Fans of the beloved, Emmy-winning TV series The Office are flocking to off-Broadway's The Theater Center to see the absolutely hilarious musical love letter The Office! A Musical Parody. BroadwayBox caught up with the talented young stars tasked with bringing these iconic characters to life onstage as they talk about how they approached their character, their desert island Office episode, and much more.
Sarah Mackenzie Baron (Michael Scott)
1. What’s the first thing you did to prepare for taking on your character(s) after you were cast?
I studied Michael Scott's mannerisms, physicality, facial expressions, and inflections. I also had to work quite consciously to not move or stand with a feminine flair!
2. What was important for you to bring to table in terms of creating the character for stage?
It was important for me to do justice by the fans. I was already facing the challenge of being a woman portraying one of the most iconic male television characters of all time, but what mattered to me most was honoring a character that is a cultural icon. I have to convince every new audience member every show that I can be the Michael Scott they know and love from TV, and I accept that challenge with pride.
3. How has your performance as this iconic TV character changed or grown during the course of the run?
I went into this process asking myself, "What would Michael Scott do?" whenever I had a moment of doubt; luckily the answer was always the same, "Whatever he wants". I have continued to ask myself that every day with all the changes and challenges the show has presented.
4. What is your desert island The Office episode?
Season 3 Episode 2, "The Convention". This is the episode that contains my favorite line, "I love inside jokes. Love to be a part of one someday." It is also the episode in which I relate to Michael Scott the most.
5. Is there an Office quote you find yourself using too often outside the theatre?
When my boyfriend and I met over 5 years ago I told him I am the queen of "That's What She Said" jokes. It was true then, and entirely too true now!
6. What are most people’s reactions when you tell them you’re in an off-Broadway Office parody?
Many people are thrilled to find out that an Office musical exists. And once they find out that I am playing the role of Michael Scott, 90% of the reactions are positive and excited. It's been incredibly rewarding to share my excitement with others.
7. What moment in the show brings you the most joy?
I never get tired of hearing the joy ripple through the audience when we start "Threat Level Mid-Afternoon". As our 11 o'clock number, it's fantastic to see the looks on the faces in the audience as they realize we have found one more way to incorporate such an iconic The Office bit.
9. Outside of Jim and Pam, name one other fictional couple that is #RelationshipGoals.
LESLIE AND BEN 4EVER.
Tom McGovern (Jim & Andy)
1. What’s the first thing you did to prepare for taking on your characters after you were cast?
I started a re-watch of the series with a two-page Google Doc open—one for Jim and one for Andy. I'd write down little mannerism notes or specific quotes that I think captured the essence of each character well, along with episode numbers to reference for later.
2. What was important for you to bring to table in terms of creating the character for stage?
I think our show is a celebration of the TV series—a reflection of all of the things that we love about the characters and the world they live in on the show. It was super important for me to try to stay as true to both Jim and Andy's onscreen presence as possible! Jim's charming wit and Andy's over-the-top sing-song bits. Long story short: honoring the show that we all love so much.
3. How has your performance as these iconic TV characters changed or grown during the course of the run?
Andy has gotten more obnoxious, and Jim has gotten a bit more coy.
4. What’s your desert island The Office episode?
“Stress Relief: Part 1”. The CPR scene might be my favorite in the entire series, largely because of how well the writers manage to capture the energy of all of the characters in one swing: Michael leading with "I Will Survive", Andy joining in in sing song, Kelly getting up to dance, Dwight cutting the dummy's face off... It's as close to perfect as the show gets, in my opinion.
5. Is there an Office quote you find yourself using too often outside the theatre?
RIGA GOO GOO.
6. What are most people’s reactions when you tell them you’re in an off-Broadway Office parody?
"OH MY GOSH, NO WAY! I LOVE THE OFFICE!"
7. What moment in the show brings you the most joy?
Being able to play banjo as Andy. For sure. Or watching “Hot and Sexy Temp” from the back of the house.
