This transcript was automatically generated and might contain errors.

[0:25] Eila Mell: Hello and welcome to Behind the Awards. I'm Eila. I am here with Bruce. Hi, Bruce.

[0:32] Bruce Gotlieb: Hello there.

[0:33] Eila Mell: How are you doing today?

[0:34] Bruce Gotlieb: Well, I'm good.

[0:35] Eila Mell: So that's Gary Beach we're listening to.

[0:38] Bruce Gotlieb: Yes. Gary Beach. That was for his Tony for The Producers, but also, you know, so famous as Lumiere in Beauty and the Beast.

[0:47] Eila Mell: Yes. You know, as a little kid, I went to see Annie on Broadway and he was Rooster. So that was my introduction to Gary Beach a long time ago.

[0:58] Bruce Gotlieb: Okay. Oh, and Lily was Rita Redner, that comedian.

[1:02] Eila Mell: Oh, how funny.

[1:04] Bruce Gotlieb: Yeah. And so, you know, you look at that show and in all the different incarnations between obviously the Broadway production, the movie, Annie Live, which I guess is our most recent, you know, all the people that have played these roles, it's like the who, you know, I know.

[1:21] Eila Mell: Right. And they're just such a great part. But forget it. Annie Live was not the most recent. Whoopi just did it.

[1:26] Bruce Gotlieb: Oh, that's right. At Madison Square Garden.

[1:29] Eila Mell: That's right. There's so many Annies. I forgot that.

[1:31] Bruce Gotlieb: That's right. The tour came through.

[1:32] Eila Mell: Right. There's so many. It's just the show that keeps on giving.

[1:34] Bruce Gotlieb: And then we had that scoop from Bill Berloni, the dog trainer.

[1:40] Eila Mell: Yes, that it's coming back because it's the 50th anniversary.

[1:44] Bruce Gotlieb: That's right. That's exciting.

[1:45] Eila Mell: Oh, it is, of course. I love Annie so much.

[1:49] Bruce Gotlieb: Me too. So the other day I had some time to kill and I figured, why don't I go see a show for the moment?

[1:57] Eila Mell: So I don't know why, for whatever reason, it was Tuesday, but a lot of shows were dark that day. I'm not really sure why it was so odd, but it was the day after Labor Day. So maybe people had a day off.

[2:14] Bruce Gotlieb: Maybe, I don't know. But anyway, it didn't matter because I went to see art.

[2:20] Eila Mell: Sure. I just, you know, went to the box office and got a ticket. And let me tell you, I mean, you know this, but if you can get your tickets at the box office directly, you're going to save a lot of money.

[2:33] Bruce Gotlieb: So it's worth it if you have that option.

[2:36] Eila Mell: Many people don't have the option.

[2:38] Bruce Gotlieb: No, but if you can, it's normally, maybe not a deal to be had, but at least you're saving on fees and things like that.

[2:47] Eila Mell: Exactly. And also the guy at the box office was so nice. He was able to apply discounts for me that, you know, you wouldn't have been able to do online.

[3:00] Bruce Gotlieb: So, you know, so that was great. And also that, you know, they can help you find the best seats, you know, whatever. But so anyway, the show itself, I had seen the show years ago, not on Broadway. A not great production, you know, just okay production. So I didn't really understand how funny the play was.

[3:22] Eila Mell: Okay. The play is great. This production is so good. You know, I really, I didn't have a lot of expectations except that I was going to see an amazing cast. James Corden, Bobby Cannavale, and Neil Patrick Harris are the three actors in it and they're great.

[3:40] Bruce Gotlieb: But I guess it's about a lot of different things. You know, what is art because Neil Pat, this is not a spoiler. You find out in the first second of the show, Neil Patrick Harris's character buys this painting and it's just white, it's just a white canvas. And, you know, his friends have strong opinions on if that painting was worth the money that he spent on it.

[4:05] Eila Mell: So, you know, I guess it's about what is art, but also it's very much about friendship and these three men go on this ride because of this painting. It's the catalyst for a lot of ups and downs. The three of them are great. James Corden is so good. It's really a huge showcase for him, especially.

[4:27] Bruce Gotlieb: Oh, I don't know the show. I've never seen it. I don't really know much about the premise. The draw for me would be to go see Neil Patrick Harris. Um, so it's interesting that, you know, that James Corden to you is, you know, the standout.

