If you grew up in the ‘90s, Zack Morris and Kelly Kapowski were the most important couple since Adam and Eve or Chuck and Di: You rooted for them, you scorned Slater—heck, you have an image from the prom scene permanently burned inside your memory. Well, get this Zack and Kelly are making it work in real life. Over at the hilarious off-Broadway show Bayside! The Musical!, a must-see parody of Saved by the Bell, the actors who play Zack and Kelly are actually a couple, and they are super adorable. Below, we chat with Sam Harvey (Zack) and Katie Mebane (Kelly) about when they knew off-stage romance was in the cards, the famous prom scene and romantic ‘90s mix tape songs.
My first impression of my co-star was:
Sam:
I was terrified by her slash so attracted to her slash I thought she was ridiculously talented.
Katie:
A sweet jock, which is a pretty rare combination. I was definitely intrigued.
The first time I realized we could have a real-life Zack and Kelly romance:
Sam:
I’m an avid Nebraska football fan and the first time that she found out I was from Nebraska she said, “ah so you’re a cornhusker”... I fell in love.
Katie:
The first night we hung out, we sat on opposite sides of the couch, never touching once, and ended up talking through the night til 5:30am. There was a real live person out there who is intellectually stimulating AND hot? It's over.
My favorite moment onstage is:
Sam:
Our song “90s Power Rock Ballad of Love.” We literally just get to play with each other every night in that scene and I can’t help but smile when we do it.
Katie:
In the finale of our "Season 2" version of Bayside!, Zack and Kelly vow to always be together. Everyone is dancing around us and the music is blaring, but our eyes connect and it's just us for that moment.
My favorite all-time Zack and Kelly scene from the TV show:
Sam:
I love their first kiss during the Zack and Kelly prom scene. Zack and Kelly forever is what the world wanted.
Katie:
The prom scene DUH!!! I was obsessed with the picnic table prom that Zack made- so sweet.”
If I had to give my co-star a senior superlative:
Sam:
BEST PERSON EVER!!!!!!!!!!!
Katie:
The sweetest, most loving person ever:)
‘90s look I’d love to see my co-star rock off-stage:
Sam:
She already rocks a lot of ‘90s looks, so let's see her rock the overall shorts.
Katie:
Zack's classic band watch—c'mon a guy who is always on time? Now that's sexy.
If I had to describe our off-stage relationship in a ‘90s rom-com, it would be:
Sam:
I'll say Notting Hill because it's a quirky unique love story, however Katie and my story could make a wonderful rom com of its own. (wink wink all you writers out there).
Katie:
Ummmmmm.......? Maybe Never Been Kissed because Sam and I originally met in an unconventional way, but ended up together in the end.
The most memorable performance we’ve shared in Bayside:
Sam:
It would definitely be the (first) time that the chair that we “sit and bounce” on together in “90s Power Rock Ballad” collapsed and we fell to the floor together. The crowd went wild with laughter and when we regrouped to continue singing, we caught each other’s eye and both started laughing hysterically.
Katie:
On Valentine's Day, Sam as Zack brought roses onstage for Kelly, and there was a cute note wishing me a Happy Valentine’s Day.
Growing up my ‘90s crush was:
Sam:
Baby Spice.
Katie:
Justin Timberlake.
If I made a romantic mix tape for my co-star, I’d have to include these three ‘90s songs::
Sam:
“Wannabe,” “Good Vibrations,” and “S Club Party.”
Katie:
“ Crash into Me” by Dave Matthews Band, “Gettin Jiggy Wit It” by Will Smith, anything off of Jock Jam.
See the sparks fly between Sam Harvey’s Zack and Katie Mebane’s Kelly in Bayside! The Musical! at Theatre 80 on St. Mark’s Place.
