This transcript was automatically generated and might contain errors.

[0:01] ♪ Musical number: "Little Me" — performed by Casey Likes ♪

[0:21] Marc Tumminelli: Hello, welcome back to Little Me: Growing Up Broadway with me, Marc Tumminelli. My guest today made his Broadway debut just a few weeks ago, playing William Miller in the new musical ALMOST FAMOUS, a role he created in the pre-Broadway run at the Old Globe. He can be seen next year as Kiss legend Gene Simmons in the Neil Bogart biopic, Spinning Gold, and as Richie Shepherd, the leading role in MGM's film Dark Harvest. He is a Jimmy Award finalist. His latest two self-produced films, Thespians and I Got You, can be seen on YouTube right now. Please welcome the toast of Broadway, Casey Likes.

[0:56] Casey Likes: Woo! How are you, sir?

[0:59] Marc Tumminelli: Thank you for being here.

[1:00] Casey Likes: I'm thrilled to be here.

[1:02] Marc Tumminelli: I'm very happy to talk to you about your childhood stardom in Arizona. So, and then of course, this big thing you're doing right now, which is a pretty big deal. So, um, which is ALMOST FAMOUS, and we're gonna talk all about it. So let's go way back. Tell me what three-year-old, it says in your bio, you've been performing since you're three. Tell me what three-year-old Casey Likes was doing that everyone was like, this is a superstar.

[1:23] Casey Likes: That's a fantastic question. Um, to me, it seemed like I was just playing with toy trains and probably picking my nose. But to everyone else, it seemed like something much bigger than that, which was a credit to all the people around me that saw it, because I definitely didn't until many, many, many years later that I could maybe do this for the rest of my life. But basically, the first thing I did was this commercial for Goodwill. And um, it was me playing with toy trains, and I was supposed to tell a story about these toy trains that I had set up. Um, there were also dinosaurs a part of this train set, as most train sets have, of course. Um, and when I was telling the story, apparently I was supposed to do it more shy-like.

Like I was supposed to like kind of passively tell a story, which clearly, if you're a good actor, that's not what you're doing. Um, so my three-year-old self decided to look straight into the camera and tell said story. And uh, and then the next take, the director said, that was great, Casey. Could you maybe not look into the camera when you do it next time? And uh, as my mom says, that was the beginning of it all. And then going forward, I ended up doing a couple more commercials and uh, I did a show called A Christmas Carol with uh, I'm familiar, it's the season. I got it. You know, yeah, you know, uh, the classic. And uh, your mom was an actress, she was like a Broadway actress, she was in Les Mis.

[3:05] Casey Likes: Um, and so uh, what got her to Arizona? How did your life kind of start there?

[3:09] Marc Tumminelli: You're well researched, Marc.

[3:11] Casey Likes: Thank you.

[3:11] Marc Tumminelli: I'm a professional in the industry.

[3:14] Casey Likes: I love it, man. Yeah, no, she was an actor. She was uh, she was an actor in Les Misérables on Broadway at the Imperial Theater, as well as the National Tour. And then um, she did a bunch of other stuff. She went to um, all the Disney parks and performed there and the cruise ship. And um, she eventually ended up back in Arizona where she had me. And um, we ended up doing that show, A Christmas Carol that you um might have heard of. Um, it's a very famous production of A Christmas Carol, yours specifically.

[3:48] Marc Tumminelli: More my specifically.

[3:50] Casey Likes: Actually, it's funny because they wrote original music for it and it still slaps to this day. Like I don't know why it's not being licensed, but it was a really dope A Christmas Carol.

[4:01] Marc Tumminelli: But do they still do it?

[4:03] Casey Likes: No, it didn't.

[4:04] Marc Tumminelli: I know.

[4:05] Casey Likes: Everyone needs to, I don't even know who you what is the name of the theater that used to produce it, or do are they still round?

[4:12] Marc Tumminelli: Is the theater is under now.

[4:13] Casey Likes: So I'm like, would you even yell at? I don't know, but we can we can do a deep dive and figure out who wrote this thing and get it back.

[4:20] Marc Tumminelli: We'll do it on Broadway next season with you.

[4:22] Casey Likes: Yes.

[4:23] Marc Tumminelli: And you can play all the parts.

[4:25] Casey Likes: Okay, got it. I will be Tiny Tim again.

[4:28] Marc Tumminelli: Great. Um, but yeah, scratch it, and that was the first time we got to play mom and son. And did you like take to it instantly? Did you feel like, oh my god, I love going to the theater? Could your mom feel like this was the thing for you?

[4:41] Casey Likes: Yeah, yeah. It definitely took to it really, really quickly. Um, I kind of took to most of the things in my career now pretty quickly. Um, because backstage, while I was doing the show, which I loved doing, I was also writing and directing short films on VHS camcorders. And uh, and that was just like crazy to have a whole bunch of actors at my disposal that were way older than me and way better.

[5:15] Marc Tumminelli: So uh, what kind of things were you writing as a kid that you wanted these people to be in?

[5:19] Casey Likes: Well, it was a very important film called Power Man, which has uh, if you had followed, you know, the story of five years, I did it over five years. So there are five Power Man movies. I cannot find a single one because they're all on VHS somewhere. But um, I did that with a whole bunch of actors that kind of raised me from a very young age.

[5:42] Marc Tumminelli: Oh my god, we need that video footage. It needs to, we need to get it on a streaming platform.

[5:48] Casey Likes: I'm sure it's brilliant. It's really good. There is a specific scene I remember um where I am fighting a villain who is wearing the costume of uh, the ghost of Christmas present, and I'm also wielding a lightsaber. Um, riveting, riveting stuff and flying. Someone is picking me up and flying me down the hallway at this villain.

[6:11] Marc Tumminelli: Okay, this is wild. So after Power Man, after five years of five movies of Power Man, um, are we in high school at this point? Where what what's happening?