[4:40] Eila Mell: Yeah, they're all great. They're all really, really good. But yeah, James Corden, he had this monologue and when it was over, he got, you know, this huge applause and then when it died down, it started up again. I guess they weren't done. They weren't. They rethought stopping applauding.

[5:00] Bruce Gotlieb: And then, uh, later on he got applause more time. It wasn't just like a one-time thing. I mean, he really was so good. So, you know, I wonder if he'll be remembered Tony time because it's very early in the season, but.

[5:15] Eila Mell: It is early and it's a limited run. So, you know, but you know, it's, it's the season for revivals, plays, musicals. So I think being a revival early in the season probably helps because you, most people remember it more because there's muscle memory from whatever production may or may not have, you know, may have been beforehand.

[5:36] Bruce Gotlieb: Yeah. I would not be surprised if he got a nomination for this. Cause it's so good. Um, you know, he, he's already a Tony winner, but we'll see. But anyway, it was, it was a lot of fun. The set by David Rockwell is really nice. Um, Scott Ellis is the director and anything he does is worth seeing.

[5:57] Eila Mell: I think, okay, great. So yeah, it's kind of a love fest. I really thought it was, it was so good and just, you know, so unexpected cause I wasn't even planning on seeing the show that day. So just such a nice surprise, a nice way to end my day, but let's switch gears and tell everyone who our guest is Bruce.

[6:14] Bruce Gotlieb: Well, speaking of surprises, there's a little now, now public knowledge in our interview with Sean Alan Krill about him, you know, embarking on a chess match, if you will, so what's so funny is that we had no idea when we asked him, Sean is, you know, our former guest and friend. And so we figured we wanted him back because he has this movie coming.

[6:39] Eila Mell: Right.

[6:39] Bruce Gotlieb: We figured we'd talk about the movie in December, the it's, um, you know, starring Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson, this, uh, about Neil Diamond's music and, and all this stuff. So we figured it'd be a great chat and hadn't seen him since Collins. And he said, well, I'm about to get really busy. So this is a great time. And we were like, what do you mean? And, and then he told us he was going to be in chess. We had no idea when we asked him. So that was such a nice surprise.

[7:04] Eila Mell: Yeah. So stay tuned for Sean and hear all about chess. Bruce, we are so thrilled to welcome back to our show, Sean Alan Krill.

[7:14] Sean Allan Krill: Hello, Sean.

[7:16] Sean Allan Krill: Hello. Thanks for having me back.

[7:19] Eila Mell: We are thrilled that you were able to make some time to come join us.

[7:23] Sean Allan Krill: Me too. I'm sorry. It took, it took weeks to make it happen, but we finally did it.

[7:28] Eila Mell: That's okay. It's summer.

[7:29] Sean Allan Krill: It's summer. We're all right now.

[7:32] Eila Mell: No, I know. I know. I'm so glad to be talking to you again. So how, so the last time we spoke to you, you were just about to do Floyd Collins.

[7:40] Sean Allan Krill: Yes.

[7:41] Eila Mell: And so that was a very successful run. So what is it like when it's over? Is there any sense of relief that you get to have a rest or are you sad that it's over?

[7:52] Sean Allan Krill: A very, very healthy combination of both. Really? I, I, Floyd Collins is so, the show is so near and dear to my heart. And has been for, you know, almost 30 years now. And when I found out it was happening, I just said to myself, I will, I will do anything. I will stand in the back and hold a spear to be in Floyd Collins when it finally comes to Broadway.

[8:14] Sean Allan Krill: And, um, I had, you know, like a, like a true, like a true 20 something, because I experienced the show for the first time in my twenties, I had just completely forgotten about the old guys in the show.

[8:27] Eila Mell: Right.

[8:28] Sean Allan Krill: So I didn't really think that I was going to be able to do it again.

[8:31] Eila Mell: Right.

[8:32] Sean Allan Krill: So I didn't really think there was anything in it for me. And then Tina called me in for HG Carmichael and I started really looking at that part and kind of fell in love with, fell in love with it.

[8:43] Sean Allan Krill: And so I'm just, I was so, so honored and thrilled to be a part of it. And to, um, to play that part, to be back in the room with Tina and Adam and all of those brilliant people that, that comprised the end of the Broadway cast.

[9:00] Sean Allan Krill: I really do. I miss it a lot, but I also, you know, it was, it was not, I, I thought it was going to be this, you know, like a cakewalk for me, like what we call it, you know, the princess track. I thought I was going to be like, well, you know, I don't really sing in this show, so it's going to be, it's going to be super easy. I'm just going to walk on and yell at everyone and then leave.

