Tony winner Marissa Jaret Winokur chatted about producing “Exorcistic: The Rock Musical.”
New ‘Exorcistic” musical
“I love this musical,” she exclaimed. “! I saw it in LA and I found the music to be so good and haunting. You can actually listen to the music on Spotify.”
“Michael Shaw Fisher who wrote it is so talented, and the music inspired me to get involved,” she said. “You don’t have to see the ‘Exorcist’ movie to enjoy this, but if you have seen the ‘Exorcist’ movie, that will help you enjoy it a thousand times more.”
“So, I always tell people to watch the movie before they come see the musical,” she added.
Working with Lance Bass as producer
On working with Lance Bass as a producer, she said, “Lance is great! I’ve known Lance for so long. I was originally a fan of his and then we became friends. The whole team is great! It is such an eclectic group of people that love theater.”
“This show is definitely a labor of love for all of us involved. Getting this show to New York is really, really special for us,” she added.
Darren Criss
She complimented Darren Criss for playing the “diva” in the show for one night. “Darren was so awesome,” he exclaimed.
“Adam Lambert went to see the show, and Frankie Grande was there. It was definitely a rock star night,” she said.
“The Asylum is a good venue. I had never been there before. It’s a great space. It feels like when I was growing up and going to the theater, and I was looking at these cool shows, and wanting to be a part of the theater; it’s really fun,” she elaborated.
‘Mama, I’m a Big Girl Now!
She also spoke about doing “Mama, I’m a Big Girl Now!” “The show is great! We are still touring with it, and we will keep doing this show,” she said.
Winokur on her Tony win for ‘Hairspray’
In 2003, she won the Tony Award for “Best Actress in a Musical” for “Hairspray.”
“I think ‘Hairspray’ is the only show I was ever eligible to win a Tony for. So, it was amazing! It validated me for the rest of my life,” she said.
“So, whatever else I do is just for fun, right? It’s all icing on the cake now because I can say, ‘well, you might not like me in this theater show or this TV show.’ It doesn’t matter. I have already won a Tony Award, you know?” she said with a sweet laugh.
“It kind of makes everything easier,” she added.
‘Celebrity Big Brother’ win
In 2018, Winokur participated in the first season of “Celebrity Big Brother” in America, where she was crowed the winner. “Winning ‘Celebrity Big Brother’ was awesome,” she exclaimed.
“I did not go into ‘Hairspray’ to win the Tony. I went into it to fulfill all my lifelong dreams and goals, but I wanted to win ‘Big Brother’ and I wanted the money,” she said with a sweet laugh.
“I’m very competitive. People didn’t know it when I went into the show. They thought I was doing it just for fun but I went in to win,” she explained.
Winokur on Kerry Butler
She praised friend and “Mama, I’m a Big Girl Now!” co-star Kerry Butler for being a “Broadway treasure.”
“I think she should be nominated for tons of Tony Awards. It’s shocking that she doesn’t have all the trophies my son has won. It is time to give Kerry Butler her participation trophies,” she said.
‘Bat Boy: The Musical’
Winokur will be playing Mrs. Taylor in the New York City Center’s forthcoming revival of “Bat Boy: The Musical,” which is set to run from late October to early November 2025.
The production also features Kerry Butler, Tony winner Alex Newell, and director Alex Timbers.
“It’s the craziest cast,” she said. “I am directing ‘Hairspray’ in Los Angeles, and I open the show, and then I fly out to do rehearsals for ‘Bat Boy’.”
Winokur on Darlene Love
Winokur had great words about Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Darlene Love, whom she worked with in the musical “Hairspray.”
“I love Darlene Love so much,” she exclaimed “In 2021, when Broadway was opening back up again, we did the Tony Awards together, and we opened the show together, and I just got to see her.”
“We just love Darlene so much. She is such a star and she is amazing,” Winokur added.
Closing thoughts on ‘Exorcistic: The Rock Musical‘
For fans and viewers, she said, “I want everyone to go and see it. I want people to get their tickets and go see the show. Emma Hunton is starring in it, and she is going to be the next big Broadway star. She is so talented; her voice is incredible. There is no one like her.”
“Every night, there is a new diva that comes in. They slowly let you know each week on the show’s Instagram page. I am going to do it at some point. It’s going to be really fun,” she concluded.
To learn more about “Exorcistic: The Rock Musical,” visit its official website.
