Start spreading the news: Broadway has two new stars on the rise. Colton Ryan (Dear Evan Hansen, Girl From the North Country) and Anna Uzele (Once on This Island, SIX) are familiar faces to Broadway audiences, but are now taking center stage as the leads in New York, New York.
Inspired by the 1977 film of the same name, the new musical that opens at the St. James Theatre April 26 features a dazzling score from musical-theater legends John Kander and Fred Ebb, including the beloved titular tune. The creative team’s star power continues with additional lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda, direction by Susan Stroman, and a book by David Thompson co-written by Sharon Washington. It’s the big leagues, and Ryan and Uzele are ready to be a part of it.
“[Stroman] has treated us like capital P partners,” Ryan says. “It’s been so stimulating to actively participate in what the soul of this thing is going to be.”
New York, New York follows musician Jimmy Doyle and singer Francine Evans as they follow their dreams in post–World War II New York City that is beginning to reawaken. Ryan and Uzele have been inhabiting these characters since the workshop in March 2022, and they have been putting their own stamps on their roles. Uzele, for one, says that starting with her audition, she has felt a distinct freedom as an actor, which feels extra special to her as a Black woman navigating the industry. Instead of forcing her to fit into a particular mold, the creative team has encouraged her to bring her full self when developing her character and singing the score.
“Diving into this music has been very unexpected and adventurous,” Uzele says. “It’s been so lovely to sing Kander’s music because it’s hard and complicated and I love being challenged. Kander is faster, quicker, and smarter than all of us! He’s 96 years old and just running circles around us.”
In relating to their characters, both Ryan and Uzele are tapping into their own experiences as artists who moved to the city to pursue their dreams. Uzele, who hails from Wilmington, Delaware, feels a particularly deep connection to her character. Similar to Francine, Uzele’s little-town blues quickly melted away once she arrived in New York City, hungry to work hard to make her dreams come true. When she moved to the city five years ago, Uzele immediately took to its fast-paced nature, feeling comfortable among others who are always on the grind. The city, and now this musical, both push her to grow.
“Francine is brave and ballsy, and that can’t help but seep into your everyday life,” Uzele says. “I’m really excited to become comfortable with her type of bravery.”
Ryan, too, is facing his own moments of bravery, as the show represents a lot of firsts for him. For his role, he has learned to play the piano and the saxophone, as well as tap dance. Not only is the actor integrating these new technical skills, but his character, Jimmy, is inspiring him beyond the stage as well. Ryan acknowledges that Jimmy has motivated him to take more risks in life and has given him a stronger connection to his own roots, since Jimmy reminds him of his father and grandfather. He hopes that audiences will also be able to relate to characters on the stage, and leave the show with more curiosity.
“This show really romanticizes the pedestrian,” Ryan says. “After this show, you will go out and see all the very unique and yet universal stories that walk around you every day.”
In the whirlwind year of getting the musical to Broadway, Ryan and Uzele agree that they are grateful they have their partnership to rely on. It’s not just their striking chemistry; it’s an innate trust that began offstage and translates to their characters. Their favorite moments in the show are the ones they share together.
“Everything is fun and easy with Colton,” Uzele says. “We feel like two kids on a playground. I know I can give him anything and he’ll just take it and roll with it.”
“The most lovely and most terrifying thing about a partnership is how, when you witness them growing, it becomes a benchmark for your own growth,” Ryan adds. “Anna came in exquisite, and she is divine now. Some days I come in and I marvel, and other days I’m like, ‘I have to step it up!’”
As they discover more about themselves through the show, Ryan and Uzele are focused on delivering a compelling story. Ryan remembers the way the city enveloped him when he first moved here, and he feels like the musical will do the same thing to audiences.
“New York City is one of the few art meccas of the world, and this show is for the wild ones who make the pilgrimage.”
After all, if you can make it here, you can make it anywhere.
