Her hot girl spin on the role potentially broadens the perspective of this classic musical, says Sis, who is trans. When channeling Teen Annie, she says, “We see this story and this character from a completely different perspective.”
“Different Aim” might be director Daniel Fish’s mantra of “Oklahoma!”, which won the 2019 Tony Award for Best Musical Revival. reconceptualized, as well as with its unusually intense embrace of darkness inherent in Rodgers and Hammerstein’s seminal 1943 work.
At the time of the tour, Fish says, there was no doubt that Sis was the right Teen Annie. “Why do you fall in love with someone? Why does a Rothko painting pierce my soul? These are questions I don’t even know if I could answer,” says the director. “Sis walked into the room and auditioned and sang, and we all knew pretty quickly that she was the right fit.”
It didn’t hurt “that she’s not afraid of anything,” he said, adding an unprintable word for emphasis.
In a Zoom interview, the 24-year-old sister discussed her history with “Oklahoma!”, her social justice work and how she copes with the stress of touring. She talked about a Philadelphia Airbnb as she prepared to enjoy a meal of Peking beef and honey walnut shrimp from Panda Express. This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Q: What prompted you to play Ado Annie?
A: I think of his ferocity and tenacious spirit.
Q: Do you remember the first time you met her?
A: I was in the production of my friend “Oklahoma!” in Texas, and I fell in love with the character of Ado Annie, and I fell in love with “I Cain’t Say No” [the character’s signature song, about dallying with multiple suitors]. It’s an anthem to let you experience what life throws at you and let you indulge in what you want. It’s very powerful for women, and just for humans. In my last year of college [at Sam Houston State University]I decided to add it to my repertoire. [In Fish’s production,] I really wanted to own this song. I wanted to own this song in my darkness, in my femininity, in my existence.
Q: You are the founder of Next generation project, whose mission is to distribute resources to black and brown trans people in need. Do you see a continuity between this aspect of your life and performance?
A: All I do is one. I contain multitudes.
Q: Was it intimidating to face Ado Annie after Ali Stroker won a Tony Award for the role [when Fish’s production ran on Broadway]?
A: Not at all. My interpretation of this character, and this role, is related to my way of living and existing. There is no way to compare or compete with someone who has lived a completely different life from yours. I didn’t feel any kind of fear. I wanted to do the role justice.
Q: Do you have a memory from your childhood where you saw theater or performances and said to yourself, “I want to do this”?
A: I like “Barney [& Friends].” That’s what got me into everything. But also, I remember watching this DVD of Cathy Rigby as Peter Pan all the time. I’ve always been so invested in the story, in the music. I think it was my first play that I was exposed to.
Q: You played a member of the ballroom community in the FX series “Pose.” Did you learn anything from that experience that was helpful in “Oklahoma!” ?
A: Yeah. I learned to occupy space, and that there was a place for me wherever I was. And to be present and willing to tell your story.
Q: I imagine the experience of the tour is exhausting.
A: I keep going because I know what I’m trying to accomplish. I exist as a black person in America, as a black woman, as a black trans woman, so I have a lot to do. [As a coping strategy,] I take a lot of trips to Disney World. I went there four times last year.
Q: What’s on your career bucket list now?
A: I want to do things where I can tell my story. I feel like in 2020 there was a big push for centering black voices, and it died down. I would like the message to be to continue to amplify marginalized voices and marginalized bodies, to push for change, and to help us in this fight for real equity.
Q: Why should people see this production?
A: This production is a representation of the fact that people must be ready and willing to change. People of all shapes, sizes, genders, sexualities have the ability to do great things. If we accepted that, we would be a much better society.
John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, 2700 F St. NW. 202-467-4600. kennedy-center.org.
Comments are closed.