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[0:00] Ephraim Sykes: This is Ephraim Sykes and you're listening to Behind The Awards.

[0:30] Eila Mell: Hello and welcome to Behind The Awards. I'm Eila. As always, I'm here with Bruce. Hey, Bruce.

[0:36] Bruce Gotlieb: Hey, Eila. How are you today?

[0:38] Eila Mell: Good. I'm happy to be recording with you.

[0:40] Bruce Gotlieb: Absolutely. We had an exciting... Oh, well, before we get to excitement, Richard Gere certainly was excited winning the Golden Globe in 2003 for Chicago.

[0:50] Eila Mell: Well, I find Richard Gere exciting. I don't know about you.

[0:52] Bruce Gotlieb: He even in there says, I didn't even want it. Like, he didn't want to do the part. It was like they had to convince him and now here he is an award winner.

[1:00] Eila Mell: Just goes to show.

[1:01] Bruce Gotlieb: Sometimes we don't know what's good for us. We need others.

[1:04] Eila Mell: That's definitely true for me. I know that.

[1:06] Bruce Gotlieb: We had an exciting trip. We were able to go and see Our Town the other night.

[1:10] Eila Mell: Yeah. So we had seen the rehearsal, which was thrilling. And now we got to see the finished version. How long ago did we see the rehearsal? About five or six weeks?

[1:20] Bruce Gotlieb: Thereabout. Maybe a little less.

[1:22] Eila Mell: Okay. So it was at least a month though. So there was a good amount of time left to still work on the show. And when we went to the rehearsal, Kenny Leon, the director, our guest, said that the show wasn't ready yet, but it was at a good point for people to see it, but it wasn't there yet. And it really...

[1:41] Bruce Gotlieb: Right. And most people, any average theater goer probably would have sat there and been like, what do you mean it's not ready? But Kenny being the creative that he is, people are meticulous and they want just the right version out there, obviously.

[1:55] Eila Mell: Right. It was certainly good enough to have been the actual show when we saw it.

[1:59] Bruce Gotlieb: For sure.

[1:59] Eila Mell: But it went through some changes since we saw it, and it was a very different experience seeing it on stage in a Broadway house as opposed to a rehearsal studio. It's just a beautiful production.

[2:14] Bruce Gotlieb: It really is. It's touching. They didn't touch the production, the play itself.

[2:19] Eila Mell: There was nothing altered.

[2:21] Bruce Gotlieb: Right. The words are all the same.

[2:22] Eila Mell: But it feels current as well as...

[2:26] Bruce Gotlieb: It's timeless, wouldn't you say?

[2:27] Eila Mell: Yeah. It preserves its original feel, but it also then updates it a little bit just merely by intonation of some costuming. It just really, really does feel current and timeless at the same time.

[2:42] Bruce Gotlieb: And the cast is really the high point. There's so many great people in it. Bill Eugene Jones, Jim Parsons.

[2:48] Eila Mell: Yes.

[2:48] Bruce Gotlieb: Zoe Deutsch, we love her.

[2:51] Eila Mell: She was so great.

[2:52] Bruce Gotlieb: Yes. Ephraim Sykes.

[2:54] Eila Mell: Katie Holmes.

[2:55] Bruce Gotlieb: Yeah. Julie Halston's in it. It's so much fun. So I hope that people will go see it because it's really, you know, it's an Our Town for our time, and it really is.

[3:05] Eila Mell: Yeah. It's special. It is an hour and 40, no intermission.

[3:10] Bruce Gotlieb: No intermission. Yeah.

[3:10] Eila Mell: So you're in and out.

[3:11] Bruce Gotlieb: Yes. I always thought of Our Town as a long play, but this one is not.

[3:17] Eila Mell: I feel like every other production I've seen has been, maybe it hasn't been long, but it's felt long.

[3:23] Bruce Gotlieb: Yeah.

[3:24] Eila Mell: If that makes sense. And not because I'm not enjoying it, because I enjoy the play. It just, it does feel long. And this one, for whatever, however they did it, because I don't, still can't figure out how, it feels short and it feels quick. And I really enjoyed it.

[3:40] Bruce Gotlieb: And fun. You know, it's a lot of fun. You can even sit on stage if you want. Those seats are available. And those are pretty good seats.

[3:48] Eila Mell: They are good seats. Isla will never join you on stage.

[3:50] Bruce Gotlieb: Never, never.

[3:51] Eila Mell: Do you want to listen or see her now?

[3:52] Bruce Gotlieb: Oh, no.

