In an interview on The Day With Trae, host Trae Holiday chatted with Lauren Samuels, the talented actress who plays Elphaba in the touring production of Wicked now playing at Seattle’s Paramount Theatre. Samuels, who hails from Britain, shared her insights into the iconic role and her experience on the US tour.

Samuels, who is making her US debut in the role, expressed her excitement about fulfilling a lifelong dream. "This has been a bucket list role of mine since I very first saw the show in London's West End," she said. "I was like, please, please, one day, let me be painted green. And here I am."

Samuels also spoke about the unique opportunity to explore the backstory of the Wicked Witch, a character often misunderstood and vilified. "We get to see the Wicked Witch. Is she wicked? Is she good? You get to decide for yourself as an audience," Samuels explained. "I think it's so exciting that you get to see this different side of a person who you think you know from these stories."

The actress praised the strong female friendships depicted in Wicked, particularly the complex relationship between Elphaba and Glinda, played by Austen Danielle Bohmer. "It is about female friendship, right?" Samuels remarked. "And I love this underlying message in Wicked."

Samuels also shared her appreciation for the enthusiastic American audiences, noting their stark difference from the more reserved British audiences she's accustomed to. "The American audiences, I've got to say...they go wild," she exclaimed. "It is sometimes like a cacophony of sound that comes from the audience."

Holiday commended Samuels for her performance and the show's impact on audiences, particularly in these challenging times. "I appreciate you bringing your full self to that stage for the audience to experience and to enjoy," he said.

Samuels concluded by inviting everyone to come and see the show, emphasizing the power of theater to transport and inspire. "I hope that it just gives people a little bit of escapism as well," she said. "They can come to the theater. They can forget their lives, forget the outside world for a moment, enjoy the beautiful music, the costumes, the scenery, laugh, cry, just escape their reality for a moment."

Don't miss your chance to see Lauren Samuels bring Elphaba to life in this unforgettable production. Get your tickets www.StgPresents.com