Shoshana Bean Debuts a New Original Song in Stars On Stage Concert | Playbill

Concerts Shoshana Bean Debuts a New Original Song in Stars On Stage Concert

The Broadway favorite talks with Playbill about her favorite moments from the Westport Country Playhouse concert, airing on PBS January 14.

Shoshana Bean Marc J. Franklin

Spend the evening with songstress Shoshana Bean January 14 when her Stars On Stage From Westport Country Playhouse concert airs on PBS.

Filmed live at Westport Country Playhouse in Connecticut in fall of 2021, the concert series also featured Gavin Creel and Brandon Victor Dixon. Each will air on PBS consecutive Fridays in January, starting with Creel, which aired January 7, then Bean on January 14, and Dixon on January 21 at 9 PM ET. Check local listings or visit PBS.org for more.

READ: What Was Gavin Creel's Favorite Number From His Stars On Stage Concert?

Bean, previously seen on Broadway in Wicked and Waitress, recently joined the cast of the upcoming new Broadway Mr. Saturday NightHer concert features tunes from Broadway, as well as some of her own original songs, and tributes to her idols Barbra Streisand and Whitney Houston. The concert is directed by Annette Jolles with music direction by David Cook.

Playbill talked with Bean about how she created the solo concert for the Westport Country Playhouse series.

How do you approach the creation of a solo concert? Do you start with songs, themes, stories?
For me it's always challenging to create a set that will represent all the various styles of music I love, from theatre to pop to my own originals. So I started there, knowing I wanted all three to be represented in some way. Then I narrowed down what songs would feel the most cohesive together.

Is there a song in this show that is particularly special to you and can you share why?
They are all special! But I debuted a brand new song that I wrote last year inspired by a friend from high school that passed. The song means a lot to me and it was a really beautiful moment to share with the audience and my band.

What’s one of your favorite moments from your Stars on Stage concert for PBS?
Any moment my back up singers are onstage is always my favorite moment. Blending voices is truly one of my favorite things to do and they are two of my favorite people to do it with!

Since these broadcasts are coming around the New Year let's take a look back: Tell us your very first memory of being onstage.
My first memory of being on an actual stage was when I was around 6 years old. I was auditioning for a kids' performing troupe in my hometown and they had us audition on the stage in the theatre with piano accompaniment—like the real deal. And I sang "I Gotta Crow" from Peter Pan, and I remember being so nervous. I also remember they asked me to sing it again because they said they could barely hear me. I'm sure I never got that note again as long as I lived.

And, a look forward: Do you have a dream role, or a dream collaboration, or a song that’s yet unsung?
I'm sure I have many songs yet to write, but dream collaboration is always John Mayer.
 
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