[3:52] Eila Mell: If you're inviting her, don't invite her on stage.

[3:55] Bruce Gotlieb: Oh, no, I don't want to do that. What if I have to go to the bathroom? What if I have to get up for any reason? I don't want to be looked at. Yeah, that's not for me. I have very specific seating requirements.

[4:07] Bruce Gotlieb: There you go.

[4:08] Eila Mell: You know that Bruce.

[4:09] Bruce Gotlieb: I do, I do. But it is, it could be, you know, it's fun to feel like you're really part of it because you are. I mean, they're right there.

[4:17] Eila Mell: Yes.

[4:17] Bruce Gotlieb: The stage itself, the set design is very minimalistic.

[4:21] Eila Mell: Yes, by Baywood for it.

[4:22] Bruce Gotlieb: That's right. And the lighting they have in the theater, this like swirl of lantern.

[4:28] Eila Mell: Oh, it's gorgeous. It really goes from the center of the orchestra ceiling and then down to even above the stage. It is just spectacular.

[4:38] Bruce Gotlieb: Yeah, it's really beautiful. I was even looking to see like how many different kinds of, you know, how many different kinds of lanterns there were hanging. And it's just it's really beautiful.

[4:48] Eila Mell: Now, do you think that's like somebody's job within the lighting design team that they're like, OK, you're going to go out and you're going to source?

[4:56] Bruce Gotlieb: No, I think that I think that set design, I think lighting is, you know, what makes it, you know, light up. But the look of it is that. So that's.

[5:07] Eila Mell: So do you think do you think they will send somebody out to go like to vintage or thrift stores or like go source these or is it like an online?

[5:17] Bruce Gotlieb: OK, we like these. Let's get 10 of them. We'll get 20 of these.

[5:20] Eila Mell: I don't know. We may have to ask him because I think that that could be fun if that's your job to go out and like source. I know these lanterns would be fun, but there's like hundreds.

[5:28] Bruce Gotlieb: There's so many. Yeah, I would think that you have to get like in bulk a bunch of them and then just mix them up.

[5:34] Eila Mell: Right, right. So as we said, the acting is it's top notch. It really is. And it grew and evolved since the rehearsal that we went to, because I did I know I left feeling like, wow, some of these people really grew into these parts a little bit more since we last saw them.

[5:52] Bruce Gotlieb: And they were at a point where they were really strong, even in the rehearsal. But there was room for them to continue to stretch, which is really, really cool.

[6:03] Eila Mell: And seeing it evolve from as an audience member is something that's really special, too, because you don't always get that experience. You know, sometimes if you see something early on in previews or and go back, you might. But because there's so much to see most of the time, you're only going in and seeing a show once.

[6:21] Bruce Gotlieb: And it is what it is. But it is frozen at this point from an acting perspective, we were told.

[6:28] Eila Mell: So we know who goes, right, even see the same thing we saw, right? Even in previews, you're seeing the finished version. So if that is the kind of thing that matters to you, you're free to go at this point.

[6:38] Bruce Gotlieb: That's right. So many of the actors really stood out. You know, we loved Michelle Wilson, who plays Mrs. Gibbs.

[6:43] Eila Mell: Oh, she's so good. So good, right. Richard Thomas, who plays Editor Webb and Katie Holmes. But I really also like Donald Webber, who has a smaller part, but really important part of Simon Stimson. I thought he was fantastic.

[7:04] Bruce Gotlieb: He does so much with it does because it's not, you know, if you're Emily or you're George, you know, you know, you're on stage majority of the time, right? You know, you're he has just a few moments to be able to capture the audience. And what he's doing is so raw and so real. It's rooted in something so emotional that even when he's not doing anything or saying anything, just his presence is really, really captivating.

[7:28] Eila Mell: And then on top of all of that, we get the extra bonus treat of getting to hear him sing. It's just it's really great and very special. You know, not to give any spoilers, but you do get to hear a lot of people sing that you wouldn't necessarily get to.

[7:47] Bruce Gotlieb: Yeah.

[7:47] Eila Mell: In any other incarnation. And it's it's beautiful. It's haunting. It's there are so many different little touches that Kenny Leon put on this production that is just I don't want to see it any other way.

[7:59] Bruce Gotlieb: That's right. We were able to go backstage after and see some of our friends who are in the show. And who was there visiting a friend?

[8:09] Eila Mell: Oh, yes. Young Sheldon. Young Sheldon was there visiting grown Sheldon.

[8:17] Bruce Gotlieb: That's right. So that was sweet. We got to talk to Ian Armitage, who plays young Sheldon for a little bit. Such a nice kid. You could tell he really enjoyed it. He was there with his family.

