Interview with Aaron Tveit

Aaron Tveit is one of today's most popular Broadway performers, who has also successfully crossed over into both film and television, as well as headling his own solo concerts. On the Great White Way, he has performed the roles of Link Larkin in Hairspray (his Broadway debut), Fiyero in Wicked, Gabe in Next To Normal and Frank Abagnale, Jr. in Catch Me If You Can. Other stage credits include the National Tour of Rent (as well as RENT at the Hollywood Bowl in 2010, where he played the role of Roger), The Three Musketeers and Saved! He was last seen on stage as John Wilkes Booth in the Menier Chocolate Factory's revival of Assassins in London.

Aaron is also well know for his recurring television roles as Agent Mike Warren on Graceland, Trip van der Bilt on Gossip Girl, and Gareth Ritter on BrainDead. He also starred as Enjolras in the 2012 film adaptation of Les Misérables and as Danny Zuko in Fox's Grease Live in 2016.

Thomas Hayden Millward: Can you tell us a little bit about the various projects you have coming up, Aaron?

Aaron Tveit: Well, right now I have a film that I just shot called "Created Equal" that's doing various film festivals, so we're seeing where that's going to end up. Besides that I'm doing about two concerts a month, all in different cities around the United States, whilst I wait for the next thing.

THM: The last time I saw you on stage was actually in London in the Menier Chocolate Factory's revival of Assassins. What do you feel are the main differences between working in London and working in New York?

AT: I think the biggest difference is that everyone in London has to do a cast warm-up before each show and for some reason, I couldn't wrap my head around that. I'd have to be there early for a warm-up, but hey, I guess everyone's geared up for the show then. Here we just show up and do it.

THM: A bit like a team-spirit-building, pep talk before a big game?

AT: Yes! I think it kinda gets everyone together and on the same page every night. It's strange because at the beginning, I really didn't like it, but by the end of the run, I quite enjoyed it.

THM: And, of course, you starred as Danny Zuko in "Grease Live" on the small screen. How do you feel about this ever-growing trend of live musicals on television?

AT: I think that they're wonderful! I think it shows that the overall interest in musical theatre has definitely crossed over into the mainstream in the last few years. I just hope they keep going on and on. They're so much fun to do and I think it's a great way for many, many more people to get to see musical theatre. Sometimes it's tough to come to New York and it's expensive. Even the touring shows don't get to go everywhere. But people from all over the country - and all over the world - can tune in to their television sets and it makes it really easy to see it.

THM: Would there be one televised musical in particular that would get you in front of the cameras again?

AT: Oh, I don't know. I had such a great experience doing "Grease Live" that it's going to be hard to top that. But I would definitely be open to it again. I just don't know what it would be.

Aaron's next stage role will be Bobby in the Barrington Stage Company's revival of Company from August 10 through to September 2, 2017.