After winning the third season of Canadian Idol in 2005, the soulful, gritty-voiced Melissa O’Neil released a best-selling disc and then promptly began doing musical theatre, with roles in Dirty Dancing, High School Musical and the acclaimed Stratford production of Jesus Christ Superstar. Now she’s got the plum part of lovestruck street urchin Eponine in the star-studded 25th-anniversary production of Les Misérables, which opens Wednesday (October 9). See listings.
Part of your heritage is Chinese, and your Chinese name means “ladylike.” So how ladylike are you?
I’m not sure how ladylike it is to come right out and declare it as a personal trait.
Early on in the Canadian Idol competition (which you eventually won), you sang On My Own from Les Mis. Now you’ll be singing it eight times a week. Fate?
Not so much fate. I’d say a mixture of hard work, being in the right place at the right time and luck.
How does it feel knowing tens of thousands of people know every word of that song by heart?
It’s a welcome challenge. Finding your own voice and actions inside a song that everyone (including myself) is so intimately familiar with is difficult. It’s a huge exercise in being present and letting the audience in and letting myself be affected.
Can you sum up this 25th-anniversary production in 15 words or less?
Redemption. Realism. Honesty. Filth. Gritty. Touching. Transcendent. Immersive. Moving. Hopeful. Ramin [Karimloo] (an incredible Jean Valjean).
Favourite moment in the show?
I’ve got three, so in the order of their appearance: the sewer sequence, Javert’s death (spoiler!) and Jean Valjean’s prayer.
If Eponine and Cosette got into a UFC cage match, who’d win – and why?
Pre Marius meeting Cosette, Eponine would win – hands down. Post, Cosette would. Eponine would forfeit because to hurt Cosette would mean hurting Marius. And she’d never do that.
If Eponine and Marius ended up together, what would their love duet be titled?
Let’s go with some Canadiana for this: Lovers In A Dangerous Time.
You’ve understudied many roles. Advice to your Les Mis understudy?
There are two Eponine understudies, and trust, they don’t need any advice they’re both incredibly talented and will be beautiful in the red cap. All I try to remember when I’m understudying is to breathe and be right here, right now.
The movie: pro or con?
Beautiful cinematography. I prefer to experience live sung moments in person.
There are a couple of Idol alums in the cast, including Elena Juatco and Aaron Walpole, who was also in Stratford’s Jesus Christ Superstar with you. Did you guys bond over it?
I don’t think we’ve ever really spoken about that. It was nearly… eight years ago? Geez, I feel old. I’m grateful for that time. But truly, there are more interesting things to talk about these days, like where’s the best burrito in town.
It’s 10 minutes before opening night. What’s going through your mind?
“My mom is here! This corset is tight. Not enough dirt on my face. Must give love and high fives to my cast-mates!”
… and 10 minutes after the show ends?
“My mom is waiting! Too much dirt on my face. Must give love and high fives to my cast-mates!”
What’ll you be doing on your days off?
Sleeping. Being quiet. Netflix. Taking class. Walking the pooch. Oh, and of course, reading NOW.