[8:22] Eila Mell: Yeah. Taking in. He said, I did the theater. He said this was the second time he had seen it because he loves it so much.

[8:30] Bruce Gotlieb: Oh, that's so wonderful. So if you go, you might see him there. You never know. Maybe hanging around.

[8:34] Eila Mell: That's right. So I just want to bring something up. Not as happy a thing. But so the actor, dancer, Zelig Williams has been missing for a few days. Hopefully by the time this airs, this is Monday, we're recording and the episode will come out on Wednesday. Hopefully he will have been found safely. But, you know, if anyone knows anything, you know, let the proper people know, you know, it's really a sad situation.

[9:00] Bruce Gotlieb: So hopefully he will turn up safe.

[9:04] Eila Mell: Yeah, we all have our fingers crossed saying prayers.

[9:04] Bruce Gotlieb: Yes. So before we bring our guest out, Bruce, you got to see a brand new play over the weekend. Tell us what you've got to say.

[9:12] Bruce Gotlieb: I went up to a Gunquit, Maine, which I've done many a time and got to see this year the world's premiere of My Best Friend's Wedding, starring Matt Doyle, Crystal Joy Brown, Telly Leung. It was a lot of fun. Burt Bacharach, jukebox musical. So if you're if you're familiar with the movie, it follows it right along a couple of little updates just time period wise where, you know, talking about texting and different things that didn't happen when the movie took place. But it was really, really a lot of fun.

[9:46] Eila Mell: And Crystal Joy Brown was the Julia Roberts part.

[9:50] Bruce Gotlieb: Correct. Correct. Matt Doyle was her best friend. Dermot Mulroney.

[9:57] Eila Mell: Yeah. Dermot Mulroney. Yeah.

[10:01] Bruce Gotlieb: You don't have trouble with that.

[10:01] Eila Mell: I know everyone confuses him with someone. Most people confuse him with Dylan McDermott, but not you. You confuse him.

[10:06] Bruce Gotlieb: Not me. Rupert Everett, who is also in My Best Friend's Wedding.

[10:11] Eila Mell: Correct. You've got a different way of confusing.

[10:11] Bruce Gotlieb: Yeah. You know, I got to make my own path.

[10:15] Eila Mell: That's right. And who did you say was really good?

[10:15] Bruce Gotlieb: Zoe Jensen. Zoe Jensen. She plays one of the sisters and people might have seen her in Six on Broadway. She was definitely a standout. Every time she was on stage, she made the most of it and had the audience just howling for her. I saw her in Heart of Rock and Roll.

[10:31] Eila Mell: And I thought she was fun in that.

[10:34] Bruce Gotlieb: Oh, that's right. Yeah. She really was, you know, really making every moment last when she was on stage. It was really, really fun.

[10:40] Eila Mell: Well, that's what you're supposed to do. Unfortunately, didn't get to run into Kathleen Marshall, but she was at the helm of the production. You know, I think it could be shaved down a little bit. There were some songs, like, you could tell they wanted to put in, so they're there.

[10:53] Bruce Gotlieb: Because they're popular.

[10:53] Eila Mell: Yeah. But, you know, at the same time, it's not necessarily an advancing plot. And it was lovely to have them there. But, you know, it edges on three hours. It's like two hours and 45 minutes. So it's a little long.

[11:07] Bruce Gotlieb: I'm sure it'll be cut for the next incarnation.

[11:11] Eila Mell: Hopefully.

[11:11] Bruce Gotlieb: That's right. That's right. But, you know, if anybody has the opportunity and their schedule and they want a quick weekend away, A Gunquit Playhouse always does such marvelous productions. And it's fun to see something brand new.

[11:22] Eila Mell: Yeah. I've never been. I will have to go at some point.

[11:27] Bruce Gotlieb: All right. Well, Bruce, who are we talking to today?

[11:30] Bruce Gotlieb: We are talking to the one and only Ephraim Sykes.

[11:33] Eila Mell: The star of Our Town, George Gims.

[11:35] Bruce Gotlieb: That's right. We had such a blast chatting with him here at the rehearsal after his show backstage. And he's giving his, you know, his spin on George.

[11:48] Eila Mell: So it's very exciting. He is just wonderful. He's just so great. Well, let's bring him out.

[11:55] Bruce Gotlieb: Why are we talking about him without him here? Let's just get him out.

[11:57] Eila Mell: That's right. Let's do it.

