Jacqueline B. Arnold will soon take the stage in her principal Broadway debut as Anita in Smash on Broadway! This marks her third Broadway show overall. The production brings the Emmy award-winning television phenomenon to life, offering audiences a behind-the-scenes look at creating a Broadway musical.
Arnold recently shared her excitement about portraying Anita, a powerful Black Broadway producer. She emphasized the importance of representation in theater and discussed how the role differs from her previous stage work.
From TV Phenomenon to Broadway Stage
Smash on Broadway! follows the creation of a Marilyn Monroe musical called Bombshell. The show promises to deliver “iconic songs, kick-ass choreography, and backstage pandemonium.” Arnold’s character Anita serves as the producer of the fictional Bombshell musical.
“This is my principal Broadway debut,” Arnold told MadameNoire. “This will be my third Broadway show, so I’m excited about that. Smash was such a phenomenon for those of us in theater as well.”
Arnold believes audiences will appreciate seeing the business side of Broadway. “I think that kind of insider information is cool to fans, and it’s nice to see it brought to life live on stage,” she explained.
Breaking New Ground with Anita
Arnold’s role as Anita represents a significant departure from her previous Broadway characters. She described the contrast between past roles and her current one with enthusiasm.
“This is different because I’ve played everything from an ethereal fake diva in Priscilla, Queen of the Desert [OBC], to a real live, I think maybe the first African woman to dance at the Moulin Rouge!” Arnold said, referring to her portrayal of La Chocolat.
For the first time in her career, Arnold finds herself primarily acting rather than singing or dancing. “I’m in a play for the first time in my life. I don’t have to hit the step. I don’t have any dance, no choreography, and I sing, but I sing at the end of the show,” she shared.
Representation Matters on Broadway
As a Black woman in theater, Arnold celebrates the progress made toward diversity. She specifically noted improvements in body positivity, including casting choices that break traditional molds.
“What’s interesting about theater, as opposed to movies and television, is we’re accessible. So when you see us, you see us live and in person, that’s just what you’re getting,” Arnold explained. “We’re real people.”
Her character Anita Cooperman represents an important milestone. “As a Black woman in business, I know many people don’t put that forth, right? So, I’m never trying to hide. What you see is what you get,” Arnold stated. She described Anita as “exceptionally pulled together” and “very well-dressed, Upper East Side dressed.”
Preparing for a Different Kind of Role
The shift to a more acting-focused character required Arnold to adapt her preparation techniques. Her approach centered on thorough script work rather than the physical rehearsals of her past productions.
“In preparation, I tried my best to get off book [memorize lines] as much as I could so I could walk into the room knowing what I was talking about,” Arnold shared. “So it was a lot of brain work.”
This mental preparation differs significantly from her background as a singer. Arnold acknowledged this transition presented new challenges but also exciting opportunities for growth as a performer.