Quotes from LaChanze

As singers, we're always taught to sing forward and place everything in the front of our resonating chambers. Donna Summer always sang in that space and had it naturally. Her muscle memory, the way she was built - she was a natural singer.

I am an African-American woman of dark skin tone, and there are very specific roles that are usually given to African-American women of a darker hue. Let's start with 'Once on This Island': peasant girl. Let's go to 'The Color Purple': young girl, beaten. Let's go to 'Ragtime': Her baby's taken.

I went to see 'Kinky Boots' to see my friend Billy Porter in his groundbreaking performance. But while backstage, I was hoping for a chance to meet this young, dynamic performer Annaleigh Ashford. Her comic timing was brilliant. And she is obviously a triple threat.

'The Little Mermaid' is my favorite of the Disney animated features. And, I could not wait to see it on Broadway.

I'm not a Method actress. I work in the present, the day-to-day.

'Feeling Good' is a peek into my life through song.

I'm from a part of Florida that is very close to Georgia in the panhandle area. I have a very colorful Southern family.

I think a lot of audience members don't realize the part that they play in live theatre. The audience actually has a mood. Sometimes they're tired and bored, and we have to wake them up and engage them.

Coming up through the theater in America, while I have had success, I have had success in certain types of roles.

I'm not religious, but I'm spiritual.

In my house, we couldn't listen to 'Love to Love You Baby.' It was way too salacious back in the day. I remember my mom would turn the station off when that song came on the radio. But, of course, I played my album to death in my bedroom, with the door closed.

The majority of the roles I've played are women who have been either impoverished or subjugated in some way. So while I've been fortunate enough to have success because these roles exist, they are stereotypical roles.

In my own one-woman show, 'Feeling Good,' I talk about my childhood and write a letter to my younger self in the show. The most important thing I would tell her is to trust my instincts. Just trust them. They're little whispers from God, I think. You've heard it a million times, but it's true: Listen to that inner voice.

The best thing about theatre is that every time we get onstage, the show is new.

I have a very strong connection with God, very strong sense of my faith.

I really studied her singing, trying to see what it was about her that made her such a natural, incredible singer. Because sometimes as a singer, you really have to work to reach a certain note. And for Donna Summer, it seemed effortless.

I'm a theatre doll, and I've always - since I'm out of school - have always been on stage.