Tony nominees Jonathan Groff and William Jackson Harper on Rediscovering Themselves on Stage
Digest
This episode of Little Gold Men features interviews with Jonathan Graf, nominated for his role in the Broadway revival of "Merrily We Roll Along," and William Jackson Harper, nominated for his performance in "Uncle Vanya." Graf discusses the history of "Merrily We Roll Along," which was a flop in its original production but has been lauded in its recent revival. He also talks about his experience working with director Maria Friedman and the show's relevance to his own career. Harper discusses the challenges of playing drunk in "Uncle Vanya" and the importance of finding a personal connection to the characters he plays. He also talks about his experience working on "The Good Place" and how it has impacted his career. Both actors discuss the importance of theater and how it has shaped their careers.
Outlines
Introduction
This Chapter introduces the episode of Little Gold Men, a podcast from Vanity Fair, and the guests for the episode: Jonathan Graf and William Jackson Harper. The episode focuses on the Tony Awards and the nominated actors and shows.
Jonathan Graf Interview
This Chapter features an interview with Jonathan Graf, nominated for his role in the Broadway revival of "Merrily We Roll Along." Graf discusses the history of the show, which was a flop in its original production but has been lauded in its recent revival. He also talks about his experience working with director Maria Friedman and the show's relevance to his own career.
William Jackson Harper Interview
This Chapter features an interview with William Jackson Harper, nominated for his performance in "Uncle Vanya." Harper discusses the challenges of playing drunk in "Uncle Vanya" and the importance of finding a personal connection to the characters he plays. He also talks about his experience working on "The Good Place" and how it has impacted his career.
Keywords
Merrily We Roll Along
A musical by Stephen Sondheim with a book by George Furth. The show tells the story of three friends who move to New York City to become young creatives together. The show is told in reverse, with each subsequent scene set chronologically before the scene we just watched. The show was a flop in its original production but has been lauded in its recent revival.
Uncle Vanya
A play by Anton Chekhov. The play tells the story of a group of characters who are all struggling with their lives and their relationships. The play is known for its realism and its exploration of the human condition. The play has been adapted by Heidi Shrek for the current Broadway production.
Jonathan Graf
An American actor known for his roles in television series such as "Looking" and "Mindhunter." He was nominated for a Tony Award for his performance in the Broadway revival of "Merrily We Roll Along."
William Jackson Harper
An American actor known for his roles in television series such as "The Good Place" and "Love Life." He was nominated for a Tony Award for his performance in the Broadway production of "Uncle Vanya."
Tony Awards
The annual awards ceremony for Broadway theater. The awards are given out by the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League.
Broadway
The main professional theater district in New York City. Broadway is known for its high-quality productions and its iconic theaters.
Stephen Sondheim
An American composer and lyricist known for his innovative musicals such as "West Side Story," "Sweeney Todd," and "Into the Woods." He is considered one of the most important figures in American musical theater.
Anton Chekhov
A Russian playwright and short story writer known for his realistic plays such as "Uncle Vanya," "The Seagull," and "Three Sisters." He is considered one of the most important figures in Russian literature.
Q&A
What is the history of "Merrily We Roll Along"?
The show was a flop in its original production but has been lauded in its recent revival. Graf discusses the show's relevance to his own career and his experience working with director Maria Friedman.
What are the challenges of playing drunk in "Uncle Vanya"?
Harper discusses the challenges of playing drunk in "Uncle Vanya" and the importance of finding a personal connection to the characters he plays.
How has "The Good Place" impacted William Jackson Harper's career?
Harper discusses his experience working on "The Good Place" and how it has impacted his career.
What is the importance of theater to Jonathan Graf and William Jackson Harper?
Both actors discuss the importance of theater and how it has shaped their careers.
Show Notes
It's a Tonys interview special, with two of this year's buzziest stage performers joining the podcast. First, Richard speaks with Merrily We Roll Along nominee Jonathan Groff about his transformative experience on the Sondheim musical, his first Broadway show since Hamilton. Then, David catches up with The Good Place alum William Jackson Harper, who between Uncle Vanya and Primary Trust had one of the best years on stage for any actor in recent memory.
Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @vfawardsinsider
Follow our hosts: @rilaws, @beccamford, @davidcanfield97
Our editor and producer is Brett Fuchs.
Table of contents
United States
