What follows is an excerpt from that interview:
Q: With so much experience in New York, what made you want to drop everything and do a show in Dallas?
Cavenaugh: They asked me to do the reading back in January and February, and I thought playing Superman and Clark Kent would be fun. I didn't know the original '66 show – well, I knew a couple of songs, but I certainly didn't know the book or the story. But it was encouraging to see the work that went into the new version. Some things are cut and gone, there are some new songs, there's an entirely new book. It's really a new musical that we're doing. I loved the tone and the great work that [writer] Roberto [Aguirre-Sacasa] had done. I also love the time period. For some reason, I do really well with that '30s and '40s thing.
Q: Does Superman dance in this thing?
Cavenaugh: Superman doesn't necessarily dance, although I do think he will have some impressive aerial moves. Flying fight scenes, maybe. We'll see how Crouching Tiger we can get.
Q: So they haven't strung you up yet in rehearsals?
Cavenaugh: No, that's coming up. And I've never flown before, so it'll be a lot of fun.
Q: Is there a good way to prepare for personal flight?
Cavenaugh: You kind of just do it. A lot of sit-ups, I guess. [Laughs.] Make sure the harness is strapped on well.
Q: What about the suit? Tried it on yet?
Cavenaugh: I had my first fitting recently. They've built a beautiful '30s suit for Clark Kent. And I put on the mock-up Superman suit, too. It was exciting, and also like, "What the hell have I gotten myself into?" [Laughs.] It's like I was 7 years old again and running around in my Underoos. But I am looking forward to wearing the suit. I think the first time Superman flies in will be cool. And it will be exciting to do it here, at this new theater.
Q: Do the lines for Clark and Superman require you to get into different moods?
Cavenaugh: We are still putting the whole thing together, so I'm starting to realize where these personas come from. With Superman, there's an inner confidence. And it's not to say he's cocky or egotistical. But I think Superman has that. And we all have our public selves and our private selves. I know I have those, and it's fun to play on that in my work.
Q: What would your personal superpower be if you could create one?
Cavenaugh: Hmm ... well, I've always, in my family, been the one that my younger siblings have come to for problem-solving. They've leaned on me. So I guess my power would be ...
Q: A magic tool belt?
Cavenaugh: Exactly. A magic tool belt. [Laughs.]