STEPHANIE D'ABRUZZO

I recently had the chance to catch up with the multi-talented (and Tony-nominated) Stephanie D'Abruzzo, who, of course, brings to life Kate Monster and Lucy T. Slut eight times a week at the Golden Theatre. We spoke about what it was like returning to Avenue Q after it won the Tony Award for Best Musical as well as her favorite moments in the show and the musical's journey to Broadway. That brief interview follows:

Question: What was your initial reaction to Avenue Q winning the Tony for Best Musical? What has it been like performing in the show since the Tony win?
Stephanie D'Abruzzo: I have to be honest, very soon after the initial shock and surprise wore off, after I embraced my fellow castmates and the tears started to flow, as we stood on the grand stage of Radio City behind our producers as they accepted the Tony, I looked out at this huge standing ovation through a veil of mist and thought to myself, "Hey, now America gets to see the bottom of my dress!" [Laughs.] Since the Tony win, you have no idea how floored I am at the number of people who have called, written and emailed to tell me that not only were they watching the Tonys — most for the first time — but also that when Avenue Q won Best Musical, many, many neighbors in many, many cities were awakened at 10:57 PM. I mean, I knew people liked the show, but I could not begin to imagine how many people all over the country were actively pulling for us, rooting for us, and crying with sheer unadulterated joy for us. How amazing is that? And I must say that now I think there's a tad more performance pressure being in a Tony-winning show. Because I know that despite us being open for a year now, many people got their first taste of Q through the Tony telecast and have come to see us simply because we won. So I never want to disappoint anyone! But the first show after the Tony win was special. We all got entrance applause, and I made a sign to bring out at curtain call that read, "Thank you Broadway." The response was so overwhelming, and it was probably was one of the most touching, emotional moments of my life, holding that crudely made sign like Sally Field in "Norma Rae." But gone are the days when I could walk out the stage door unnoticed and hop right into a cab [Laughs.] . . . There are a lot more people hanging out afterward asking for autographs and telling us all about how the entire state of Oklahoma (or Florida or California. . .) is so happy for us.

Q: What are some of your favorite moments in the show that you are a part of? Is there one song/moment that you look forward to?
SD: For me, I personally love the backstage antics at Avenue Q. We have all sorts of rituals, most of which date back to our days Off Broadway. They're all silly and none of them worth mentioning specifically, but what I love about them is that they always make me smile or laugh, and sometimes that makes all the difference between a tired performance and an energized one. Plus, it always makes me realize how lucky I am to share a stage with these people. Our band beneath our stage has an even greater list of rituals . . . maybe someday we should auction off a trip to the pit during a Q performance — that's a whole show in itself! [Laughs.] My favorite part of the onstage show, however, is when I am in the middle of a particularly good rendition of "There's a Fine, Fine Line." I am most critical of myself while singing that song, because it has to be perfectly right for so many reasons. It ends the act. It's the only song in the score that is not meant to evoke a laugh. It's Kate's emotional core on display. And it's a little rangy. But I love to sing it when I'm healthy, and when I score what I believe to be a great one, I feel as though I could fly. And when the audience is really with me on top of all that, I feel like I just won the World Series. [Laughs.] The sad part is that when it's over, it's flown out into the void forever. So every night is a new battle and a new rendition to carve out. I love to meet that challenge every night, but I will beat myself up a little if I feel it's subpar. And I don't feel that way about any other song in the entire show.

ALISON FRASER

Two-time Tony nominee Alison Fraser returns to the cabaret stage this Sunday, June 27. Fraser, who recently scored raves for her work in the George Street Playhouse's production of Lips Together, Teeth Apart, will offer tunes from her theatrical career — including her show-stoppers from March of the Falsettos, Romance/Romance and The Secret Garden — as well as songs from her two solo recordings, "New York Romance" and "Men in My Life." The singer-actress will also perform several tunes by her late husband, Rusty Magee. Show time is 9:30 PM.

Backed by musical Christopher McGovern on piano, cabaretgoers can expect to hear Fraser's renditions of "Romance/Romance," "I'm Glad I'm Not Young Anymore," "Getting Too Old," "The Blonde Song," "Crazy," "New York Romance," "Smoke," "Yes It's Love," "The Night It Had to End," "Gainesville," "Wrong for Me," "Pain," "I'm Breaking Down," "Hold On" and "Young at Heart."

Fraser also told me that she is at work on a songbook that will feature several of Rusty Magee's acclaimed tunes. Magee, who passed away in February 2003, penned such musicals as The Green Heart, Flurry Tale, Ubu Rock, Servant of Two Masters and The Czar of Rock and Roll. He also wrote songs for Nickelodeon's "The Wubbulous World of Dr. Seuss" and received the Outer Critics Circle James Fleetwood Award for his music and lyrics for Moliere's Scapin. Visit www.sweetappreciation.com for more information.

Joe's Pub is located within the Public Theater at 425 Lafayette Street. Tickets, priced at $20, are available by calling (212) 239-6200; those wishing to dine before the show should make reservations at (212) 539-8778. Continued...