What Was Frankie Grande鈥檚 Very First Audition Like and Who Became His First Onstage Kiss? | 半岛体育

半岛体育

Interview What Was Frankie Grande鈥檚 Very First Audition Like and Who Became His First Onstage Kiss? The star of Off-Broadway鈥檚 Cruel Intentions answers 半岛体育鈥檚 theatre firsts column.
Frankie Grande Bruce Glikas/FilmMagic

Frankie Grande was skiiing down a mountain peak in Telluride when his phone rang from an incoming 212 area code. 鈥淲hen I see it I always say 鈥極h, it鈥檚 broadway calling!鈥�, so I answered and it was Off-Broadway calling!鈥� That call let Grande know he鈥檇 be joining the cast of the smash Off-Broadway musical Cruel Intentions, based on the movie of the same name. 鈥淚 flew down the mountain with an added swish in my skis,鈥� says the actor.

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Frankie J. Grande Jones Crow

Having made his Broadway debut in Mamma Mia! and later starring in Rock of Ages, Grande returns to the New York stage as Blaine. Here, the actor, TV personality, philanthropist through his work with Broadway in South Africa, and LGBTQ activist, tells 半岛体育 about his first talent crush, the first time he saw his name in a 半岛体育, and more theatre firsts.

What was the first piece of theatre you ever saw?
Frankie Grande: My first Broadway show was Little Shop of Horrors, which became and is still my favorite musical ever! I MUST play Seymour one day... no option! �

Who was your first theatre-celebrity talent crush?
It was ABSOLUTELY Sarah Brightman! I saw her in Phantom ten times before my tenth birthday and was absolutely obsessed. She鈥檚 a queen and I鈥檝e seen her in concert so many times since then. I love her.

What was your first audition ever?
My first audition ever was for Bye Bye Birdie in fifth grade. I was asked to sing a section of a musical theatre or pop song so naturally I chose 鈥淲ind Beneath My Wings鈥� and sang the entire song! I remember the director tried to stop me before the bridge but I steam-rolled her with: 鈥淔ly.... FLY!!!! FLY HIGH AGAINST THE SKY!鈥� straight through to the end. And I booked the role of Birdie! �

What was your first paid acting gig?
I was Boots The Monkey in DORA THE EXPLORER LIVE: Dora鈥檚 Pirate Adventure and it was the greatest! I played 12 shows sold out at Radio City and I鈥檒l never forget the screams of joy when that curtain came up to reveal me all alone, standing on my head, making monkey noises. I miss it.

When did you first see the movie Cruel Intentions and what was your first impression?
I was 16 years old and honestly... I had no idea what was happening. I knew nothing! Like... nothing! So I was actually so surprised when I re-watched it prior to joining the cast and was like: Oh that鈥檚 what that was. �

Was Blaine the first character you thought of when contemplating who you鈥檇 like to play in the musical?
Yup. No Option.

What was the first song you learned for Cruel Intentions?
Well I knew every single song in the show, which was amazing and allowed me to be off book very quickly, but the harmonies were super tricky. Our version of 鈥淚鈥檒l Make Love to You鈥� took me until my fourth show to figure out. �

When was the first time you felt like you had slipped into Blaine鈥檚 skin?
I would say it took me up until the day after my opening to finally let my 鈥渨here do i go鈥� brain shut off completely and allow me to just be the character onstage. It was a very unconventional rehearsal & put-in situation so it felt like a puzzle at first... one that I was thrilled to solve!

When (and with whom) was your first onstage kiss?
That would be with my boyfriend in the show, Greg McConnell, played by the beautiful and talented Brian Muller, and he made me feel so comfortable and great. He鈥檚 the best. We make a great team!

In one word, what was your first performance Off-Broadway like?
Whirlwind

What was it like to see your name in a 半岛体育 for the first time?
OMG I have my Mamma Mia! {laybill framed in my bedroom. It was magical! I totally cried...a lot! I remember collecting 半岛体育s my entire life, and then to be in one鈥� I have No words... �

What is your first thought when you make your entrance each night?
HERE WE GO!!!!!!!

What was the first fan gift you ever received?
I have the most incredible fans and they have given me so many wonderful gifts. My apartment is decorated almost entirely with fan art... and it鈥檚 beautiful! I really can鈥檛 say what the first gift was, but I can say that I love each and every one of them!

Who was the first person you greeted during your first exit from the stage door? OR What was your first night like greeting fans at the stage door?
In this show it was my agent, David Kalodner, and his assistant, Michael Salimbene, who came to my very first show even though I begged him to give me a second to figure it out! But when I saw them smiling as I came out from the green room I was very very happy and really glad that they came to the first show.

What was the first stage door you ever visited?
It had to be Little Shop, but I stage-door every single show I go to. At first it was to meet all of the people who performed for me and who I wanted to join onstage one day, and now it鈥檚 to see all my friends that are in the shows. I love theatre, so I鈥檒l never just head home after a show, no way!

What is the first thought you have when you take your bow?
Can鈥檛 wait to do it all again!

Cruel Intentions is now playing at Le Poisson Rouge. for tickets and information.

 
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