Taylor Trensch is a Broadway mainstay, constantly treading the boards for over a decade now beginning with shows such as Wicked and Matilda the Musical. Most notably, he starred in the hit 2017 revival of Hello, Dolly as Barnaby Tucker and directly followed that up by playing the titular role in Dear Evan Hansen.
Performing in To Kill A Mockingbird right when the world shut down in 2020, Trensch is now making his first return to Broadway since then in the Lincoln Center Theater revival of Camelot, taking on the role of the mischievous Mordred. Trensch took some time to answer 5 questions with Broadway Direct, telling us the movie musical that inspired him to become an actor, why Camelot will make audiences’ hearts swell “in a positive way, not in a worrisome way,” and what surprising place at the Vivian Beaumont Theater is one of his favorite spots in New York City.
1. What inspired you to become an actor?
Watching the film adaptation of Oliver! as an eight- or nine-year-old was huge. Kids my age stealing from the rich and then going home to do an intricately choreographed musical number? Heaven.
2. Who in your field inspires you?
Oh jeez, THOUSANDS of people. Recently: Mia Barron, Hansol Jung, Dustin Wills, Esco Jouléy, Mitchell Winter, Victoria Clark, Kate Berlant, Kyle Beltran, Gabby Beans, Jordan Seavey, Les Waters, Cynthia Nixon, Heather Christian, Ben Moss, and the entire company of Oratorio for Living Things. I could go on for days and days. Oh my god! Judy Kuhn singing “Days and Days” in Fun Home! Add her to the list!
3. What will audiences be most excited about seeing in Camelot?
I think audiences will be excited to see that the spirit of the show remains intact but this new iteration feels even more vital. It’s dangerous and funny and sexy (ew, I’ve never said that) and relevant. Also, the costumes are stunning, and the THIRTY! PIECE! ORCHESTRA! will make your heart swell. In a positive way, not in a worrisome way.
4. If you didn’t need to sleep at night, what would you spend your time doing?
My first thought was I’d put a funnel in my open gullet and dump cookies and cakes down there but I should probably do something more enriching. Maybe volunteering at an animal shelter (wow I’m SUCH a good person) or learning new languages.
5. What is your favorite NYC spot?
It changes almost daily. I recently stumbled into a Taiwanese general store in Brooklyn called Yun Hai and spent way too much money. They sell imported ArTiSiNaL culinary products like traditional vinegars, knives, and cleavers made from salvaged artillery shells and dried golden diamond pineapple. Honorable mention to the dressing room bathrooms at the Vivian Beaumont because the toilet seats are heated.
You can catch Taylor Trensch in the Broadway revival of Camelot, now playing at the Vivian Beaumont Theater.