[11:59] Bruce Gotlieb: We'll be right back. We have to listen to some commercials.

[12:06] Eila Mell: We are so excited to welcome Ephraim Sykes to Behind the Awards.

[12:11] Ephraim Sykes: Hello.

[12:12] Eila Mell: Hello. Hello. Hello.

[12:13] Ephraim Sykes: How are you this morning?

[12:13] Eila Mell: I'm good.

[12:14] Ephraim Sykes: So good. I'm happy. Grateful. All these things. Sun is shining and shit.

[12:19] Eila Mell: We love cursing. We love anything dirty.

[12:21] Ephraim Sykes: Perfect. Got the right one.

[12:24] Eila Mell: Yes. So there's so much to talk about. We are so excited for Our Town.

[12:31] Ephraim Sykes: So you guys just started rehearsals. How's that going?

[12:34] Ephraim Sykes: It's going beautifully. This is one of the most beautiful rehearsal processes I've

[12:40] Ephraim Sykes: You know, I think the first day of rehearsal was really special. We took a field trip to New Hampshire, and it was just a great way to kick things off. It felt like a bonding experience for the cast, and it set the tone for the entire production.

[13:10] Ephraim Sykes: I mean, my career has been filled with these "pinch me" moments. From being in the original cast of Hamilton to playing Seaweed Stubbs in Hairspray Live, and then being a Temptation in Ain’t Too Proud, it’s been surreal. Each role has brought its own unique challenges and joys.

[13:40] Ephraim Sykes: Getting a scholarship to Alvin Ailey was a turning point for me. It opened so many doors and changed my career path entirely. I was able to train with some of the best in the business, and that experience was invaluable.

[14:10] Ephraim Sykes: Auditioning for Pal Joey was another significant moment. I had the chance to tap with Savion Glover, which was both intimidating and exhilarating. Gaining the lead role in that production was a huge honor, and it felt like everything I had worked for was finally coming together.

[14:28] Ephraim Sykes: You know, Richard Gere’s Golden Globe win for Chicago in 2003 is something I often think about. It was such a pivotal moment in his career, and it really showcased the impact that awards can have on an artist's journey.

[14:46] Ephraim Sykes: Eila and Bruce, I know you both recently saw Our Town in previews at the Barrymore Theater. What was that experience like for you? I’ve heard great things about the production.

[15:14] Ephraim Sykes: I also wanted to mention my experience at the Ogunquit Playhouse. I saw the world premiere of My Best Friend’s Wedding The Musical, directed and choreographed by Kathleen Marshall. The cast, including Krystal Joy Brown and Tony Winner Matt Doyle, was phenomenal.

[15:34] Ephraim Sykes: It’s amazing to see how theater continues to evolve and how new stories are being told. Each production brings something fresh and exciting to the stage, and I’m grateful to be a part of that world.

[15:54] Ephraim Sykes: My Broadway debut was in 2009 with Disney’s The Little Mermaid, and shortly after, I was in the Broadway premiere of Memphis. Those experiences were foundational for me as an artist.

[16:18] Ephraim Sykes: I also made my Off-Broadway debut in the 2011 revival of Rent, which was such a special moment. Returning to Broadway as part of the original cast of Newsies was another highlight in my career.

[16:36] Ephraim Sykes: Being part of Motown The Musical was incredible as well. It was a celebration of such rich history and talent, and I felt honored to contribute to that legacy.

[16:54] Ephraim Sykes: When I joined Hamilton, it was a game changer. Originating the role of George Eacker was a dream come true, and the acclaim we received was beyond what I could have imagined.

[17:12] Ephraim Sykes: I stayed with Hamilton until September 2016, and it was an experience that shaped me both personally and professionally. The impact of that show is still felt today.

[17:30] Ephraim Sykes: My big break as a leading man came when I was cast as David Ruffin in Ain’t Too Proud. The journey from tryouts to the Broadway premiere was intense, but it was worth every moment.

[17:48] Ephraim Sykes: Earning my first Tony Award nomination was surreal. It validated all the hard work and sacrifices I had made along the way. Plus, being nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album was the icing on the cake.

[18:06] Ephraim Sykes: On screen, I’m known for playing Seaweed J. Stubbs in NBC’s Hairspray Live! That role was so much fun, and it allowed me to connect with a wider audience.

[18:24] Ephraim Sykes: I also had a small role in 30 Rock, which was a blast. The energy on that set was infectious, and I loved being part of that iconic show.

[18:42] Ephraim Sykes: Each project I’ve worked on has taught me something new, and I’m grateful for the opportunities I’ve had to grow as an artist.

