(© Joseph Marzullo/WENN)
ALLIE TRIMM: I started singing when I was really young. When I was 3, I sang the song from the movie Titanic at my aunt's wedding. The band didn't know the song, so I threw a huge tantrum and sang it a cappella. When I was 5, I started doing community theater, and I started doing professional theater when I was 9 in San Diego. I remember thinking "this is so cool, I love it!"
TM: You still live in San Diego, but work on Broadway?
AT: I'm here for the show, but I live in San Diego. When I was in 13, we rented an apartment and all came out here -- including my younger brother and sister. After it closed, we shipped all our furniture back home. A few months later I got cast in Birdie and we had to ship all the furniture here again.
TM: Which character is more like you: Patrice in 13 or Kim in Bye Bye Birdie?
AT: I'm a little of both. Patrice is such a relatable character, because every kid has those moments where they don't fit in and feel like such an outcast. That relates to me because, right now, I'm not with my friends at home and I feel like I am way out of the loop. And Kim is like me in that she wants to be independent and able to take care of herself, but she's really still a kid. When something crazy happens, it comes back to "Mommy mommy, help me!" I feel like that; if I get on the wrong subway -- and I did that the other day -- I can't help myself and I have to call my mom.
TM: Did you know Birdie before you were cast?
AT: Lots of people in the cast have been in a production of the show, but I hadn't, I'd never even seen it! But I knew lots of the songs. So I decided to go watch the movie, but then I learned that the movie is different than the show and they're not going for what the movie is. They're taking an original view of the 1950's with this revival. And I can't wait for people to see it; we spent the whole first week of rehearsals just doing "I've Got A Lot of Livin' to Do" -- and it looks great!
TM: Were you nervous about working with the big stars in the Birdie cast?
AT: At first I was really nervous. I've never worked with or even met celebrities. But John Stamos and Gina Gershon [who play Albert and Rosie] are so down to earth. They're really humble and friendly and talented. I'm just so happy that the entire cast feels like a family. And Dee Hoty, who plays my mom, is fabulous and just the sweetest! She treats me like she's my mama!
TM: Do you feel about anyone the way Kim feels about Conrad?
AT: It's not like Kim feels about Conrad, but I love Zac Efron. I love all his work. That's as close as I get.
