In our profile series, Tell Us In Ten, we ask cast members and creatives of top London shows to tell us all about themselves in just 10 questions. From how they got their start in the industry to their favourite shows, we want to know everything.
This time we’re chatting to Ana Villafañe who will be starring as Ava Gardner in Sinatra: the Musical – the most revealing portrait ever told about the legendary singer. Featuring over twenty classic hits, including That’s Life, One For My Baby, The Best Is Yet To Come and I’ve Got the World On A String.
1) My route into theatre was…
Through singing. I was seven years old when I started singing, and had a lot of energy. I think my parents didn’t know what else to do with all that. A family friend who’s a professional actor was going to do a production of Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. He convinced my parents to let me audition to be one of the kids in the choir. That’s where I learned about acting, and in fourth grade my entire school came to see the show. I was hooked.
2) My West End idol is…
Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber. Period. Growing up, I had a 4-CD boxed set of his hits and memorized every breath, every inflection, every nuance. Then we finally met at the White House in 2015. We had been invited by Michelle Obama for a celebration of Broadway just two weeks after making my debut. I remember having an out of body experience when he first spoke to me. I thought, “Game over. I did it.”
3) My colleagues would describe me as…
Always up to something. Whether it’s organising some random activity for the cast in the group chat or speaking my mind in the studio. I’m grateful to have worked with incredibly generous, collaborative geniuses on the other side of the table who empowered me. Creating a new show is a massive team effort, and leaving things unsaid can affect the final product. I can’t be shy to speak up as an actor on behalf of the women I’ve been lucky enough to embody. It’s one of my favourite parts of originating.
4) My favourite show (that isn’t one I star in/work on) is…
Probably A Streetcar Named Desire. Blanche is a dream role. Musicals would have to be Rent because it formed my entire personality as a theatre kid, In The Heights because I have never felt more seen, and currently Cats: The Jellicle Ball because it’s an explosion of everything theatre can be.
5) The career moment I’m most proud of is…
Working opposite Holland Taylor in “N/A” at Lincoln Center – I got to spend an entire summer learning from this force of nature, going toe-to-toe in a proper two hander. She’s a masterclass. And the best human. It was an actor’s fever dream.
6) The hardest part about my job/role is…
Winding down after a show. I tend to get swept up in adrenaline. Ava is a fiery personality who drives the story, and I deal with incredibly profound topics as a woman in this show. I’ve had to really work on how to keep it sustainable.
7) If I wasn’t an actor, I would be…
Some sort of pediatrician. Or running a playroom in a children’s hospital.
8) Something people don’t know about me is…
I hate ketchup. Can’t even look at it. It’s offensive. Like …be better.
9) The best piece of advice I’ve ever been given is…
“Enjoy it, baby.” Emilio Estefan. From the day we first met and even now, he reminds me to soak it all in.
10) The one thing I wish I could tell my younger self is…
You’re allowed. You’re allowed to want all these things and go earn them. You’re allowed to succeed. You’re allowed to fail. You’re allowed to not be perfect. You’re allowed to be all of it.
Get your tickets to see Ana in Sinatra: The Musical today!