[19:00] Ephraim Sykes: I think it’s important to keep pushing boundaries and exploring new avenues in theater and film. There’s so much talent out there waiting to be discovered.

[19:18] Ephraim Sykes: I’m excited about what the future holds, and I look forward to continuing to tell stories that resonate with audiences.

[19:36] Ephraim Sykes: Thank you for having me on the show. It’s been a pleasure sharing my journey with you both.

[19:54] Ephraim Sykes: I hope to inspire others to pursue their passions and never give up on their dreams.

[20:12] Ephraim Sykes: The arts have the power to change lives, and I’m proud to be a part of that movement.

[20:30] Ephraim Sykes: Let’s keep the conversation going about the importance of representation and diversity in theater.

[20:50] Ephraim Sykes: It’s crucial that we continue to uplift voices that have been historically marginalized.

[21:18] Ephraim Sykes: I believe that every story deserves to be told, and I’m committed to being a part of that change.

[21:36] Ephraim Sykes: Thank you again for this opportunity. I can’t wait to see what’s next on this incredible journey.

[21:56] Ephraim Sykes: I’m looking forward to collaborating with more talented artists and creating work that resonates with people.

[22:24] Ephraim Sykes: Let’s keep pushing the envelope and challenging the status quo in the industry.

[22:52] Ephraim Sykes: I’m excited for the future of theater and the stories that are yet to be told.

[23:10] Ephraim Sykes: Thank you for listening, and I hope to see you all at the theater soon!

[23:40] Ephraim Sykes: Remember to support live theater and the artists who bring these stories to life.

[24:08] Ephraim Sykes: It’s been a pleasure chatting with you both today.

[24:18] Ephraim Sykes: Let’s continue to celebrate the magic of theater together.

[24:38] Ephraim Sykes: Until next time, keep dreaming big and believing in yourself.

[24:58] Ephraim Sykes: Thank you!

[25:20] Ephraim Sykes: So how old were you when you took your first dance class? Oh, man, I was 11, I think 11 or 12 actually, I think 11. I was in the fourth grade. So what was it ballet? It was ballet. Yeah, everybody starts with ballet. You be so I, you know it and I didn't want to, right? I was actually I was at the Performing Arts Elementary School at the time and I was a musician and one day the dance teacher, the ballet teacher of the school walks into our class mid-class and was like, hey, we need extra little boys to be toy soldiers and rats for the Nutcracker. Okay, she's like come on. I was like, ah. So she forces me to go to this audition which they're teaching this ballet class, this ballet bar and I've never done it before but that person that was teaching that I was really good at it.

God got into the show and then he also gave me a scholarship to go to the ballet school. Wow, I started doing that at a very early age and then I started kind of double majoring in instrumental music and dance since I was like 11 or 12 years old. What instrument? Wow, I was playing the saxophone and the drums. Amazing. So that teacher changed your life. Literally, really did overnight, literally. Wow, one move. Wonderful. We forced this kid into this ballet class and here we are. Oh my gosh. So because you're a musician, is that what led to Pal Joey? I guess so in a way. I'm trying to think how the Pal Joey thing came to be. I think me and Savion, I never really worked together before. I never was really a tap dancer like that at all either and me and Tony Goldwyn had never met before but I think they had seen me do things like with the Temptations and Ain't Too Proud.

So when it came to this role, I think they were looking for somebody that could storytell and lead and dance well enough to be able to pull off what Fabian and Tony together were dreaming this guy to be and be capable of. So I think it came more so out of my dance background a little bit more so because again, I know how Fabian was really thinking he wanted this guy to be able to move and express himself even in the theme work of it.

[27:20] Ephraim Sykes: I didn't just know you were in the tap. I did tell you that so. Oh, well good to know. Fake it till you make it, man. Well, so first of all with Savion, you're learning tap from the absolute best there is. Yeah, yeah, yeah. That was my first time, my actual audition for that show. I brought my tap shoes and it was just me and him going back and forth for about 30 minutes. Just now, and he doesn't, the way he teaches is very not traditional at all. He's not gonna give you a five, six, seven, eight. He speaks rhythm with this beat and you got to talk back in rhythm with your feet and it was just completely intimidating. But again, because I guess in that way, going back to the musician in me because I'm a drummer, he's a drummer too, I was able to talk to him in a way that he was like, oh, although you're not a tap dancer, you can hear.

