마이클 리와의 인터뷰는 영어로 진행됩니다(물론 통역과 함께요!). 2013년 <지저스 크라이스트 수퍼스타>로 본격적인 한국 활동을 시작하기 전까지 쭉 미국에서 생활했다 보니, 아무래도 깊은 이야기를 하기엔 아직은 한국어보다 영어가 편하기 때문이죠. 지금까지 마이클 리와 두 번의 인터뷰를 진행했는데, 그때마다 그의 표현을 기사에 그대로 옮길 수 있다면 좋을 텐데 하는 아쉬운 마음이 남았습니다. 그래서 준비한, 마이클 리의 서면 인터뷰 원문 공개! 인터뷰 내용이 궁금하신 분들은 <더뮤지컬> 119호에 실린 마이클 리의 ‘내 인생의 뮤지컬 넘버’를 참고해 보세요. 마이클 리의 바람처럼 한국어로 프리 토킹 인터뷰를 할 수 있는 날이 하루 빨리 오길 바라며!

Q. 뮤지컬의 매력을 알게 해준 뮤지컬 넘버 
A: There is a number called ‘Finishing the Hat’ from which inspires me each and every time I hear it. Particularly as an artist who creates things from nothing but heart and emotion, it conveys so much about what the artist goes through in life, having to balance life and art together. Does your heart go to your art or your life? Joyful and inspiring, but heartbreaking in its honesty.  

Q. 데뷔 시절을 떠오르게 하는 뮤지컬 넘버 
A: My professional musical debut was with in 1995(oh my god, was it that long ago already?!) on Broadway. So whenever I listen to any music from that show, particularly ‘The Last Night of the World’ I think of my first time being a professional actor.
 
Q. 도전 의식을 불러일으켰던 뮤지컬 넘버 
A: Without question, the number the has challenged me most has been ‘Gethsemane’ from . Not only is it one of the most difficult songs to sing musically... It's one of the largest acting challenges I've had in my career as well. To be able to be present as an actor while having to sing such incredibly difficult music challenged me each and every time I stepped on stage as ‘Jesus’. 

Q. 잊지 못할 실수담이 있는 뮤지컬 넘버 
A:  Happily, all my mistakes are absolutely forgettable... or at least, I make them so! 

Q. 지금까지 가장 많이 부른 뮤지컬 넘버 
A: I believe it is ‘Why, God, Why?’ from .  I played the role of ‘Chris’ in for more performances than any other part in my career, so it must be.  

Q. 나만의 워밍업 뮤지컬 넘버
A: My warm up songs are ‘Heaven on their Minds’ from JCS and ‘Pity the Child’ from CHESS. Generally, the parts I have played have high notes in them, so these two songs challenge my vocal range and I know exactly where the notes sit in my voice to see how vocally healthy (or not) I am on any particular day. 

Q. 슬럼프에 빠졌을 때 힘이 되어줬던 뮤지컬 넘버
A: ‘Seasons of Love’ from is a song i often listen to when I'm feeling down.  What a beautiful song with beautiful lyrics to help remind you that life is made up of the pieces that stitch together the canvas, rather than the other way around.  Cherish and savor every moment, every experience... and remember how lucky we are to have them.  

Q. 욕심나는 여자 캐릭터 뮤지컬 넘버 
A: If I were a woman diva actress, I'd love to perform the role of Fosca in Stephen Sondheim's , and sing the song, ‘Loving You’. I believe it is one of the most powerful and honest pieces about love in musical theater. 

Q. 파격 변신의 기회가 있다면 불러보고 싶은 뮤지컬 넘버
A:  At some point, I'd love to play the Engineer in . I've been told it doesn't fit my image... but I would love the challenge!  

Q. 가장 좋아하는 뮤지컬 넘버
A:  My favorite musical number is ‘Being Alive’ from .  
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#'더뮤:픽'이 무엇인지 궁금하다면? https://www.themusical.co.kr/Pick/Detail?enc_num=p%2BAsjHP2I3iqpiC4stcrig%3D%3D

* 본 기사, 사진은 “더뮤지컬”이 저작권을 소유하고 있으며 무단 도용, 전재 및 복제, 배포를  금지하고 있습니다. 이를 어길 시에는 민, 형사상 법적책임을 질 수 있습니다.