Broadway Book Chat: Maggie Malaney

As an actor, every job you do, you make a new family.  There is something special about theatre and its ability to bring people together in a way that is unlike any other.  I have made so many amazing friends throughout my career, and many of them share my love of books and literature.  Since theatre brings stories to life, I thought I would feature some of my favorite performers (my fabulous friends and castmates) and see what their bookshelves look like! Welcome to my Broadway Book Chat!

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Maggie Malaney

instagram: @magmalaney

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What are you currently reading?

I am currently reading Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi

What is your favorite book series?

I am embarrassed to say I haven’t read any book series since I was a kid. So I suppose Harry Potter or Hunger Games!  

Who is your favorite author?  What makes them special to you?

Before quarantine I didn’t take the time to read and cultivate my literary interests. I would read only about 3-5 books a year. Since the initial stay at home order in March I have read 30 books! I haven’t made any serious relationships with authors yet, but I have found a deep crush for Taylor Jenkins Reid. Her book Daisy Jones and the Six is so unique and so much fun! I’ve read Maybe in Another Life and have on my TBR list The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. I love how different all her books are! 

What book inspires you and why?

I don’t think I have one specific book I am inspired by. I am really drawn to women’s stories written by women authors. I recently read A Woman Is No Man by Etaf Rum and truly is one of the best books I’ve read, I highly recommend. 

Do you have a favorite genre bubble or are you adventurous?

I’m adventurous forsure! I was on a thriller kick for a while, but I’ll try any genre really. 

Which literary character would you like to play?

I mean I know it’s already said and done, but I always wanted to be Katniss. 

If you could be friends with any of the characters you have played, who would it be and why?

I played Whatshername in American Idiot in college and boy would I love to have her drive and thrill for life (minus the heavy drugs obvi)

What book would you like to see made into a musical/play/movie?

I think it is in the works to be made into a movie but Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens. 

What is the next book on your reading list?

Up next I have Girl A by Abigail Dean!

Have you ever thought about writing yourself?

haha No, I do not have the skills to be a writer, but sometimes I’ll write random thoughts/ poems in my notes tab in my phone, but I would never show anyone those. 

What show are you currently in/what was the last show you were in and who did you play?

Before the lockdown I was one week into rehearsal of Kiss me Kate at the Marriott Theatre in Chicago! Praying we can all get back to doing what we love soon!

What is your favorite show you’ve been a part of and why?

I would have to say the show we did together! – “Guys and Dolls” at the Fulton. It was the year after I graduated college and the first time I was like “oh I am really doing this, this is my life”; I remember looking around and watching everyone perform and just being so excited I was in the room with such talented performers doing what I loved and trained my whole life to do. 

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Thank you to my wonderful friend, Maggie, for sharing with us! I would love some suggestions for new questions you would like to ask, or things you want to know from our performers.  Leave them in the comments and I will add them to future interviews!

Broadway Book Chat: Dan Hoy

As an actor, every job you do, you make a new family.  There is something special about theatre and its ability to bring people together in a way that is unlike any other.  I have made so many amazing friends throughout my career, and many of them share my love of books and literature.  Since theatre brings stories to life, I thought I would feature some of my favorite performers (my fabulous friends and castmates) and see what their bookshelves look like! Welcome to my Broadway Book Chat!

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Dan Hoy

From The First National Tour of Cats the Musical

Instagram: @dan_jhoy

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What are you currently reading?

Eros the Bittersweet by Anne Carson

What is your favorite book series?

Harry Potter. Basic, I know, but that series transported me to a new world when I was growing up. I remember reading the entirety of the 7^th book within 24 hours of buying it because I was so excited to read the conclusion of the saga!

Who is your favorite author?  What makes them special to you?

I honestly don’t think I have a favorite author. My taste in books varies so drastically that I find myself engrossed with whenever I have a good story in my hands.

What book inspires you and why?

There are a few. I love non-fiction books such as Not My Father’s Son by Alan Cumming, Boy Erased by Garrard Conley, The Glass Castle by Jeannette Wells, and Running With Scissors by Augusten Burroughs. It’s incredible to read true stories in which people stand up against the odds and succeed.

