In the grand tradition of house staff that runaway with the show (TV’s The Nanny, The Jeffersons, The Brady Bunch, The Fresh Prince, Gossip Girl), Blake Hammond (left) and Scott Robertson (right) are serving a full three-course-meal as butlers Bruce and Eric in the Broadway new comedy Living on Love. They sing, they dance, they clear and they have a major Act II spoiler moment. Below, BroadwayBox hears from this dynamic duo about working together, stealing the show and breaking into song.
The first time I remember seeing him onstage was:
Blake:
I first saw Scott in one of his many productions of Cabaret as Herr Shultz—brilliant performance.
Scott:
The first time I saw Blake onstage was as “Edna” in Hairspray on Broadway. He was electric out the stage with a great sense of fun. A real pro.
My first impression of him in rehearsal was:
Blake:
I remember thinking—he is going to be so much fun. I was right!.
Scott:
My first impression was that Blake was a very organized and needs to have everything in place before every rehearsal. I’m a bit scattered and he would help me focus in and has saved my butt in many rehearsals for Living on Love.
I think our most memorable rehearsal had to have been:
Blake:
The first time we tried to sing in French. It was hilarious and scary. We've come a long way baby!
Scott:
When we were sitting at the table read for the first time and Renee Fleming sang a phrase here or there. We were sitting next to her and it was unlike anything I had heard in my life. Such ease and beauty. She also helped Blake and I with our languages in the various opera bits we perform in the show. Pretty fun big time!
The scene we have the most fun in now:
Blake:
Well, I don't want to spoil anything but it's a wonderful scene in Act 2 and few people see it coming.
Scott:
Well I would have to say that our final scene (a secret) is a beautifully written scene and quite funny. But I feel a great sense of abandon during the “Makin’Whoppie” section of our show and it is great fun! I get to sing and play the piano and it takes me back to those old piano bar days!
If Bruce & Eric had a piano cabaret show, it would be called:
Blake:
Maybe a Rosemary Clooney tribute called “Mambo Americano”. That sounds fun.
Scott:
HOT CHARACTER MEN!
The secret to our performances gelling so well together is:
Blake:
Trust, respect and laughter. The keys to any relationship!
Scott:
I think Blake and I are opposites in many ways. We work differently but don’t judge each other. He is dynamic both onstage and off and has a big personality. We have become a good team out on the stage and we work in tandem and trust each other. We always have each other’s backs, and this is a very prop heavy show for us. We have spoons and drinks and trays and eggs! Blake helps me stay focused as we navigate through Living On Love.
Off-stage, my co-star and I bond over:
Blake:
American Idol—we are both freaks.
Scott:
FOOD. We certainly both like to eat. We also have the same managers and are constantly talking about projects coming up. Blake really does work most of the time!
I’m in awe of my co-star’s ability to:
Blake:
Scottie has had to overcome many personal things in his life and let me tell you, HE ROCKS HIS LIFE. I am in constant admiration.
Scott:
Twirl a baton. Blake was a professional in competition when he was in high school. It’s utterly amazing and he has played with a baton in a number of rehearsals. Although the baton did not make it into Living On Love.
If I had to describe my co-star in a song, it would be:
Blake:
That's a tough question. It could either be the Beatles "Let it Be" or Taylor Swift "Shake It Off". He keeps living his life and always has a smile. Maybe it's Olivia Newton Johns "I Honestly Love You". I could go on and on!
Scott:
“All The Things You Are”. Blake is full of joy and fun and a very talented actor and performer. I really could not have done this play without him. It turned out to be the perfect match!
Now head over to the Longacre Theatre to see Blake and Scott serving you tons of laughs and tons of heart in ‘Living on Love’.
