Broadway Divas 101: Lesson 10: Susan Egan

Born and raised in southern California, Susan Egan always thought she'd be a film actress.  With some encouragement from the great Tommy Tune, Susan made her way to New York City after leaving UCLA.  She was still an unknown when she made her Broadway Debut as Belle in Disney's Beauty and the Beast.  She originated the role and played it for the first year of the 13-year run of the show.  She received a Tony Nomination for her performance.

Other Broadway credits include:  Margy in State Fair, Sally Bowles in the revival of Cabaret (she played the role five separate times during the run), and Millie in Thoroughly Modern Millie.

Susan voiced the character of Megera in the Disney film Hercules.  She also appeared in such films as 13 Going on 30, Man of the Century, and Gotta Kick it Up.

Susan now tours the country with various concert engagements.  Her concert "Susan Egan, the Belle of Broadway" was recorded live and is available on CD as Susan Egan: Live!  (Highly recommend it!  It's hysterical! )  She is married and has 2 daughters, Nina and Isla.

Fun Susan Facts:

*She did a production of Babes in Arms as a teenager and actor Jack Black was also in the cast.
*She had to really push Disney to let her audition for Meg in Hercules.  They only thought of her as Belle, and Meg is so different from Belle.  She finally convinced them to let her try it and she got the part!  She says that she was acting as Belle, but that she pretty much IS Meg.
*She served as interim Artistic Director of Orange County High School of the Arts (her alma mater) from 2002-2003
*She has done more Rodgers and Hammerstein shows in her career than all of the other composers combined!

Homework:
Watch these videos:







Also, watch her demo reels on her official website (listed below).

Sources:  http://www.susanegan.net/index.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Susan_Egan
http://www.ibdb.com/person.php?id=39325
Susan Egan Live! CD