9. Outside of Jim and Pam, name one other fictional couple that is #RelationshipGoals.
Leslie and Ben from Parks and Rec!
Taylor Coriell (Pam & Erin)
1. What’s the first thing you did to prepare for taking on your character(s) after you were cast?
Honestly, I started watching the TV show again from the beginning. I’d seen Seasons 1-6 so many times, but, you know, when you’ve watched a show enough times you start to just have it on in the background while you cook or do laundry. So, I sat down and really watched them all straight through again with special attention to Pam and Erin, and honestly Jim, as well. I also realized then that I’d actually never seen Seasons 8 or 9, so when I hit the series finale the day before we started rehearsals, it really got me.
2. What was important for you to bring to table in terms of creating the characters for stage?
I wanted to capture the essence of what makes Pam tick. I think the reason she’s so relatable is because most everyone who watches the TV show sees themselves most in her. She and Jim are the straight men in the show, but after watching the show through again, I think Pam might be the everyman. She can be her own worst enemy in a lot of ways—letting people walk all over her—which is why it’s so satisfying when she finally starts standing up for herself and what she wants. I wanted to build a solid arc for her to find that confidence in two hours of theatre that it takes her nine seasons to accomplish on TV. I honestly just hope if Jenna Fischer ever comes to see the show that she thinks I did her justice.
Erin is...... a surprise. And I’ll leave it at that :-)
3. How has your performance as these iconic TV characters changed or grown during the course of the run?
I suppose I’m much more comfortable playing in the space now as Pam. She likes to be a part of things—whether it’s pranks with Jim or involving herself with other people’s office romances—so I’ve been leaning into that lately. I’ve never done a long run of any show like we’re doing here, but I’ve never gotten bored. The show feels different every night and so does Pam. Sometimes it’s because of what’s going on around me at the theatre, and sometimes it’s because of the day I’ve had, which is maybe weird to say, but she’s a vulnerable character, and if I’ve had a rough day, it’s hard to make myself open up onstage.
4. What’s your desert island The Office season & episode?
If I HAD to choose...probably season 3. And then the series finale. Season 3 has some of the best Jim/Pam moments plus “Beach Day” for Pam, and the series finale is just really, really satisfying.
5. Is there an Office quote you find yourself using too often outside the theatre?
That’s what she said. Or Ritditditdadoo. Way too much. Just…way too much.
6. What are most people’s reactions when you tell them you’re in an off-Broadway Office parody?
They laugh or get really excited, usually both. And then when I tell them I play Pam, without fail, they say, “Of course you do”.
7. What has fan interaction been like after the show?
Really awesome and unexpected. Everyone on our side of this show is a huge fan of The Office, so when we started getting such great feedback from die-hard fans on how much they love the musical, we really couldn’t have been happier.
8. Outside of Jim and Pam, name one other fictional couple that is #RelationshipGoals.
Luke and Lorelai from The Gilmore Girls.
Michael Santora (Dwight Schrute)
1. What’s the first thing you did to prepare for taking on your character after you were cast?
I watched all 9 seasons of The Office in 5 weeks—around 7 hours a day!
2. What was important for you to bring to table in terms of creating the character for stage?
I think Dwight requires full commitment in everything that he does. So, I made a lot of choices during the rehearsal process, and fully committed to the ones that worked best.
3. How has your performance as this iconic TV character changed or grown during the course of the run?
I have found the nuances and smaller moments of all of my scene work. Even though I don’t have a ton of scenes with Jim in the musical, we both have worked to build up some nice moments where we can.
4. What’s your desert island The Office episode?
The series finale. There is a lovely feeling of family and completion in the finale that is pretty unique and special for a TV show.
5. Is there an Office quote you find yourself using too often outside the theatre?
Bears. Beets. Battlestar Galactica!
