If Lucas Grabeel didn’t stop and look around sometimes, even he might miss his own life — which has been running full-speed since he first set foot in Los Angeles a few short years ago.
It would be easy to assume that Grabeel’s life is fueled by the "High School Musical" persona of Ryan Evans, which he has inhabited in three films since 2006. But having formed his own company, 14341 Productions, the 24-year-old Missouri native has already branched out far beyond the Disney juggernaut — producing short films and videos, launching a solo music career and pursuing his passion for live theater.
On Saturday (June 27), Grabeel reunites with Reprise Theatre Company director Lee Martino, with whom he worked on a recent production of "The Fantasticks," to take part in "Broadway Under the Stars." Featuring numbers from shows playing on Broadway during the 2008-09 season, Grabeel shares the marquee with such boldfaced names as Jason Graae, Vicki Lewis and Dorian Harewood. Among the productions represented: "South Pacific," "9 to 5," "Pal Joey," "Next to Normal," "West Side Story," "Chicago" and "Wicked."
Before a rehearsal this week, Grabeel gave an exclusive interview about his role in the one-night-only show, how he stays grounded in the spotlight and returning to his first love.
How did you get involved in Broadway Under the Stars? What songs will you be performing? How different is a show like this from performing in front of a camera?This is my first time doing a show like this. We just finished doing "The Fantasticks," when the director called me and asked if I’d be interested in being a part of the Broadway show. She choreographed The Fantasticks … we had a great time working together … so of course I jumped at the opportunity to work with her again. … I haven’t sat down with any of the other performers yet … but I’m certain we’re going to have a great time. I’ll be performing "Purpose," "I Could Write A Book," and an opening song, "Comedy Tonight," that a whole bunch of us are going to open the show with. I haven’t done anything like this before, but the people who know me, and what I love, will know that there’s a reason why you are part of the moving musical crowd.
So is theater where you got your start?Yes. Despite having done "High School Musical," I really hadn’t done musicals, and theater, well since high school. I have always loved Broadway music … that’s the one thing I think people know about me, is that music has always been a huge part of my life growing up. I haven’t done theater for a while, but it’s really my first love, so I’ve just kind of hopped back into it.
It appears you are into everything. You’re an actor, a singer, a songwriter, a director, a producer, a short filmmaker, you just made a video, you’ve started your own production company. What do you do in your spare time, if you have any? I like taking pictures, drawing, dancing, listening to music. I try to fill my time with learning new things. I’m always trying to learn something new, or experimenting and trying new things.
Is there anything that you haven’t been offered, but would be interested in pursuing?I haven’t done a real serious drama. I think something like that would be real interesting to do.
Tell me, what’s your take on Broadway Under the Stars? Why should people come to this show?This show is for people who love Broadway musicals, or for those who have never been and are curious. I love this show because it gives you a sense of what’s going on on Broadway, 3,000 miles away, and what’s coming up for the next season. I love it too, because it brings Broadway to us, 3,000 miles from New York. It’s more of an exposure thing, I think. People should come and get exposed to a culture that exists 3,000 miles away.
How do you stay grounded, considering you are one of very few stars who was OK with giving out your cell phone number for this interview, while most others, prefer to do the calling in?[Laughs] I don’t know. I like to keep things simple. I think that is a good way to stay grounded. I don’t like to complicate my life. I like to do the things that I like to do and keep things simple.
What did Ryan Evans teach you?I felt like [Ryan] was a study of what goes through the mind of a high schooler who is going through adolescence, externally and internally, sort of a re-analysis, of things that I lived when I was in high school too, but not all to me specifically, personally, but even of people who were around me. I don’t know if he taught me anything because he came from me, that’s what I was at least trying to get across. I don’t like watching myself act or perform, I can’t sit there and say, ooh that was inspiring. I’m not like that, I can’t sit there and watch myself.
As a role model, what do you want your fans to learn from you? To love musicals? To love Ryan? To love Broadway music?Sure, it would be great, as a role model, to introduce today’s kids to classical music, but at the same time, I hope there is more broader message that I’m sending them with my actions as a role model. What I hope is that people get passionate about something. … I don’t see myself as a role model, but if so be it, I would much rather people find something that they really love, and go for it, and make themselves happy, and not worry about following whatever I like or I’m doing or whatever another famous person does or likes. I think you should find out what you like, and make it yours.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Thursday, June 4, 2009
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