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: Allison Hunt from Untitled Millennial Project

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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Allison Hunt

Creator and star of Untitled Millennial Project

Instagram: @ahunt4cookies

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What are you currently reading?

I’m currently reading Beach Read by Emily Henry. It’s a super cute summer rom-com.

What is your favorite book series?

Harry Potter…duhhhhh. I have read it in full too many times to count. I recently listened to the whole series on audiobook. It was really cool to discover the story in a new way.

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

I love anything Mindy Kaling does: from her writing on The Office to her autobiographies, to her creating her own series with The Mindy Project and Never Have I Ever, I think she is just so hilarious and relatable. I love that in her work her voice is so clear. It is just like one of your best friends is talking to you. That is a quality that I aspire to bring to my writing.

What book inspires you and why?

Last summer, I did The Artist Way by Julia Cameron and I would recommend it to anyone who is feeling “stuck.” For lack of a better way to describe it, The Artist Way is a 12-week self-guided course to help discover/rediscover your own creative path forward and through. I was at a point in my life where I thought something had to give, and this book definitely helped me to get through that.

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

I read a bunch of different genres BUT I am a dystopian-romance-fantasy STAN.

Which literary character would you like to play?

For some reason, even as a little girl, I remember always wanting to play Joan of Arc. Although I don’t describe myself as religious, I love her strength, hope and determination. Also WE LOVE the fact that she is a BAD A** BOSS LADY leading an army into battle.

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

I have been in a musical twice called I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change where I play a bunch of women in various stages of a relationship; all the way from awkward first dates to sad divorces. I would totally grab drinks with any of them, I mean, we all probably need one…or two…or five ;).

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

I am dying to see The Red Queen series or The Throne of Glass series made into a movie or TV show.

What is the next book on your reading list?

I am going to start White Fragility by Robin Diangelo. It is so important that we educate ourselves so that we can be better allies. #blacklivesmatter

What are you working on right now?

I wrote a comedy series with a friend! It’s called Untitled Millennial Project and tbh, it’s really funny (…at least that’s what our moms keep telling us). It’s as if Broad City, PEN15, and RHONY had a baby. We just had a big event to launch the project and to start fundraising for the show right before all the shut downs hit. Unfortunately, like everything else, fundraising/production has been put on hold but there have definitely been tons to do behind the scenes. I can’t wait for everyone to see it :).

Where did the idea for the Untitled Millennial Project come from? What was the writing process like?

My friend Tyler and I met where all out-of-work-actors go, Lululemon . We were always cracking ourselves up on our shifts together so we decided to write something because literally why not. Our dynamic in itself is so funny (not so #humblebrag) so we thought we’d “write what we know.” We decided to write about ourselves in super relatable and millennial (…I mean it’s in the title of the show peeps) situations. Almost every episode is based on something that happened to us in real life.

The writing process was honestly so fun. You know when you’re kind of arguing with someone but in a funny banter-y way where you’re both laughing and neither of you are actually mad at each other? That’s basically our process. We jotted down a bunch of episode ideas and then would pick whichever one was speaking to us that day. We would create a very basic arc of the plot to make sure we covered all our bases and then start writing to get everything down. After, we start editing and revising the scripts. We literally are always editing.

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

Untitled Millennial Project is definitely my favorite. I have loved building the project from nothing to what it is today. It is only going to keep getting bigger and better and I can not wait 🙂

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Follow @untitledmillennialproject on instagram and facebook!

Donations to help support Untitled Millennial Project (#Savethearts) can be made through PayPal to: untitledmillennialproject@gmail.

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Huge shout out and long distance hug to my main girl Allison 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: 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: 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 ❤

Broadway Book Chat: Ben Bogen from Frozen

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!

Ben Bogen

Currently performing in Broadway’s Frozen!

instagram: @benmbogen

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What are you currently reading?

The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron

What is your favorite book series?

The Hunger Games by Suanne Collins

Who is your favorite author?

Lemony Snicket

What book inspires you and why?

Too Much Is Not Enough and Without You– Andrew Rannell’s autobiography and Anthony Rapp’s autobiography.  Both really inspired me because they both started out as young gay men struggling to make it in this industry. I found it very relatable. It’s a reminder that everyone starts somewhere before they become the “successful” people everyone knows about.

Which literary character would you like to play?

One day when I am in my late 30’s/early 40’s I would like to play Harry Potter in Cursed Child more than anything in the whole world.

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

I think to be friends with Pepper in Mamma Mia would be a total blast because he’s energetic like me haha
What book would you like to see made into a musical/play/movie?

I think A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket would be a really cool musical, and I think Call Me By Your Name André Aciman would be a beautiful straight play.

What is the next book on your reading list?