6. What are most people’s reactions when you tell them you’re in an off-Broadway Office parody?
Absolute joy and enthusiasm. They really love the idea!
7. Outside of Jim and Pam, name one other fictional couple that is #RelationshipGoals.
Derek and Meredith in Grey’s Anatomy.
8. What moment in the show brings you the most joy?
I LOVE singing “Assistant to the Regional Manager”.
Megan Carver (Phyllis, Meredith, & Others)
1. What’s the first thing you did to prepare for taking on your characters after you were cast?
I came and saw the show! I recently joined The Office musical crew, so I came and saw the show about 6 times before going on. I also looked up a lot of "best of" videos of the characters I was playing.
2. What was important for you to bring to table in terms of creating the characters for stage?
I wanted to make sure the people who are as addicted to The Office as I am recognized little mannerisms of the characters from the show. For example, I make sure when Phyllis jumps, she can't jump very high (like in the episodes where Michael wants everyone to jump in the air for their Christmas Card).
3. How has your performance as these iconic TV characters changed or grown during the course of the run?
Since I'm still learning about my characters, this is on-going for me! But I'm already seeing a lot of things change about Meredith. For some reason, she really likes making Angela uncomfortable!
4. What’s your desert island The Office episode?
The Dinner Party. Hands down. Most quotable episode of the entire show—plus, who doesn't love that Hunter solo?
5. Is there an Office quote you find yourself using too often outside the theatre?
That's what she said.
6. What are most people’s reactions when you tell them you’re in an off-Broadway Office parody?
Are you playing Meredith? Because that would be too perfect. (Which I take as a compliment!)
7. What moment in the show brings you the most joy?
When Andy gets mad that he can't tune his banjo. I laugh every single time.
8. Outside of Jim and Pam, name one other fictional couple that is #RelationshipGoals.
Andy and April from Parks and Recreation. Random trip to the Grand Canyon just for the heck of it? #relationshipgoals
Brittneyann Accetta (Kelly & Oscar)
1. What’s the first thing you did to prepare for taking on your characters after you were cast?
The first thing I did was do a life study for Kelly and Oscar. The specific characters we see on the show have life histories that make them that way, and I needed to connect to them so strongly that the audience feels that specificity every time I step on stage!
2. What was important for you to bring to table in terms of creating the characters for stage?
For Kelly, it was most important and most challenging to me to have her EXTRA AF personality come from a truly genuine place. To stay fully engaged, but consistently miss the point, as Kelly usually does.
For Oscar, it was about letting some enjoyment come through all the layers of stress he has. As our amazing director, Donald Garverick, said, “Everyone has a reason why they don’t quit”.
3. How has your performance as these iconic TV characters changed or grown during the course of the run?
In the short time of taking on these roles, my performance has become much more comfortable in the sense of making different choices as each character. Now that I am getting to know Kelly and Oscar so well, I’m able to truly think as they do, and make the choices they would make.
4. What’s your desert island The Office episode?
“Scott’s Tots”. Season 6, Episode 12. It was the first Office episode I’ve ever seen and what got me hooked!
5. What are most people’s reactions when you tell them you’re in an off-Broadway Office parody?
Usually they are ecstatic to find out that there’s a musical based on The Office, and they ask where it is and want to come see it!
6. What has fan interaction been like after the show?
On my opening night, I was able to greet a bunch of middle school fans. The experience was so surreal, as is every fan experience. We sign all the playbills and have a nice chat! Usually about how much we love The Office and what our favorite episodes are!
7. What moment in the show brings you the most joy?
The moment that brings me the most joy is in the finale, when Jim and Pam come on stage after getting married. Pam shows us this beautiful ring and we all have a little celebratory moment.
8. Outside of Jim and Pam, name one other fictional couple that is #RelationshipGoals.
Kelly and Ryan, of course!!
See the entire gang live in The Office! A Musical Parody at off-Broadway's The Theater Center.
