Theatre audiences are inspired daily by the works of Broadway’s brightest, but did you ever wonder what iconic performances inspired your favorite Broadway star to get there? BroadwayBox got all spiffed up and headed to the JW Marriot to chat with the 2014 Drama Desk nominees to find out from them: What was the film, TV show or theatre piece that inspired you to work in the theatre?
Joe Kinosian and Kellen Blair, (Outstanding Book of a Musical, Murder for Two)
Joe Kinosian (Book and Music for Murder for Two):
“My parents took me to see A Chorus Line when I was 12, and I could kill them for that 'cause now I don’t make a penny. They took me to see this amazing high school production in Wisconsin. They changed tits and ass to this and that [Laughs]. But it was still really good, and during the song ‘Nothing’ I got tears in my eyes. I was 12! I had no way to relate that song to my life, but I just knew it was doing something to that audience, and I wanted to do that too.”Kellen Blair (Book and Lyrics for Murder for Two):
“At about the same age, I had Direct TV, and about 20 years ago they had radio stations, like Sirius XM now. I always had the Broadway station on, and I remember the first time ‘Company Way’ from How to Succeed in Business came on, I was like, ‘what is this? I have to get to know this little treasure.’ Then I rented the Robert Morse movie, and it opened my eyes to how wonderful, hilarious and smart musical comedy could be; I fell in love and have been ever since.”
See Mad Men star and two-time Tony winner Robert Morse perform “Company Way” in the clip below.