Do you have a favorite genre bubble or are you adventurous?

I like to think I’m pretty adventurous. In the last year, I’ve read everything from Fun Home to Clockwork Orange to milk and honey to Homo Deus. I enjoy changing up the genres as much as possible!

Which literary character would you like to play?

I have always wanted to play a superhero. I grew up with comics, and I still read them to this day. Someone like a Red Hood or Nightwing from the Batman series would be an incredible opportunity. I know they’ve already brought them to television via the Titans series, but there are always reboots and new films, right?

If you could be friends with any of the characters you have played, who would it be and why?

I feel like I usually play tragic roles or douchebags, so this is actually a difficult question! Haha! I feel like Munk (CATS) and I would be friends. He’s a driven character, and I’ve got a lot of respect for that. Maybe also Jason from bare. He’s got a lot of self-loathing, but he’s got a big heart and genuinely tries his best.  Unfortunately, *SPOILER* he kills himself at the end of the show, so I’m not sure what that relationship would end up looking like. I also feel like pre-success Jaime from The Last Five Years and I would be friends. At the beginning of the show, it feels like he really cares about his work and his relationships, but, by the end, he only cares about his image and his vices.

What book would you like to see made into a musical/play/movie?

So many of the books that came to my mind have already been adapted! Haha! A strange thought, but I’d love to see a poetic text such as milk and honey be adapted into a screenplay. It’d be interesting to see how a screenwriter could implement the poetry into a narrative.

Have you ever thought about writing yourself?

Yes, actually! In fact, I’ve written a few plays and screenplays, though I’d love to write a book down the line.

What is the next book on your reading list?

Hillbilly Elegy — I just watched the film with Glenn Close and Amy Adams, and the story is remarkable, so I now feel like I need to read the book. I was surprised to see that the film didn’t do so well with critics. I was very moved by the performances and I felt the direction and writing were both outstanding.

What was the last show you were in and who did you play?

The last show I was in was the national tour of CATS as Munkustrap. I was supposed to be joining the company of a new show in NYC, but, then, COVID happened, so everything is, unfortunately, on hold at the moment.

What is your favorite show you’ve been a part of and why?

I could list at least five or six right now. However, if I had to pick one at this moment, it’d be a production of The Seagull I did in college where I played Trigorin. We set up in a house with each act being performed in a different room to an audience of only 5 people. It was a really awesome experience, and it was one of the most creatively fulfilling productions I’ve ever been a part of.

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Thank you to my wonderful friend, and dungeon master extraordinaire, Dan, for sharing with us! I would love some suggestions for new questions you would like to ask, or things you want to know from our performers.  Leave them in the comments and I will add them to future interviews!

Broadway Book Chat: Joey Ortolani

As an actor, every job you do, you make a new family.  There is something special about theatre and its ability to bring people together in a way that is unlike any other.  I have made so many amazing friends throughout my career, and many of them share my love of books and literature.  Since theatre brings stories to life, I thought I would feature some of my favorite performers (my fabulous friends and cast mates) and see what their bookshelves look like! Welcome to my Broadway Book Chat!

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Joey Ortolani

From The First National Tour of Bullets Over Broadway

Instagram: @joeyorto

What are you currently reading?

Currently, I’m reading The Magician’s Nephew by C.S. Lewis. When C.S. Lewis wrote The Chronicles of Narnia, he wrote six stories starting with The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe. The seventh story, The Magician’s Nephew, was a prequel. I LOOOOVE origin stories in worlds I already love, such as Narnia.

What is your favorite book series?

Other than Harry Potter, I would say it would have to be the A Darker Shade of Magic series by V.E. Schwab. I say “other than Harry Potter” because anyone who knows me, knows what a staple in my life those stories are, so it kinda goes without saying. A Darker Shade of Magic and it’s two sequels mash up so many different kinds of magic. It’s Narnia, meeting The Last Airbender, meeting Harry Potter, meeting Game of Thrones. It’s fantastic.

Who is your favorite author? What makes them special to you?

