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| Seth Rudetsky |
Seth Rudetsy wears a lot of hats.
Not only can be be heard every day as one of the regular hosts on Sirius XM's "On Broadway" channel but he is also an author of numerous books and also the co-author of the recent Broadway musical Disaster!
He is a skilled pianist, having played in a dozen Broadway shows, and is also a frequent accompanist for Broadway stars in concerts around the world, including four shows this coming season at Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts.
When I last had the chance to ask Rudetsky some questions, when he was presenting his Big Fat Broadway show in town three years ago, he said that of all the hats he wears and jobs he's done that interviewing people and getting the chance to ask them in-depth questions is the one that he loves the most.
After having a great time three years ago getting his answers to some fun questions, I had the chance to turn the tables again on Rudetsky to ask him some questions about his past, as well as get his thoughts on the four Broadway stars he's playing for in Scottsdale this season, including his concert this coming Saturday, November 17th with Tony winner Jessie Mueller.
Seth, the series of concerts you've done around the world, as well as in Scottsdale the past two seasons, include you not just accompanying the performers on many songs they are known for but also talking to them between songs and asking them in-depth questions about their past.
How did these shows come about, especially since the traditional form of a cabaret show usually only features a performer singing songs from their repertoire with some pre scripted patter in between songs?
"Well, there you have it; I hate scripted patter! I remember watching a famous cabaret artist do her sound check and she was pretending she was noticing certain people in the audience...and the entire theater was empty. It was so creepy to me! Around 8 years ago, Mark Cortale and I started a series where I would play piano for Broadway's biggest stars but instead of hearing them doing pre-written material, I would interview them in between each song so the show would always remain fresh..and funny!"
If someone asked you to describe each of the four performers you are playing for and interviewing in Scottsdale this season in one or two sentences each what would it be?
"An incredible artist...when I saw her as Carole King in BEAUTIFUL, I thought she was making up the lines because it was so real. Add that to her ability to sing anything! From the jazz of ON A CLEAR DAY YOU CAN FOREVER to the beautiful soprano songs of CAROUSEL"
"A superstar! She has conquered Broadway and television. So glamorous yet so hilariously goofy. And what a belt!"
"She's played some dark characters so people don't realize how funny she is. This show will be hilarious...and will feature what many call 'the voice of Broadway.' "
"Holy cow! I am constantly in awe of his 'instrument'...his voice is crystal clear and so flexible. I recently posted a video of him singing and my sister wrote that he had the best male voice she's ever heard!"
Any songs that aren’t in their current repertoire you’d really like to ask them each to sing when you play for them in Scottsdale?
"Are you kidding? That's what I love to do! Here's an example: recently I was in San Francisco with Tony Nominee Ramin Karimloo who just starred in LES MISERABLES. When he announced where he was from, someone in the audience applauded and we found out Ramin had gone to high school with his cousin...and they had done GREASE together. Well, you know that I immediately ran to the piano and made Ramin sing "Summer Nights" with the audience as his backup. It was amazing!"
Any questions you are dying to ask them?
"I can't reveal them here or they will see! Suffice it to say, you will learn things about every single one of these people you haven't heard anywhere else. And songs you've never heard them sing."
Your musical Disaster! ran on Broadway and is now available to be licensed for productions across the country. There are three theatres presenting the show in the Phoenix area this season, including Desert Foothills Theater, where you did your Big Fat Broadway show a years back, and one in Scottsdale at Desert Stages Theatre in January being directed by Gary Crumm, the father of Max Crumm that co-stared in the Broadway run of the show. Did you imagine that Disaster! would become such a hit show in regional theatres?
"Wow! I love that Max's Dad is doing it! I knew it would be done a lot. It sounds like I'm bragging but I'm actually basing it on what the show is: a big cast with lots of great roles...I think there are 11 leads...and regional theaters love having their favorite stars featured. Plus the show is a comedy and that always sells tickets. AND the shows score is all the music from the 70s like Donna Summer and Barry Manilow.. Those songs are super-popular with everyone who was alive back then as well as with young people because they're featured on shows like American Idol and The Voice. So, yes, I expected it to happen but that doesn't mean I'm not thrilled it is! It's a dream come true!"
Any plans for your next musical?
"The next step is getting DISASTER! to London!"
Any current Broadway performers that you haven’t yet had the chance to interview but would like to?
"Ben Platt! I'm working on it!"
What performer who is no longer with us would you have liked to have interviewed and/or played for?
"Oh, man! So many! I interviewed Barbara Cook but never did an entire show with her. And amazing men like Richard Kiley and John Raitt...and Gwen Verdon and Susan Johnson from THE MOST HAPPY FELLA. Roz Russel! Jerry Orbach! Basically, anyone who ever starred in a show!"
Any younger performers on Broadway that you’re paying attention to and think could be the next big broadway star?
"Bonnie Milligan. She just made her Broadway debut as a lead in HEAD OVER HEELS and she is fantastic. So funny and what an incredible voice!"
As anyone who listens to you on the Sirius On Broadway channel knows, you love to use the word “ah-mahzing” and to say you are “devastated” about something. What is the most current thing you find “ah-mahzing” and the most recent thing that made you “devasted”?
"Well, on the serious side, people probably know that I care a lot about animal welfare, I think it's "amahzing" that CoverGirl is going cruelty free. No more horrific animal testing! And I'm "devastated" that Juul's and other brands are targeting our youth so there is now an epidemic of kids who smoke e-cigarettes."
You wear a lot of hats and also talk about your personal life on air, including interesting and humorous situations with your husband and daughter. What’s the one thing people may not know about you?
"I actually don't like to go out a lot. I really prefer having a few friends over for a game night or just hanging out with my doggies and reading!"
CLICK HERE for information on Seth's concert with Jessie Mueller this Saturday as well as information on his three other shows at the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts this season.
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