BOOP! The Musical recently began preview performances at the Broadhurst Theatre, welcoming Ainsley Melham back to the Broadway stage.
Hailing from Australia, Melham makes his return to Broadway as Dwayne in BOOP! The Musical, starring opposite rising star Jasmine Amy Rogers as Betty Boop. Broadway audiences may recognize him from his previous stint on the New York stage as the titular role in Aladdin.
Ahead of the show’s official opening on April 5, Melham caught up with Broadway Direct to chat about what inspired him to become an actor, working with award-winning book writer Bob Martin, and his favorite NYC spot.
1. What inspired you to become an actor?
When I was young, I would watch those beautiful black-and-white films of the 1930s and 40s with my father. Stars like Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly, Humphrey Bogart, and Ingrid Bergman—they were my inspiration. I still, to this day, look to that period for inspiration, exploring how I can blend their style with something more contemporary.
2. Who in your field inspires you?
You know who inspires me? Bob Martin! And I haven’t fully expressed to him just how much I look up to him because I don’t want to make a fool of myself. But I pinch myself every day in the rehearsal room because I get to stand up and speak his words. He’s fiercely intelligent, so incredibly funny, and just the most kind and warm human.
3. What should audiences be most excited about seeing in BOOP! The Betty Boop Musical?
Where do I start? The music; David Foster’s score is infectious. Every song is an earworm, I truly can’t get the tunes out of my head. The choreography; Jerry and his team are delivering a big, flashy, dance musical in BOOP! And I dare say that this is work that you might not have seen from Jerry Mitchell before. Then there are the costumes; Gregg Barnes is a master when it comes to designing for stage, and BOOP! showcases the very best of what he does.
4. If you didn’t need to sleep at night, what would you spend your time doing?
Listening to jazz and reading. And that’s not just because I play a jazz musician in the show. Laufey, Melody Gardot, Paul Desmond, Samara Joy—I can’t get enough of these artists. I have them softly playing in the background, constantly. Especially when I have a book in hand. I love reading! I love getting lost in another world— much like when you go to the theatre—and there is just not enough time in the day to read everything I want.
5. What is your favorite NYC spot?
How can you pick one? But there is a sweet spot downtown I do love to go for a coffee, or aperitif with a book in hand called Bar Pisellino. It’s stylish, cozy, and you can sit by the window and people-watch to your heart’s content. Otherwise, you’ll find me walking the city. My favorite pastime is to put on some music and just stroll New York to see what new things there are to find.
You can catch Ainsley Melham in BOOP! The Musical, now playing at the Broadhurst Theatre.