[6:20] Casey Likes: Or where are we going? Five years later, well, five years from three years old, I'd be okay, I'd be, yeah, I guess eight years old. Like eight or nine, yeah. And then what did I do? Oh, I decided I wanted to take a break from acting. You know, I at the ripe age of eight years old, I take my break for a couple years and then make my triumphant return to the stage as Gavroche in Les Misérables at a theater that I would come to really, really know and love called Grease Paint Youth Theater.

[6:56] Marc Tumminelli: And this is where you did Newsies many years later.

[6:58] Casey Likes: That's kind of everywhere.

[6:59] Marc Tumminelli: Yes. Casey, your research is deep.

[7:02] Casey Likes: Listen, what am I gonna do? Just have you on here and be like, tell me about yourself? Like, that's the lamest ever. I have to know what I'm talking about.

[7:10] Marc Tumminelli: Um, anyway, all right. So that kind of sparked your resurgence back into the biz. And then it seems like you're quite the star through your high school years.

[7:19] Casey Likes: Um, if they say so. I don't know.

[7:21] Marc Tumminelli: Tell me what show. I mean, we know that you did this legendary production of Les Mis, which will ultimately change your whole life. But what were what was happening pre-Les Mis? What were your high school shows?

[7:32] Casey Likes: Um, yeah, I mean, it was really kind of a meta and kind of insane like turn of events that my mom ended up being my drama teacher many years later. And she actually taught me theater in high school. And um, we ended up doing a lot of different shows. The first play that I was available to audition for, um, I was a dead body in because I was doing another show at Grease Paint Youth Theater at the same time, um, called 13 the Musical.

[8:08] Marc Tumminelli: Familiar.

[8:09] Casey Likes: Yeah, yeah, that one. Um, and um, we later did Into the Woods that year. I played Jack in that. The next year we did um Bottom of the Lake, which is this play that was like really farcical and awesome. And um, and then what did we do? Oh, Rock of Ages. I was Drew in that. That was funny.

[8:33] Marc Tumminelli: Great. Okay, share the hair with the guy from the movie a little more than Constantine Maroulis.

[8:41] Casey Likes: Got it. Which uh, which I'll take it. I mean, I like the movie too. The movie slaps, it's really fun.

[8:49] Marc Tumminelli: So camp, so great.

[8:50] Casey Likes: It's so camp. Okay, so let's get to Les Mis, which was, you know, was that your senior year of high school?

[8:56] Casey Likes: That was my junior.

[8:57] Marc Tumminelli: Oh, junior, and your mom, like, like you're like Andrew Barth Feldman, and you have like the exact same, you have so many similarities. It's like creepy.

[9:06] Casey Likes: Except I was Andrew's teacher.

[9:08] Marc Tumminelli: And you really?

[9:09] Casey Likes: Yeah.

[9:10] Marc Tumminelli: What?

[9:11] Casey Likes: Yeah, I've known Andrew since he's like seven. He grew up doing I own a company called Broadway Workshop. And so yeah.

[9:17] Marc Tumminelli: So Andrew does all did all my classes and was in all of our shows. And um, I direct his solo show. Hi, hello audience. I'm Marc Tumminelli.

[9:25] Casey Likes: That's great.

[9:25] Marc Tumminelli: Yeah.

[9:26] Casey Likes: So I know Andrew really well. And it's so crazy how parallel your stories are with him.

[9:31] Casey Likes: Oh man. Yeah. Well, I love Andrew. He came the other day to the show, and man, we shared a really great moment. Just like, I mean, him like complimenting my work was very, very kind to me because he just uh is obviously such an inspiration to all of them. And he wouldn't say it if he didn't mean it. So that is, yeah, it's it comes, he's the smartest guy I know.

[9:53] Marc Tumminelli: So there you go.

[9:54] Casey Likes: Very smart. And I'm glad that he got to see your brilliant performance, which we're getting to. All right. So junior year. Does your mom choose Les Mis for you? She's like, this is what we're gonna do. My kid's a star.

[10:06] Casey Likes: Well, it's funny because I didn't um, I I'm such I have such a producer mindset and brain. I can tell that. I really, really like think about the things outside of the acting as well as the acting. Um, sometimes. Um, sometimes I'm allowed the chance to just act. And um, but uh my mind just goes a million miles uh miles a minute. So uh I was thinking we had found um we really wanted to do Hairspray. Um my junior year. And uh, and I really wanted to do Hairspray, but I didn't want to do it if we didn't have the right people. Fortunately, um, Chandler High is a very diverse um campus, and we did have the right people to do it, and I was really, really looking forward to it. And uh I actually um ended up finding um uh this kid that people were telling me about um named Micah, um, who ended up becoming my best friend later.

And and eventually um my mom and I saw my godfather in um the Les Mis National Tour. His name is Nick Cartel, and he was playing Valjean, and this was around the time we were discussing what the musical was gonna be for the next year. And then we were reminded of our love for Les Misérables. Got it. And I still was sticking strong to Hairspray, but around that time, this is how my mom says it, not me, but my mom describes it as she felt like I wasn't gonna be around for my senior year.

[11:42] Casey Likes: That is what she says. Okay. And I was in for a couple shows at the time. I was in for a TV show singing.

[11:53] Marc Tumminelli: So you got an agent before you went to the Jimmies.

[11:56] Casey Likes: I mean, I had a local agent, but all my stuff was from open calls.

[11:59] Marc Tumminelli: Okay. You're just killing it.

[12:03] Casey Likes: Well, yeah, I mean, I just like I'm just obsessed with doing it. So I was getting all the research done of like, where can I drive to easily to be seen by someone? Great. Um, and I was, and and I started getting callbacks. So my mom really wanted to do Les Mis with me before I was gone for good. And man, she made the right call because uh we did Les Mis. Um, it was an experience. The kid who we were going to have play Seaweed ended up playing Javert. So I guess not a bad trade-off.

[12:35] Marc Tumminelli: No, it totally worked out. Did it feel super magical doing that with your mother? Or when you're in it, could you not even feel that?