I’ve been wanting to read Tina Fey’s book for a while, so I think maybe that next? I’m really into autobiographies lately.  I also have been wanting to read Wild, the book that inspired the Reese Witherspoon movie.

Have you ever thought about writing yourself?

I try to journal a lot, but I constantly judge my writing when I actually do write. I used to write scripts for kid theatre camp shows back home and I always enjoyed it though.

What show are you currently in?

I’m currently in Frozen on Broadway in the ensemble understudying Olaf and Duke Weselton.

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

My favorite show I’ve ever been a part of is Jersey Boys because I got to go on for Frankie Valli almost 50 times which was the first time I ever had to carry an entire show before. It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done and the most satisfying marathon of a role I’ll probably ever play.

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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 friend Ben for sharing with us 🙂

Broadway Book Chat: Kevin Clay from The Book of Mormon

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!

Kevin Clay

Currently playing Elder Price on the European Tour of The Book of Mormon

Instagram: @kclay6

What are you currently reading?

I am currently reading The Hero of Ages, by Brandon Sanderson. It is the third book in his Mistborn trilogy. I first started reading Sanderson’s books after being recommended his Stormlight Archive series. He has such a knack for making brilliant magic systems and rules that define his worlds paired with extensive lore and histories. Certainly someone to check out if you want some immersive fantasy.

What is your favorite book series?

Hm, this is a tough one. Though not a traditional “book series,” I am always reading the latest issues of Batman comics and associated graphic novels. One of my favorites growing up was Percy Jackson and the Olympians, by Rick Riordan. They inspired my initial love of classical mythology. Of course, I’ll always be a big Harry Potter nerd (as made evident by my Slytherin House robe I wear backstage). I think my true favorite series, however, is one that isn’t finished yet: The Kingkiller Chronicles, by Patrick Rothfuss. Perhaps it’s gripping me so much simply because it isn’t finished, but it’s been a long time since I have connected so strongly to a protagonist.

Who is your favorite author?

Ernest Hemingway, for sure. His writing is such a strange combination of dry minimalism and sweeping detail work. No other author has been able to elicit such emotional responses in me from written work as Hemingway. If you want a good read and probably a good cry, pick up A Farewell to Arms.

What book inspires you and why?

I always come back to The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas. Most of my friends know my love for this novel. Edmund Dantes may be a bit of a dark character to be inspired by, but there is something so compelling about a man who has had everything wrongly taken from him only to come back stronger than ever. In my mind, The Count is like an 1800’s Bruce Wayne and I love it.

Which literary character would you like to play?

My nerdy side says that I want to play Tim Drake (the third Robin under Batman). My sophisticated side says Heathcliff from Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë, to sound impressive. Seriously though, I love the book so much, and Heathcliff and I, in most regards, are stark contrasts. I’ll need to age up a few more years before I think I would be appropriate for the character, but I can wait.

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

Being a Jet in West Side Story is the greatest. The first time I was in the show in high school, I played Baby John; a few years later, I got to play A-rab. I think that, as misguided as they are, I would like to be friends with the Jets and maybe have a little chat with Riff before he puts that switchblade in his pocket.

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

I’ve said for years that I would love for The Prestige (novel by Christopher Priest, film by Christopher Nolan) to be adapted into a Sweeney Todd-esque musical. There is plenty of meaty character development and potential for spectacle all wrapped in a macabre overtone. The show would rely on finding an incredibly talented pair of twins, but I’m sure there are plenty out there!

What is the next book on your reading list?

I’ve been reading Sanderson novels for a few months straight now, so I’m ready to switch up genres. I’ve already downloaded Supermarket, by rapper Logic, onto my kindle. I’m a huge fan of his music, so I am definitely curious to see how his style translates to a novella.

Have you ever thought about writing yourself?

There are so many times when I come up with what I think is a brilliant idea, jot it down, and then return to it only to be disappointed and uninspired later. I have one idea for a graphic novel that still excites me so I’m clinging to it and continually come back to it. My favorite idea, however, is for a science-fiction novel. I was playing around with the notion of writing my own creation myth that could be the foundation of a religion and from that developed a world that would observe this faith. I even adapted the world slightly to be used for a Dungeons and Dragons campaign that I dungeon mastered, and it surprisingly gave me a lot of inspiration. There is a lot of work to be done, specifically how hard it is to actually write the text itself, but the bones are there.

What show are you working on now?

I am currently playing Elder Price in a new Book of Mormon European Tour. Before that I was Elder Price on Broadway and before that Elder Price on the US National Tour, and before that Elder Smith on the US National Tour……. So I’ve been with the Book of Mormon for quite a journey! It is the greatest show that I’ve ever been a part of and it has taught me a lot of what it means to be a professional performer.