[9:18] Sean Allan Krill: No, no, no, no, no. It was so active for me. And I ended up like tearing my meniscus and I was on a ramp the whole time. And like no one's fault. It was my own fault. I was like, yeah, I'll go back up on the ramp.

[9:32] Eila Mell: So yes, it is. It is a very healthy combination. I think my body is very happy that it's over.

[9:39] Sean Allan Krill: And a little bit, my soul, you know, it's not, it's not an easy story to tell. It was very reminiscent of parade in that, you know, parade was a limited run. And I think by the time parade closed, we were all very sad to see, to see it go to, to not be in that building with each other every day.

[9:59] Eila Mell: Yeah.

[10:00] Sean Allan Krill: But it was, it was, you know, they're hard stories to tell and it takes its toll after a while. And so, so yeah, I, I miss everyone very much, especially my, my, my buddies, Mark Kudish and I just became, you know, we had this, this hilarious sort of bromance. I just love that guy so much.

[10:19] Sean Allan Krill: And, and Clyde Voitier, like I just, you know, just, I, I fell in love with everyone, but, you know, I, I made my buddies and I do miss seeing them every day for sure.

[10:28] Eila Mell: Yeah. It was a complex, you know, complex story, which I think going into it, if you don't know anything about it, you don't expect, you know, your character obviously was complex too. And within the space, just, you know, making, making it happen, making it sound like you're in a cave and making all of these things happen was just for a theater goer, really cool just to see the different ways, because it's so simple.

[10:57] Sean Allan Krill: It's a simple story. Uh, even though it's complex and you have to do something to make this magic happen, um, were you, were you involved in any of those conversations or did it just kind of unfold and you got to watch the magic happen?

[11:13] Sean Allan Krill: Well, I was, you know, I was primarily an above ground character, you know? So I wasn't really involved in a lot of the, um, the conversation specifically.

[11:21] Sean Allan Krill: About what kind of environment, you know, sort of theatrically are we creating when we're in the cave? I did, you know, toward the end of the show sort of end up, you know, in the pit, but for the most part it was really, you know, it was really just three people. It was Floyd and Homer and Skeets that really kind of got down there. But we were all in the room talking about, you know, so much of that work was done, you know, beautifully by lighting and sound. And of course, the actors that had to be in the environment sort of reacting and acting as if they were in tight spaces or gigantic, you know, enormous caverns. So beautifully done. Yeah. But no, I wasn't really privy to a lot of that sort of the environmental aspect of the cave itself.

But definitely above ground, the cold, the sort of rocky terrain. There was a lot of talk about that, a lot of exploration through Tina. You know, Tina is a huge proponent of the acting technique viewpoints. And a lot of that is very movement based. And so we came up with a lot of things to kind of try to help the audience understand, you know, above and below. She created so many beautiful tableaus, too, in that show. Oh, yeah. Oh, I know that that upstage LED screen was just it was so fun to go up there and pose. Yeah. Colors that would be behind you is really great. But now the important question is, Sean, did you get to keep that coat?

[12:57] Sean Allan Krill: I did not. You know, I started calling myself Coat Michael. Oh, that coat was amazing. I had three coats and they were all just absolutely like these fantastic, you know, statement pieces. And it was I didn't even ask because I knew they were all vintage. And that last coat, the leather one with the fur off was gorgeous. Absolutely gorgeous. And so hot. It was so it was just like I might as well I might as well have been like the Floyd Collins mascot. You know what I mean? Like by the end of the show, it was just like dripping. I was like giving you Jonathan Groff. That's right. I tend to do that anyway. Every time I see Jonathan perform, I'm like, I feel you, buddy. I guess that's me. Yeah.

[13:54] Eila Mell: Well, we want to switch gears a little because we are so excited about this movie that you have coming out. Yeah. So is it called Song Sung Blue? Is that the name of it?

[14:05] Sean Allan Krill: You know, the working title was Denim and Diamonds when we were when we were rehearsing it or filming it. I am pretty sure the documentary it's based on is called Song Sung Blue. OK, based on a real true story. And it was a documentary, I believe, in the arts based on the true story of this couple that was in a Neil Diamond tribute band in Milwaukee. And I'm pretty sure that they have decided on calling it Song Sung Blue. OK, the feature film. Everything I've seen, that's what it seems to be. They're calling it seems to be what they're calling it right now. I think you're right. I think you're right. So, yes, Christmas Day, December 25th. I'm thrilled when I saw the news. I was like so excited.

