Direct from starring as Julie in “Carousel” on London’s West End, Alexandra Silber came home to the United States in January to reprise that role at the University of California’s Freud Playhouse. She was flying back to London to receive a Theatrical Management Award for Best Actress in a Musical when a call came through inviting her to audition for Sophie, the first soprano, in the Kennedy Center’s production of Terrence McNally’s Tony Award-winning “Master Class,” starring Tyne Daly.
“I showed up late, as Sophie would have done, and they quickly realized that I was exactly what they were looking for,” she said. “Sophie is ‘that’ student, the one with quite a bit of natural ability but her work is in chaos. She manages to pull herself together by struggling with her ability. In contrast with Sharon in the same class who knows how to translate herself effectively, Sophie represents a large number of people who can’t quite make it.
“We always hear about the successful ones, but Sophie’s story doesn’t get told. She is among those who could have made it if only something about herself wasn’t keeping her from succeeding. The story is about creating and bringing your heart and soul to all you do and giving nothing less to your profession. [Main character Maria] Callas has that ability to a point that it almost kills you.”
After graduating from a performing arts high school in Michigan, Silber’s unexpected successes began on a sad note, the death of her father. Determined to make her way in theater, she searched for a school to meet her needs and found it in the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama. She moved to Glasgow and focused on acting, rather than music, although she loved singing and had attended Interlochen Summer Camp in northern Michigan.
During her third year at the academy, a man showed up to teach the students how to audition. At his request, she sang several songs. The next day, he called to invite her to audition for “The Woman in White,” and she learned that he was David Grindrod, one of the most important casting directors in London. She had never heard of him or the musical. After singing and speaking a few lines for Trevor Nunn and Andrew Lloyd Webber, she found herself on the West End playing Laura Fairlie in the new musical. Next came the role of Hodel in “Fiddler on the Roof,” followed by her award-winning portrayal of Julie Jordan in “Carousel.”
Before arriving in Washington, Silber completed a workshop of “Zorba” with Antonio Banderas. She played the Irene Pappas role of the widow and is confident that something will come of that project. But for the next month, she wants the Kennedy Center audience to meet Sophie and remember her, flaws and all, long after the curtain falls.
“The message of ‘Master Class’ is twofold,” she said. “Art without truth isn’t worth it. At the same time, that truth requires courage and that courage is worth it.”
