LACHANZE

I'm a Patti LuPone fan. She's incredible! I love Patti LuPone. I know people talk about her being difficult to work with sometimes. Whatever.

I can't stand adversity and stress and drama and tension. I can't function in that environment. If I have anything to say about it, we're going to get rid of it so that everyone can just relax and have a good time.

'Feeling Good' is a peek into my life through song.

As an actress who has performed in theater for over 17 years, my experience performing in 'The Color Purple' has been a truly life-changing journey.

One of the greatest things about the theatre is how it can completely change the way you see the world around you. 'Dear Evan Hansen' did this for me.

I always had a strong faith, and I always relied on God for a lot.

You know when you see a play and there is a character whom you know so well that you hate them and love them at the same time? That is Michael Potts' portrayal of Turnbo in August Wilson's 'Jitney.'

Time just goes on, and... it doesn't stop for anything.

I basically came from nothing and turned my life into something.

I have loved fiercely in my life - a few times.

I have a very strong connection with God, very strong sense of my faith.

I was born in St. Augustine, Florida. I lived there till I was about 13, and then my family moved to Connecticut. I finished school there, and then I went to college in Philadelphia and came to New York in '87. I wasn't finished with school - I left school to go on the road.

Without faith, life is futile.

I believe in divine intervention.

I'm a theatre doll, and I've always - since I'm out of school - have always been on stage.

You rarely see a musical being told about the life of a black woman.

I am an African-American woman of dark skin tone, and there are very specific roles that are usually given to African-American women of a darker hue. Let's start with 'Once on This Island': peasant girl. Let's go to 'The Color Purple': young girl, beaten. Let's go to 'Ragtime': Her baby's taken.

'The Little Mermaid' is my favorite of the Disney animated features. And, I could not wait to see it on Broadway.

In my own one-woman show, 'Feeling Good,' I talk about my childhood and write a letter to my younger self in the show. The most important thing I would tell her is to trust my instincts. Just trust them. They're little whispers from God, I think. You've heard it a million times, but it's true: Listen to that inner voice.

I have a very interesting story to tell, and people always want to hear about it. They know I'm a 9/11 widow, and I always get comments on that and being an actor and raising my daughters by myself.

Theater is structured. You're plugged into a system. It's relentless. You're expected to do certain things every day. You have your tasks.

What I always liked best about myself was my resilience, especially in this business with all the 'no's,' the doors closed in my face.

I really studied her singing, trying to see what it was about her that made her such a natural, incredible singer. Because sometimes as a singer, you really have to work to reach a certain note. And for Donna Summer, it seemed effortless.

I'm not a Method actress. I work in the present, the day-to-day.

Dianne Reeves, a famous jazz singer, would be my biggest influence.