Huge Neil Diamond fan. And then it was like just layered upon. And then I saw your name in it. I was like, oh, my God, Sean's in this. It's a it's really it was truly an incredible principal cast. And I very, you know, randomly when I auditioned for it, I thought I was in a scene with Hugh and Kate. I knew for sure that I was definitely like I'm this rock promoter and I'm trying to convince them to come back and make their big comeback, not to give too much away in this story, but they have to make a comeback. And I'm sort of facilitating that. And but what I didn't realize is that the entire principal cast was with me on the side trying to convince them to do it. So it was there I was. I show up that day and it's not only Hugh and Kate, but it's Michael Imperioli and Jim Belushi and Fisher Stevens.

And I was just I like my younger self was just like, what? Who are you right now? How are you? This is incredible. I was completely starstruck and they were all just so lovely and gracious. And because it's you know, it's one of those strange things because you walk in for one day and you have to just kind of take control. Your character, if your character and I usually play characters that are like sort of act like they know exactly what they're doing, you know, and so it's you know, it's a very odd ask to just sort of show up and be like, hi, I'm so huge. I'm such huge fans of all of yours. And now I'm going to like tell you what to do, right? How fun.

[16:36] Eila Mell: Yeah, yeah. Was Neil involved in the film at all?

[16:39] Sean Allan Krill: Not that I know of. Certainly not the day I was there. Sure. I can imagine he I would imagine he is. I that's a really good question. I don't know the answer to it, but I hope so. He was so involved with The Beautiful Noise. You think he probably has some involvement. Yeah, you'd think he would, especially because I think, again, I don't want to give too much away, but I think if there if it worked out, there might be a cameo involved. Amazing. So but you didn't hear that from me. I don't know that I would never in a million years give away something. Well, we don't know. It's just no, I don't know. It's just maybe. But wouldn't that be cool if it actually happened?

[17:17] Eila Mell: It would be. It would be amazing. Oh, my gosh. But I really don't know. I really don't know the answer. I don't know if that happened. Is your character based on a real life person?

[17:26] Sean Allan Krill: I believe he is based on a real life person. I don't know that he, you know, that buddy like was the guy. Yeah, I know. I know that it was indeed this space in Milwaukee was the space where they made their big comeback. And they had just it was a really fun day because they had the day before in that space, it was over in Jersey, this beautiful theater. They had just filmed the concert that I'm asking them to come and do the day before. So they filmed it out of order and they were all just so jazzed, you know, like just so souped up because they had they had such a great day. And they tried to get me to come and be a part of that shoot date. But I wasn't in town. So it was very last minute. You're like, Can you can you get over to Jersey today? We'd love to have buddy in the scene. And I was like, Oh, God. It happens sometimes.

[18:22] Eila Mell: Yeah. Now, obviously, we last time you were here, and not to get too far away from this project, but we talked about your work on Jagged Little Pill surrounding yourself with these music icons. I know you doing Jagged. You spoke about how that spoke to, you know, like the college you did you grow up with Neil Diamond's music. Did this speak to you in a similar way?

[18:46] Sean Allan Krill: I mean, by the time I was, you know, growing up, you know, with music, it was the late 80s, early 90s. And, you know, Neil Diamond was like, almost like standard. He was like, you know, he was he had already moved into this land of like, he's he's just a sort of an icon of music. So, yes. And, you know, I grew up with Neil Diamond. I mean, he was just his songs were, were iconic and always have been. And so I can't, I can't I'm not gonna lie and say that I was a huge Neil Diamond fan when I was a kid, but I knew his I knew it. And I knew, you know, we come into America, you know, I mean, we try, you know, I mean, you know, I mean, it's Yeah, it was just, like I said, it was just like the stalwart in the music industry.

And so yes, it was, I'm trying to think of someone else that it's sort of how I felt about when I was growing up, like bands like Led Zeppelin, and like the bands from the 70s that were just huge. I always respected them. And but it wasn't like, I mean, I was like, such a pop. I was like, 80s pop. I mean, you want to know anything about Madonna? Ask me, you know, like, you know what I'm saying? Like those, those, like, yeah, Aerosmith, and those really huge, a, you know, Karen Carpenter, and those kinds of that they weren't, they were, they were classic. Yeah, they were classic by the time I was growing up. Yeah. And yeah. Yeah, turn on your heartlight in the movie. Do you know that classic? I'm sure it is. How could it not? Yeah. And that that's that was like, that was 80s, right? That was Yeah, because it was E.T. E.T. Yeah, for E.T. Yeah. I mean, it's so good. Yes.

