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[0:04] Kerry Butler: Once I played a penny who just couldn't stop the beat. Yes, with all their skits on her feet. Although just recently to see. A real cool mom. Tina. Now come with me, Emma. I am your host, Miss Kerry Butler. Together, you and I are breaking Broadway.

[0:54] Kerry Butler: Welcome to Breaking Broadway. The next three episodes are live from the Broadway cruise, where I got to interview some fabulous people. Reeve Carney, Janine Tessori, and Henry Kapersky. The Broadway Cruise is so much fun. I highly recommend it if you're a Broadway fan. There were so many shows. I couldn't even go to all of the shows that there were. And they're really, really fun theme nights like dress as your favorite musical theater character. Or on pajama night, I did not know. I went wearing Christmas pajamas, but everyone else was wearing show pajamas. So much fun. Live, this episode of Breaking Broadway live on the cruise ship. First up is my interview with Reeve Carney.

[1:48] Kerry Butler: Hey everyone, welcome to Breaking Broadway. Guess where I am? I'm on the Broadway cruise! This cruise is so amazing. If you haven't heard about it, you have to check it out. It's so much fun. I want to welcome to the show my next guest whose show like blew me away. Recent star of Hadestown on Broadway. Welcome, Reeve Carney.

[2:20] Reeve Carney: Thanks for having me.

[2:21] Kerry Butler: Did everyone see Reeve's show? Your show blew me away. Like you, it's you're on another level. Like it's so artistic, and just I was looking around, like, wait a second, where are the other musicians? Oh no, it's all you. You're doing everything up there. And also, let me just tell the listeners. So Reeve did this show of Broadway songs, but you're listening and you don't know what it is, and then you find you're it's like, oh, that's what it makes you laugh because it's such a different version and so cool and a different take. And the things you do with your voice, it's just phenomenal. You're so talented.

[3:00] Reeve Carney: Thank you. You look who's talking. I got to see your show yesterday.

[3:03] Kerry Butler: Thank you so much. So this show is basically for people trying to break into Broadway. And I would love to hear about your story. Did you always know you wanted to be an actor?

[3:16] Reeve Carney: I didn't necessarily know initially because I was very shy. So my mom actually had the brilliant idea to put me in acting like improvisational acting classes at the age of five. So I started doing that. I grew up in New York City in Manhattan, in basically Greenwich Village. And so this class was in Soho, and that sort of broke me out of my shell. We get to wear costumes, put on makeup and do whatever we wanted to. And that really helped. But then, yeah, I told them that I wanted to be an actor officially when I was eight years old.

[3:53] Kerry Butler: Oh wow. But and so I've been kind of focused on that I guess to some degree since something happened or was it just from taking those improv classes?

[4:02] Reeve Carney: I think it was the improv classes, and also I had a friend who at my school, Little Red Schoolhouse in New York City, that went to California to become an actor, I think when he was seven or eight, and I thought, oh yeah, that would be kind of cool. So I think that inspired me a bit. But then music at the age of twelve I picked up a guitar and then I was just really because at that time and in when was this? This was five years ago, no. But you know, in the nineties, it wasn't really you weren't really, I don't know, unless you were going straight into musical theater to be an actor in either film or television and play music. Sometimes they would think of you as just a musician trying to act, and they didn't take you as seriously. So I'm so glad we're in a new era where it appears as though people really welcome the people. Yeah, so people can play. Yeah, they want to do both is really nice.

[4:58] Kerry Butler: So what was your first professional job? Oh, did you go to school? Did you go to college for acting?

[5:02] Reeve Carney: I went to college for jazz guitar. I went to University of Southern California.

[5:09] Kerry Butler: Oh, for jazz guitar. Wow.

[5:11] Reeve Carney: Yeah, and so I technically I'm still on a leave of absence because I didn't finish my degree there, but it was great. I mean it was just very expensive. So yeah, and because I had worked as a child, there are certain rules that your parents can get certain financial aid if the tuition is being paid for by your parents, but if it's being paid for by the person actually attending, there are less things in place to protect those funds. So I realized wow, this was very expensive this first year. So I sort of took a risk and thought, you know, maybe I could make like a quarter of what I would need to make to survive on, but it might be kind of nice to try that as opposed to spending 10 times what I could afford to spend. But it was an amazing education, even just one year there was amazing.

