Chilina Kennedy, who played Carole King in the Broadway production of the Tony-nominated musical Beautiful for over 1,200 performances, is back on the New York stage in a limited engagement of the new musical Reunions at City Center Stage II (through December 14).

With a book and lyrics by Jeffrey Scharf and music by Jimmy Calire, Reunions is a musical adaptation of two famous one-act plays: J.M. Barrie's The Twelve Pound Look and the Quintero Brothers' A Sunny Morning. Directed and choreographed by Gabriel Barre, the cast also features Bryan Fenkart, Joanna Glushak, Courtney Reed, Daniel Torres, and Chip Zien.

Kennedy, whose first Broadway appearance was playing Mary Magdalene in the 2012 revival of Jesus Christ Superstar, has also been seen on the Main Stem in Paradise Square and The Great Gatsby. Other U.S. theatrical credits include Dina in the first national tour of the Tony-winning The Band's Visit, the world premiere of A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder at Hartford Stage and San Diego's Old Globe, the world premiere of A Sign of the Times at Off-Broadway's New World Stages, the Off-Broadway world premiere of This Ain’t No Disco, and Sophie in the first U.S. national tour of Mamma Mia! 

Her Canadian credits are numerous and include the title role in Ted Dykstra’s Evangeline, the title role in Ross Petty’s pantomime The Little Mermaid, three seasons at the Stratford Festival, three seasons at the Shaw Festival, the world premiere of The Lord of the Rings, and the title role in Mary Poppins. Also a singer/songwriter, Kennedy released her debut album, What You Find in a Bottle, in 2015. She has written a new musical called Wild About You and is co-writing another new musical with Eric Holmes and Daniel Edmonds, which is currently in development.

In the interview below for the Playbill series How Did I Get Here—spotlighting not only actors, but directors, designers, musicians, and others who work on and off the stage to create the magic that is live theatre—Kennedy shares two favorite moments from her lengthy journey with Beautiful and why it's vital for actors to live a full life.

Where did you train/study?
Chilina Kennedy: I studied musical theatre at Sheridan College in Canada right after high school, which was the college that birthed Come From Away. Later, I went on to the Birmingham Conservatory for Classical Theatre in Stratford, Ontario, Canada. But my most important education came from doing. Being a part of repertory companies in Canada, going on tour in the U.S., taking voice, acting, music, and dance lessons throughout my life. You can never stop learning.

Was there a teacher who was particularly impactful/helpful? What made this instructor stand out?
I studied classical voice for years with Bruce Kelly. He's known me since I was 15 years old and gave me some of the best advice of my life—that everything one does influences them as an artist. So go to the museum, go see the leaves falling in Central Park, or the cherry blossoms, go see that Off-Off-Broadway play on your one night off, have a romantic afternoon with or without someone else, find the beauty and art in a fine meal. Live a full and rich life, and that will enrich every part of your work as an artist.

How did you become involved in Reunions?
I got the offer from my team and knew [director] Gabe [Barre] from A Sign of the Times. I adore working with him and was thrilled with the group of actors he brought together. I couldn't wait to be reunited with [co-stars] Bryan and Daniel, to work with the fabulous and fun Courtney Reed, and to be in a room with legends Chip and Joanna.

Tell me more about working with director Gabriel Barre and Into the Woods star Zien.
Gabe is kind, smart, and detail-oriented. He listens incredibly well, has the patience of a monk, and is such a generous collaborator. I think everyone falls under Chip's spell after about five minutes. He's the funniest, most charming person. He's a master class in comedy and a fantastic actor and singer. I feel like I learn something every time I watch him. And he's fun to hang out with. Full of stories!

What can you share about the characters you're playing in the two one-acts?
In the first act, I play Kate, who enters the play after we meet Harry Sims (who is preparing to be knighted) and his timid wife. Kate is very sure of herself and changes the course of the play (in a way I won't spoil!) by examining some important issues of the day around marriage and feminism. In the second one-act (A Sunny Morning), I play a Woman In Love and get to flit about the stage in a very fun and delightful way.

You played several engagements as Carole King in Beautiful. Do you have a favorite memory from that production?
That whole period of my life playing the role was a gift in so many ways. I kept learning new things about myself as an actor, and I got the opportunity to deepen into the role over years and chapters of my own life. My favorite memory of Beautiful was going to the Kennedy Center Honors and having the chance to meet and perform with many brilliant artists to honor Carole. I sang with Aretha Franklin, James Taylor, Janelle Monáe, and Sara Bareilles, and it was a dream come true. 

My favorite moment in the musical itself was when Gerry was asleep on the couch after a long night. I enter the scene quietly, pick up the paper from his chest that contain the lyrics to "Will You Love Me Tomorrow" and sing them for the first time at the piano. I could always feel the hush fall over the audience and loved the sense of connection that tied that memory to the present-day collective experience of that famous song being birthed right in front of us.

Do you have any dream stage roles or actors you would like to share the stage with?
That is such a hard question! I'm dying to do a play with Eric McCormack. I have so many plays and musicals I've wanted to do over the years. Man of La Mancha would be one. I'd love to take another crack at Mary Poppins at some point and more Tennessee Williams and some more comedy! There are so many pieces that have not yet been written that I want to be a part of. I adore helping create new work—it's my favorite thing to do. I also want to jump into more film and TV.

Tell me about a time you almost gave up but didn’t.
College. I felt like the business was too hard and too full of ego and disappointments. My teacher pulled me into his office and said I was given a gift and I'd being doing the world a disservice if I didn't use it. I'm still grateful for that.

What do you consider your big break?
The first U.S. national tour of Mamma Mia! when I landed the role of Sophie. I was in the back of my parents' car, and we pulled over and I started crying. I thought life couldn't possibly get any better.

Is there a person or people you most respect in your field and why?
The late Brent Craver. He won a Tony Award and had a wonderful career in the U.S. and Canada. He was just as content starring on Broadway as he was walking his dog in a field or quietly sitting by the water. His greatest gift was his authenticity and integrity. Everything he did came from a rich inner life, a deep vulnerability, and beautiful imagination.

What advice would you give your younger self or anyone starting out?
Be yourself. It sounds hokey, but it's true. You can never be anyone else and if you try, you'll only be a lesser version of someone else instead of a full version of you. And take risks. Other people are doing it, so why can't you?

What do you wish you knew starting out that you know now?
That everything will be okay. Just do it.

In such difficult times in this country and around the world, how do you think theatre can play a positive role, either for yourself and/or the community at large?
By being a mirror to society yes, but also to remind ourselves of the best parts of humanity. To show us what is possible.

What is your proudest achievement as an actor?
My old teacher David Latham used to ask me a question only I could answer: "Did you do it?" My proudest achievement is being able to say, "Yes, I did."