Sensational Sugarbum tells all about Lil' Red Robin Hood

Photos by Brad Zinger

26 Nov 2019

A star was born when Sugarbum sashayed on stage in her first appearance in a Ross Petty Christmas pantomime. She had graciously consented to an interview before that production and, stardom not having gone to her head, she was happy to carve some time out of her busy schedule to chat about her role this year in Lil' Red Robin Hood. Sugarbum, the starlet with the big voice, big mouth and just a smidgen of attitude, is now as synonymous with Christmas as sugar cookies.

Drew Rowsome: After stealing the show in The Wizard of Oz: a Toto-ly Twisted Family Musical, how much easier (or difficult) was your audition process for Lil’ Red Robin Hood?

Sugarbum: It was MUCH easier. No phone call. Ross's people called my people and POOF, I was booked.

What is your role in Lil’ Red Robin Hood?

Sugarbum: This year Sugarbum is 'Nurse Sugarbum,' Marion's painfully single nurse. We're not in Oz anymore Toto. No more magic, just her charm and wits to get her through.

Does that emphasis on “Red” clash with your preferred palette of pink?

Sugarbum: Actually I've branched out from my palette. While pink is still very much a highlight, some greens and golds have been worked into my new frock. And rest assured, I'm changing up my look mid-show this year and Michael Gianfrancesco's design does not disappoint.

What kind of perks did Ross Petty (Peter Pan in Wonderland, Cinderella, The Little Mermaid, Snow White, The Wizard of Oz) have to offer you to entice you to Sherway Gardens Forest?

Sugarbum: Working for Ross Petty IS the perk darling.

Speaking of forest decor, while the Winter Garden Theatre is a more classical, beautiful and therefore suitable, frame for your talents, it is also smaller. While the idea of more intimacy with Sugarbum is exciting, how are all of your fans going to fit in? Are you tempted to make those Come From Awayers go away?

Sugarbum: Honestly the Winter Garden is perfect for our story this year, this year I think audiences will feel like they are sitting inside of the set. You will be fully immersed! And those Come From Awayers can stay on their rock as long as they need to! They spread too much joy to get them to move. Plus there's magic in the fact that you can get from Newfoundland to Naughtyham in the span of one elevator ride.

The rosspetty.com website describes you as “raucous and strangely alluring.” The “raucous” is a given as is “alluring,” but did they misspell “strikingly” or “stunningly” or... ?

Sugarbum: Or Sensationally? I think there was a misspell in there for sure.

Lil’ Red Robin Hood offers you three talented and hunky co-stars: Robert Markus (James and the Giant Peach), Lawrence Libor and Daniel Williston (The Wizard of Oz, Kinky Boots, Evil Dead the Musical). Which lucky man (or men) gets to be your love interest onstage? Off stage?

Sugarbum: Daniel Williston plays my Tuck. Friar Tuck that is. Hes my love interest on stage, off stage, and generally anywhere within the 416 area code.

Will Ross Petty be offended by the last question?

Sugarbum: Ross won't be. He knows not to stand in the way of true love. He also knows that he will always be Sugarbum's first love.

Will Eddie Glen (The Wizard of Oz,  Peter Pan in Wonderland, Cinderella, The Little Mermaid, Snow White, The Wizard of Oz)?

Sugarbum: Most definitely.

Your duet with Eric Craig (Parade) in The Wizard of Oz was a showstopper (only topped by your solo production number). Please tell us you are going to meld your magic pipes with those almost as magical ones of AJ Bridel (Company, A Christmas Carol, Assassins, Kinky Boots).

Sugarbum: Ah thank you. Singing with Eric was a true privilege last year. AJ and I get to spend most of our show together this year. She sings the house down on a song called "Down to the Roots," and I simply can't resist joining in on the fun.

The great Sara-Jeanne Hosie (Falsettos) who was deliciously evil and camp in The Wizard of Oz, is playing the Sheriff of NaughtyHam. Do you think it is risky to present crossdressing in a mainstream family-oriented theatrical production?

Sugarbum: Well let's be real . . . Sugarbum isn't a . . . shall we say . . . natural woman. So technically it's already being presented. In the words of the great RuPaul: "We're all born naked and the rest is drag." Everyone is dressed as something outside of themselves in this story. So I think it's our hearts that matter most in a family musical.

That being said...our sheriff is definitely a woman. A powerful one with some questionable intentions. Sara Jeanne is deliciously wicked as usual, and just wait for her musical number "Power." It. Is. Everything.

You had some deliciously risqué lines and asides in The Wizard of Oz. Are you encouraged to push the envelope with Lil’ Red Robin Hood (there is already a double entendre in the title) or have you been spanked on occasion? What would you never dare to say?

Sugarbum: I think we always have to be mindful of the wee ones in the audience. I like a joke that goes over the kids' heads but hits their parents squarely in the funny bone. It is most definitely a line that I am conscious that I am walking. I think I wouldn't dare say anything that contradicts or detracts from the innocent awe and magic the kids are feeling watching our show.

What are you most looking forward to in interacting with the children (of all ages) in the audience? What are you least looking forward to in interacting with the children (of all ages) in the audience?

Sugarbum: I love the kids! I'm most looking forward to their responses in the interactive portions of the show. I love when we get to bring them up on stage because you never know what they are going to say! Kids DO say the darndest things.

What I'm least looking forward to is being exposed to the cold and flu germs that cling to the little ones.

This year Mucho Burrito is a new sponsor. Will you get as much use out of their products as you do from Hilton Toronto?

Sugarbum: Honey there's nothing I love more than a good fully stuffed burrito. In an ideal world I will be enjoying my burrito in a Hilton Suite. Bliss.

As you will be working right through the Christmas season, what would Sugarbum like Santa to bring?

Sugarbum: Sugarbum would like Santa to bring the gift of Impeachment to the US. That would be a Merry Christmas indeed.

You are very close to the very talented and hunky Michael De Rose (Reprint, Parade, Merrily We Roll Along, Grease, My Dinner with Casey Donovan). What does he have planned next? What does Sugarbum have planned next?

Sugarbum: Michael is feverishly prepping for a busy 2019 of workshops and shows. I think Sugarbum however will put her feet up on a beach after the trials and tribulations of our journey to Naughtyham. Hopefully my Tuck and I will enjoy some Mai Tais as the sun sets while gazing out over the ocean.

Is there anything else that you would like to share with your adoring fans?

Sugarbum: Only that everything I do, is for them. And that I'd love for them to see Lil' Red Robin Hood playing at the Winter Garden Theatre from November 29th through January 4th.