[6:02] Kerry Butler: So you were a child actor then.

[6:04] Reeve Carney: Yes, and so my first acting job which actually got me my SAG card was I'm actually not sure which one it was because I was an they used to call us extras background performers, yeah, background performers. And so it was I was an extra in two Matt Dillon films. I don't know why I was in both of those films because I wasn't like his stunt double or anything, right? But like I it was the first one was called The Saint of Fort Washington, which came out in 1993, I think, and we filmed well we filmed it. I was only there for two days it was like the 1992. So I got my SAG card in 1992, through either St. Fort Washington or Mr. Wonderful, both Matt Dillon films.

[6:46] Kerry Butler: Okay. And then what happened?

[6:48] Reeve Carney: Then I tried and tried. This is what's so funny because I kept auditioning for things, and I really by the age of 14, I was really kind of by the age of 12, I was kind of thinking about not doing it so much anymore because of guitar, I was just so focused on music at that point and going to school for that, and taking private lessons and whatnot. But at the age of 14, I would pretty much give it up. And this is kind of a cool, I guess, lesson for people, maybe in some ways, because that's the time I got my first principal role in a film, which felt like an eternity because I'd been like, I guess professionally trying to act for six of the 14 years that I'd been on Earth. And so it felt like, man, am I ever gonna get a job? But then I did I booked the part to play the young Ethan Hawke in a film called Snowfalling on Cedars. So that was my first principal thrill.

[7:45] Kerry Butler: Yeah, that was a that was 14, huh?

[7:47] Reeve Carney: Yeah. And that was really cool. It's crazy to think that Ethan was 26 when I got to hang out with him and meet him, and he actually came one night. I just realized that I don't know if I've ever told anyone this. There was a place called the Yale in Vancouver. The film was directed by an incredible director by the name of Scott Hicks, who's still a dear friend of mine. But Scott Hicks and Ethan Hawke had heard that I was going to a jam, a blues jam session at the Yale in Vancouver, British Columbia, and they both came out that night, but then I was turned away at the door because I wasn't allowed because I wasn't 21. And so they're like, hey man, we came to see you last night. And so that was kind of embarrassing, but also really nice that they actually came out.

[8:30] Kerry Butler: We'll be back with Breaking Broadway right after this message. You know how I always talk about creating your own work, working with your friends. Well, I don't just tell you to do it, I do it too. So I created the show with Laura Belpundy and Marissa Jared Winoker. We all starred in the original cast of Hairspray together, and we created the show Mama. I'm a big girl now. It's touring all over. We're gonna be at the Alden in McLean, Virginia, on June 8th. I hope to see you there.

[9:04] Kerry Butler: So then was Spider-Man, would you say would that be your big break?

[9:08] Reeve Carney: Yeah, I would say, I mean, I was in the music world, I was performing a lot in Los Angeles in particular. I also one of my dearest friends is a guitarist named Johnny Lang. Have you guys heard of Johnny Lang?

[9:24] Kerry Butler: Oh, yes, he's incredible.

[9:26] Reeve Carney: So I was a huge fan of Johnny. I met him when I was 14, he was 16. He had a big record at the time called Lie to Me. And he was a mentor of mine at the time, and about seven years after of knowing him, he asked me to join his band. So I was Johnny's guitar player for about three years on the road between like 2005 and 2007 or eight. And during that time I was writing songs and I was touring around or actually playing locally with my band, but at that time I was signed by Jimmy Iovine to Interscope Records, and that tour or that signing allowed us to go on tour with Johnny Lang as his opening act.

[10:08] Kerry Butler: Wow.

[10:09] Reeve Carney: And so that is what I was really focused on. And through that, my dear friend T.V. Carpio, who was doing a film called Across the Universe with Julie Tamore, said, You've got to see my friend Reeve play. And so Julie came to see our band, and that is how I got involved with Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark.