[12:43] Casey Likes: Yes, yeah. Doing that with uh my mom was really surreal, especially because that production made so much, uh meant so much to her um many, many years ago. And I just felt like it was kind of this really insane clockwork thing. Um, and it's still happening now. Like I across the street from the Jacobs Theater where I'm doing ALMOST FAMOUS now is the Imperial Theater.

[13:12] Casey Likes: Yeah, like now it's just like, and then my dad and my mom get to come to the theater to see me do it across the street from where they first saw Les Misérables on a school trip many years ago.

[13:28] Casey Likes: Yeah, wow. So it's this kind of it's just like a very full circle moment for it's uh everything's meant to be the way it's supposed to be, right? Um so you go to New York, you win, you win at the gamge, and you win your uh your local, whatever the pre-Jimmy thing is.

[13:44] Casey Likes: Well, those are the gamut awards.

[13:45] Marc Tumminelli: Is that what they call it?

[13:46] Casey Likes: Yeah, the ASQ Gamage High School Musical Theater Awards. It's very important that I get that right because they yell at me when I get it.

[13:53] Marc Tumminelli: Right. And Gambage is like the biggest theater. I saw that the National Torpseusical there with Kathy Rigby in 2001, and it's like it eats itself that's alive. Like it's just the largest theater space I can remember ever being in. Um, and I'm sure it's a wild experience to get to perform there in high school and then win that regional award that brings you to New York to do the Jimmies. As a young person doing the Jimmies in 2019, knowing kind of the people who have come out of that the Kyle Seligs, Andrew, Renee Rapp, do you feel like a thing like this is my big shot? Or where's your head when you're doing something like that?

[14:29] Casey Likes: Yeah, you know, I mean, right before they were about to like call the names for who was going to the Jimmy Awards. It's this complicated feeling because I had always had this mindset of like, you know what? It'll play out how it's supposed to. And you see these amazing people come out of it, like Sam, and then literally the year before me, Andrew. And you can't help but picture yourself in those shoes, of course. Like you just want to be in those shoes. Um, but also there's the double side of it where you're like, you know what? But if it doesn't happen, I have to be okay with myself, and I have to have enough belief in myself that I can make it regardless. And um, and it was so that was that complicated emotion.

Like at the time, like I had a feeling that I would be okay um because I was auditioning for other things at the time, and it was going well, and I was happy just getting to perform anywhere. It didn't need to be on the Minsk stage in Broadway. But of course, they play that compilation video of all the kids like smiling and laughing and having a great time on the Minskoff stage on Broadway. And you can't help but really kind of uh want, yeah, want it. So yeah, I I kind of they had us all turned back and and get applauded by our schools that were sitting in the rafters, and I my eyes just got like teary-eyed, just kind of thinking about it and and having my school applaud for me, which was just like so thrilling.

And then we turned around and uh they called my friend Sophia's name first, and I couldn't hear my name because people were cheering so loud for her. But I look up at the screen and there's my name, and I'm like, wow, okay. So this is this is one of the moments that like things kind of really change. And then you go to New York, and then how surprised were you to be called as a finalist in the actual Jimmy's on Broadway?

[16:43] Casey Likes: I mean, that's another one of those moments. I mean, it's really like, oh, it could be me, but it could be any one of these, all of these amazingly talented young people.

[16:51] Marc Tumminelli: Yes. Um, obviously you're very good. But you know, it's and I watched your performance last night doing Santa Fe as the in the finale, and it's truly the best acted version of that song that has ever been like you you sound like a dream, but man, you kill every moment of that if you've not seen it.

[17:09] Casey Likes: It's true. The most meaningful thing you could have said. Thank you. You are so connected, and I was like, oh my god, I feel for Jack Kelly. And this kid's not even like doing the show, he's just singing the song. Like you made it make sense in such a beautiful way. Um, that like no offense to Jeremy Jordan, but you you nailed it.

[17:26] Casey Likes: Thanks so much, Marc. I mean, I just I I got to work with Jeremy recently and tell him how much that song uh meant to me. And honestly, like I love that, like, especially with a gorgeous and in my opinion, perfect song like that. Yeah. There's so many different ways you can take it. And uh, and that was that was my interpretation. That the thing that I don't share too often about that song is that that song to me is really coming from a place right before the Jimmies happened. Um I did that show literally months before the Jimmies, and it came from a place of I wanted to be out there so bad. Like, I don't know even know what out there was, but it's like I love Arizona so much. That's my favorite place in the world.

Uh there's not a crazy amount of of film, TV, and theater happening. It's coming back now, which is fantastic. But I I wanted to to keep doing it um anywhere. And and that song really meant that to me. So I really appreciate you saying that I acted it well because it it was it was truly real to me.

[18:40] Marc Tumminelli: I mean, it's really extraordinary performance. So you um, but you don't win, right?

[18:46] Casey Likes: No, no, you come for you did win the big prize, actually. That night. I definitely was pretty fortunate, but I I remember a specific moment, and I I feel like I have to share it here because you you know Andrew. And um, Andrew, I went as I walk off stage, um the finalists are all going off and we're all in shock. I think I was probably more in shock than anyone else. If you watch the video of my name get being called, I'm I cannot breathe. And I literally, my mouth is on the floor, and everyone else is like, yeah, this is great. I'm like, I have I literally cannot breathe right now. So that's you getting called to be a finalist to say.

[19:23] Casey Likes: Getting called to be a finalist. And if you don't understand the Jimmies, I can't explain to you here.

[19:30] Marc Tumminelli: So yeah, exactly. Do your research.

[19:33] Casey Likes: Exactly. But I I go off stage and Andrew taps my shoulder as I'm getting prepared to go back on. And he just looks me in the eyes and he just goes, I knew it. And I was like, thanks, Andrew Barthellman. Like, I just like this kid is just like, you know, like musical theater royalty before I mean, especially to the Jimmy kids, you know.

