Morgan Karr

Morgan Karr is another one of our next generation actors to keep your eyes on. He has a powerful voice, personality and a great stage presence! From Broadway, Off-Broadway and Regional shows to concert performances, Morgan Karr is the man about town.  He’s performed in Broadway’s “Spring Awakening,” Off-Broadway’s “Everyday Rapture,” and the Fringe Festival hit “VOTE! The Musical.” Regionally, he has been seen in “All Shook Up” at the Ogunquit Playhouse, “Green Eyes” at Theatre Building of Chicago, and American Music Theatre Project’s productions of “The Boy in the Bubble,” “The Boys Are Coming Home,” “Not Wanted On The Voyage,” Andrew Lippa’s “The Wild Party,” and “Edges.” His one-man show “Morgan Karr: An Awfully Big Adventure” sold out Joe’s Pub. Morgan was also part of fellow “Adaumbelle’s Quest” participant’s Ryan Scott Oliver’s sold out show “Rated RSO: The Music of Ryan Scott Oliver.” Catch Morgan rocking it out on Sunday, March 28 at 7pm at the Metropolitan Room in Bobby Cronin’s “Not The Same: The Music of Bobby Cronin” (fellow “Adaumbelle’s Quest” participant) and with Anne Fraser Thomas on March 30 at 11pm at Bartini in New York City (642 10th Avenue, between 45th & 46th Street)! For more on Morgan, be sure to check out his website: http://www.morgankarr.com.

1. Who inspired you to become a performer? My grandfather continues to be my inspiration every day. I’m living the dream he wasn’t allowed to pursue. He was never encouraged to follow his dream. I’m so lucky to have my grandfather’s support, and every day I think about him and he inspires me. My family is a huge source of inspiration.

2. What is the highest and lowest note you can sing? I’ve never really sat down to figure this out. I know it gets pretty ugly when I try to actually sing low. I get scared when I see a low note on a piece of music haha. And as for how high I can sing? I’m not scared to find out if I can or can’t sing a note… so I just go for it. And it usually works out. Sometimes, however… it CAN be a hit or miss game haha.

3. Who is the one person you haven’t worked with that you would like to? There is a laundry list of people I’d love to work with. I’m a sponge when it comes to soaking up wisdom and stories from seasoned veterans! Watching Sherie Rene Scott, for example, during EVERYDAY RAPTURE was a master class every day. I’m also just starting out with my career so the list of people I WANT to work with… is miles longer than the people I HAVE worked with.

4. If you could dream about anyone while you sleep, who would it be? I don’t dream about people. I dream about adventures.

5. Favorite way to stay in shape? Walking in NYC on a spring day.

6. Boxers or Briefs? Boxer Briefs.

7. Favorite singer/musician? Stevie Wonder meets Ben Folds meets Luther Vandross meets Whitney Houston meets Dave Matthews Band.

8. Favorite quote? Be who you are and say what you feel…. because those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter don’t mind!

9. Favorite Website? http://www.iloveegg.com/egg_english.htm.

10. Superman or Wonder Woman? SUPERMAN. If you know one thing about me… know that Superman has a big place in my heart.

BONUS QUESTIONS:

11. Favorite ride at an amusement park? The Superman ride at Six Flags. original huh???

12. Starbucks or Dunkin’ Donuts? Tanto Dulce Cafe up in Harlem. Best coffee in the world with RAW SUGAR!! OOOOOOHHHh so good!

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Michael McElroy

Michael McElory has one of the best males voices on Broadway. His voice has the power to transport you from reality to a heavenly world where all is good. Michael is the founder of the “Broadway Inspirational Voices,” a group of Broadway actors, who come together and volunteer their time and talent to perform traditional American Music with an emphasis on Gospel all around the country. He has been nominated for both a Tony Award and Drama Desk Award for his role in the Roundabout Theatre/Deaf West’s Broadway production of “Big River” in 2004. Michael has also belted out in such Broadway shows as “Rent,” “The Wild Party,” “The Who’s Tommy,” “Miss Saigon,” “Patti LuPone on Broadway,” and “High Rollers.” Off-Broadway, Michael has entertained audiences in “Some Men” (Second Stage), “Blue” (also with Roudabout Theatre), “Violet” (Playwrights Horizon), and “Richard III” (NYSF). On-tour and regionally, Michael has been seen in “Big River” for which he won the 2006 Helen Hayes Award, “Sarafina,” “Broadway Three Generations,” “Blue,” and “Angels in America I & II.” On Television, Michael has light up the screen in “Cantebury Law,” “Love Monkey,” “All My Children,” and “Spin City.” Currently Michael can be seen touring the country in “Rent” as Tom Collins (which he also played on Broadway in the final cast, which is available on DVD).

1. Who inspired you to become a performer? I was inspired by my mother. Growing up in Ohio, she would take me to see all the tours that came through Cleveland. I saw the National tours of “Porgy and Bess,” “The Wiz,” “West Side Story,” “Best Little Whorehouse,”…I loved it.