[10:29] Kerry Butler: Wow, that is such a cool story, and like really great for our listeners because it's just such a different way to get to Broadway. You didn't even like audition.

[10:36] Reeve Carney: Yeah, I did actually have to audition.

[10:38] Kerry Butler: Oh, but they found you.

[10:41] Reeve Carney: Yeah. And then it was like three months of crazy auditions that included, you know, acting, singing, and like insane things like strength, proving your strength. Like I had to climb ropes with no legs and like 30-foot ropes and all these weird things.

[10:53] Kerry Butler: But you just for trying out?

[10:57] Reeve Carney: Yeah. Yeah, and like do gymnastics stuff. I didn't have to do any somersaults, thankfully, or backflips.

[11:03] Reeve Carney: But wow.

[11:05] Reeve Carney: Okay, so uh you all have heard probably the stories about Spider-Man. It's kind of infamous. What what kind of uh what do you feel like is one of your best stories to share?

[11:15] Reeve Carney: Oh, let me that's a good question. I mean, for me it was a really positive experience. I mean, it's the people were amazing. Um, and it you know, it it really was a great blessing for me being a part of that show. I'm trying to think, I mean, I had some funny costume mishaps because of having to wear so many harnesses under my pants. I remember going out there and singing some, I think it was probably "Rise Above," um, and only to realize that my fly was down and there were like harness straps coming out of my jeans. And that was a little awkward, but um yeah, I'll try to think of some more.

[11:53] Reeve Carney: Um, we were talking uh backstage about self-tapes and auditioning, and I was like, oh my gosh, save it, save it. That's so good. Save it for the show. So yeah. So um what were you saying about auditioning and self-tapes?

[12:06] Reeve Carney: I really like being in the room. Like I I miss that. And uh yeah.

[12:13] Reeve Carney: Yeah, so most of the auditions, at least for me, these days are on s are through self tapes, um, where you basically just do the best you can and then send it into what appears to be a black hole where you you most of the time don't hear anything at all. But I think um I think in that way it's sort of important to uh know the things that are right for you and the things that you're right for and I try to do a bit more of that just because um you know there's there are things you kind of have an instinct for uh the things that once you once you've been in the business I think I think when you start out you have to say yes to everything.

[12:49] Reeve Carney: Oh yeah.

[12:50] Reeve Carney: But now you're at a place where you can be more picky.

[12:53] Reeve Carney: Yeah I think also for me it's b because I I have so many um interests I guess you'd say like I uh I'm fortunate that I I I love playing concerts and so in that time I I don't you know if I'm not gonna be really if I don't feel like I'm right for something it's I'm not necessarily that uh you know you don't want to be there there's there's someone else who is right for it. So it's uh it's like I don't know if it's necessarily makes sense for me to put my hat in the ring for something that uh someone else that belongs to someone else I can just you know go be focusing on some music for a little bit and that's what I I tend to kind of go back and forth between those two things.

[13:33] Kerry Butler: Yeah we you also mentioned that um we were talking about concerts and you have to make an album of that oh my god said that she's been telling me that it's it's so good.

[13:43] Kerry Butler: So you have to make an album that but I was asking Reeve if he has done that concert around a lot and you you were starting to tell me about how you've been booking your own concerts.

[13:55] Reeve Carney: Sometimes I mean how do you do that?

[13:57] Reeve Carney: Well I I want to know.

[13:59] Reeve Carney: I don't even I mean it like I coming from the rock and roll world, uh my team has booked me in that world for so long. I mean, it like the Broadway cruise came through my agent. It just depends on the on the gig really.

[14:10] Reeve Carney: But I have some relationships with some people in New York and they've connected me with some other people. Um and so sometimes I just yeah, and I I find that the people are really nice to to speak with and directly and reach out to venues? Usually it's that they will reach out to me and ask me, you know, they'll reach out. Oh yeah, sure, like uh whatever, figure something out. But um, but then yeah, it it's a combination. Sometimes I go through my agent and for acting, it's all through my agent.

[14:36] Kerry Butler: Right.