[20:01] Marc Tumminelli: It's yeah, that's exactly what you want. That's the dream of what could come out of this. And that's exactly what happened to Andrew, and kind of exactly what happened to you.

[20:10] Casey Likes: Man, and man, was I fortunate. Like, I he Andrew saw it before even I did, I guess. Like, he just we there's a lot of people that saw it before me, and then um, you know, right before they were about to call who won, I was kind of just backstage, and I had this moment where I was like, you know what? Do you want to win? Or is it another moment like that? I was saying back at Gamage that I had, where it's like, yeah, you really want it, but it's also like, will you be okay with yourself if you don't get it? And do you have a plan? And I kind of got this overwhelming feeling of like regardless of this, you're gonna be fine. Like, you made it way farther than you ever thought you were going to. So, like, don't don't don't be Icarus, don't fly too close to the sun. Just be thankful with what you have now, and I think you're gonna be fine. And man, thank goodness I was fine after that.

[21:17] Marc Tumminelli: How soon did you get a call about we're looking for this boy from ALMOST FAMOUS, and we think you're kind of it?

[21:24] Casey Likes: A week after.

[21:25] Marc Tumminelli: Okay, great.

[21:26] Casey Likes: Yeah, yes. Yeah, it was like a rough eight days of waiting. I'm just kidding. Oh god, when will my life begin? Tangled. No, when is this gonna happen? You know?

[21:36] Marc Tumminelli: No, no, no. It was it was really, really fast. It was literally like the Jimmies happened uh on the plane ride, like literally get getting on the plane the next day. Um my current agent reaches out to me and is like, we want to represent you and whatever. So that was like the next day. That was already a win.

[21:56] Casey Likes: Already a win. I was like way more than I was already expecting. And then uh over the next week, I got uh called in for um a few shows and ALMOST FAMOUS was one of them.

[22:08] Marc Tumminelli: And that was okay. So what did you know about? Did you know the movie going into it? And I'm sure you've answered this question a million times, but um, I know these guys want to hear it.

[22:16] Casey Likes: Yeah, no, I I I didn't know the movie. I literally am a filmmaker, I'm a film buff, and I didn't know the movie, which was really, really wild to me. So I finally watched it uh right before I went in for my audition. And I was like, wow, yeah, this is a good movie. And I hope I hope I hope my audition, like, let alone if I get the project or not, like I just hope the audition serves the piece well, because it's it's really good.

[22:44] Marc Tumminelli: Could you get a sense from them that they were like, this kid's it?

[22:48] Casey Likes: Um, I mean, other than the fact that I made it to the end with all the callbacks, like that's that's a good sign for sure, but like I really the only like person that didn't have a poker face about the whole thing was Cameron. Um when I met Cameron Crow the next day. If you don't know Cameron Crow, the author of the um the movie the movie and the musical. And the musical and won an Oscar, I guess. Um I guess he's kind of a big deal.

[23:21] Marc Tumminelli: Yeah, kind of a big deal.

[23:23] Casey Likes: Um, I meet him the on my second callback, or my my first callback, actually. And um, and he really, really, really vibed with me. Um and you're playing him. So it's important that he vibes with you.

[23:36] Casey Likes: I guess it is. I guess it is. But also part of my mind was thinking, oh man, maybe he's just a really good director, and he just knows how to like get cool with people, and like he knows how to like just like build that bond fast, which he is. He's he's that as well. But little did I know that like what we were experiencing in that first callback together was a genuine um connection.

[24:00] Marc Tumminelli: What do you remember about them like actually telling you you booked it?

[24:05] Casey Likes: Um, I remember sitting down at the Hotel Edison Diner. I had done um two callbacks that day. Um, one for a show called The Outsiders and one for a show called ALMOST FAMOUS. Um and uh and I was sitting down at the Hotel Edison Diner with my mom, who had eaten there every single day before her production of Les Miserables.

[24:29] Marc Tumminelli: That's amazing.

[24:29] Casey Likes: Um, eating matzabal soup, the same meal she ate.

[24:32] Marc Tumminelli: That's what you get there.

[24:34] Casey Likes: Yep. And and we were eating the matz ball soup, and I get the call. Um, and um, and then they said we want you to be um William Miller in ALMOST FAMOUS in in San Diego and on Broadway. And yeah.

[24:49] Marc Tumminelli: Who's the first person you called?

[24:52] Casey Likes: Wow, that's a great question. Um, I think I called my grandparents first because my mom was already there, and my grandparents were taking care of my sister, so I got to talk to all of three of them. And then I might have called uh I might have called uh that friend of mine, Micah.

[25:12] Marc Tumminelli: That's amazing. But I I can't exactly remember Did your mom lose her mind, like just to be with you for that?

[25:18] Casey Likes: Yeah. Yes. I mean, we were just crying, like how how full circle and how sentimental can can I be when I'm gonna be able to do that.

[25:24] Marc Tumminelli: Oh my god, it's just like you are you're out of control with your full circleness. All right, so we have to talk about the COVID of it all because I cannot imagine the stress that a young person would feel. You're what, 17 when you get this, or you're yeah, right? And that you're gonna have this big moment, you're going to the old globe, and then you're going to Broadway, and then the whole world closes. Um, you guys were gonna go into the marquee, right? Wasn't that the original plan?

[25:50] Casey Likes: They had a few different plans. We've had a lot of plans.

[25:53] Marc Tumminelli: You've had a lot of plans.

[25:55] Casey Likes: There's been a lot of like lighting the match, but not lighting the candle on the show. And I imagine we're supposed to go in spring, and then um, and then we were supposed to go in summer, and then we were supposed to go in fall. That was all of 2020. And our final word was that we were going in the fall, and um that basically obviously ended.

[26:18] Marc Tumminelli: Did not happen.

[26:18] Casey Likes: Yeah. Very quickly. Um, did you feel like it wouldn't come in? Did you feel like they'd want to replace you with someone younger? Like, talk to me about that sort of thing that goes through a young person's head in this business where it's like you're running against the clock a little bit.