I would say my favorite author is C.S. Lewis. When I was in high school (a Christian high school no less) I took an elective class my senior year studying his work. It was the first time I’d spent reading different works by the same author outside of a series. The Chronicles of Narnia are supposed to be allegories for biblical stories and I always felt like his writing style did the job so expertly and subtly, while still teaching the principle. His book, The Great Divorce, is very high on my recommendation list and had a very profound impact on me at that time in my life.

What book inspires you and why?

One book that changed me was The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chobsky. The book deals with many difficult topics that hit close to home for me. It was a piece of literature that showed me that being different from “normal” people was ok and something to be celebrated.

Do you have a favorite genre bubble or are you adventurous?

I typically live in the Fantasy genre, but sometimes branch off into historical books. Bill O’Reilly wrote a series of books called Killing.. dealing with the historical context surrounding the death of prominent figures in history. I found Killing Jesus and Killing Lincoln extremely fascinating.

Which literary character would you like to play?

I would truly love to play Harry Potter. When I was in sixth grade and read The Sorcerer’s Stone, I was captured in the second chapter because Harry Potter’s physical description was my exact physical description at the time. To paraphrase “almost 11 years old and a skinny knobby kneed boy with messy black hair and green eyes.” That was exactly me. While Harry Potter being portrayed by Daniel Radcliffe is shorter, and subsequently portrayed in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child as “no taller than 5’ 8” in the most recent casting notices (yes I checked) in the books he’s described as above average in height as well. That’s me!

If you could be friends with any of the characters you have played, who would it be and why?

I’m an ensemble boy, so the few times I’ve played a role, it’s actually more of a villain role, or a bad boy, so I can’t really pick. If we’re talking ensemble scenes, I’d have to pick the “character” I was playing when I put on a GIANT hotdog costume in Bullets Over Broadway. That guy was jubilant and thrilled to be wearing a giant Hot Dog and just sounds like a stand up fella.

What book would you like to see made into a musical/play/movie?

Definitely A Darker Shade of Magic made into a movie or a Game of Thrones-style series on HBO. It would be EPIC.

What is the next book on your reading list?

Next on my list is. The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins which is the prequel novel to The Hunger Games.

Have you ever thought about writing yourself?

Not really. I’ve played with fan fiction when I’m REALLY bored, and I honestly think I know the Harry Potter material and world well enough to write really great content if that sort of job ever existed.

What was the last show/project you worked on?

Last project I worked on was a big production number for Last Week Tonight with John Oliver on HBO. I was dancer (standing right next to John for the whole final sequence) and also worked on the preproduction for the month leading up to the project. The number was called E.S.B. (East Shit Bob), and was actually nominated for 2 Emmy’s for editing and Best Original Song!

What is your favorite show you’ve been a part of and why?

My favorite show i’ve ever been part of was the Broadway First National Tour of Bullets Over Broadway. The list of reasons is LONG. The biggest reason would be that at the time I was cast, Bullets… was my absolutely favorite musical I had ever seen on stage. I could write a doctoral dissertation on why I think the show was grossly under appreciated during its broadway run, and why I think it’s so amazing. It was the definition of a dream come true to be cast in your favorite show in it’s original broadway form, hand picked by and working with Tony winner Susan Stroman and her right hand men, Jeff Whiting and James Gray, and getting paid for it all. That’s THE dream. Playing some of the most incredible venues in the USA, with some of the most talented people I have ever met, who would also become the closest friends I have to this very day, all while doing a show that brought me immeasurable joy every single time I stepped on stage. And it’s been the gift that keeps on giving. The tour ran 2015-2016. In 2017, we remounted the show at Ogunquit playhouse with Vinny Pastore for the original broadway company, and Sally Struthers, who I idolize and was star struck by for 8 weeks straight. My experience in the tour of Bullets.. brought immeasurable joy, love, family, and experience into my life. Nothing will ever be like it.