[20:34] Sean Allan Krill: You have that gravelly that right on and you're right in your sweet spot there. I don't need, I don't need to work on gravel. That's the thing. I always have to work against the gravel.

[20:44] Eila Mell: That's such a cool sound.

[20:52] Sean Allan Krill: It is. It is. I mean, we're all just emulating Neil Diamond. That's it. You just need some sequins, shirts and feathered hair. It was so fun to show up and see you dress like that. And it was like, Oh, this is this is gonna be great. Oh, my gosh. Now don't be jealous. But I did get to see Neil Diamond's The Jazz Singer in the movies.

[21:10] Eila Mell: Really? I did. Yes. Oh, I was quite shocked by what I saw.

[21:17] Sean Allan Krill: I bet. That's it. That's an intense movie. I haven't seen that. I saw it as a kid. I was like, I thought this was going to be a musical.

[21:22] Eila Mell: This is Joy Woods and behind the awards, we'll be right back.

[21:31] Sean Allan Krill: So Sean, I guess I feel like there's a lot going on now that kind of dips back into things for you. Mamma Mia, making a comeback on Broadway where you got your Broadway debut.

[21:43] Eila Mell: Yeah. How does is that? Is that like a weird feeling of making your debut in a show that's now kind of back or having a resurgence?

[21:50] Sean Allan Krill: I mean, sure. You know, it's it's an odd feeling to be like, Oh, I was in that when it was on Broadway the first time and now it's a revival. OK, wow. I'm a I'm a veteran. It hasn't been that long, though, since it's gone. To be fair, it's not. Yeah. And it's been I mean, it was I made it was 2008 when I was in it. So, you know, 2008 into nine. So it's it has been it's been a minute. But I'm thrilled. You know, I'm especially thrilled because my one of my dearest friends, Christine Cheryl, is playing Donna. And we actually played opposite each other about 10 years ago. They sort of did a Mamma Mia reboot in Vegas at the Tropicana. And Christine and I played Donna and Sam. And she had been on tour with me for a year playing Tanya.

[23:14] Sean Allan Krill: I saw the tour. I saw her do it on tour. And no, I have not had the chance to see it here yet, but I certainly will. I know I will, probably during, we start rehearsals for, um, for my next show on September 2nd.

[23:30] Eila Mell: Can you say what that show is?

[23:32] Sean Allan Krill: Uh, chess I'm doing chess.

[23:34] Eila Mell: Oh my God.

[23:36] Sean Allan Krill: Yes. So, so, uh, I will be in the city rehearsing and I'm hoping that I'll be able to, when we're in rehearsals, I'll be able to get over to the Winter Garden and see my friend play Donna.

[23:46] Eila Mell: So who are you playing in chess?

[23:48] Sean Allan Krill: His name is Walter DeCourcy. I know this part. Yes. Dennis Parlato played it originally, but it's very different because Danny Strong has rewritten the libretto.

[23:59] Eila Mell: Yes.

[24:00] Sean Allan Krill: So, uh, there's a very strong kind of KGB, CIA puppet master thing going on in his script. It's very, it's very political intrigue. Bradley Dean is playing, uh, Molotov, the, uh, KGB chess coach. And I play this very snarky, hilarious, Danny Strong is hilarious. His writing is so funny and smart. And, um, so it's a, it's a very, very fun part where I just, I'm like the guy in the show just hates chess and the fact that it has such power even annoys him that much more and, and, you know, Danny has masterfully figured out a way to make it so that, you know, the outcome of this, it's this Cold War intrigue that's going in the late seventies, the early eighties, that the outcomes of, of these, this sort of political conflagrations are contingent on the outcome of this chess match. So you basically have the KGB and the CIA sort of playing these four lovers like pawns. So it's pretty, it's pretty brilliant.

[25:12] Eila Mell: I think everybody agrees that the music for chess is just amazing, but the book had always been problematic.

[25:19] Sean Allan Krill: So it's such, such a great idea to redo the book.

[25:22] Eila Mell: Yeah.

