Aaron Tveit Interview

[Fan2]

Posted: 3/12/13 at 7:21pm

At SXSW for his new show "Graceland" but singing and Les Mis mentioned.

>>>SXSW: Aaron Tveit on Going from Stage to Screen, 'Les Mis' Groupies and New Gig 'Graceland' (Q&A)
3/12/2013 by Shirley Halperin

THR talks to the dashing singer-actor and star of USA Network's cable drama about the perks of being the new guy.

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A stage veteran who’s starred in Hairspray, Catch Me If You Can and Next to Normal, you could say the 29-year-old New York native got his first major break just a few months ago with an appearance in the film Les Miserables, where he played resistance leader Enjolras and was best friends with Marius Pontmercy, the story’s romantic lead. Relatively speaking, it was a small part, but it clearly made an impact, judging by the post-screening Q&A where “this is a question for Aaron” was practically on repeat.

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Indeed, Tveit tells THR that in addition to the series, which premiers in June, he has a one-man show in the works and fully plans to return to Broadway.

***

THR: Won’t you miss singing?

Tveit: I do miss singing. Now that we're not shooting [Graceland], I'm going back to New York where I'm putting a concert together that’s like a one-man show.

THR: Tell us more…

Tveit: A couple of venues in New York really support going in with a band and a one-person show. I'm still working on the set list but it'll be songs that I've sung on previous shows, songs that I love, standards from pop culture, a little bit of everything. I've been away for 14 months, but when I get back home, I'm going to start working on it. That will kind of satisfy my singing wishes and desires.

THR: The voice is an instrument, so practice is crucial, yes?

Tveit: I have to keep practicing. I still sing every day -- in the shower or on the set all day. I'm sure everyone will tell you that I never shut up. But it’s not in the capacity that I would like to.

THR: It was hard not to notice the nine-to-one female to male ratio at this screening and it’s safe to assume they’re mainly here for you. How does it feel to be considered a heartthrob?

Tveit: It's great, but I do try to stay away from that as much as possible. I think you need to let stuff like that go in one ear and out the other. It’s like any positive praise you hear -- if you believe the positive you have to believe all the negative. But it’s great and I really appreciate all the support that people have been giving me on the show.

THR: Going back to your role in Les Miserables, have you noticed that there are Enjolras groupies?

Tveit: Yeah, there are. [Laughs] It's a great part. I think we all knew that movie was going to be special. I still can’t comprehend that 40 years from now, I'm going to show that to my kids and say, “Oh yeah, that was the Les Mis movie that we all did and I'm in it. It's a big deal and an iconic role.

THR: At the same time, it’s a fairly small role with maybe 20 minutes of screen time?

Tveit: But it's an important and crucial part of that story so it's something that does stand out, even though it’s not as big as the other roles.<<<

Hollywood Reporter

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 3/12/13 at 10:10pm

I work in production of USA Network's upcoming crime series *GRACELAND, which shoots in South Florida posing as Venice Beach, CA. We wrapped our 13 episode cycle about 2 weeks ago and can vouch that Aaron Tveit is a sweet and very cooperative member of our cast, as is other another Broadway fella in our cast: Daniel Sunjata.

Here's hoping the series does well after its debut and keeps us all happily employed for years.

*no, the series is not about Elvis or his Graceland estate or Memphis or...

[kyl3fong2]

Posted: 3/12/13 at 11:07pm

I can't wait for this show!

[RippedMan]

Posted: 3/13/13 at 12:01pm

So I'm sure he'll do a week at 54 Below.

[FlowerChild67]

Posted: 3/16/13 at 3:44am

I don't know or care what this show is about- if Aaron Tveit is in it, I am watching it. Thank you for sharing the interview! :)

[Leadingplayer]

Posted: 3/16/13 at 4:43am

Why is it called Graceland?....I thought it was about Elvis.