Last seen on Broadway in Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, Jeb Brown is back on Broadway this spring in the new musical Dead Outlaw at the Longacre Theatre. The new musical received seven Tony nominations, including Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical for Brown’s performance as Bandleader and Jarrett.
Following the show’s official opening on April 27, Brown took the time to answer 5 Questions with Broadway Direct to chat about how Oliver! was an inspiration to his younger self, what to look forward to in Dead Outlaw, and his favorite NYC spot!
1. What inspired you to become an actor?
When I was 5 years old, I saw the movie Oliver! on the big screen, and I was transported. (It’s a great film if you haven’t seen it…won the Oscar that year.) My 5-year-old self thought that if those young guys could pretend to be pickpockets to tell that extraordinary Dickens story, maybe I could too. So I started practicing.
2. Who in your field inspires you?
I admire many of the people I’ve worked with, but I’m most inspired by good directors. Right now I’m working with David Cromer and I’m thrilled by his ability to allow an original vision to evolve while remaining open to new ideas, and by his skill at communicating so deftly, so clearly, and with such humor about even the most ordinary moments. David makes us laugh, and when a director is this sharp it is not only exciting…it also allows you to relax as an actor.
3. What should audiences be most excited about seeing in Dead Outlaw?
Audiences will be hooked by this uncommonly weird story, but the tale is deployed with the help of a killer set of songs. Our story and its themes dazzle, but it’s the music that cuts through and brings our room alive.
4. If you didn’t need to sleep at night, what would you spend your time doing?
Reading and writing…I feel like I never have enough time for those things, and those nighttime hours are so private and quiet.
5. What is your favorite NYC spot?
I’m a huge billiards fan, and I love to go to Cellar Dog (formerly Fat Cat) down in the West Village. There’s live music and a fantastic mix of ages and types. Listening to serious jazz cats blow just feet away while playing pool and enjoying a glass of wine with a friend is my idea of heaven.
You can catch Jeb Brown in Dead Outlaw, now playing at the Longacre Theatre.