[25:23] Sean Allan Krill: Yeah. And we're still, we're still working on it. We have, you know, we had a workshop of it. Um, I believe it was right around when, when you two came and saw me in Floyd Collins. I think it was, uh, I think we were, we had a little two-week workshop with, with the new, the newbies. So I've been working on this version since I think 2017, this is eight years in the making. We did an early, early sort of iteration of this at the Kennedy Center with an amazing cast, Raul Esparza and Karen Olivo and Ruthie Ann Miles. Um, Ramin Karimloo. I mean, it was just, it was remarkable. Bryce Pinkham and Bradley and I are, we're just, we're just like stuck to, we've stuck to our roles all these years. So it's really, really fun that we finally get to do it together. And, and finally on Broadway. So, and at the Imperial, which is really exciting.

[26:18] Eila Mell: Yeah.

[26:19] Sean Allan Krill: Um, Bryce Pinkham was so good in Ohio State Murders.

[26:22] Eila Mell: I have to say, I didn't get to see it.

[26:24] Sean Allan Krill: Uh, he's great.

[26:25] Eila Mell: He's great.

[26:26] Sean Allan Krill: What do you see him in this? He's hilarious. And he's just, he's, yeah, it's, it's a great, it's going to be incredible from what I've, what I've seen of Leah and Aaron and, and Nick, um, I've yet to meet Hannah Cruz, who's playing Svetlana, but everybody's incredible. Just incredible.

[26:43] Eila Mell: So it's, it's really good. It's going to be very exciting.

[26:46] Sean Allan Krill: Yeah. You know, I saw Nicholas Christopher is Pirelli in Sweeney Todd.

[26:51] Eila Mell: Oh yeah.

[26:52] Sean Allan Krill: He's so good.

[26:54] Eila Mell: So it's great that people are going to discover him.

[26:56] Sean Allan Krill: He is so, so talented. He's so talented and he's so kind and he's just a really fantastic quality for, uh, for Anatoly. And he just sings like a dream. I mean, it's going to be great. It's a great cast. I mean, aside when they announced who they announced, but now that you're, you know, sharing some of these other names, they're just a, you know, build that excitement up even more.

[27:19] Eila Mell: Yeah. I mean, I gave you some spoilers just now, but the only reason I'm telling you is because it's a week away that they're going to, I know they're, I know they said they were going to make this, the full cast announcement on Tuesday.

[27:30] Sean Allan Krill: Okay.

[27:31] Eila Mell: Yeah. So you're saying, yeah, this, this won't come out before then.

[27:36] Sean Allan Krill: No, no, no, no. We promise you're our friend. We would never do that to you.

[27:41] Eila Mell: Thank you.

[27:43] Sean Allan Krill: So, I mean, this is going to be quite a fall for you. This huge movie, this play that everybody is anticipating. I mean, I think tickets are probably already on sale.

[27:54] Sean Allan Krill: Yes, they are.

[27:55] Eila Mell: They are.

[27:56] Sean Allan Krill: So, you know, have you been taking it easy this summer? Relaxing, getting ready?

[27:59] Sean Allan Krill: I mean, as you can see, I am in full mountain man mode. I'm out of the house. Full beard.

[28:06] Eila Mell: Full beard.

[28:06] Sean Allan Krill: Yeah. I like, I look like Santa Claus.

[28:11] Eila Mell: No, no, it's blonde.

[28:11] Sean Allan Krill: It's a blonde.

[28:12] Eila Mell: Yeah.

[28:13] Sean Allan Krill: Yeah. Okay. All right. Thank you.

[28:14] Eila Mell: Thank you.

[28:16] Sean Allan Krill: Yeah. It's really been a great summer. My husband and I, Harry and I have been just really, uh, as much as we can, just, you know, taking advantage of being up here in the mountains and working on our house and we're, you know, we run a little Airbnb. We have a mother, we have a little mother-in-law suite in our house that we've, you know, and it's, you know, it's, uh, we're right up near Bethel Woods, um, arts, performing arts center.

[28:43] Eila Mell: Oh, so, um, so we have a lot of little, you know, people come in to stay the night, see a concert, stay the night.

[28:49] Sean Allan Krill: Nice.

[28:50] Eila Mell: Oh, fun.

[28:50] Sean Allan Krill: Yeah. But I guess you're back to the city next week. Cause you start rehearsals.

[28:53] Sean Allan Krill: I am. I am. I'm hitting the ground running on, on Thursday because I'm going back into the city Thursday and I have a fitting for chess and then I'm flying to Chicago because I'm also doing this, um, I'm singing a concert in Chicago for the first time, it's the sort of the debut, but I'm doing an evening of Tony Bennett.

