IN CONVERSATION WITH AARON TVEIT

interview by MAREK BARTEK

Aaron Tveit is best known for his work in theatre, television and film. He won a Tony Award for his performance as Christian in ‘Moulin Rouge! The Musical’. Aaron was most recently seen starring as the titular role in ‘Sweeney Todd’. Besides this, he has also enjoyed playing solo concerts across the country at notable venues and will be making his debut at the Café Carlyle this June.

You’ve had an impressive career in theatre, television, and film. What do you enjoy about each platform and why do you like to keep working with all three of them? 
I’ve been so fortunate to get to walk between the different mediums. I find them all unique in the type of stories they each can tell. Which also leads to why we tell those particular stories. Theatre, I think, is the ultimate escapism. Especially musicals. You can just go these amazingly heightened places. I actually think the fact the people are singing, which isn’t real life (too bad), allows the audience to go anywhere. Television, I love working on because you get to really live with a character or story and change with that person. You get to see an evolution over a season, or many seasons. And film is just wonderful in its own right. You can tell very simple stories, or it can be a huge budget blockbuster. But everything, no matter what it is, happens in that camera frame. It’s so exciting. 

What would you say has been the most rewarding role you’ve played so far and why?
Thats a difficult question as I’ve been so lucky with all the varied work I’ve been able to do. But I think being a part of Next to Normal on Broadway was, and has been, the most rewarding. The show deals with a family struggling with mental illness. And it really taught me the power of theatre to connect with an audience and the impact that a story can have. 

Your performance as Christian in ‘Moulin Rouge! The Musical’ earned you a Tony Award. How has this recognition impacted your life and career?
It was a wonderfully meaningful recognition. And I think, more than anything, it feels like a moment of being seen by your peers, and community. And that community – Broadway – was all I ever wanted to be a part of as an actor. 

You recently starred as the titular role in ‘Sweeney Todd’. What was the most challenging and fulfilling part of portraying this iconic character?
Being a part of Sweeney, and Tommy Kail’s wonderful production was an absolute dream. I think the most fulfilling part is simply getting to play that perfect musical every evening, and with the best company anyone could dream of. And also how challenging the whole thing is – from the learning of it, to navigating some of the darkness the show brings. That challenge also makes the whole experience even more worthwhile. 

You originated the roles of Frank Abagnale in ‘Catch Me If You Can’ and Gabe in ‘Next to Normal’. How do you approach creating a character from scratch compared to taking on an role that has been portrayed before?
When you get to be a part of the creation of something, it’s such a surreal experience. New pieces of theatre are like living breathing things and you’re in the room with the writers and creators. And then this amazing thing happens, you realize that they are making little changes around what you are bringing to rehearsal every day or who you are. It’s just so cool to feel that a part of something.  Taking on a role that’s been played before, it’s a bit different if you have something already written. But I have always felt you can do the same as if it was new – and really bring who you are as a person, and how you would deal with those circumstances. I’ve never been one to not watch what someone else has done! If they found something great in a show, I appreciate that and can try and use it to help! 

You’ve starred in a variety of TV shows, from ‘Gossip Girl’ to ‘American Horror Story’. How does working on television compare to working on stage for you?
As an actor, working in television has made me feel the most “normal” in terms of a schedule. In regards to non-work life. It’s always a struggle with an eight-show week onstage. One day a week off, a Monday, and holiday times having more shows than less. But that’s its nature. Film shoots are grueling and hard and can be anywhere in the world. Even though television has long, grueling hours, you mostly work Monday-Friday and have weekends and holidays off. So from a very practical standpoint, I feel the other parts of my life can feel more balanced. 

Playing Enjolras in the Oscar-winning adaptation of ‘Les Miserables’ was a significant role. What was it like being part of such a renowned film production?
Being a part of the Les Mis film was an absolute dream. They captured all the music and singing live on set as we were filming, and that felt so bold and exciting. It also gave, I think, an intimacy to the storytelling on screen. And truly – to have shared the screen with those wonderful people. I still can’t believe I got to be a part of that. 

You’ve played a wide range of characters in different genres. How do you prepare for such diverse roles, and is there a type of character you particularly enjoy playing?
I think I approach everything the same way. I look at the script, and what the given circumstances are for the story. I try to work from the facts that are given. Then after that I try and find how I connect with the story. And then it’s more about applying it all for the stage or camera.

Besides singing in musicals, you’ve held solo concerts at notable venues across the country. How do live musical performances differ from your work in theatre and film?
The concerts are kind of their whole own things. I can’t believe I’ve gotten to do so many. It’s been so fun. The type of venue usually dictates the type of show I’ve done. I’ve played lots of House of Blues venues, and things like Irving Plaza or Webster Hall here in NYC. And those have been sets based in rock and pop covers with a full band. And then there have been more intimate venues, or concert halls where I have done shows based more in standards and Broadway showtunes, lots of them from shows I’ve worked on. It’s very different as it’s just me, and my music director and band. And I’m not playing a character by any means. So the evening is more a story built through the songs you’ve chosen and why. 

You’ll be making your debut at the Café Carlyle this June. What can audiences expect from your performance there?
The Café Carlyle show is a brand new show and set list. The Carlyle is a fantastic venue, and really invokes a feeling of performers of old. The Café Carlyle has been something that I’ve always looked to as a live performer as a bit of a beacon of a place to play. Because of that I tried to create an evening of songs that tell a story of a lot of the inspiration I’ve had from the people and places I’ve been over the last twenty years I’ve been working. 

With such a varied career, what are your future goals in the entertainment industry? Are there any new projects or roles you’re especially excited about?
I truly hope that I can be fortunate enough to continue the wonderful, varied work, in all the mediums – theatre, television, film, and concerts. I just wrapped filming a new show for MGM+ called “Earth Abides” which is based on a book from the 1940s. One of the first of the post-apocalyptic genre. It asks some amazing questions. Like if we could start over as a species, could we do it in a better way? I can’t wait for everyone to see it!

talent AARON TVEIT
photographer ASHLEY CHAPPELL
stylist BRANDON M. GARR
groomer TIM MACKAY
set design ROSS MCCALLUM
executive producer MAY LIN LEE GOFF for ARIES RISING PROJECTS
on set producer NIKKI CARDONA
photography assistant ZHAN XIAOPENG
studio YINDEE STUDIO
editor TIMI LETONJA
editorial director JANA LETONJA