Andrew's Interview

In which Andrew Saltman, a character of mine, gets interviewed about his big, new Broadway show:

I catch up with Andrew Saltman at a small diner in Soho. He sits across from me, all charm and poise but also quiet and unassuming; different from the last time we spoke but I suppose a starring role in a buzz-laden new musical would change any person. I met Andrew for the first time when he was playing Mark in Rent, his first Broadway role, when did a re-review of the show. He was in awe of it all, but he says he’s grown up since then. “It was a lot to live up to, you know? I grew up wanting to be Mark, but I could never be Anthony Rapp’s Mark. I had to inhabit the guy for myself.”

Since then, Andrew has won an Obie award for his portrayal of JT in Different a moving portrayal of a teen coming out and surviving against the odds. The play was produced by Andrew’s mentor Tom Gordon, who recently passed away. He’s tried to look at thing positively, drawing on the feelings of loss for his portrayal of Evan McCormack in Summer in the City. “It’s the story of a guy trying to make the most out of his life before he’s gone.” Andrew says of his role in the upcoming musical. The show’s story centers on Evan, a cubicle dweller who learns he has one more summer to live then goes out and makes the most of it. This vibrant musical had a sold out run at the New York Theatre Workshop this spring and opens on Broadway on June 10.

“It’s kind of a surreal experience.” Andrew says of the show. He auditioned for Jason Brown, the show’s auteur, in the early stages of the script and has been with the project ever since. “This show is Jason’s baby, but in a way it’s mine too and (his co-star) Brooke’s and we are all really passionate about being a part of it.” The show uses its poignant tale and weaves in rock music, Savion Glover-style tap and some Stomp- inspired shtick to make the show much more than it could have been. Andrew was game, he even learned how to tap dance a cappella for the show’s Act I closer. “I learned tap in high school, but I was never really good at it…this is different, it’s not supposed to be pretty. It’s me tapping out my feelings instead of singing.”

Andrew, not Drew ever or Andy to anyone except his closest friends, eats his eggs thoughtfully and asks how my food is. I smile and tell him it’s good and he smiles. “I like to come here to chill or to learn my lines.” he muses. When I ask him about his love life he fixes me with his bright blue stare and grins mischievously. “If I told you, then you’d know.” he says. Rumor has it that he is seeing a city politician which he neither confirms nor denies. He wags his finger at me “You know I’m not going to talk about that.” I had to ask, I tell him. He nods. “I don’t blame you for trying.”

Turning the conversation back to the show, I mention the buzz the show has been getting and how the show, Jason Brown and Andrew, in turn have all been dubbed Broadway’s next big thing at one point or another. “Do you all feel a lot of pressure?” I ask him. He answers thoughtfully, carefully measuring his words. “It’s best for us as performers to focus on the show and not let outside pressure seep in. The pressure we put on ourselves is something else entirely, since Jason wrote us beautiful songs, we want to do him and the show justice by being at our best.” Being the best takes a lot, Andrew acknowledges. He doesn’t stay out late or drink or do anything that might adversely affect his performance, but it’s worth it to him to have that discipline so he can perform to his own standard. “I’m hard on myself. I think all performers are and that’s where the pressure comes from.”

“Who do you hope will come opening night?” I ask him as we finish our brunch. Something flickers across his face that I can’t quite read and he says, “My family.” I don’t pursue the subject and we pay and leave. On the street, he is his exuberant self again, exclaiming over a dog that is tied up outside the diner. Andrew crouches to scratch his ears and then looks up at me. “I hope everyone comes opening night.” he says.