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Thank you to my dear, dear friend, Joey, for sharing with us! I feature a new performer every month, so check back for our next guest! I would love some suggestions for new questions you would like to ask, or things you want to know from our performers.  Leave them in the comments and I will add them to future interviews! ❤

Broadway Book Chat: Mandy Striph

As an actor, every job you do, you make a new family.  There is something special about theatre and its ability to bring people together in a way that is unlike any other.  I have made so many amazing friends throughout my career, and many of them share my love of books and literature.  Since theatre brings stories to life, I thought I would feature some of my favorite performers (my fabulous friends and cast mates) and see what their bookshelves look like! Welcome to my Broadway Book Chat!

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Mandy Striph

Most recently seen as Tanya in Mamma Mia! at Actors Playhouse in Miami!

Instagram: @mstriph

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What are you currently reading?

I’m almost finished with The Lacuna by Barbara Kingsolver, the author of The Poisonwood Bible. I love the way she constructs narratives.

What is your favorite book series and why?

The easy answer is Harry Potter. That series was fundamental and I grew up right in the heyday. But in terms of longevity, Sherlock Holmes. I’ve fallen back in love with those stories over and over and over. It is definitely the catalyst for my love of crime stories.

Who is your favorite author? What makes them special to you?

Alexander Dumas. The Count of Monte Cristo really hit home when I was a teen. So much angst, a sense of righteousness, a desperate yearning for love amid betrayal against a romantic adventure background? How could I not be enraptured?

Do you have a favorite genre bubble or are you adventurous?

I’m pretty open. I usually gravitate toward fiction, especially American or BritLit. Lately, memoirs have been a bigger part of my reading lists.

What book inspires you and why?

As a person? Becoming. Michelle Obama’s story and journey are so accessible in her memoir. She makes me want to be a stronger person. Creatively? The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern. The imagery and inherent magic of this story is so intense. I wanted the circus to be a reality for me. The whimsical storyline made me want to write and create.

Which literary character would you like to play?

Irene Adler, romantic frenemy of Sherlock Holmes. It’s rare for women of that era to be portrayed as clever without solely relying on feminine wiles. She’s a fictional feminist icon.

If you could be friends with any of the characters you have played, who would it be and why?

Tanya from Mamma Mia. She is exactly who she wants to be and has everything she wants. Laid back, fun, wealthy? She’d throw a helluva party. And you KNOW there would be all kinds of interesting and/or sexy people at her soirée.

What book would you like to see made into a musical/play/movie?

The Night Circus. The magic and romance would be enhanced through music. Adam Guettel would create a beautiful score.

What is the next book on your reading list?

The Wind-up Bird by Haruki Murakami.

Have you ever thought about writing yourself?

I have. Mostly comedic romantic (or maybe even erotic) fiction. Something that would be pure, entertaining escapism.

What show are you currently working on and who do you play?

Right before coronavirus caused a full stop for the arts, I was Tanya in Mamma Mia at Actors Playhouse in Miami. I had a blast.

What is your favorite show you’ve been a part of and why?

Also hard to say. The national tour of Beauty and the Beast was my first job out of college and so foundational. I made life long friends on that tour. That said, I’ve done multiple productions of Mamma Mia as Tanya and that show (and character) has a very special place in my heart.

I’ve been loving your posts during quarantine about books and their perfect cocktail match. How do you decide what goes best and which is your favorite combination so far?

Pairing cocktails and books seems like a natural marriage. Who doesn’t love a beverage while they cozy up to a book. I choose my pairings on a variety of factors. If the main characters are drinkers I’ll do a crash course on their favorite beverages. If the book is set somewhere specific, I may highlight cocktails that feature native spirits. Sometimes it’s about theme or feel. Clean cocktails for delicate storylines or cocktails created by badass female mixologists to compliment female authors.

