An Interview with Leo Ash Evens

Nick Orlando: Leo, nice speaking with you.  Why did you decide on a career in theatre? 

Leo Ash Evens: Since 3^rd or 4^th grade, it was always a passion.  I always had very supportive parents while growing up.  I was always supported along the way.  Although, I always knew the road blocks (financially and there is so much rejection, and when you are dealing with rejection all of the time, you are not always reminded of what you do well.  Persistence is a big thing you need to have as an actor.  For all the thousands that come into the city, a ton quit), I had the drive to follow through with what I love.  I think it is so important to be happy with your profession.  

Nick Orlando: You will be making your Ravinia Festival debut as Tulsa in Gypsy.  What attracted you to this production? 

Leo Ash Evens: It's Gypsy and is one of my favorite musicals.  I love Tulsa.  It is so much fun to break through and have this song and dance number.  It's such a great show.  I am not sick of it.  This is my third Gypsy.  This production has such an incredible creative team, Lonny Price (director), Paul Gemignani (musical director), and Bonnie Walker (choreographer).  And, Patti [LuPone] is involved in it.  I am very excited to work with her.

 Nick Orlando: Describe the casting process.  

Leo Ash Evens: It was an audition.  There were a lot of other guys auditioning for Tulsa.  It was a long day; I was there from 10a – 3p.  At the end of the day, I went home and haven't heard anything for a long time.  Then, I heard there was going to be another callback.  At that final callback, it was me and someone else.  That day, I found out I got it.  It was crucial for me to find out because I had another role lined up - Jimmy in Thoroughly Modern Millie.  Jimmy is a role that I never played before and I was really excited to do it.  But, I didn't want to give up the chance to work with this incredible creative team and Ms. LuPone.

Nick Orlando: Leo, this will be your third time playing the role.  What has been rewarding about the two previous times?  

Leo Ash Evens: The first one was rewarding because it was my first crack at the role.  I really didn't know Gypsy until I booked it.  It was a nice, small regional theatre in Massachusetts.  That was rewarding and more intimate.  The second one was rewarding because I worked with Andrea McArdle.  She was doing Mama Rose in Houston, Texas.  This was in 2004.  This was my first show back from a broken foot; it was the first job I was back.  It was really important for me to do the show again.

Nick Orlando: Which has been the most challenging production, thus far? 

Leo Ash Evens: The most challenging, dance-wise, was when I had to learn Billy Lawlor in 42^nd Street.  That was the first principal tap role I did after college.  Since then, I have gone on to do Billy again.  Vocally though, I was on tour with Disney's On The Record.  That, vocally, was very demanding.  That was non-stop singing for two and a half hours.  It was a musical revue; a lot of singing and choreography.

Nick Orlando: What happened with Barry Manilow's Broadway-bound Harmony? 

Leo Ash Evens: That is probably my best story.  That was heartbreaking.  After four or five weeks of rehearsal, it was shut down.  Our lead producer falsely capitalized – the money wasn't in line for the show to continue.  When that happened, Equity stepped in and had to shut down the show.  There was so much heart in the show.  I got the dose, at a young age, on the dark side of the business.  It forced me to grow.  I had a lot of other actors say, "Leo, it's good that you are learning young."  I really hope Harmony has the stage life it deserves one day.  It's a big book musical and that is what is so powerful and rewarding.  It's original.  I met Barry Manilow and he was so friendly.  He welcomed everyone.  It was so sad that this didn't happen for him. 

Nick Orlando: Out of the current shows, if you were able to choose any show, where would you like to see your Broadway debut? 

Leo Ash Evens: I love Avenue Q.  When I saw that show after it first opened, I loved it.  That, of course, would be an incredible role.  I love The Light In The Piazza, but I don't think I am right, type-wise, for that show.  

Nick Orlando: What else do you have lined up? 

Leo Ash Evens: After Gypsy, I would love to be in the Music Theatre Festival again.  I think a lot of the auditions are happening now.  I would love to do another festival show.  I, as an actor, like to do the new stuff; you can grow with it.  That's why Harmony was so fun, too. 

Check out Leo Ash Evens as Tulsa in Gypsy at the Chicago Ravinia Festival with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra from August 11^th through the 13^th.  For more info, log on to www.leoashevens.com or www.ravinia.org.