[26:31] Casey Likes: Yeah. Yeah, I mean, that's that's definitely those are the thoughts that I had, um, for sure.

[26:37] Casey Likes: Um, what I what I the only saving grace I had was that the guy that I replaced in the show um who left for a different TV project. Um, the guy who I replaced was was much older than me. Got it. Dumb. And I still am not the age he was when he played the role before me. So uh I still felt okay. I felt I felt that was the only saving grace. However, I still was like, okay, but I am literally getting like older than the role at this point, like way older. Um, you know, you're you're thinking like, do I am I gonna look the same? Is my voice gonna be the same? Like I played this role when I literally was still like developing. Yeah. Yeah. And I'm still obviously still developing, but it's just like this is like that was a crazy stroke of luck that happened back then, and I hope that I can keep it up for the next few years. And fortunately I did because uh man, I'm still here.

[27:40] Marc Tumminelli: And here you are. Um, take me back to a few weeks ago. You finally have your opening night on Broadway after a long preview process, which I'm sure was stressful and had so many ups and downs, but now you're here, you're doing the thing, it's happening, you're making your Broadway debut. Tell me about that day, tell me about that night. We want to hear it all.

[27:58] Casey Likes: Yeah, wow. I mean, it was it kind of really, really snuck up on me. I mean, you wait for this thing for I mean, specifically with this project, three years. But if we're talking about in an unspecific sense, you know, your whole life. Like we all, if you're in theater, you know, you dream about your opening night of Broadway, no matter what position you're in, whether you're an actor, whether you're in the crew or or you're a designer, whatever. You you dream about that opening night on Broadway. And really genuinely, I just it just snuck up on me. We were working so hard. It was every single day, and and we made it there. And I was like, I cannot believe I'm in this really fancy outfit right now on a red carpet right now.

And this this is the thing. Like the celebrities are gonna be here in like 30 minutes, and we're really gonna open the show after three years of working on the show and 17 years of doing this. Um, so yeah, it was a very surreal and and unbelievable experience. And I got to bring my family on the red carpet with me, which uh was unbelievable. Like I just wanted that picture. And thank goodness to Bruce Glickus, um, one of the best around. And he got me a great shot of my family and my 101 year old uh one year old grandmother, right? Yes.

[29:28] Casey Likes: I saw the video on your Broadway.com blog where you come out of your apartment and they're like waiting for you. It's just very sweet. And I was like, to have your great grandmother see you star on Broadway is like who can say that?

[29:39] Casey Likes: Yeah, she she remember she she remembers saying to uh my mom, because she had she had seen my mom on tour and um I maybe on Broadway, I can't remember. But I remember her saying to my mom when we were doing that production of Christmas Carol, uh, way, way back, that she she regretted that she would never be around to be able to see me beyond Broadway.

[30:04] Marc Tumminelli: Oh, and she makes it.

[30:07] Casey Likes: I don't even I don't normally cry on my own podcast, but I'm feeling I I feel for you. That's like the most incredible thing I've ever heard.

[30:14] Casey Likes: Isn't that powerful? Like really special moments, like my dad getting to be there, my mom getting to be there, my great grandma, my grandparents who literally were there through the whole process of of this show and like getting me to the rehearsals and all that stuff. And then and then my sister, who like we've been through everything together. It was such an amazing remarkable.

[30:37] Marc Tumminelli: You are very good in this. And I am not just saying this because you're doing this podcast. I watched that show and I was like, this kid is extraordinary. Like you are a brilliant actor, you're an incredible singer, and your connection with everybody, whether you have two lines with them or major scenes, is so powerful and electric. And it's something that you're very you're bringing to this that I don't know anyone else could. Um and it's you're really dynamic in the show. And I hope that you get all the Tonies and all the things. Um, but I want to know a little bit about creating him for the stage and how uh you sort of found your way in.

[31:10] Casey Likes: Wow. I uh I don't know if you know how much I needed that, Marc.

[31:15] Marc Tumminelli: Oh, well, I meant I mean it. You're remarkably good in this.

[31:19] Casey Likes: Thank you so much. I I think it's uh I think it's uh a very I was just talking to someone the other day. I was like, people who are in the industry, like recognizing your work. I think really, really means um so so much to you. Um, but that's yeah, besides the point. Thank you very much, Marc, and I'll I'll answer your question now. So so you can do your job. But uh yeah, it it was really um, it was really a process. I mean, when you're 17 years old and you've never done anything but like roles that you could probably find bootlegs of online, you you really don't know how to how to create anything. Um and I really, really loved the movie. I loved Patrick Fugit. I thought he was exactly what that movie needed.

And I thought he he really, really served that film brilliantly. And um what we found is that I was a little too in love with his performance um at the very beginning of rehearsals. And and they kept giving me the note to smile more. I'm like, but Patrick doesn't smile that much. Like he's wide-eyed and he's deer in headlights, like that's a big part of the character. And and you know, what they were trying to do was not even really to get me to smile more, it was really to get me to find my own William. And and the conversation then became why are you watching and studying Patrick when it well, this is how I interpreted it. This is not what they said, but I interpreted it. Why are you watching and studying Patrick when Cameron is in the room and this is who it's based on?

So then the entire the entire approach to the character shift. And that's when my agency as a young actor started to come in with creation. And I started basically creating something that was between me and Cameron, and hopefully more on Cameron's side. Um and uh then than mine. So so we ended up getting a lot of lunches and dinners, and I got to know him really well, and specifically the way he makes people feel. Like, like you were saying, um, the energy and the connection I have to have with other people. I I interact with every single person in the show at least once. I can pinpoint every single interaction with everyone. And all of those connections have to be authentic. And each one of those people needs to be affected by William, because that's how Cameron is in real life.

