Rising starlet Sugarbum stars in The Wizard of Oz
26 Nov 2018.

by Drew Rowsome -

On the eve of her headling debut as the star of Ross Petty's annual pantomime, this year The Wizard of Oz : a Toto-ly Twistered Family Musical, Sugarbum graciously agreed to answer a few questions about her meteoric rise in the theatre world. Despite an exhausting and punishing rehearsal schedule, the triple-threat - quadruple if you count the endorsement deals sure to come - appears to be just as bubbly, beautiful and vivacious as her public persona. Toronto, and the merry old land of Oz, may be just a pitstop on her way to Broadway, the West End, the Emerald City Interdimensional Theatre and/or Hollywood, but she seems as down to earth as such an unearthly glittery mega-star can be.

Drew Rowsome: Despite being "Plumbum's younger, prettier and more audacious younger sister," do you have any trepidation about filling Plumbum's pumps?

Sugarbum: Oh I have no trepidation because I brought my own shoes! I love a silver Ked with a flower detail. I want to do my sister Plumbum proud, however for this round it's Sugarbum's turn. And I'm ready to get my steps in on the yellow brick road.

How did you come to be cast in this role? Did Plumbum suffer a Showgirls-esque tumble?

Sugarbum: No, no marbles have been tossed on this production . . . yet. My sister missed her flight from Transylvania, I understand there was a fishnet related emergency that tied her up and so her people called my people and 5, 6, 7, 8 . . . Sugarbum's a star.

What is your role in The Wizard of Oz?

Sugarbum: Well I'm playing the role of the Good Witch of the North, the GWOTN for short. But it's not your traditional version of The Wizard of Oz. I'll be going on the journey down the YBR with the four friends. There's something I need from the Wizard too . . .

Do you regret not getting to play the Wicked Witch of the West which is the iconic role to gay men?

Sugarbum: No no no. The GWOTN is wicked enough for me. However Sarah-Jeanne Hosie as the Wicked Witch of the West is ferociously funny, she does the gay men who revere her proud.

It's a very high-powered cast. Are they all learning from you?

Sugarbum: We all have things to learn from each other on this. Really, we all learn from Eddie Glen, through his DIY approach to comedy, we all emerge funnier.

All of the interviews I've done with Ross Petty panto cast members have been full of gushing about how wonderful and fun the experience is. Is that true or are there just very strict non-disclosure agreements signed upon being cast?

Sugarbum: I can't give away too much, but there is a magic to every day at 'work.' This is a well-oiled machine. It puts my cousin Sulphura's Feverator to shame. But more on that when you see the show.

WC Fields famously advised "Never work with children or animals." Are you nervous about Toto or the hordes of children who will be in attendance and some even on stage?

Sugarbum: Toto (Olive) is incredible, she's gonna be just fine. The little rascal loves the attention. A little behind the scenes info: Camille who plays Dorothy is Olive's Mom. So no matter what . . . Toto will be safe

Plumbum has a notoriously overdriven libido. Is it a family trait? Who is your love interest in the show? Who would you like to be your love interest off stage?

Sugarbum: We in the Bum family nurse a healthy libido. And we always appreciate the male form. However my love interest in this show is myself, I have to learn to love myself a little more, so that's what I'm working on. I will say prior to coming back to Oz, I spent an afternoon running through the hallways of the Hilton, desperately searching for the disarmingly handsome Ross Petty. There may or may not be footage of that in our show.

What is your favourite number in the show?

Sugarbum: It's hard to compliment my cousin Sulphura . . . but unlike her I can be the bigger person and acknowledge that she kills the song "Hot Stuff." Please don't tell her I said that.

Your favourite fashionable outfit?

Sugarbum: Listen honey, more is more. I love a petticoat. I love a rhinestone. And I love pink. Let me say that again: PINK. I like anything that shows off my calves, while offering a hint of  'saloon.'

Does performing over the holiday season interfere with your usual celebrations? What does Christmas mean to Sugarbum?

Sugarbum: If anything it improves my holiday season! It means I get to meet families and people of all kinds and share my heart with them. If that's not what the holidays are about, then I don't know what! Christmas, and every holiday, means I get to wear my best rhinestone petticoat and roast some chestnuts on an open fire. What can I say except that I love to make the Yueltide gay!

Will it be hard to leave Oz and return to grey and slushy Toronto?

Sugarbum: Yes. Yes it will. Our transportation system in Oz does in fact have a relief line, which makes winter travel far more ideal. Also, parts of Oz contain trees that are every colour you can think of, including PINK, so . .  I miss seeing that when I'm here in the TO for too long. I will say though, when the streets of Toronto are quiet and the snow is falling perfectly, and all the lights are twinkling, I feel like I'm back in Oz.

How do you like travelling by tornado on a nightly basis?

Sugarbum: Oh honey I'm too old for that. I live in Oz, so only Dorothy has to do the tornado travel. And bless her heart for doing that. It was in my contract that I wouldn't have to jump between dimensions every night. It wreaks havoc on my hair. And my clothes don't travel well in a cyclone situation.

Is rehearsing and working so close to the Eaton's Centre dangerous for your finances? It will be easy for your Christmas shopping but what is Sugarbum hoping that Santa will bring her?

Sugarbum: Cory Sincennes doesn't have his designs in the Eaton Centre yet. Only he can dress me. He knows how to show off all I've got. So if he opens a store, my credit cards will take a huge hit. But it's worth it to support his genius.

As for Santa . . . his wife and I actually went to college together, we're great friends still. So I hope he brings her down to Oz for a holiday visit, that way me and the Mrs can hit the Ozview casino, crack a bottle of Chardonnay and make some bad decisions. Just like old times.

You have a very close relationship with the talented Michael De Rose who is having a banner year with Grease, Merrily We Roll Along and Jukebox Hero. What does he have planned next? What do you have planned next?

Sugarbum: Don't you just love him? He's got a few things coming up that he has to be tight-lipped about. But let's just say there are more shows in his future. One based on a hit Lindsay Lohan/Jamie Lee Curtis Disney film (itself a remake of a Jodie Foster film). But shhhh. Don't tell. As for me . . . well when you see the show you'll understand, I'm about to become very busy in the land of Oz.

Is there anything else that you would like your soon to be devoted fans to know?

Sugarbum: Only that I love them. And that I'm working on making the interdimensional travel much easier between Earth and Oz, that way I can see them on a more regular basis. My fans are so loyal, I just want to keep singing and shimmering for them. I hope I'm a beacon of pink rhinestoned hope for these troubled times.