Ask many actors and they will tell you it is hard to get work when you are just starting out and as you get older. However, it has not been the case for American musical (音乐剧) actress Susan Watson.
In 1958, at the age of 20, Watson was offered a part in the musical, West Side Story, in London. At that time, she was still a student at New York City’s Juilliard School for musicians, dancers and actors. More than 50 years later, she was offered another part. Watson took an important role in a remake of the musical, Follies, at the Kennedy Center in Washington and the Marquis Theatre in New York City. In both cases, the offers came from musical theater legend Stephen Sondheim. He wrote the lyrics for West Side Story and the music and lyrics for Follies.
As a teenager, Watson developed her dancing, singing and acting skills in her hometown of Tulsa, Oklahoma. She traveled to study at New York City’s Juilliard School before Sondheim interrupted her studies with the offer of a part in West Side Story. The awardwinning musical, based on William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, tells a story of the struggles of immigrants (移民) in New York City. In the following two decades, Watson had starring roles in such wellknown musicals as The Fantasticks, Bye Bye Birdie, Carnival, Celebration and No, No, Nanette.
Musicals are an American invention. They tell stories through many art forms: spoken words, songs, acting and dances. “Music adds an important emotional element, making an interesting story even more powerful,” Watson said.
At age 78, Watson now lives in California, but she has not stopped performing. She just released a new album called The Music Never Ends. She is excited that six of the 14 songs on her new album were written by “empowered (获得授权的) women”, including Nancy Ford and Gretchen Cryer. She says her new musical record is selling “very well” partly because people do not have to go to a store to buy it. They can buy it online, like almost any other product.
11. What does the author mean by saying that it has not been the case for Susan Watson?
A.She didn’t retire after she got old. |
B.She started out as an actress early. |
C.She became an actress by chance. |
D.She doesn’t have trouble in getting work. |
12. What did Susan Watson do while studying in New York City’s Juilliard School?
A.She received a very important offer. |
B.She developed her dancing and singing skills. |
C.She asked Stephen Sondheim for an opportunity. |
D.She starred in William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. |
13. Which of the following is the latest musical Susan Watson has starred in?
A.West Side Story. | B.Follies. |
C.The Fantasticks. | D.Celebration. |
14. According to Susan Watson, what’s one of the reasons why her new album sells well?
A.It is sold nationwide in stores. |
B.It’s convenient for people to buy it. |
C.She is a very famous musical actress. |
D.Many empowered women wrote the songs in it. |