(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Jasmine Forsberg says she caught the performance bug when she attended Seth Paine Elementary School in Lake Zurich.
"I was born in Arlington Heights, but I spent the first five years of my life in Lake Zurich," the 22-year-old says.
Her love of music and dance started in Illinois.
"I took piano lessons at the age of 3 at Suzuki Music Center here in Illinois. I took my first dance lessons here. This is where everything started for me, and I'm just so happy to be back," she said.
Forsberg's family members still live in Naperville and Niles, and she’ll be staying with her grandparents through the summer.
"I love spending time with the family who I don't get to see all the time. It's also such a blessing to spend time with them after two to three years of not seeing them because of the pandemic. I feel like I'm making up for lost time being with them. Chicago is really my second home. It's where my parents grew up and where all my family is.”
Forsberg plays Jane Seymour in the hit show “SIX,” a musical about the six wives of Henry VIII.
Since its debut in London in 2017, it's acquired a cult-like following
"The 'Queendom' is nothing like I've ever experienced before. It makes my heart so happy to know how this show resonates with so many people,” she said. “The message of the show speaks volumes.
“It's about women supporting women, people supporting people. It's a special message to tell, especially young people across the globe, that what you bring to the table can be celebrated. I think that's why people love it so much. They feel seen and heard."
The show marks Forsberg's big stage debut.
"I just graduated from Penn State last May," she said. ”It's my first big gig out of school. This is a dream come true for me, to be part of this kind of show. It's something I've never experienced before. I've never been so excited for something in my life.”
“SIX” is a modern, fun take about a time in history many may not know about, Forsberg says.
"I myself didn't know much about Henry VIII and his wives, and here I am playing one," she said, laughing. "It is very modern, and it's a great opportunity to elevate and amplify the stories of these women that you may not have heard of before. It's a different lens, for sure.”
Forsberg and her fellow queens will be at the CIBC Theater through July 3, which she says should give her plenty of time to explore Chicago.
"Oh yeah, I'm going to be checking out ‘The Bean,’ The Art Institute. I really want to go to a jazz club, too," she said.
Tickets for “SIX” are available at broadwayinchicago.com.
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