broadway would never be interested. Mostly, it was a wonderful surprise!

How do you feel now that you’re leaving?
I feel 100% bittersweet. I'm very excited about all my upcoming projects and about getting to spend more time with my family, but I am also very sad to leave my Walter Kerr family behind. You spend so much time together over a year and develop very strong bonds. I know I won't see them all every day. If I'm lucky, once every few months, but maybe not for years. That's heartbreaking. I'll also miss the routine and ritual plus the gorgeous costumes and beautiful music. It feels like moving to a new city. Exciting, but sad and nostalgic. I'll miss Phoebe too.

What are three words you would use to describe your experience?
Surreal, hilarious, marathon.

What was the easiest thing about the job?
The people. Every single person working at the Walter Kerr is an exemplary human and wonderful to be around.

What was the hardest thing?
Balancing work and home life, missing dinner, constant vocal vigilance (no caffeine, alcohol, dairy, no yelling, complete vocal rest during busy weeks, etc.) while also trying not to say no to many extracurricular gigs like my band and other charity concerts.

What was the highlight of your time at this job?
Meeting so many wonderful people. I love all of my co-workers so much. I also loved watching the show and its creators win so many awards!

What skills do you think are required for future job applicants?
Perseverance, calm in the storm and perspective plus a high soprano voice and killer comic timing. Catherine Walker, the new Phoebe, possesses all these in spades!

What advice would you give to future employees your position?
One wrong note does not a performance make. It's a marathon and not a sprint so keep the big picture in mind and have fun (the last part is easy).

How do you think you’ve grown during your time at this job?
I've learned boatloads about my limits as a singer and as a human. My voice has grown and my technique has become much more relaxed. I've learned there is a BIG difference between doing a show for three months versus twelve.

Why are you leaving?
I have so many diverse gigs coming up that it just didn't make sense to stay timing-wise, but it was a very hard decision to make. Before the end of year I have nine concerts including Showboat with the New York Philharmonic and Not the Messiah at Carnegie Hall, not to mention a few Sky-Pony gigs as well. Also, in the opera and classical world pieces are cast years in advance. A few of my upcoming projects in 2015 were in the books before I even auditioned for GGLAM! Also, I'm really looking forward to the small breaks where I can spend time with my husband who hasn't really had dinner with his wife in over a year.

What will you miss most about the job?
My family here, all the little show rituals, having a willing audience for my surplus of baked goods, having a second home in Times Square, the stunning clothes and being onstage with some of my most favorite people in the world.