Broadway star Jessica Vosk has shared her poignant reflections on coping with personal loss while performing in the stage adaptation of the beloved story “Beaches.” In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, Vosk, who plays the role of Cee Cee Bloom, delved into how the sudden passing of her father has profoundly influenced her portrayal in the production.
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The actress recounted the emotional turmoil she experienced when she received the news of her father’s declining health. “When we first started this process of *Beaches* a couple of years ago, I suddenly lost my dad,” Vosk explained. “The workshop was over on a Friday. My mum called that Friday and said, ‘I think you need to come down to Florida. Your dad is not doing well.’ He passed three days later.” This heart-wrenching loss has remained at the forefront of her mind as she navigates the emotional journey of the character.
“Beaches,” based on Iris Rainer Dart’s novel and the subsequent 1988 film starring Bette Midler and Barbara Hershey, tells the story of two lifelong friends, Cee Cee and Bertie, who endure rivalries, failed marriages, and ultimately, profound losses. Vosk poignantly remarked, “There’s something that always comes into my brain about the loss of my dad and what that feels like — and how grief can be two things. It can be both joy and pain at the same time.”
She highlighted the impact of the narrative on audiences, acknowledging how the emotional depth of the story often leaves them in tears by the show’s conclusion. “I think audiences often end up in a puddle by the end of it,” Vosk noted. Despite the intense emotional demand of the production, she feels privileged to evoke such feelings in the audience: “It’s an honour to make people feel the things that they’re feeling.”
The star admitted that performing in such an emotionally charged show requires significant personal energy. Vosk candidly shared, “It takes a lot of emotion out of me. It’s probably why I have to lay down or nap in between shows or go home and go to bed after to decompress.” The catharsis that comes from engaging with these profound emotions is something she cherishes.
“I feel kind of lucky that I have to have those emotions,” she said. “I don’t stifle them down like we normally would do. It’s human, and it’s really necessary.” Her reflections resonate with the dual nature of grief, allowing her to present a multifaceted performance that connects deeply with her audience.
The musical “Beaches,” developed in collaboration with David Austin, features a book co-written by Iris Rainer Dart and Thom Thomas, with music by Grammy Award-winning Mike Stoller. Directed by Emmy Award winner Lonny Price alongside Matt Cowart, the production brings both heart and artistry to the stage, running at the Majestic Theatre in New York City until September 6.
Tickets for the critically acclaimed show are currently available, and Vosk hopes that the emotional weight of the story resonates with audiences as strongly as it has with her. Through her journey in this role, she continues to navigate her own grief while honouring her father’s memory, making each performance a tribute that transcends mere entertainment.
In sharing her story, Vosk encapsulates the essence of theatre as a platform for exploring the human experience and embracing the complexities of love and loss. As she manoeuvres through her debut Broadway role, her resilience and honesty invite both audiences and performers alike to reflect on their own experiences of grief and connection.