That's his main thing. He's like, I don't care how great a tap dancer you are, can you hear? And I was like, I can hear that I can't do, so wow, that might, that actually did, maybe you're right about the being a musician. It's really what led me to the Pal Joey thing. So as a kid, I did a show with Savion and I remember being backstage with him. His mom was there. I just, yeah, yeah, it was amazing. That is amazing. He was so great.

[28:42] Ephraim Sykes: Yeah, he's the government. He really is. I mean, yeah. It's such a young age too. Yeah, it's crazy. It's crazy, man. He comes from the lineage of joy. Yeah, it's just, it's incredible.

[28:56] Eila Mell: Who are your dance heroes or who were they growing up?

[28:59] Ephraim Sykes: Let me see. Mikhail Baryshnikov was probably my number one. I would wake up at seven o'clock in the morning and watch his videos before school. I just like, yeah, so inspiring to me, man. Him later became Matthew Rushing, the Ailey company, Desmond Richardson. I also was heavy into like, you know, I got the hip-hop bug and I was like really into commercial dance. So people like Dave Scott and some guys around here called the Amount Boys that are from New York City that like run things here and like really change the face of the hip-hop and commercial dance culture here. There's something, I don't know, there's a lot of my dance heroes that just really blew my mind and made me want to reach as far as I could reach with this thing.

[29:43] Eila Mell: Do you have any aspirations to be a choreographer?

[29:50] Ephraim Sykes: Oh, what I do it and I do enjoy doing it when I get the opportunity to. It's not something that I'm like passionately searching right now. I think right now I'm really wanting to come again. I've always wanted to do everything and I feel I'm newest to the acting, so I'm really like eager and hungry to keep sort of making myself more well-rounded in that way. Like I really want to be a better actor. So that's kind of where my mind is going and for me, the acting is I could do that for a lot longer than I'll be able to dance. Very true. So, yeah, I'm kind of like just really diving into that right now and again, when I get opportunities to choreograph, absolutely. But I think where my head is right now, it's in a different place.

[30:28] Eila Mell: So what's your way into George Gibbs?

[30:30] Ephraim Sykes: I'm feeling it right now. I'm starting to again get more out of my head and into my body. Kenny gave me a great note. One of the after the read-through, he's like, you don't even have to try as hard to be this 16-year-old kid. You're closer to a 16-year-old than you think you are. And I was like, huh? Okay, so let me approach this differently. Like how did I physically feel? The words are written there for you. I don't have to, you don't have to fight for the words, not to cry for the words after. But like where was I in my body? Were my arms too long for this? Yeah, I mean, I felt awkward or I was drawing into my manhood and, you know, to me. So I'm finding my feet and grounding that way. That's kind of been the approach so far.

[31:20] Eila Mell: And yet then let the mental, the mindset and the words come after.

[31:24] Ephraim Sykes: I found myself grounded. Before you wound up, you know, being part of this project, had you had any experience with the play before, even just maybe reading it, or were you coming in just completely had a blank slate before I got that call? I honestly had not heard about Our Town. Again, I don't, I'm not really a theater kid like that, so I just didn't come from this world. And especially when I got into it, it was all musicals for the most part completely. And so, yeah, I got, you know, this thing, Our Town. I was like, okay, you know, Jeffrey's kind of explaining what this is and what this means. Okay, let me read it. I'll read about that. Holy shit, like this is crazy. This is one of the most powerful, beautiful, simple things I've ever seen or read or put my hands on. So yeah, it's first time and the power of the play is its simplicity, don't you think?

[32:07] Eila Mell: Yeah, it really is. It really is. And the point of the play is simplicity, right? And you know the power that's in every little moment of our lives that we sometimes are so often skip over, right?

[32:14] Ephraim Sykes: I know who's in the cast, but I forget who were the Gibbs and who, you know, who are the Webbs? So who are playing your parents?

[32:18] Ephraim Sykes: Billy Eugene Jones and Michelle Willis and Safia Harris is playing my sister. Amazing. So are those four of you spending time at rehearsal together, sort of bonding? Does that happen?

[32:32] Ephraim Sykes: Yes, absolutely. Me and us two, me and Billy always didn't pretty close to each other and like just kind of sharing stories. He's got some good Savion stories. And me and Safia are really bonding beautifully as well as she's being my little, she literally feels like she's a Capricorn, like my little sister, like hard on the sleeves, like my little sister where I'm kind of not that, you know, in this way. And Mama feels like mama, like Michelle, you know, really has such a beautiful warm open spirit. So it's been really easy and great to connect with them in rehearsal so far. That's hopefully we'll start to do more outside of the rehearsal space too as we get more.

[33:10] Eila Mell: You guys haven't moved into the theater yet, correct?