Follow Mandy’s book and cocktail pairings on her Instagram @mstriph

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I feature a new performer every month, so check back for our next guest! I would love some suggestions for new questions you would like to ask, or things you want to know from our performers.  Leave them in the comments and I will add them to future interviews! A huge thanks to the amazing Mandy for sharing with us. ❤

April 2020 Wrap-Up

Hi everybody!  Well, the world is still topsy turvy, and we’re all still in hermit mode.  With the future so uncertain it can be hard to stay positive, but I am so lucky to be surrounded by the best people.  I am incredibly thankful for the technology that lets us feel closer to our people in this crazy time.  I’ve begun a new online D & D campaign with my crew, had too many virtual happy hours to count, and today I even got to be there for one of my best friend’s weddings virtually!  One day this will all be behind us, but for now I am feeling so grateful for all of the people I love and cannot wait until I can squeeze them all again.  I’ve gotten some good reading done thanks to the 2020 Magical Readathon, and I really fell in love with some of these stories.  I’m sending happy and healthy vibes to all of you and hoping we’ll be on the other side of this mess soon! ❤

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Books Read:

House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J. Maas ★★★★★

Among Shadows by Nina Walker ★★★★

The Clockmaker’s Daughter by Kate Morton ★★★★★ BOOK HANGOVER

When Life Gives You Lululemons by Lauren Weisberger ★★★★

The Scapegracers by Hannah Abigail Clarke ★★★★

Insurgent by Veronica Roth ★★★

My Summer of Love and Misfortune by Lindsay Wong ★★

Songs of Love and War by Santa Montefiore ★★★★★ BOOK HANGOVER

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Favorite Book of the Month:

I can’t pick.  I loved them both so much.

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Currently Reading:

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Challenge Updates:

Goodreads Challenge: 29 of 30

Classics Club Challenge: 9 of 50

Beat the Backlist: 18 of 50

2020 Magical Readathon OWLS: 7 out of 7 (COMPLETED)

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Broadway Book Chat: Ahren Victory from Cats

April Reviews

• House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J. Maas • The Scapegracers by Hannah Abigail Clarke •

April Posts

• 2020 Magical Readathon: O.W.L.’s • Cleaning Up My TBR: Down the TBR Hole #22 • The Stay at Home Book Tag • Top 10 Tuesday: Books I Enjoyed But Rarely Talk About • Top 10 Tuesday: Books I Wish I Had Read As A Child • 2020 Magical Readathon: O.W.L.’s Update •

 

Broadway Book Chat: Ahren Victory from Cats

As an actor, every job you do, you make a new family.  There is something special about theatre and its ability to bring people together in a way that is unlike any other.  I have made so many amazing friends throughout my career, and many of them share my love of books and literature.  Since theatre brings stories to life, I thought I would feature some of my favorite performers (my fabulous friends and castmates) and see what their bookshelves look like! Welcome to my Broadway Book Chat!

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Ahren Victory

Most recently seen as Silibub in the National Tour of Cats

Insta: @ahren.victory

What are you currently reading?

I’m currently reading Becoming Supernatural by Dr. Joe Dispenza

What is your favorite book series?

My all-time favorite series would have to be Harry Potter!

Who is your favorite author?

I ADORE Agatha Christie.

What book inspires you and why?

I think one of the most inspiring books I’ve read is The War of Art by Steven Pressfield. It’s a super simple read but it has incredible nuggets of wisdom for anyone interested in artistic pursuits, or even those who aren’t strictly artists.

Which literary character would you like to play?

A little bit of an older character, , I’d love to play Miss Marple. She’s so clever and is always leaps and bounds ahead of detectives and professionals in the Agatha Christie mysteries.

If you could be friends with any of the characters you have played, who would it be and why?

I would for sure be friends with Sillabub. I LOVE animals and of course cats. She’s such a sweet little kitten, I’d love to be her human friend.

What book would you like to see made into a musical/play/movie?

I’d like to see more mythologies from different cultures brought to screen! I love learning about different traditions/myths/legends from different times.

What is the next book on your reading list?

Next on my list is The Cinderella Murder by Mary Higgins Clark

Have you ever thought about writing yourself?

I have! I really enjoy writing short/mini stories and even some longer fiction bits.

What show are you working on now?

Currently, I’m following my bliss in NYC after playing Sullabub in the National Broadway Tour of CATS!

What is your favorite show you’ve been a part of and why?