2. What has been your best and worst experience in a show? The Deaf West Production of “Big River” was definitely a highlight for many reasons. I’d never done a show like that. I learned sign language and gained a new perspective through another’s experience.

My worst experience shall remain nameless. The funny thing is I didn’t know it was an awful experience until many years later when I looked back.

3. Do you have any strange or unusual talent that no one knows about? I don’t think so. Does that make me boring? The only thing I can think of is I love to sing off key. Love it.

4. Who is the one person you haven’t worked with that you would like to? I’ve been fortunate enough to work with some incredible folks: Eartha Kitt, Leslie Uggams, Phylicia Rashad, George Wolfe, Michael Greif, Graciela Danielle, Jeanine Tesori, Michael John LaChiusa. Can’t think of anyone offhand that I’m dying to work with. I just take each experience as it comes. I’ve been really blessed.

5. Favorite store to shop in? Macy’s. They have clothes that fit me.

6. Favorite way to stay in shape? Go to the gym 6 days a week.

7. Boxers or Briefs? Hmmmm   pass   lol.

8. Favorite pastime? Cooking for friends.

9. Favorite website? Amazon.com. They love me. I buy all my new books, dvd, music, and electronics on this site. Youtube is a close second. Love watching footage of seasoned and new performers.

10. Superman or Wonder Woman? Wonder Woman. The theme song alone puts her over the top.

BONUS QUESTION:

11. What’s the best advice you’ve given, but not taken for yourself? Be present. Live fully in the moment.

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Alix Korey

I had the pleasure of sitting down with the always funny and insightful Alix Korey after seeing her in “Inventing Avi” at the Abingdon Theatre. It was a real joy to talk with not only a great comedic actress and powerful singer, but a genuine, passionate, and down to earth woman. On Broadway she has been seen in “All Shook Up,” Neil Simon’s “45 Seconds from Broadway,” “Triumph of Love,” “Ain’t Broadway Grand,” and “Pirates of Penzance.” She has also delighted audiences Off-Broadway in “The Wild Party,” “No Way To Treat A Lady,” and “Suburb.” She has released two award-winning solo albums and has been in numerous films and prime-time TV shows. For more on Alix Korey, visit: http://www.alixkorey.com.

1. Who inspired you to become a performer? My mother. She was a frustrated opera singer and I was always taken to the opera/theatre from a young age. I don’t remember not being in theatre. I’ve always loved watching performances, especially Eddie Hodges in “The Music Man.” Judy Garland, Barbra Streisand, and Karen Marrow also inspired me. I got to work with Karen in 1981 and I called her after “All Shook Up” ended and I said to her, “How many flops have you had?” She said, “Six.”  I said, “I just beat you with my seventh. I’m leaving NY and moving out to L.A.”

2. What is the highest and lowest note you can sing? In my act “Glitter & Be Gay” I can hit the D and the E I can scream it on key, just not sing it, so I guess you could say an ugly E flat. The lowest note I can sing is below G or below middle C and I have to record those mid-morning, that’s the best time for my lowest notes.

3. Out of all the people you have worked with, who did you learn the most from? I learned about acting and teaching acting from my mentor Aaron Frankel. I’m an unabashed thief. When I did “Pirates of Penzance” with Kevin Kline, I learned about total commitment to something. I never got to work with her, but I love Maggie Smith, watching everything she does, I learned lessons in timing and about the tragedy of comedy. Working with Marian Seldes in “45 Seconds From Broadway” taught me about a total love of theatre. She loves theatre so much that every night when she was not on stage, she’d either be stage right or left listening to the show, whereas most actors when they are not on stage are in their dressing room waiting to go back on, but she loves theatre so much. She’s a very genuine and warm person. I’ve learned to respect actors a lot and how to function in this business. Actors are some of the most giving people out there.

4. Who is the one person you haven’t worked with that you would like to? Denis O’Hare. He is brilliant. I got to meet him once and I was completely tongue tied. He is one of those actors that if he read a menu, I would go watch.

5. What is the best advice you’ve given someone, but not taken for yourself? Trust your instincts of what you need and want because everyone has advice for you and most of it applies to themselves and not you. That is one of the things I love about teaching – nurturing confidence back into young people who have been told “no” so many times and teaching them that there is no one answer or path to take. If you don’t trust yourself you will make the wrong choices.

6. Do you have any strange or unusual talent that no one knows about? I’m a great Bridge player and crossword puzzler. My chiropractor taught me how to crack backs.

7. If you could dream about anyone while you sleep, who would it be? Oscar Wilde. I could read his stuff and quotes forever. He’s always one of my three people I choose if I could have anyone over for dinner.

8. Favorite play/musical? Favorite that I’ve done is “Funny Girl” because it’s a fantastic book, wonderful journey, and good songs. Favorite that I’ve seen (and would love to do) is “110 in the Shade.”

9. Favorite way to spend your day off? Playing bridge, watching taped TV shows, being with my husband and dog.

10. Who do you consider to be your hero? My dad. He just passed away on August 26, 2009. He was an extraordinary man, with the best laugh. There was a joke I just heard that he would have loved. He would have loved seeing “Inventing Avi.”

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