Lisa loves the stage
SheKnows: I read the musical theater performances are part of your background. How do you think that background contributes to your performance today?
Lisa Kelly: I think it certainly instilled a discipline. You know, I was mad about musicals from the time I was a kid. The first thing I ever saw was Grease, my auntie had it recorded on her DVD years ago and I used to watch and watch and watch. Then I started drama classes. I was very fortunate, but at the time I didn’t think I was so fortunate, but I had a very, very strict drama teacher; a very old school drama teacher that taught us stage etiquette. He would have killed us if we were talking in the wings of a theater or if we laughed on stage, or if you touched your hair, anything like that. At the time I thought it was a whole load of rubbish, but those kinds of things have definitely stood with me. Doing musicals as well gives you an increased amount of stamina. You find out what your voice and your body can really take; singing, dancing, acting — all those kind of things. It training that I am so grateful to have. Honestly, I think that any performer should train in musical theater at some point.
SheKnows: If there was a dream musical theater role that you haven’t tackled, is there one?
Lisa Kelly: I’d love to be Evita!
SheKnows: I thought you’d go right there.
Lisa Kelly: I have to be honest, my favorite role I’ve played was Florence in Chess. I loved, loved that role. I remember someone asking me before I hung up the phone and I said I wanted to be in Miss Saigon, but I don’t! I want to be Evita!
Celtic Woman Mom
SheKnows: How do you think being a mother has influenced your singing career? In a sense, you’re here singing for more than one.
Lisa Kelly: Absolutely and it’s certainly done wonders for my voice. The change in hormones has been fabulous for me! Again, I think it’s probably increased my stamina somewhat and it’s definitely changed the way I view my career and my job. It’s very different than for the other girls because when I come in to do my show, it’s the easy part of my day. Imagine going to work for my fun part of the day! But the kids are fun, they’re very fun but it’s hard work having three children on the road so it’s kind of like my break when I come in and do the show. It’s definitely given me a total different perspective. I remember during my Riverdance days, I’d be like “I can’t believe I have to do another show tonight” whereas when I’m here I’m like “Come on, let’s go it’s time to do the show!” It can be very annoying for everybody else.
SheKnows: Musically, what inspires you now?
Lisa Kelly: I still listen to a lot of singers and I try to sing along and try to do different kinds of things. But hand on my heart; I’ve learned to love the girls that I’m touring with at the moment. Alex has a musical theater background and I knew of Alex when I lived in Dublin and she’s one of our members. I’ve learned an awful lot from her and I’ve learned an awful lot from Chloe watching her growing up, and I’ve learned stuff from Lynne. I know it sounds cheesy and everything, but they’re my greatest inspirations at the moment and I’m constantly learning things. I’ve become reliant if there’s something wrong, or if I have a sore throat, someone will say “why don’t you try this” or “why don’t you try that.” Even sometimes when you’re staying on track, one of them will say “why don’t you do this”. It’s been really amazing, the last few years with the show has been incredible.
“It comes quite easy to sing from the heart”
SheKnows: Well, it’s been incredible to enjoy you from this end. When you all started the recording process for Songs From the Heart, did you know that the project would be called that, or did the title emerge from the song list and the experience?
Lisa Kelly: I think it emerged from the song list; I’m trying to remember, it’s all a mush at this point. But no, that’s not true. You see, David (musical director Downes) picks the songs. Between David and the producers, (they) came up with this theme of Songs from the Heart. But they would’ve been privy to the songs before we would’ve been (laughs). So it was decided above my head.
SheKnows: So when you got in there to record, you knew you had to sing from the heart (laughs)? Like you never do that…
Lisa Kelly: You can’t really fake it otherwise (laughs). You’ve got to love what you do and I’m really fortunate to have a job that I do absolutely adore so it comes quite easy to sing from the heart.
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