[33:14] Ephraim Sykes: No, and I get last time I was in the city, walking down and I saw the marquee up and anytime you see, you know, the new marquees going up, it gets exciting. It's like, oh, it's really.

[33:23] Ephraim Sykes: Yeah, that day one bus trip we took, we started out right in front of the theater for a lot of us as the first time seeing it in person. This was like, shit, yeah, real now. Oh my God, goosebumps. So going to New Hampshire, what did that do for you?

[33:37] Ephraim Sykes: I just learned even more about the town, but I think it was also getting to meet some of the people there that like live there in this small town. You know, I kind of come from a small town myself, but just the reminder of like, I remember we went to this diner and these people were like over the moon that they were able to like feed us and talk to us. And, you know, I mean, it was just how simple and important and beautiful and joyous even just sharing a meal can be or cooking for somebody. You know, the meaning I got to see sort of where the store were that George and Emily would have had their sort of first date and had the ice cream. And like, so I kind of could put some sense memory into what we're doing on stage now.

Me and Zoe went over there and like kind of took some pictures and then like hung and just stared and, you know, to me like we also had this really beautiful moment after the reading of coming outside in the middle of this beautiful sort of wooded area and it was a gorgeous day and the sun was setting and it was just like colors and clouds and me and her were sitting there, just standing there together doing everything we could not to get back on the bus because we're just like soaking and basking in this air and it's so fresh. It was just so beautiful to like sit down, watch a few birds go by and like watch this sunset and watch the moon that was slowly coming up. Again, very, very much what this play is all about, right?

[35:04] Ephraim Sykes: Yeah, like I'm someone who never stops. So I never, I always miss all those moments. But yeah, so I need a play like that to tell me, you know, slow down before it's too late, right? And so we think of George as this 16-year-old kid, but really he has, you know, a full transformation to adult.

[35:10] Eila Mell: Yeah.

[35:10] Ephraim Sykes: Grew up in front of us in this way, you know. It's rare that you get a part where you get such, you know, such a range of life experiences in the role. So, you know, I'm sure that's exciting to you as an actor.

[35:20] Ephraim Sykes: Very exciting, very exciting. Again, there's just so many layers and so much depth to it and ways that then again, I'm still grateful for Kenny because he's doing a lot of directors. They'll direct you. He's not only directing, but he's been willing to teach me as well and continue to show me new ways to think about things. So when it comes to this aging, it's not just like, oh, let me sound like I'm in there. You look like there's so much more to it of like, no, what if it's just more still now? Like there's so many ways of approaching it and why he's doing what he's doing, what do you want, what he's after. It's just, it's beautiful to take that whole journey and again, started from a place of joy and trying to maintain it even that life fucks up around you, right? It's just, it's a beautiful art to go on on a daily basis, the heavy one. Yeah, but I enjoy the weight of it in that way.

[36:16] Eila Mell: Well, hopefully that's what we do in our real lives too. We, you know, as hard as life gets, we try to bring joy to it.

[36:22] Ephraim Sykes: Yeah, and try, you have to, you have to. Otherwise, you know, I think it's interesting too. You have, you know, most characters do go through an arc. Like when you played Seaweed, there was an arc and he did have a journey. But George's journey feels, I guess, somewhat longer. Like you, the audience get to spend more time with him where with Seaweed ends and you assume, okay, Seaweed's gonna go down this path because I know enough about him to know that George, it feels like you're there with you for a longer period of your life, like a longer period of time.

[37:00] Ephraim Sykes: Yeah, literally we see him for a little, maybe a few months of his life pretty much, maybe a year talks with George. You were watching go from 16 to 29 or something. I can't remember that. I got to look at my notes to age him, but back then that was like, you know, 70 because, yeah, they're getting married fresh out of high school and having children. And, you know, I mean, and especially back then with sort of the depth that goes into birth, right, especially for women. It's just like, and it was so common. It's like, this is a very dangerous thing that we're committing ourselves to and that we're wanting and that's driving for. He wants to be a farmer like at 16 years old, this boy with all this talent and beauty and joy, you know, he's a baseball, he's like the best baseball player in town.

He's like, no, what I want to do is I want to be a man. I want to have my own land. I want to have a family and a wife and like, you know, to me like it's just, it's very sweet in that way. Love means the world to him. It's the most important thing to go after it, sort of watch him go from this kind of sort of bubbly and nervous teen into like this man that knows.