What is your favorite show to have been a part of and why?

Other than The Book of Mormon, I always hold a special place in my heart for West Side Story. Like I wrote earlier, being a Jet is indescribably special. It’s the kind of show that, whether you like it own not, you will feel completely connected to the whole cast by the time you’re done.

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I feature a new performer every month, so check back in June 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 friend Kevin for sharing with us from across the pond! 🙂

Broadway Book Chat: Keri René Fuller 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 cast mates) and see what their bookshelves look like! Welcome to my Broadway Book Chat!

Keri René Fuller

Currently playing Grizabella in the North American Tour of Cats

www.kerirenefuller.com

instagram: @krfuller13

What are you currently reading?

I just finished Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix! I haven’t started another book yet, but I brought Wuthering Heights, so that will be my next one.

What is your favorite book series?

Harry Potter.  Hands down.

Who is your favorite author?

Haruki Murakami, if I had to pick just one. I love the way he weaves words together to create a story. He has such an imagination and every story is a journey.

What book inspires you and why?

This will not be a popular opinion to anyone who has read it because it is a rather dark story, but I remember reading My Absolute Darling by Gabriel Tallent and being so inspired to live and love nature, as well as make sure my hands and love were always extended towards anyone who has dealt with abuse.

Which literary character would you like to play?

Wow…that’s a hard one. I remember Blanche DeBois from A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams…she is such an intricately flawed character and so full of faults and confusions, plus so emotionally guarded and injured that she would be such a trip to play.

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

I have played a lotttt of loners haha, so any of those character would be good, because we all need friends in this world. But if I had to choose, I would probably say Jenna

Hunterson in WAITRESS because she has a great sense of humor and is a strong woman who blazes her own path even despite the mistakes she makes.

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

I would love to see So B. It by Sarah Weeks be made into a play or a (better) movie. I feel like the mother/daughter dynamic in that book is so strong and intricate that it would touch a lot of people’s lives.

Have you ever thought about writing yourself?

I would love to be able to write a book, but I feel like if I were able to sit down and put something together that it would be more of an informational book or a guide type. As much as I love diving into worlds other people create, I am not the best at conjuring up those worlds myself.

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

When I played Rose in DOGFIGHT, I knew I would never play such a complex character again in the near future. The strength and fragility, the anger and forgiveness she feels and the way she speaks her mind and wears her heart on her sleeve blow me away…it was such a gift to walk in her shoes.

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

I am Grizabella in the North American Tour of CATS! The last show I did was WAITRESS on Broadway where I played a Pantry Person and understudied Jenna Hunterson.

See Keri (and yours truly) around the US in Cats! Click here for tickets and tour stops!

I feature a new performer every month, so check back in March 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, cast mate, and sometimes roomie, Keri for sharing with us ❤ 

Broadway Book Chat: Jeff Brooks

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!

Jeff Brooks

Currently on tour with Fiddler on the Roof

Instagram: @bathrobedbrooks

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What are you currently reading?

Just about to start Brandon Sanderson’s Mistborn.  Let it begin.  I’m going down the rabbit hole.

What is your favorite book series?

Anyone will tell you that I’m an ENORMOUS Lord of the Rings fan.  I’ve read the entire series 9 times.  Once for each member of the Fellowship.  Or each of the Nazgûl.

Who is your favorite author?

Without a doubt JRR Tolkien.

What book inspires you and why?

I’d be hard-pressed to choose between Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury and Anthem by Ayn Rand. Both are hypnotic metaphors for the state of Society.

Which literary character would you like to play?

I’d love to take a swing at Louis from Interview With the Vampire by Anne Rice.  Newly turned, still figuring it out, hanging with a vampire god.

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

Gaston, definitely. Nobody pays when they drink with Gaston.  Literally.  No one ever pays.  For all those drinks.  Not a cent.

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

I’d love to see a miniseries of RA Salvatore’s Dark Elf Trilogy. People would eat Drizzt Do’Urden up.

What is the next book on your reading list?

Shadows of the Empire by Steve Perry. Love me some Star Wars Expanded Universe!

Have you ever thought about writing yourself?

I used to write short sci-fi stories, but never anything with real depth. Mostly just putting my technicolor dreams on paper and giving the characters cool names.

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

I’m currently on the road with the 1st National Tour of “Fiddler on the Roof” where I play the Constable. Last year at this time I was also on the road, but with “The Sound of Music”.

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

“Bullets over Broadway” was such an amazing experience. A beautiful piece mixed with some wickedly-talented people.

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See Jeff and the rest of the cast in Fiddler On the Roof all around the US!

http://fiddlermusical.com/ticket-info/

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I feature a new performer every month! I would love some suggestions for 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, Jeff, for sharing with us! ❤