A super-talented, musical mama is making a living doing what she loves and balancing a career in the spotlight with hands-on mommyhood — without going crazy.
Chilina Kennedy — a hard-working New York City performer and songwriter — feels inspired by her child, and would like to encourage other women to fully embrace mommyhood without sacrificing their creative passions, while channeling their inner divas.
Taking the ever-popular, Brooklyn-born singer-songwriter Carole King’s suggestion — as described in the lyrics of her iconic Tapestry song, “Beautiful” — award-winning actress and musician Chilina Kennedy usually gets up every morning with a smile on her face in her real-life role as mommy, and shows the world all the love in her heart on stage, as that soulful, groundbreaking pop artist, in the Broadway smash hit “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical.” The new mom started performing at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre on March 7, after taking over Tony-winner Jessie Mueller’s role as King.
The turning point in Kennedy’s life and career seemed to happen in a New York minute. One day, as she was going into labor, she received an unexpected phone call: it was an offer from the producers of “Beautiful” for the lead role. Finally, her big break — right before her water broke!
The spirited artist is delighted to talk about her dual starring roles: as Carole King and baby Henry’s mom. Somehow, she also found the time to finish her new folk (with a hint of bluegrass) album, “What You Find in a Bottle.” How does she do it all without losing her sanity? I sat down to talk to her.
Tammy Scileppi: What’s it like channeling your inner Carole King on the Great White Way? Rumor has it you only get one bathroom break and have 15 costume changes.
Chilina Kennedy: Performing on Broadway is a dream come true. The first time I was here doing Jesus Christ Superstar (in 2012) was unbelievable. The experience is especially rich this time around because the role of Carole King is so unique — she is a real person and many people have a sense of connection to her and her music. And the music I get to sing is incredible — many people, myself included, never knew how many No. 1 hits she wrote, or that she wrote half the songs she did. I feel very lucky to get to do this for a living and play every night with real theater thoroughbreds — it’s like I’ve been training for the Olympics my whole life and then getting to play in the games.
TS: How did you prepare for this challenging role and how are you and Carole alike?
CK: I learned a lot about Carole King from interviews, recordings, and from her memoir “A Natural Woman.” I spent a lot of time pouring over videos of her concerts and watching her answer questions about her life and her music.
I have been influenced by her and continue to be inspired by her. She is political and isn’t afraid to speak up for a cause she believes in. I would like to be more like her in that way.
We both have had interesting relationships and we both have children. I think I am also similar to her in that I eventually want to live a more simple life. A difference between us is that I haven’t yet had the courage to take that leap.
TS: What was it like the day you got the call about performing in “Beautiful?”
CK: I was actually 33 weeks pregnant when I flew down to New York (from Canada) for my final audition, so I just made it in under the cut-off time for flying pregnant women. They filmed me so Carole King could see the video over the weekend and decide if she wanted to give her approval. While I was waiting to hear about whether or not I had gotten the part, I actually went into early labor — I just chalked it up to feeling funny. On Monday morning I got a call from my agent, who said, “Hi Chilina, I was wondering if you could do me a favor?” I said, “Uh, ok, what would you like me to do?” And he said, “I need you to get me a couple of tickets.” I said, “Sure, for what?” And he replied, “For your opening on Broadway!” Best telling me I got the job … ever.
TS: You say you have a soft spot for folk music. Describe “What You Find in a Bottle?”
CK: My album has been over 10 years in the making. It’s a collection of songs I’ve written that are all part of my life’s journey and specifically take the listener through a meaningful transition of love and loss. I wrote many of them between jobs in the dead of winter, in a small Canadian town and backstage during rehearsals. The title holds many meanings, some of them quite personal.
TS: Give our readers a glimpse into your life and what it’s like juggling mommyhood with Broadway.
CK: My home life is pretty typical. I have a wonderful partner, Jacob James; he’s an actor and teaches Shakespeare. He’s staying at home to take care of our son and our two dogs, while I work. We try not to sweat the little things.
We have a little one bedroom (on the Upper West Side) and we are very lucky that we have a private outdoor space. It’s great for the dogs and provides peaceful quiet time for us.
Our permanent home is in Stratford, Ontario, which is quite different from New York City. I’m from an army family, so I have the philosophy that no matter where I’m living, home really is where you make it. And mine is where my family is. I try not to worry too much if I’m not perfect. My daily mantra? Honestly, as cliché as it sounds, “Keep it simple.” Spending time together is the most important thing.
TS: So, what’s your little guy like?
CK: He’s a Virgo to two Aries parents. Jacob and I felt that Henry (now 6 months) was a quiet, gentle soul from the time I was pregnant with him until we actually met him and got to know him. He loves music and has been playing the piano with me on occasion. We try not to allow him screen time of any kind, so books, music of all kinds, parks, and people are what we focus his attention on. Language is also very important for us. I am fluent in French, so we are trying to teach him both languages right from the start.
Since the day Henry was born he has been a great sleeper and has adjusted brilliantly to the actor’s schedule. Jacob and I spend a lot of time exploring parenting methods; we have been trying to adopt Montessori principles, especially with Henry’s simple surroundings and sleeping arrangements.
Jacob brings him to the theater every two show days, between shows, and we have a picnic in my dressing room. What’s most amazing is learning about who my son is and is going to be as a person, as he is being raised in one of the greatest cities in the world.
Henry has turned into a very social little guy and enjoys everything from restaurants to his subway rides, making people laugh and smile. I know New York is a huge part of his social development.
TS: How would you describe Carole King?
CK: I am certainly drawn to her compassionate nature; how she loves people, animals and the environment. I love her songwriting and her bravery at being one of the first women to pave the way for female songwriters — Gloria Steinem was quoted saying that Carole King was the first woman to give a downbeat. I appreciate her honesty in telling her story and having the courage to share it with the world. She seems to me to be a very positive, hopeful, glass-half-full kind of person. If she were a color in the rainbow of personalities, I think she’d be yellow and I think the world can always use more of that.
You can find Chilina Kennedy’s new album “What You Find in a Bottle” at on iTunes at http://bit.ly/WYFIABiTunes. chilinakennedy.ca
