Cyndi Lauper this summer discussed her Girls Just Wanna Have Fun Farewell Tour and the end to her touring career. Many fans were worried this meant Cyndi Lauper was retiring. However, I caught up with Cyndi again, and I am happy to report this is only the beginning of a different aspect of her career. She is not leaving music, she will just no longer tour. Moreover, Cyndi is investing her time into other avenues, which fans are sure to enjoy.
You have had such an impressive career. What are you most proud of?
Cyndi Lauper: There have been plenty of moments. I think I am most proud of the fact I am still doing it.
You are doing it better than many of these newer artists too.
CL: I don’t know about that. I think everybody has their place and they are on their own trajectory. That in itself is a big step. You always have to think like that. Chappell Roan is often being compared to me and labeled a “young Cyndi Lauper.” No she is not! She is a young Chappell Roan. She is an artist in her own right. I think we are all naturally inspired by each other. However, that does not make Chappell a young Cyndi, it makes her a young Chappell. She is pretty kick ass.
You touched upon an important point. In the media, artists are often compared to one another, as well as pitted against one another. It can easily create animosity, particularly animosity that never existed before with artists who were once inspired by each other.
CL: I just think that we all are influenced. I was influenced by Deborah Harry of Blondie. “Rapture” was the first #1 song which had rap in it. It was a milestone and it moved things forward in the music industry. I don’t think they get the credit they deserve. To be a part of the music community is a big honor. I always thought rock & roll could save the world, and I still do.
I agree, especially in an era where things are so polarizing politically, music is the one thing that brings people together.
CL: We write our own chapters. This is the end of my touring chapter, but that does not mean I am not making music anymore, because Working Girl is going to open up in La Jolla Playhouse Nov. 9! And the [Rock & Roll Hall of Fame] induction is Nov. 8. You don’t stop your work, you just change it and adjust it. I want to be great at everything I embark on.
When your farewell tour originally kicked off it coincided with the documentary, Let the Canary Sing, which chronicled your rise to stardom and showcased you professionally and personally. You have done many acting spots and have a big IMDB page. How was it getting that personal for the documentary?
CL: I found a filmmaker, Alison Ellwood, whose work I was impressed with on Laurel Canyon. I found her film work to be inspiring. I thought, if I were to make a documentary, let me at least make it a film. I supplied as much information as I could. I mastered and mixed the music and let her handle the rest. I initially did not want to do a documentary because I was not dead [laughs]. However, after rethinking it, I found the idea stimulating.
When I was younger I discovered the movie Working Girl because it was playing on television one night. I found it so inspiring and fell in love with the premise of it. Fans are very excited for your musical adaptation of it. Can you go in depth on what we can expect?
CL: The play is set in the 1980s. Theresa Rebeck is writing the book. Christopher Ashley is directing it. I am managing all of the music and lyrics. I am writing with Rob Hyman, who I wrote “Time After Time” with, and Sammy James Jr, who was in The Mooney Suzuki and also on my team for Kinky Boots. Stephen Oremus is the orchestrator. We are going to have an all-girl band. Salt from Salt-N-Pepa wrote a rap for me for one of the songs. We wanted the play to be authentically ‘80s so all of these elements were important to re-create that feeling and aesthetic. The movie is still about different classes of people, trying to get ahead, and make something of yourself. It is also about friendship and remembering who you are, that you can grow and change, yet should not forget where you come from.
I am really looking forward to this as are all the fans. I loved the movie, the concept, and how motivational it was. Now with your involvement, you are only going to make it 10 times better when you bring it to life on the stage.
CL: It is truly because we have a great team of people involved. There are some stellar creators on this project. We also have a wonderful female lighting director and choreographer too. My goal is for it to come to Broadway in 2026.
