There was Judy, then Bette, then Ms. Ross, then Liza, and now鈥en! Three years after the release of his sophomore album Reverie, Emmy, Grammy, and Tony-winning performer Ben Platt has kicked off his national tour for his new album Honeymind in the most stylish way. He is currently in the middle of a three-week residency at the newly renovated Palace Theatre, in the heart of Times Square. Ben Platt: Live at the Palace runs until June 15.
While Platt (of Dear Evan Hansen and Parade fame) is excited to reopen the legendary Broadway theatre, it is not lost on him the number of iconic performers that have performed there. While some might be intimidated by this, Platt says he is inspired.
鈥淚 think when I look at the list of people that have performed here,鈥� he says and pauses as he looks out from the bare stage of the Palace Theatre into the newly renovated house. 鈥淣one of them have anything in common.鈥� Platt goes on to explain that what excites him about becoming one of the many legendary performers added to the history of the Palace is that each of them were uniquely different. 鈥淣o one's giving a Diana Ross show except Diana Ross, no one's giving a Bette Midler show except Bette Midler.鈥� This mindset has helped Platt worry less about living up to any self-created pressures and focus on concentrate on creating a show that best represents who he is right now. 鈥淢y responsibility, and what I really want to try to do, is to do something that feels very particularly me and just be as completely myself as I can.鈥�
Photos: Inside the Renovated, and 29 Feet Higher, Palace Theatre on Broadway
Though Platt does admit, that wanting to create something so personal does have its obstacles. 鈥淚t's a scary goal to have because it's not the kind of thing that you can鈥檛 necessarily drill. [Like] when you're preparing to play a role, you can learn the patterns and get comfortable. This is the kind of thing that you just have to open up yourself to do.鈥� Though Platt isn't completely alone on that stage鈥攅ach show at the Palace has a special guest (recent guests included Rachel Zegler, Leslie Odom, Jr., and Kacey Musgraves).
Being open is something Platt has become well known for as a singer-songwriter. Having co-written all three of his original albums, Platt鈥檚 lyrics are often inspired by his own life and experiences as a queer man. Platt鈥檚 first single 鈥淎ndrew,鈥� from his newly released third album Honeymind, recounts the unrequited love for a fellow classmate as a young gay tween. And in the music video for his follow-up single 鈥淐herry on Top,鈥� Platt鈥檚 fianc茅 Noah Galvin co-stars as the two take a romantic and intimate drive around Los Angeles. The video would honestly make the coldest of hearts swoon. Platt has been very open about his relationship with Galvin (a Dear Evan Hansen alum himself), often sharing stories at his concerts and revealing how Galvin has inspired songs on his albums. In fact, during Platt鈥檚 Madison Square Garden concert, Galvin joined him on stage during the song 鈥淒ance with You.鈥�
That openness and sharing parts of his personal life to his audience is a facet of being a singer-songwriter that Platt find very fulfilling. 鈥淎s much as I love performing in a traditional theatre space and as a character, I think the thing that makes it nerve-wracking, but even more rewarding of performing as myself, is the idea that there's no divide,鈥� Platt explains. 鈥淭hat vulnerability and transparency can be scary. But also, the whole reason that I love getting to have this facet of my career is that I get to be completely authentic.鈥�
Platt鈥檚 authenticity is a trait he says he gladly shares with a number of artists who have come out about their sexuality early on in their careers. From performers like Janelle Mon谩e, Sam Smith, and Lil Nas X, to newer artists like Rene茅 Rapp, their willingness to show the industry their truth helps others to do the same.
Platt also notes that he鈥檚 excited that a large portion of his residency is taking place during Pride month in New York City, a celebration that he always looks forward to. 鈥淚 think it's an opportunity to drop humility as a queer person for a moment and revel in how lucky we are to be queer. You get to take joy in your chosen family, and the ways in which being queer enhances who you are, informs your sense of humor, and the way you engage with art. It's important to celebrate the great things about being queer鈥nd brag a little!鈥�
And as Platt鈥檚 Honeymind tour will play through the summer, he鈥檚 excited to celebrate across the country and interact with members of the queer communities of different generations. 鈥淚've been learning in the last couple years, as I鈥檓 becoming a so-called adult,鈥� he says with a smile, 鈥渢hat for [my] generation as we were coming up, [straight] people鈥檚 positive reactions to queerness was a knee-jerk version of acceptance.鈥� Platt explains that while the intention was meant to be kind and came from a thoughtful place, often he would hear things like, 鈥淚t doesn't make a difference, it doesn't matter, you're just the same to me, or I don't care.鈥� But something that Platt has discovered from the next generation of queer people has resonated deeply with him.
鈥� [Being queer] really does change things. My queerness informs my relationship and informs my worldview鈥t informs a lot about my life. And my hope is if everyone acknowledges that divergence, and not just being tolerant of it鈥攁nd can see that [queerness] makes us special, beautiful, and interesting鈥攖hen that is the next step in acceptance. Not just the, 鈥業t wouldn鈥檛 make a difference to me.鈥� While that's a wonderful sentiment, I think recognizing that it does make a difference and in a beautifully positive way鈥s the ultimate acceptance.鈥�
Ben Platt
Ben Platt
Ben Platt
Ben Platt
Ben Platt
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