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Mexican actress Adriana Fonseca made her American theatrical debut in the play “Ease on Down the Road” earlier this March at the Saban Theatre in Beverly Hills, Calif.

“Ease on Down the Road” is based on the film The Wiz starring the late Michael Jackson and Diana Ross.

This move comes 2 years after Fonseca moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in the states.

This will be the first all-English language project she’s involved in, and she sat down with Living Out Loud to discuss the play, and what it took to make it a reality.

“The play is for everyone, and it’s for a good cause. It will help support various schools with underprivileged children who want to pursue and develop their talents through scholarships, as well as performing along actors and other celebrities,” Fonseca says. “The show itself is an extraordinary musical, and as a Latina I feel very honored to be a part of it. It’s full of fantasy. Also this is my first project completely in English, so I am very excited to take on this new challenge.”

It was very surprising to see the actress on stage because she actually has a full-fledged musical number, and even though she has done similar acts in Mexico, for her this was very different because it was done in English, and the play was a bona-fide musical.

“The play is based on Michael Jackson and Diana Ross’ film, and I play a witch who gives Dorothy directions on where to go. I also sing a song in the scene, which gives it a bit of a Latin touch,” says Fonseca.

When asked if she would ever consider singing professionally, she responded, “I don’t think so. I have sang in cabaret-style plays before, but this is in a different format. I love doing it, though, especially if it’s while portraying a character.”

Ever since permanently moving to L.A., Fonseca has not done anything professionally either in TV or film. She moved to L.A. with the full intention of immersing herself in the American market, something she says has not been easy due to the vast talent in town, and also why this play is so important.

“The first year I was here, I dedicated myself to studying. This year, I’ve worked more on casting, and preparing for this play,” she says. “L.A. is its own monster when it comes to this, but there is a way to navigate through it. But just think about it – you go to a casting call, with 500 people, and they only select 5. So much competition. Here in L.A., things are different. People are always prepared, and the level of skill is enormous. It’s not impossible to make it out here, you just have to be relentless and never stop trying.”

Other Mexican actors who have not found success in L.A. have gone back and continued making soaps in Mexico, but Fonseca has not really considered failure this early on.

“Coming here and trying to make it is not easy, by any means. it’s especially conflicting if one is offered a lead or otherwise excellent part in a soap elsewhere,” she says. “But I’m here giving it my all, and I honestly have not thought that far ahead. I can imagine people like Salma Hayek, Penelope Cruz or Sofia Vergara had to leave everything behind to be here and be able to give it their all. It’s not easy and requires a lot of patience, but like I said, it’s possible to be successful here with hard work and sacrifice. I’m here now, and who knows how things will turn out, but I do know I love L.A. and I want to live here.”

“Ease on Down the Road” is a phenomenal musical, ideal for all ages, and gives the people of L.A. a first-hand look at a brilliant actress who is beginning to see the fruits of her labor here in Hollywood.

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