[14:37] Kerry Butler: But do you like try to take control of your situation and try to pursue it in a different way?

[14:44] Reeve Carney: Oh, with the concerts?

[14:46] Reeve Carney: Yeah.

[14:46] Reeve Carney: Um, I'm starting to think about that. I mean, I do want to reach out to my my agent actually and see if they do book more cabaret type spaces. Because I I've never really I don't know if they've done it. I I haven't done that with them, so it would be cool.

[14:59] Reeve Carney: Um because I I uh my agency went through a lot of changes. I actually this is interesting, maybe a little bit.

[15:04] Reeve Carney: So I'm with an agency called Paradigm. Um and um I'm I'm really only with them because I was with an agency called Monterey Peninsula Artists. I was really excited to be with them because they represented Aerosmith, The Grateful Dead, uh I think Fish, uh a bunch of other amazing groups.

[15:22] Reeve Carney: And um, so that's uh because I was with them, they got bought by Paradigm in 2008. Sorry, this might be really boring.

[15:29] Kerry Butler: No, but they know this is good for our listeners.

[15:31] Reeve Carney: Oh good.

[15:31] Reeve Carney: Yeah.

[15:32] Reeve Carney: And so then I automatically I remember when I oh I didn't mention this before Spider-Man. Um Julie Tamore didn't think I was right for that.

[15:39] Reeve Carney: She's like, because she's like, no, he this is not me. This sounds like I'm complimenting myself and I'm not trying to at all. Because it was about a hair length thing. She's like, oh no, he's a prince. He looks like a prince because I had this like longer hair and something.

[15:51] Reeve Carney: And um, she's like, he doesn't, I don't see the Peter Parker thing at at first. That's what she said. So she had me auditioned for the Tempest, her her tempest, and I I ended up getting that part.

[16:01] Reeve Carney: So that was my first job with Julie Tamore. Oh and um at that time I remember a script showed up in my front door from that said paradigm, and I was like, Oh, what's this? And I was like, Oh, this is your new agency. I was like, I didn't know I had an agent, so that was kind of cool.

[16:15] Reeve Carney: Um, so yeah, that's how that how did you um originally get your agent?

[16:20] Kerry Butler: Oh well, I had an agent escape.

[16:22] Kerry Butler: I was actually I was with APA when I was a little kid, and um, but then did your parents just send in headshots or how do you remember how you got it?

[16:30] Reeve Carney: She might know.

[16:31] Reeve Carney: Um, you're oh, actually, I do know this story.

[16:34] Reeve Carney: Um, yeah, the um so my mom's an incredible jewelry designer, and her her uh company's called Fables Jewelry, Fables in the Air.com. You can go.

[16:44] Reeve Carney: But um, yeah, she she uh my sister was like a free model because she you know, she put the jewelry on her and was like, Oh, let me then it's just like the so I forget if my mom took the pictures or someone else took the pictures, but someone saw those photos and said, Your kids should model.

[16:59] Reeve Carney: And then um my mom said, Well, my son has told me he wants to be an actor. She she wanted to keep us out of that business because my parents are both in it, and they're like, uh be a doctor or lawyer.

[17:09] Reeve Carney: So they used to want that, but um, that's how we met this like modeling slash acting agency, and I I got in through that.

[17:18] Reeve Carney: I used to, I wasn't actually the Macy's size eight fit model when I was eight years old. That was like one of my first gigs.

[17:28] Reeve Carney: Wow.

[17:30] Reeve Carney: You don't even get they don't even take photos of you. It's just like basically any clothes that your some of you children would have bought in like 1992 from Macy's and boys' clothes, they would have been fit on me, I guess.

[17:44] Reeve Carney: So it would have been based on my build. Not now, my build back then, yeah.

[17:50] Kerry Butler: That doesn't sound like a fun job.

[17:52] Reeve Carney: I didn't mind it.

[17:53] Reeve Carney: Really?

[17:53] Reeve Carney: Yeah, it was kind of the people really nice and just stand there for like an hour or two and I know it sounds it I don't know why it didn't bother me. Maybe now I might not like it as much.

[18:04] Kerry Butler: But how do you deal with rejection?