With all honesty, I have to say CATS. I adored being a part of that iconic show, being able to perform it 8 times a week and see the audience reactions was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced.  I will carry that in my heart forever.

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I feature a new performer every month, so check back for our next guest! I would really love some suggestions for new questions you would like to ask, or things you want to know from our performers.  Leave them in the comments and I will add them to future interviews! Shout out to my girl, Ahren, for sharing with us this month!

Broadway Book Chat: Chelsea Cree Groen from Hello Dolly!

As an actor, every job you do, you make a new family.  There is something special about theatre and its ability to bring people together in a way that is unlike any other.  I have made so many amazing friends throughout my career, and many of them share my love of books and literature.  Since theatre brings stories to life, I thought I would feature some of my favorite performers (my fabulous friends and castmates) and see what their bookshelves look like! Welcome to my Broadway Book Chat!

Chelsea Cree Groen

Currently starring as Minnie Fay in the US National Tour of Hello Dolly!

 @chelseacree_

What are you currently reading?

Something in the Water by Catherine Steadman! A fun and juicy read that was one of Reese’s Book Club picks!

What is your favorite book series?

This is embarrassing, but honestly, I was so obsessed with the Fifty Shades books when they came out! 

Who is your favorite author?

Oh man, this is tough. My favorite book ever is The Art of Racing in the Rain, so I’ll say Garth Stein because of that.

What book inspires you and why?

Educated by Tara Westover!! I read it a few months ago and am just BLOWN away by Tara Westover’s story and how she turned her life around after such an insane upbringing and now has a PHD!!?! Unreal. 

Which literary character would you like to play?

Amy March from Little Women!!! Although after seeing Florence Pugh in the new movie, that would be a TOUGH act to follow!!!

If you could be friends with any of the characters you have played, who would it be and why?

I would love to be Minnie’s friend! She is goofy, loyal, and full of joy- I love stepping into her shoes each night and think we would totally be besties IRL.

What book would you like to see made into a musical/play/movie?

Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows by Balli Kaur Kaswal needs to be turned into a movie!!! If you haven’t read it you must. SUCH a great book, and I think it would be a huge hit as a movie. A book I would love to see as a musical that’s already a movie is The Princess Diaries!!! How has this not happened yet??

What is the next book on your reading list?

THREE WOMEN by Lisa Taddeo. Cannot wait.

Have you ever thought about writing yourself?

I have not. I don’t have enough patience lol

What is your favorite show you’ve been a part of and why?

Honestly, HELLO DOLLY!! It’s truly one of the best musicals ever written, in my opinion, and just radiates joy and love. It is such a pleasure to come to work every night to spread that joy across the country.

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I feature a new performer every month, so check back for our next guest! I would really love some suggestions for new questions you would like to ask, or things you want to know from our performers.  Leave them in the comments and I will add them to future interviews! Shout out to the lovely Chelsea for sharing with us this month!

Broadway Book Chat: Sean Michael Buckley from Million Dollar Quartet

As an actor, every job you do, you make a new family.  There is something special about theatre and its ability to bring people together in a way that is unlike any other.  I have made so many amazing friends throughout my career, and many of them share my love of books and literature.  Since theatre brings stories to life, I thought I would feature some of my favorite performers (my fabulous friends and castmates) and see what their bookshelves look like! Welcome to my Broadway Book Chat!

Sean Michael Buckley

Elvis From Million Dollar Quartet

www.seanmbuckley.com

Instagram: @ohseanyboi

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What are you currently reading?

Awareness by Anthony de Mello

What is your favorite book series?

Either Harry Potter or Eragon. Harry Potter grew up at the same time as people of my generation so it was always really easy to relate. And who doesn’t like magic?

Who is your favorite author?

I don’t know if I really have one, but I recently read Michael Pollan’s How to Change Your Mind and his conversational tone was very appealing.

What book inspires you and why?

Lone Survivor was inspiring. The mental toughness, the strength of will and absolute grit the author displayed has the reader marveling at the limits of what human beings can take and still keep moving.

What is the next book on your reading list?

