Upclose with Annie Crummer
Annie Crummer plays the evil Killer Queen in the musical “We Will Rock You”.
HK Magazine: Why has “We Will Rock You” been such an international hit?
Annie Crummer: It’s a visual feast. It’s set 300 years in the future and is based on the music of Queen, which is colorful, honest and deep with meaning. The show is fun and lively but it also has some surprisingly touching moments. It’s an arena-type rock show that’s been squeezed into an intimate theater setting—it’s just pure entertainment.
HK: But I don’t know all the lyrics to “Another One Bites the Dust.”
AC: Even if you’re not a hardcore fan, you’ll find yourself saying, “Oh, Queen wrote this song?” I think their music has been secretly downloaded into everyone’s brain so you’ll be singing the lyrics to songs you never thought you knew.
HK: Tell us about your role as the evil Killer Queen.
AC: She rules the world. She’s a nasty, sexy, powerhouse of a character who hates anyone or anything with soul. She’s a 24/7 bad girl and she breaks the rules in terms of what a theatrical actress should be.
HK: In the “We Will Rock You” world of Planet Mall, your character bans all music. What would your life be like without music?
AC: Are you kidding? It would just be awful. Music is such a vital element of life. Like when Live Aid was held in ‘85, you could see that music really has the power to heal the world.
HK: With just 30 cast members, is it difficult to create chemistry on stage?
AC: It’s not hard at all. For some reason, our entire cast seems to be putting on the best performances of their lives night after night—it’s spectacular. The sound we create as an ensemble is just monstrous. For many of the younger cast members, this is their first show, but this isn’t a typical first show, it’s a multi-million dollar international hit and we’re all just waiting to see how long we can get away with it.
HK: I hear you live a double-life as a nail technician.
AC: Yes, it’s true. After my stint in Australia’s production of “Rent”, I took a six-week manicuring course. I was just over myself musically and wanted to learn another artistic, creative trade. It’s a skill my little nieces and gay friends are very thankful for—they love showing off my work.