[18:08] Reeve Carney: That's uh that's uh probably hard for everybody, I think. I think you have to have a strong I mean, I think having some sort of not to be whatever, everyone has their own thing, but having some sort of spiritual life, I think is is helpful.

[18:19] Reeve Carney: I I I think you have to, you know, oh have a something you know bigger outside, more important outside of yourself, I think helps.

[18:28] Reeve Carney: Um but yeah, it's not eas you know, that that happens to everybody, I think. I mean, I've even heard stories about people like Michael Fassbender or like uh having it's like wow, how does that happen to these guys?

[18:41] Reeve Carney: But you know, it's it's something, yeah, you you do deal with that, but um yeah, I think you know yeah, I don't know.

[18:48] Reeve Carney: I don't exactly know what you do, but do you have um any good rejection stories?

[18:53] Reeve Carney: Do you any stand out in your head like that was that was like that was a bad one.

[18:58] Kerry Butler: Yeah, ones that are funnier are better, right?

[18:59] Reeve Carney: I'm sure, yeah.

[19:02] Reeve Carney: I do remember I um auditioned for uh a few times for Jesus Christ Superstar Live. Did you guys see that?

[19:09] Reeve Carney: But um they first brought me in for Jesus and then um I had a self-taped I I that was a really fun one.

[19:16] Reeve Carney: And um well fun. I mean funny it's a great score, so I mean I love that score.

[19:21] Reeve Carney: And um that I felt that went well. But uh they had in the process they had cast someone else in that role.

[19:29] Reeve Carney: And um then uh I uh they brought me in for Judas next, but I was on tour with Johnny Lang at the time playing guitar for him, and I flew in to Bernie Telsey's office and um I flew in just for that and with like no sleep, got there and and um got to the big A flat on the Jesus and I just like what that Tanya Hardy movie had just come out.

[19:53] Reeve Carney: I remember telling them, like, yeah, I really didn't stick that landing. Sorry guys. But like and uh yeah, I um so I felt pretty that was not great.

[20:05] Reeve Carney: But I remember one of the producers just sitting there and then I I I was looking after it happened, he looked at it and I was like, yeah, that but uh that was not great.

[20:15] Reeve Carney: But then I then I they brought me back in again though, and then I it was but then they yeah, I didn't end up getting those parts, but I love that score.

[20:22] Reeve Carney: So that's that's a cool that's a great show.

[20:25] Kerry Butler: Yeah, do you um feel like you are able to let go right away or not really if you really want something it's hard to it's almost like the residue, the echo of the it's like you you feel like it it's good though.

[20:40] Reeve Carney: I always hear it's good to just even if I don't hear anything back, if I really like something, I'll be thinking about it.

[20:46] Reeve Carney: I can think about it for like a month or something, like oh like am I gonna but I think I always hear it's much better to just I try and let it go, yeah.

[20:54] Reeve Carney: Um I mean of course there are those ones that you can't let go.

[20:57] Reeve Carney: Yeah, but sometimes and sometimes for those when I get like a really bad rejection story, I'll just like play really sad music.

[21:03] Reeve Carney: This is what I used to do. Now I'm kind of over it.

[21:05] Reeve Carney: But I used to like let myself have a day where I would just cry it out.

[21:08] Kerry Butler: Oh, yeah, and then that's it.

[21:09] Reeve Carney: I'm done with it and I can move on.

[21:11] Kerry Butler: Yeah, I I don't do that much of that, but that makes sense.

[21:13] Kerry Butler: Maybe it's like that probably helps.

[21:18] Kerry Butler: That's all my conversation with Reeve for today. Next week, Janine Tessori will be joining Reeve.

[21:27] Kerry Butler: Thank you so much for listening. If you would like me to come to your school or theater group and give a master class or a talk back, please reach out at kerrybutlercoach.com.

[21:41] Kerry Butler: If you like this podcast, subscribe and leave a reading. And in the comments, let me know what topics you want me to cover.

[21:47] Kerry Butler: You're listening to the Broadway Podcast Network. Together, you and I are breaking Broadway.