The Story of San Michelle by Axel Munthe. My wife and I honeymooned in Italy and we visited the Villa of San Michelle on the Island Capri. It was one of the most beautiful places I have ever been. The villa was once ruins of one of Emperor Tiberius’s twelve island palaces, but 1887 Dr. Axel Munthe bought the villa and transformed it into his home. An excerpt from his book was posted on the wall outside the gift shop and I felt I compelled to read the rest!

Which literary character would you like to play?

I would have loved to play Jon Snow or Tormund or one of the warriors in the Game of Thrones series that fights a lot of battles.

If you could be friends with any of the characters you have played, who would it be and why?

Well, I’ve played a lot of villains, so my choices are a bit limited. I guess I would have to say Elvis. He was quite the character and had a great sense of humor.

What book would you like to see made into a musical/play/movie?

Can they just remake the final two seasons of Game of Thrones?

Have you ever thought about writing yourself?

I have. I have begun a number of writing projects, including a novel, but I never finished one!

What show are you currently in and who do you play?

This past summer I had the joy of playing Elvis in Million Dollar Quartet at Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival, Great Lakes Theatre and Idaho Shakespeare festival. I will be playing the role at the John W. Engeman Theatre in Long Island this winter and then again at the New Theatre in Kansas City this coming spring.

What is your favorite show you’ve been a part of and why?

There are a number of shows that felt like very special experiences, but being a part of Million Dollar Quartet this summer was probably my favorite. In the show the actors are the band, so all of the music is provided by us. As a kid, I fantasized about being the frontman in a real rock band and I think this is as close as I’ll get! It also didn’t hurt that we were playing in a gorgeous outdoor theatre on Lake Tahoe. Nothing like a dip in icy waters just before half hour to get you focused for a show!

Great Lakes Theater Million Dollar Quartet Photo by Roger Mastroianni

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I feature a new performer every month, so check back for our next guest! I would really love some suggestions for new questions you would like to ask, or things you want to know.  Leave them in the comments and I will add them to future interviews! Shout out to my wonderful friend Sean for sharing with us this month! 🙂

Broadway Book Chat: Deanna Doyle from An American In Paris

As an actor, every job you do, you make a new family.  There is something special about theatre and its ability to bring people together in a way that is unlike any other.  I have made so many amazing friends throughout my career, and many of them share my love of books and literature.  Since theatre brings stories to life, I thought I would feature some of my favorite performers (my fabulous friends and castmates) and see what their bookshelves look like! Welcome to my Broadway Book Chat!

Deanna Doyle

Most recently seen as Lise in An American in Paris at Westchester Broadway Theatre

 www.deanna-doyle.com

instagram: @Deannadoyle8 

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What are you currently reading?

I am currently reading What Alice Forgot. It is my first Liane Moriarty book, and I love it. It is smart, funny, sentimental, and I can’t put it down.

What is your favorite book series?

I have been looking for a book series to get into for a really long time. For such an avid reader, I can’t believe I don’t yet have one! I’ve tried several and haven’t been especially drawn to any, but I’m still determined to find one. The closest I’ve come is Agatha Christie’s Hercule Poirot series. I enjoy them, but not enough to read through them back to back. I’d love to find something that I just can’t put down and have to go from one book to the next. Life goals.

Who is your favorite author?

As cliche as it may sound, I have to say Jane Austen. I would feel disloyal to say anyone else.

What book inspires you and why?

I’m reading a lot of books by Thich Nhat Hanh. He is a Vietnamese Buddhist monk who writes a lot of short books meant to inspire. He has a series (a series that I read!) of tiny inspirational books with titles such as How to Sit, How to Relax, How to Love, and How to Fight. They are sweet and insightful and great reminders of the beauty of life. Over the past year, I have always had at least one of his books checked out at the library, usually more. Right now 5 of the 17 books I have checked out from the library are his, and I am currently reading The Art of Communication.

Which literary character would you like to play?

Anne Shirley of Anne of Green Gables or Elizabeth Bennet of Pride and Prejudice.

If you could be friends with any of the characters you have read about, who would it be and why?