[29:12] Eila Mell: Oh, wow.

[29:14] Sean Allan Krill: Yeah.

[29:14] Eila Mell: So congratulations.

[29:15] Sean Allan Krill: No, thanks. Yeah. I'm looking forward to it.

[29:17] Eila Mell: What's the venue?

[29:18] Sean Allan Krill: If people want to, the Marriott, the concert is actually the 15th and 16th of September.

[29:24] Eila Mell: Is he a favorite of yours?

[29:26] Sean Allan Krill: He is. I, I mean, in general, I love, um, I was really, really drawn even when I was a kid, this sort of harkens back to when you were talking about whether or not I grew up with Neil Diamond, I was really like that geek that was more into like crooners and standards and I loved Ella Fitzgerald and, and, um, you know, I was always listening to, uh, you know, um, Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin and Perry Como and, you know, so I just, I have a, a really, really strong love for the American standard and, um, that's what Tony Bennett did, you know, and yeah, and he did it kind of, you know, he's still, he kind of falls into that crooner category, but he has a very different sound and that's what I'm working on right now is, is trying to, it's by no means an imitation, what I'm doing.

It's really me singing songs that Tony Bennett made popular through my own voice, but every now and then, you know, there's definitely, you want to, you want to emulate as much as possible, you know, so, so it's fun to kind of, I've been nonstop just listening, listening, listening to Tony, Tony, Tony, and, and, uh, it's been really fun to kind of pick up on all of his little isms and idiosyncrasies and the way, the way he, his vowels are just so delicious, you know, just the way he, the way he chewed everything was, was so fun. So yeah, yeah. I'm, I'm looking forward to it. I have a, my first rehearsal this weekend, and then I'm going to take a couple of days off of chest rehearsal to fly back to Chicago and do the concerts. I mean, it's crazy.

[30:58] Eila Mell: I'm busy.

[30:58] Sean Allan Krill: Crazy is good.

[30:59] Eila Mell: Yeah, that's fine. What's better than busy. Right.

[31:02] Sean Allan Krill: And the good thing is with that, you can just take that, pull it out of your pocket whenever you can do it, you know, anywhere you could tour it around, you know, I see 54 Below.

[31:12] Eila Mell: Sure.

[31:12] Sean Allan Krill: That would be fun. That'd be, you know, that is the idea is, and I'm working with a couple of dear friends from Chicago that I have known for years and the husband and wife duo that, that started this production company. And they have one of my very, very dear, dearest friends from Chicago, Heidi Kettenring, does a Karen Carpenter show. Um, so they, they, they've sort of found a little niche of like, they have a Stevie Wonder show and they have a Neil Diamond show that they really wanted the Tony Bennett and they reached out to me and, um, and here I am just about to go do it.

[31:46] Eila Mell: Yeah.

[31:47] Sean Allan Krill: Boy, that's a huge compliment.

[31:48] Eila Mell: Yeah, it really is.

[31:49] Sean Allan Krill: Really, really is for sure.

[31:51] Eila Mell: Do you think you like that genre of singer because you're a singer yourself, so you appreciated it?

[31:56] Sean Allan Krill: I think I like that genre because it's such a good question. I was born in the wrong era. Like that's, that is honestly, like I, I should, I, I would love it if I could have just crooned my face off and that would, that was my career. I love singing that way. I don't like singing above an E. It's not my thing. I'm not really a Broadway singer. I'm an actor and I love to sing like just in time, you know, like I don't, I don't, you know, I like the big, long, high Z flat at the end of numbers. It's not my, it's not my deal. Um, I admire it so much. Don't get me wrong. But, um, um, so that sort of American standard, it just has always been my favorite because it's really about crafting a story, a little mini story.

Each song is a little chance for storytelling. And, uh, I just really have always respected someone that can sit down on a stool and a microphone and, you know, in little two and a half, three minute chunks, just tell all these little, little vignettes and, uh, and do it really well. And, and, uh, I admire it. And, and so it's fun to, it's fun. I've never done anything like this. So it's really fun to be doing this. And, and I'm, I'm not, I mean, I'm a little terrified. I'm not going to lie, but, but, uh, because I don't really do cabaret. I don't really, like I said, I love to be behind a character. I love to inhabit a character and play that, but it's not really my thing to get up on stage and say, hi, hi everyone. I'm Sean, you know, I get very shy. And yeah, so this is, um, this is a, it's a real challenge for me and I'm looking forward to it.

