Q: The show is a jukebox musical - which means that the songs in the show are all preexisting and well-known popular music songs, rather than original music. In this case the music is all pop and alternative 90’s hits. With songs originally performed by artists like N*SYNC, Britney Spears, TLC, Boyz II Men, The Goo Goo Dolls, Christina Aguilera, Jewel, Counting Crows, and more, this show must be so much fun to sing. How do you find that these 90’s radio hits compliment the story of the show, and is there a particular song in the show that you most enjoy, even if it is not one that you sing?
Hannah Valdovinos answers: This show IS a jukebox musical… something I have admittedly not been a huge fan of in the past. I feel some jukebox musicals don’t have much thought put into them and rely too heavily on the popularity of whatever music is included; HOWEVER, I do not feel this way about Cruel Intentions. Of course, a huge draw to the show is the ICONIC music that we all have had incredible fun with these past few weeks, but most every song feels almost seamless in its place in our story. Our brilliant director Garret Storms has said many times to me in rehearsal, “these lyrics are your friends”. They support our fast and furious story and leaning into the lyrics and music despite them not being written for the show feels intrinsically right, and I think even allows us to go more in depth into these character’s inner lives than the original Cruel Intentions film. As for my favorite song, I am famously bad at picking favorites especially with so many hits… so I guess you’ll just have to come hear them for yourself - See you there!