When I was little I was obsessed with the Encyclopedia Brown books. I thought it would be cool to be friends with boy detective Leroy Brown so that I could help solve his cases.

What book would you like to see made into a musical/play/movie?

One of my favorite books that I read this year is a book called Leaving Time by Jodi Picoult. It was really beautiful, and I think it would make a lovely movie.

What is the next book on your reading list?

My Lovely Wife by Samantha Downing is next on my list. It’s a thriller. I’ve recently gotten into thrillers, but sometimes I can’t read them when I’m at home by myself, especially in the bathtub. That just seems too scary, so I often have to wait until my boyfriend comes home to indulge.

Have you ever thought about writing yourself?

Yes! I have always loved to write and have thought that if I was not a performer then I would be a writer because they both fulfill my need for self-expression. A few months ago I finished the first draft of a novel and right now I am taking a break from it. Come January, I will revisit it with fresh eyes to write a second draft.

What is your favorite show you’ve been a part of and why?

A show that will always be close to my heart is Phantom of the Opera because it was my Broadway debut. I played Meg Giry and I really love that role.

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I feature a new performer every month, so check back for our next guest! I would really love some suggestions for new questions you would like to ask, or things you want to know.  Leave them in the comments and I will add them to future interviews! Shout out to the fabulous Deanna for sharing with us! 🙂

 

Broadway Book Chat: Chuckie Benson from The Color Purple

As an actor, every job you do, you make a new family.  There is something special about theatre and its ability to bring people together in a way that is unlike any other.  I have made so many amazing friends throughout my career, and many of them share my love of books and literature.  Since theatre brings stories to life, I thought I would feature some of my favorite performers (my fabulous friends and castmates) and see what their bookshelves look like! Welcome to my Broadway Book Chat!

Chuckie Benson

Currently playing Harpo in The Color Purple at Drury Lane Theatre in Chicago

instagram: @chuckie.benson

What are you currently reading?

The Water Dancer by Ta-Nehisi Coates

What is your favorite book series?

Twilight Series by Stephanie Meyer lol it got me through some rough times!

Who is your favorite author?

Alice Walker, Sapphire,  and Eric Jerome Dickey.

What book inspires you and why?

The Color Purple by Alice Walker. It was one of the first books that I couldn’t put down and read it the first day I got it. So powerful. Granted I was raised on the movie so I had knowledge of it, but the book has so much detail and so much depth that the movie didn’t really touch on. Alice Walker really captures the pain, beauty and triumph of a strong black woman. This story is a true classic. It inspires me to keep going, to keep believing. Holding on to my faith. Knowing love is possible in the midst of chaos.

Which literary character would you like to play?

I’ve played some of my favorites literary characters actually: Coalhouse Walker Jr. in Ragtime, Jim in Huckleberry Finn (Big River), The Ghost of Christmas Present in A Christmas Carol, and Harpo in The Color Purple.

 

If you could be friends with any of the characters you have played, who would it be and why?

Tom Collins (RENT) He’s so laid back. Charming. Very loveable and fun to be around.

What book would you like to see made into a musical/play/movie?

A Child Called It by Dave Pelzer. Wow, what a powerful movie that would be.

What is the next book on your reading list?

I want to finish the Indebted Series by Pepper Winters.

Have you ever thought about writing yourself?

Yes, I actually do write. I wore a full-length play and screenplay when I was 12.

What show are you currently in and what was the last show you were a part of?

Currently playing Harpo in The Color Purple at Drury Lane Theatre. I recently just got off my first National Tour, Spamilton: An American Parody and I played George Washington and others.

What is your favorite show you’ve been a part of and why?

Each experience is a different experience. I learned a lot from each show that I’ve done thus far. I really loved doing HAIR in Chicago, it was just a beautiful experience with an amazing Tribe that was full of Chicago’s finest. RENT. I’ve done this show professionally twice and each time was so profound and beautiful.

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I feature a new performer every month, so check back for our next guest! I would really love some suggestions for new questions you would like to ask, or things you want to know.  Leave them in the comments and I will add them to future interviews! Thanks to my dear friend Chuckie for sharing with us ❤