I mean, if you go see the show, he often is there. He'll be back in a week. He just left last week and he was like, oh man, I'm gonna miss the show. I'm like, when are you coming back? Two weeks. Okay. So I'll see you in two weeks, Cameron. And uh he but when he talks to people in the audience, they leave the show and feel like they were the only person Cameron talked to that night. And that is what William is. Like William is this embodiment of like pure love for what he does. He's a he's a tried and true journalist that just wants to learn about people and wants to also experience life in in the meantime.

[34:37] Marc Tumminelli: And I imagine you connect with that as like a writer and a producer and a director and an actor, all those things are the same.

[34:44] Casey Likes: Big time. It the big word is empathy, you know, and I think that word gets lost a lot in in a art form that is entirely because of empathy, you know, like um, whether it be other actors, whether it be other creatives, whether it be critics, whether it be whatever, the word empathy is lost because it's like we if once we choose to not understand other people and their scenarios, then like we just lose all track of humanity. And like William is the embodiment of like the understanding of people and humanity and just like what other people could be going through while you're also like going through something. I mean, it's like a lovely lesson, and you don't really think of the show like that, but then all of a sudden that's what you take away from it.

Of you know, we see the show through your eyes. So your experience of these connections with these people, your experience growing up on stage every night, you know, seeing a boy become a man essentially, um, is you know, it's like something that you feel in the audience, and that is such a credit to you. And also your incredible co-stars. You have an unbelievable group of people you get to play with sort of every night, Drew and Soleya and Chris and Anika. Um, tell me about working with these people who I know Soleya is making her Broadway debut, and I know her as well, but these other people who've been doing this forever, um, how have they helped you? How have you uh navigated that?

[36:15] Casey Likes: Well, that's that's kind of like where me and William combined. That's the biggest piece of of us that are that is the same. And it's that the first callback I the I had with Soleya, I did a reading with her, and I came in and I knew who she was. And I said, I am a big fan of your work before we started reading, which looking back on it, could have really not been the right thing to say, like, especially if like she's method or whatever, like I I could have messed up things right there, but I I needed to say that to her, as I do with anyone walking down the street, that is maybe the third cover in the longest running show in the world. I still know who they are. That's so good. I'm just a fan.

So I walk in the first day of rehearsals, and really, really um excited to meet Drew, Gerard, uh Canonico, um, Van Hughes, um, Libby Winters, these a lot of actors that I just like knew their work forever. And uh I come in and I'm wearing a Playbill backpack, which has a whole bunch of Playbills, and they're all pointing it out. They're like, I was in that show. And I'm like, I know. I know. That's like that's the thing. So it's honestly just been like, it's been such a meta experience, kind of like really living Williams' life, like meeting your heroes, um, knowing, realizing that they're people, um, and then working for with them for the next three years. And and I'm still fans of them to this day. They're just all so present and so fantastic in the show.

[38:01] Marc Tumminelli: Yeah, and they're killing it. Tell me about um vocal health, because this is an enormous thing for a young vocalist or really any singer. Um, have you had a lot of help in that area? I mean, it just sounds your voice is spectacular, but you really sound like you're navigating it so beautifully, and you could do this 16 times a week. I don't know how anyone could do it once. So talk to me about that.

[38:21] Casey Likes: Wow, I really appreciate that. Um, yeah, they I I've started taking from a coach in Arizona called Craig Baumler, and um, he was a lifelong friend um who actually worked on a Christmas Carol with me way back in the day. And very famous Christmas Carol. This car hey, Christmas Carol's a this is a big through line of this of life, clearly. That and Les Misérables. But uh but yeah Craig Craig really helped me out and kind of set me on the right path. And then once I joined ALMOST FAMOUS, they they got me with a gal named Joan Later. Of course, who is Broadway royalty. Yes. And she really, really, really has saved me. And the other night, maybe maybe she'd be mad at me for saying this, but she came to the show, and I was I don't, I don't get the word nervous is not a word I use often.

It's usually just excitement. Um, but man, I was nervous for Joan Later to come because she she really runs a tight ship and she's she won't lie to you, you know. So I was nervous for her to see the show. And she texts me, of course. She's like, can't wait to see the show tonight. And I'm like, okay, well, okay, here are the nerves. And I see her afterwards, and but as soon as I see her face, I can't even say hi to her. I just was like, Joan, I I can I there's more to work on. I know. Like there's still more stuff I can do. And she goes, No, you that was you did a great job.

[39:50] Casey Likes: And then she gave me a hug and she said, I'm so proud of you. And that was like the best thing that could have possibly happened. So thank goodness to the people who have helped me, like Joan and Craig get me to this place.

[40:05] Marc Tumminelli: Do you feel this level of pressure being like you are the star of the show? You are you have last bow, you are basically the owner of the you're the CEO of ALMOST FAMOUS. Do you feel any of that pressure? And is being a young person is that hard, or do you are you letting that completely on to the other people?

[40:23] Casey Likes: I mean, I think you can't really think about it. I mean, maybe some people do, but like I think what's great is that like they did get me when I was 17. And I literally like did not clock that I was like the lead of this show until honestly when we started rehearsals this time around. Like I think because like I was just trying to do the work. Like I didn't really have time to think. Like a week into San Diego rehearsals, they were like, okay, so you should probably be off book in the next couple of days. And I was like, I just watched the movie last week. Like, you know, it's a really fast process. So you're just playing catch up. But finally, we had done the show for so long that I was able to take a step back and go, oh wow, I guess I'm an important part of the show, I guess.

Like, you know, and even still, like it's so much bigger than me, you know. You go on stage every night and people applaud for the entrances of icons on the stage with you. And my job in this show is to be, you know, their opposite, and is just to like let them do their work, and then hopefully in the meantime, I can tell my story. And when you don't think about it too much, I think it becomes a lot easier because it is way bigger than me. And it would be selfish of me to act like it was just about me.

[41:59] Marc Tumminelli: I mean, you were a hundred percent living your dream. You'll have a Broadway cast recording, which will hopefully be out soon, so people can like listen to this music and hear you sing it. I know that's so thrilling. And that must feel like as a theater kid to be on an original cast album has to feel like checking the most enormous box ever.

