Mika Shigamatsu, who gave a stunning portrayal of Suzuki, Butterfly’s maid, graciously shares her answers to the Proust Social.

Where would you like to live?

New York and Kyoto

What is your idea of earthly happiness?

Good meals with good friends

Who are your favorite heroes of fiction? Who are your favorite heroines in real life?

007 & Audrey Hepburn

Your favorite painter?

Vincent van Gogh

Your favorite occupation?

Singer

What is your present state of mind?

Peaceful

What is your motto?

Be honest.

Do you have a website, Facebook fan page, or a Twitter for everyone to follow?

Twitter Account: mikagozen (mostly in Japanese though)

How do you eat your eggs?

Scrambled

Favorite behind-the-scenes memory…

When I sang Suzuki in English in London, I suddenly lost words during the performances. The line was “Be calmer, Dear Butterfly.” But instead, the words came out of me were “Butter Butter Butterfly.”

In the same production, at the beginning of the second act before the music starts, I was to enter the stage with a candle light to light incenses. One day I made an entrance as usual, deep into the character—concerned about Butterfly and  thinking what to do next, and so on. So I sighed a heavy sigh, which extinguished the candle! I wanted to laugh, but of course I could not. Fortunately, there were “emergency” matches right besides the incenses to light them.

–Mika Shigamatsu