[39:30] Ephraim Sykes: I think the biggest thing for me was just the opportunity to create a George for this generation. I think that’s something that Kenny Leon and I talked about a lot, and it was really important to me to make sure that I was honoring the legacy of the character while also bringing my own perspective to it.

[40:00] Ephraim Sykes: The first day of rehearsal, we actually took a field trip to New Hampshire, which was really cool. It was a great way to start the process, and it really helped to set the tone for what we were trying to achieve.

[40:30] Ephraim Sykes: I mean, my career has been a series of pinch-me moments. From being in the original cast of Hamilton to playing Seaweed Stubbs in Hairspray Live, and then being a Temptation in Ain’t Too Proud, it’s just been incredible.

[41:00] Ephraim Sykes: Getting a scholarship to Alvin Ailey was a turning point for me. It really changed my career path and opened up so many doors. I was able to train with some of the best in the business, and that experience was invaluable.

[41:20] Ephraim Sykes: Auditioning for Pal Joey was another big moment. I had to tap with Savion Glover, which was nerve-wracking but also exhilarating. To gain the lead role in that production at City Center was a dream come true.

[41:40] Ephraim Sykes: I remember Richard Gere’s Golden Globe win for Chicago in 2003. It was such a monumental moment for the industry, and it really showcased the power of musical theater on screen.

[42:10] Ephraim Sykes: Eila and Bruce, I know you both recently saw Our Town in previews at the Barrymore Theater. What did you think of the production?

[42:38] Ephraim Sykes: I love hearing about your experiences at the Ogunquit Playhouse too. It sounds like you had a great time seeing The World Premier of My Best Friend’s Wedding The Musical.

[43:00] Ephraim Sykes: Kathleen Marshall is such a talented director and choreographer, and I can only imagine how amazing it was to see Krystal Joy Brown, Matt Doyle, Telly Leung, and the rest of the cast bring that story to life.

[43:20] Ephraim Sykes: I made my Broadway debut in 2009 with Disney’s The Little Mermaid, and then later that year, I was part of the Broadway premiere of Memphis. Those experiences were foundational for me.

[43:40] Ephraim Sykes: My Off-Broadway debut was in the 2011 revival of Rent at New World Stages, where I originated the role of Benny. That was such a special experience, and it really helped me grow as a performer.

[44:00] Ephraim Sykes: Returning to Broadway as part of the original cast of Disney’s Newsies was another highlight. It was such a fun show, and I loved being part of that ensemble.

[44:28] Ephraim Sykes: Then, I was an original cast member of the Broadway premiere of Motown The Musical, which was a blast. The music, the energy, and the storytelling were all incredible.

[44:42] Ephraim Sykes: In January 2015, I returned off-Broadway to The Public Theater, where I originated the role of George Eacker in Hamilton. That production was groundbreaking, and I’m so proud to have been a part of it.

[45:00] Ephraim Sykes: After receiving such wide acclaim, it was amazing to see the production transfer to Broadway and eventually win the Tony Award for Best Musical in 2016.

[45:28] Ephraim Sykes: I stayed with Hamilton until September 2016, and it was such a transformative experience for me as an artist.

[45:56] Ephraim Sykes: My big break as a leading man came when I was cast as David Ruffin in Ain’t Too Proud - The Life and Times of The Temptations.

[46:24] Ephraim Sykes: We had tryouts in Berkeley, Washington D.C., Los Angeles, and Toronto before the Broadway premiere opened at the Imperial Theatre in March 2019.

[46:42] Ephraim Sykes: I earned my first Tony Award nomination for that role, and it was followed by a Grammy Award nomination for Best Musical Theater Album in 2020.

[47:10] Ephraim Sykes: On screen, I’m known for playing Seaweed J. Stubbs in NBC’s Hairspray Live! in 2016, which was such a fun project.

[47:38] Ephraim Sykes: I also appeared in 30 Rock on NBC in 2011, and in Leave It on the Floor that same year.

[47:56] Ephraim Sykes: Plus, I had a great time being part of NBC’s Broadway-centric musical series Smash.

[48:14] Ephraim Sykes: Each of these experiences has shaped my career in different ways, and I’m grateful for every opportunity I’ve had.

[48:42] Ephraim Sykes: It’s all about the journey and the people you meet along the way.

[49:10] Ephraim Sykes: I’m excited to see where this journey takes me next, and I hope to continue creating meaningful work that resonates with audiences.

[49:34] Ephraim Sykes: Thank you for having me on the show today.

[49:52] Ephraim Sykes: I appreciate the chance to share my story and connect with all of you.

[50:16] Ephraim Sykes: Let’s keep the conversation going!