[42:16] Casey Likes: Yeah. Um, because you know, so many people never get to see shows, but that cast album will live on for a million years, and that is such a thrill. Um, how does this experience measure up to the way you imagined it as a little kid?

[42:30] Casey Likes: Ooh, wow. What a great question, Marc. Thank you.

[42:34] Marc Tumminelli: I'm very good at this.

[42:35] Casey Likes: I know you are. Gosh. Um, wow. I would say that it was everything that I imagined it could be and more. I really like there's not a single moment I can think of that I was like, oh, this is different. I mean, I mean, the only thing that's different is you just never know. You never know, like how normal it is sometimes. Like how normal it is to be on a stage and like we're waiting in tech. And then someone makes like a fart joke. Or like, or like it's your school play on crack, is what I always like to say to me. I think that's genuinely it. Like, there isn't this like separation from what you've always done. The only difference now is that it's for a few more people this time, yeah, and a few more people write about it.

Um, but otherwise, I mean, it's like we still show up, we still do the show, we still are stupid people sometimes backstage. And yeah, I don't know, I dig it, but like it's also been glamorous, and it's also been all the things that I always wanted it to be. Like having a stylist for opening night. Like that's so something like Yeah, it feels like out of body. Like you're you're you're like shooting a movie about being a TV star or something.

[44:08] Casey Likes: Yeah. And then like people wanting to, I think what's been so exciting and why I thank you so much for having me on this, Marc, is that like getting to have people be interested in your story. I mean, that's like that's something that is so personal to me. Like I'm not from New York. I'm not from LA. I'm not from a place that really even like is extremely privileged in the sense of like getting like not a lot of people come out from Chandler, Arizona and do like Broadway.

[44:42] Marc Tumminelli: Yeah.

[44:43] Casey Likes: Um I think it was not lost on you that it's so special.

[44:48] Marc Tumminelli: Yeah, it's not. It's not. It's really special to be here and to have people like interested in like where I'm from.

[44:55] Casey Likes: Like that's I also feel like you're about to be a very big movie star, which is must feel crazy. Like you've shot this big movie, Spinning Gold, and you're playing like you're playing Gene Simmons, like you're a big part of this movie. Um, and it looks and it's very in line with ALMOST FAMOUS in so many ways, which is also must feel like I've been living this rock star thing on camera and now I'm doing it on Broadway.

[45:18] Casey Likes: Um yeah, that's very wild, right?

[45:20] Marc Tumminelli: I know it is so surreal. I at least I know the references, which is great because they they'll quiz you, you know, when you're on set, they're like, you don't even know what you you don't even know any Kiss music, or you don't even know uh CSNY or whatever. And I'm like what I do. Like, trust me, I've lived the life for at least three years now. That movie's coming out in March.

[45:43] Casey Likes: Yeah, it's coming March 31st.

[45:46] Marc Tumminelli: Are you so excited?

[45:47] Casey Likes: I am so thrilled. I mean, it's like this this movie has that it should get its own documentary. I mean, it's like the making of that film was such a ride. They've tried to get that movie made for so long, and I kind of came on late in the process. Um, and man, I was just really, really glad to be a part of the ride, and I'm glad it's finally coming out.

[46:10] Marc Tumminelli: Oh my god, it looks great. So I'm sure you can't talk too much about it, but I'm uh I'm I'm happy for the world to see it and get to see you in another big movie. And then you have this horror movie, Dark Harvest coming out. Um, you like are in a you're like a big star. It like happened.

[46:25] Casey Likes: You know, I mean, we'll see, like time will tell, but I appreciate you saying that. But like, man, the pandemic was like a horrible thing. And also, you know, like you make the most out of uh and yet you made a few movies, you wrote your own stuff that you got done that we can watch on YouTube now. Um, are you gonna be doing a lot more writing and producing of your own stuff?

[46:46] Casey Likes: Yeah, yeah. I got some tricks on my sleeve.

[46:49] Marc Tumminelli: I'm sure you do.

[46:50] Casey Likes: I'm working on, but yeah.

[46:52] Marc Tumminelli: Well, I just feel like 2023 is like your year. You'll have these movies, you'll have this probably show running, and God knows what else you'll create, like overnight between today and tomorrow. Um, it's really and then your birthday, happy birthday, baby Jesus.

[47:05] Casey Likes: Yes on December 25th, back to Christmas Carol. You'll be you'll be uh 22.

[47:11] Marc Tumminelli: Is that what happens now to you?

[47:12] Casey Likes: I'll be 21.

[47:14] Marc Tumminelli: Oh my god, you're only 20 now.

[47:16] Casey Likes: Only 20 now.

[47:17] Marc Tumminelli: Oh my god. You're see, this is what happens growing up Broadway. Um, and look at you, smart, young, fabulous. Um, all right, we have to do quick fire questions because I need to let you rest because it's your day off. Are you ready?

[47:27] Casey Likes: Yes.

[47:29] Marc Tumminelli: Just don't overthink it. People overthink it, they kill the whole game. All right. What was your first audition song?

[47:37] Casey Likes: Oh, pro uh gosh, I don't even remember. Oh, probably Where is Love from Oliver?

[47:42] Marc Tumminelli: Great standard classic. First Broadway show you saw?

[47:46] Casey Likes: Beautiful, the Carol King musical.

[47:48] Marc Tumminelli: What is your go-to album for a car trip?

[47:52] Casey Likes: Ooh, maybe Channel Orange Frank Ocean.

[47:55] Marc Tumminelli: Do you listen to music in your dressing room?

[47:57] Casey Likes: Yes.

[47:58] Marc Tumminelli: Anything in anything specifically?

[48:01] Casey Likes: Uh Frank is, of course, on that soundtrack. Uh, I've been getting into Kendrick recently. Lizzie McAlpine is fantastic. Uh he really knows about music, people. And then and then also from the time we have the Eagles, we have Fleet Witness, we have Elton John.

