Interview: Carly Rose Sonenclar

Wonderland

Photograph: Michal Daniel

Carly Rose Sonenclar may only be 11 years old but she’s already made quite a name for herself on the stage and the screen. The Westchester native played young Eponine in Les Miserables, appeared on the new version of The Electric Company and is now starring in the Broadway musical —a modern-day version of the classic Lewis Carroll tale. Sonenclar, who plays Chloe, talked to Time Out Kids about her favorite scenes in Wonderland, the best restaurants in the Theater District and the most exciting part of being in a Broadway musical.

How did you get into acting?
I took a local singing and dancing class. One day, they took all of the kids to a manager. I read a Welch’s Grape Juice commercial as my audition and they signed me! I was around six at the time, so I didn’t really know what getting “signed” meant. I remember seeing how happy my mom was, and that made me think that it must be something good.

Tell us about your audition for Wonderland.
It was a long process. I had just finished a tour of Little House on the Prairie: The Musical. The producer happened to be the executive producer of Wonderland. At this point, Wonderland was not going to Broadway yet. It was going back to Florida. I went in to sing for the musical director, Jason Howland, and for the composer, Frank Wildhorn. We then had four days of rehearsal and then the actual reading. Then [we found out], Broadway was happening. This made the weeklong period of rehearsal even harder because I didn’t know whether or not I had gotten the role. On the last day of rehearsal, the director came up to me and offered me the job! I was so happy and called everyone I knew. The first call was to my dad and my brother, Russell. It was amazing.

What's it like working with such Broadway names as Janet Dacal (In the Heights) and Kate Shindle (Legally Blonde)?
Janet [who plays my mom, Alice] and Kate [who plays the Mad Hatter] are phenomenal. They both have amazing voices and have taught me so much. I am obsessed with In the Heights—I know every word to every song and rap. So it’s a dream come true to work with someone like Janet who has been working on that show for, like, eight years. And Kate has such a unique, powerful voice. She is such a role model, just like Janet in that way. Everyone in the cast, though, is a pleasure to work with.

What's your favorite part of the show?
I love when Janet and I sing “Home” in the first act. It’s fun to sing, but it’s also a great way to set up the next scene, “A Nice Little Walk.” Home is about what Chloe and Alice think about when they hear home.” Alice, who is in Wonderland at the time, is singing about wanting to get back home and have the family be together and better than when she left. I am singing about wanting to have a normal family. I don’t want my parents to get divorced, I want them both to be around more. I think that my character just longs for a normal life. I also really love El Gato’s number. Jose Llana, who plays our version of the Cheshire Cat, sings about letting go and how you have to “go with the flow.” Because he doesn’t have a Spanish accent in real life, when I hear him put on such a thick one it makes me laugh.

What's the most exciting part of being in a Broadway musical?
Performing. And I love meeting people after the show—especially the kids—who have just seen it! It makes me happy to see people from my generation enjoying it.

What are your favorite things to do in New York City?
I love Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Ripley used to live down the block from where I live in Westchester. There are also some pretty cool restaurants. My favorite Italian restaurant in, like, the world is called Osteria al Doge. It’s right by the theater, so that’s great. I also love Southern Hospitality. It’s great Southern food and it is a couple of blocks away. Others I like are Vinyl, Tony’s DiNapoli, John’s Shanghai and the Edison Café.

What’s your favorite Broadway musical?
Les Mis is my absolute favorite show ever. I have and will always have a sweet spot in my heart for it. And I am obsessed with In the Heights. That’s my favorite musical that I haven’t been in.

Any advice for kids who want to get into acting?
I really encourage kids to learn an instrument. When I knew that this was what I wanted to do, I started taking piano lessons. It helped me so much. When a show sends me music, I can play the notes and it helps me go into the audition confident and prepared. Also, take local acting, singing and dancing classes. I did, and it gives you a good foundation and helps prepare you for what may be coming if you decide to go into “the business.” I know that sometimes it may seem impossible, but if you try you can make your dreams come true all on your own. Look at how many people have gotten their start on YouTube!