Roundabout Theatre Company’s Broadway mounting of Violet not only boasts two-time Tony winner Sutton Foster, but also two of musical theater’s most handsome, vocally talented, in-demand leading men: Joshua Henry and Colin Donnell. The guys play soldiers Flick and Monty (respectively), buddies who befriend Violet during her long bus trip, then, of course, one thing leads to another…BroadwayBox caught up with Henry and Donnell to get the scoop on their electrifying onstage pairing for this week’s dynamic duets.
What was your first impression of your co-star?
Joshua:
Ha! I thought he might be "too cool for school." Thankfully I was wrong. An hour into knowing him, you realize he's a funny, chill guy.
Colin:
I'd had the opportunity to see Josh in a couple of different productions and was such a big fan. On top of that, I'd heard so many great things about him from mutual friends that I knew right away we'd get along great.
What do you think it is that makes your performances gel so well together?
Joshua:
Colin's the kind of guy I would hang out with off stage, so that makes figuring stage business even easier.
Colin:
We are both goofballs. I mean, we know when it's time to work but we both know how important it is to laugh and have a good time, especially with the relationship these characters have. It's nice to be able to act like an idiot around someone and not be judged.
My favorite moment on stage with him is:
Joshua:
Whenever we one up each other trying to impress Violet. Those moments are the most fun because I feel like I'm back on the playground in junior high showing off for the girls.
Colin:
Honestly it changes every performance. Sometimes it is a lighthearted moment or a laugh; sometimes it's a more serious moment. A lot it's just being able to sit there and listen to him sing.
My co-star and I bond over:
Joshua:
Sports, food, and imagining how Michael McDonald would sing different songs in the show.
Colin:
Food, music, laughter, shared passion for work and peanut butter filled pretzels.
I’m envious of my co-star’s ability to:
Joshua:
Make ANY script or lyric change look natural on the first try. I’m trying not to give him too much credit here, but he is a one-take wonder.
Colin:
Stay out of my candy stash in my room. That and there's the whole magic sound coming out of him every night.
If we were actually going on a long road trip together, I would put him in charge of:
Joshua:
The candy stash.
Colin:
Music, which is a big responsibility to give away so I'm saying a lot about his tastes. Also bringing the healthy snacks.
If I had to describe my co-star in a song, it would be:
Joshua:
"I Shot the Sheriff." This is only due to the fact that he's really into cowboy boots. I certainly don't think he would shoot anybody...especially not a sheriff.
Colin:
James Brown “Call Me Super Bad.”
Don't miss Henry and Donnell killing it together in Roundabout Theatre Company’s Violet at Broadway's American Airlines Theatre.