[48:15] Marc Tumminelli: Yeah, those are those are intense. Who were you most starstruck to meet at your opening?

[48:21] Casey Likes: Um I mean, Joni Mitchell, the first time she came, because she came back in San Diego, and then she came back.

[48:28] Marc Tumminelli: Wow for opening on Broadway.

[48:33] Casey Likes: So that was surreal. Uh, I didn't get to meet Paul Rudd, but I was pretty starstruck he was there.

[48:37] Marc Tumminelli: All right, well, he'll come back. Um, tell us one thing uh you can tell us about Cameron Crow.

[48:43] Casey Likes: Um, the best person in the room.

[48:45] Marc Tumminelli: Have you seen Leah Michelle and Funny Girl?

[48:48] Casey Likes: No, I have not.

[48:49] Marc Tumminelli: You gotta get yourself there. It's unbelievable. Um, all right. Favorite role you played in high school?

[48:56] Casey Likes: Valjean in Les Misérables.

[48:58] Marc Tumminelli: Who would you like to have come see you in ALMOST FAMOUS who hasn't yet?

[49:03] Casey Likes: A million and one people. I mean, uh, I really need to meet Olivia Rodrigo. Um, of course, Ariana Grande, like, come on. Like really on the You're ready for the next generation of icons.

[49:14] Casey Likes: Yeah, and then also Will Ferrell, because I played him as a kid and I saw him. I really need him to come and I want to meet him again.

[49:22] Marc Tumminelli: All right. Will Ferrell's coming. Um, how stunning is Soleil Pfeiffer on a scale of one to 10?

[49:27] Casey Likes: 11 being the only acceptable answer.

[49:29] Marc Tumminelli: 11.

[49:30] Casey Likes: Like, what is I mean? Have you ever seen anyone better looking? I'm just like, you are the most gorgeous human.

[49:35] Marc Tumminelli: Yeah.

[49:36] Casey Likes: And then she like sings in my face and spits in it like every single night.

[49:40] Marc Tumminelli: And I'll there you go. True love. Um, what's the most memorable performance you've ever seen?

[49:47] Casey Likes: Wow. Uh man. Um, if we're talking about musical theater, I really enjoyed Jeremy Jordan in Newsies. I mean, that's singing.

[49:56] Marc Tumminelli: Um, all right, can you name two real housewives?

[50:01] Casey Likes: No.

[50:02] Marc Tumminelli: No, I should though.

[50:05] Casey Likes: No, you don't. Don't be a garbage person like me. Just focus on your music documentaries or whatever.

[50:11] Marc Tumminelli: Um, what is your favorite song to sing if no one's home? Or just favorite song to sing in general?

[50:17] Casey Likes: Um, I like Vienna by Billy Joel.

[50:21] Marc Tumminelli: Yes.

[50:22] Casey Likes: Um, I just saw him.

[50:23] Marc Tumminelli: You've seen him at the garden ever.

[50:25] Casey Likes: No, but I need to.

[50:26] Marc Tumminelli: You like absolutely have to. It is, it's really exciting.

[50:30] Casey Likes: Yeah.

[50:31] Marc Tumminelli: All right. What advice do you have for young performers?

[50:35] Casey Likes: Like, if you ever feel like you were good enough, um, I you should probably keep working. I mean, that's just my I mean, that's kind of intense, but like I just like never, never stop. Like, it's always like, when can I get into a vocal coach? When can I work on my dancing? When can I do this? Blah, blah, blah, blah. Like, just always improving, especially now.

[50:58] Marc Tumminelli: I love it. Um, what does Casey like most about being on Broadway?

[51:02] Casey Likes: See, Casey likes, getting it. Casey likes Casey Likes. Um, Casey likes the people. I mean, yeah, I'm sure. Meet these people that I've been fans of forever and getting to work with them and call them my peers is like the most thrilling part about it. It's really exciting.

[51:21] Marc Tumminelli: I think huge, huge things are happening for you. Tell the people where they can follow you and see you in ALMOST FAMOUS and also like know what's up with you.

[51:29] Casey Likes: At just Casey Likes on all platforms. Um, just is in the name.

[51:34] Marc Tumminelli: So got it. And make sure you buy your tickets to ALMOST FAMOUS at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theater on Broadway. Um, you're doing eight shows a week, huh?

[51:42] Casey Likes: That's a killer.

[51:43] Marc Tumminelli: Yeah, man. Wow. So thankful. I mean, regardless of how dead my body is by the end of it. I'm just thankful to be there.

[51:51] Marc Tumminelli: Well, you're brilliant in it, and everyone needs to see it. Casey, thank you so much for taking this time today. We I loved getting to chat with you and hear your story. And I just I just know that like major, major things are already happening, but bigger things are on the horizon.

[52:05] Casey Likes: Oh, Marc, thank you. If that's even possible, I just don't even know how that's possible. But uh you're you're amazing.

[52:11] Marc Tumminelli: And thank you all for listening to Little Me Growing Up Broadway. Make sure you go leave us a nice review, tell your friends, and follow us on Instagram at LittleMe Podcast. Casey, have a great day off. Happy almost birthday, 21. Don't get don't get crazy.

[52:25] Casey Likes: Now you gotta figure out what your drink of.

[52:27] Casey Likes: I got a show the next day, so I will not be, but maybe New Year's.

[52:31] Marc Tumminelli: Yes, all right. Two drink maximum. Um, you're the best. Thank you so much.

[52:35] Casey Likes: Thanks.

[52:37] Marc Tumminelli: See everyone. Thank you, listeners. This podcast is produced by Alan Seals, Dory Berenstein, and the Broadway Podcast Network, and edited by Derek Gunther. For more information on the Little Me podcast, go to bpn.fm slash little me. And follow me on Instagram at Marc Tumminelli or on Twitter at that Tuminelli. And for more information on workshops, classes, and everything Broadway Workshop, go to BroadwayWorkshop.com. Thank you for listening.