Skinner's Broadway credits include the original companies of Jekyll & Hyde, The Full Monty, James Joyce's The Dead and Dinner at Eight. She created the role of Daisy Hilton in Side Show, earning a 1998 Tony Award nomination for Best Leading Actress in a Musical.
Other notable theatrical credits include On the Record, Breakfast at Tiffany's, Dirty Blonde and Alexandra in the U.S. premiere of Witches of Eastwick. Skinner was featured in Kennedy Center productions of Merrily We Roll Along, Company and Mame.
| Full given name: | Emily Scott Skinner |
| Hometown: | Richmond, Virginia |
| Zodiac Sign: | Cancer |
| Current audition song: | For years I sang "I've Got What You Want" from The Apple Tree. Seemed wise to be blatant right away.... ahem. |
| Special skills: | Er... cartwheel while singing a high C? |
| First Broadway show you ever saw: | My father took me to NYC for the first time in 1982. In two days we saw the original company of Cats, Frank Langella in Amadeus, and Pump Boys and Dinettes. We also stayed at the Alqonguin Hotel and I stood next to Walter Cronkite in the elevator. I still don't think I've caught my breath! |
| Current show you have been recommending to friends: | Billy Elliot. 'Nuff said. |
| Favorite showtune: | If truth be told, "Schadenfreude" from Avenue Q speaks to my very core. |
| The one performance – attended - that you will never forget: | Whenever I witness my performer/writer sister Eliza Skinner do her thing, she always slays me. No joke. I walk around thinking about her brilliance for days afterwards. And I'm not even saying that because she's my sister-that chick is talented! Google her ASAP, people. |
| Music that makes you cry, any genre: | If I could eat music, I would. Truly. I adore any and all genres, and it all packs an emotional wallop for me. |
| PC or MAC: | Are you kidding? ARE YOU KIDDING?! MAC!!! |
| Web obsession: | Facebook. Sheesh. I'm so bourgeois. |
| Last book you read: | "Hitch-22" by Christopher Hitchens. |
| Must-see TV shows: | "Mad Men" |
| Pop culture guilty pleasure: | Hulu.com pleases me endlessly. |
| Favorite or most memorable onstage role as a child/teenager: | I was in a brilliant production of Jesus Christ Superstar when I was an adolescent at the Dogwood Dell (great outdoor theater in my hometown). Fantastic performers, terrific direction... it had a huge impact on me, being a part of that and witnessing such great people doing their thing at such a defining age. |
| How you got your Equity card: | Earned it. The hard way. Oy! |
| Favorite post-show meal: | If I tell you that I come home after my show and eat hummus and wassa bread in bed, will you hold it against me?
And then I roll around in the crumbs. Ewwwww. |
| Favorite liquid refreshment: | Starbuck's java chip frappucino, how I love thee. |
| Worst flubbed line/missed cue/onstage mishap: | Ooohhhh... too many to mention. In situations like that, I like to immediately start scat singing. Especially if it's a serious drama. Blindsides an audience. |
| Worst costume ever: | Again... too numerous to mention! But then, I've gotten to wear so many stunning things as well. Gregg Barnes and Catherine Zuber are costume gods! I've never felt so smashing as when I wore their gorgeous designs. |
| Who would play you in the movie? | Kirstie Alley? Catherine O'Hara? Myself?? I could use the gig. |
| Leading lady role you've been dying to play: | Lorraine in the long overdue revival of Sherry! When is that happening, Encores?! |
| Leading man role you wish you could play | Marc Kudisch in "The Marc Kudisch Story" |
| Person living or dead I'd most like to meet: | Would probably pee in my pants if I met Obama. Embarrassing but true. |
| Three things you can't live without: | Humor Kindness Family and friends |
