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 Elizabeth Broadhurst (Ulla) Elizabeth Broadhurst is excited to return to the Beef & Boards stage as Ulla in The Producers after most recently appearing as Julie in Show Boat earlier this season. "I'm thrilled to play Ulla," Elizabeth said. "It is a role I've admired for a long time - thank you Eddie, Doug and Marc!" But playing a Swedish secretary is a bit more challenging for the Georgia native than her portrayal of Julie - a singer from the South. "The accent! For sure, the accent," she laughed. "It is difficult to remember what it is like to be in a foreign country and search for words and phrases - and just get this over-the-top accent to be consistent!" The role is athletic at times, Elizabeth said, and even Ulla's name can be a bit tricky. "Well, my first name is Ulla Inga Hanesen Bensen Yonsen Tallen-Hallen Svadon Swanson … it is longer than most people's first, middle and last name combined! "What is my last name? I don't have the time to tell you …" Regardless of the few minor challenges, Elizabeth has embraced her role. "I love that Ulla has a never-ending zest for life," she added. "Her joy and enthusiasm for herself and the world around her is abundant. What a great problem to have - working toward being more joyful, more excited and having more fun!" And that's just what she's doing in her first Mel Brooks musical. "It is so much fun! I feel privileged to be a part of an 'original cast' here at Beef & Boards," she said, adding this show is already special. "It is a Beef & Boards original production. To work opposite Doug and Eddie so closely is a real treat most people might not get to experience. I feel I am a part of Beef & Boards history." "It is also my first time to work with Marc Robin - and now I have been fortunate to experience how wonderful, creative and smart he is, firsthand!" Born in Atlanta, Elizabeth became bitten by the performing bug while living on the West Coast. "I am a bit of a military brat, but grew up most of my life in Northern California. "My community in Vacaville was very involved in the arts," Elizabeth said. "I had a great high school choir, madrigal group as well as a great community college that also cast high school students in their productions. I decided in high school to follow in the footsteps of my fellow California performers to go to school on the East Coast and pursue the professional life!" Elizabeth earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in musical theatre at the Boston Conservatory. "Beef & Boards was my first job out of college - Will Rogers Follies in winter of 2003," she said. "I played Z's Favorite." Since then, Elizabeth spent two years in the 30th Anniversary National Tour of Annie, in which she played Grace. She is featured on the 2-disc cast recording of the show, just released this summer. To get your copy, click here. |
