What was the inspiration behind “Redemption Songs”?
The fans came from “Rent” and “Rocky Horror” and now, about seven years later, it was time to make a CD of music that was new that I could do on my terms and make the music that I want to make. I kind of call it my album of songs that are like snapshots or photographs. I call it “Redemption Songs” because the album represents [how I’ve] evolved at this point in my life. How is “Les Misérables” different from “Rent” for you? Strangely enough, it’s not. I see more similarities than differences. It’s the kind of show that has a built-in audience that are real purists of the music. Do you identify with your character, Fantine? Yes, I identify with her in a way as a mother. Short of filling my body with everything I need to do for my child, there is a correlation to Fantine’s life [a factory worker with an illegitimate child] and my own. My mom passed away when I was 10. She did everything [for me]. I’m here because of her. She was an immigrant. There are similarities. Fantine’s experience