[33:32] Eila Mell: Are you working with a director?

[33:34] Sean Allan Krill: It's really kind of me and the two, uh, Angela and Michael Ingersoll are, is their last name. And they're wonderful with some, uh, artists lounge live is the production company and they, um, you know, I think we're going to kind of craft it together. We don't really have a director per se. It's really kind of, um, ultimately without sounding too sort of full of myself, it's, it's up to me what we do, you know, and, um, but with their guidance, certainly, you know, yeah.

[34:03] Sean Allan Krill: It did sound a little harsh on, sorry.

[34:05] Sean Allan Krill: I think the most exciting part about being involved in this revival of Chess is the opportunity to bring a fresh perspective to a show that has such a rich history. The music is iconic, and the story is incredibly relevant today.

[34:35] Sean Allan Krill: I remember when I first heard the score; it was like nothing I had ever experienced before. The blend of rock and classical elements really speaks to me, and I think it resonates with a lot of people.

[35:00] Sean Allan Krill: The character I’m playing is really complex. He has a lot of layers, and I’m excited to explore that depth in rehearsal. It’s a challenge, but one that I’m ready to take on.

[35:27] Sean Allan Krill: I also think the themes of competition and love in Chess are universal. They transcend time and place, which is why I believe this revival will connect with audiences in a powerful way.

[35:53] Sean Allan Krill: Outside of Chess, I have this upcoming movie, Song Sung Blue, which stars Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson. It’s a beautiful story about resilience and the power of music.

[36:19] Sean Allan Krill: I’m really proud of the work we did on that film, and I can’t wait for people to see it. It’s a different kind of project for me, but it’s been a rewarding experience.

[36:47] Sean Allan Krill: I also have a concert coming up where I’ll be performing some of Tony Bennett’s greatest hits. It’s a tribute to his legacy, and I’m honored to be part of it.

[37:15] Sean Allan Krill: The concert is happening in Chicago on September 15th and 16th, and I’m really looking forward to sharing that music with everyone.

[37:43] Sean Allan Krill: Last season, I was involved in the hit show Floyd Collins, which was such a unique experience. The story is so poignant, and the music is hauntingly beautiful.

[38:11] Sean Allan Krill: Each project I take on teaches me something new, and I’m grateful for the opportunities I’ve had to work with such talented people.

[38:27] Sean Allan Krill: I think it’s important to keep pushing boundaries and exploring new artistic avenues. That’s what keeps the craft alive and exciting.

[38:50] Sean Allan Krill: I’m also a big believer in collaboration. Working with other artists can lead to some incredible moments that you wouldn’t achieve on your own.

[39:10] Sean Allan Krill: I’ve learned so much from my peers, and I always try to bring that spirit of teamwork into every project I’m involved with.

[39:38] Sean Allan Krill: The energy in the rehearsal room is electric, especially when everyone is passionate about the material. It’s a special feeling that I cherish.

[40:06] Sean Allan Krill: I think audiences are going to be blown away by this revival of Chess. The talent involved is phenomenal, and I can’t wait for everyone to experience it.

[40:34] Sean Allan Krill: It’s a privilege to be part of a show that has such a legacy, and I’m committed to honoring that while also bringing something new to the table.

[41:02] Sean Allan Krill: I hope that when people leave the theater, they feel inspired and moved by the story we’re telling.

[41:30] Sean Allan Krill: That’s the goal, to create a lasting impact through our performances.

[41:46] Sean Allan Krill: I’m excited for what’s to come, and I’m looking forward to sharing this journey with everyone.

[42:14] Sean Allan Krill: Thank you for having me back on the show. It’s always a pleasure to chat about these projects and share my experiences.

[42:42] Sean Allan Krill: I appreciate the support from everyone, and I can’t wait to see you all at the theater!

[43:10] Sean Allan Krill: Let’s keep the conversation going about the importance of theater and the arts in our lives.

[43:38] Sean Allan Krill: It’s a vital part of our culture, and I’m proud to be a part of it.

[44:06] Sean Allan Krill: Thanks again for having me, and I look forward to what’s next!

[44:34] Sean Allan Krill: Until next time, take care and keep supporting the arts!

[44:44] Sean Allan Krill: I’m excited to see where this journey takes us all.

[45:12] Sean Allan Krill: Cheers!

[45:22] Sean Allan Krill: Bye!