Cheyenne Jackson Talks Career, Finian's Reviews and Hippie Life with The Wall Street Journal

There is no escaping Cheyenne Jackson this fall.  The 34-year-old leading man, who hails from the Idaho-Washington border, will debut on NBC's 30 Rock next week for a new stint, is starring eight shows a week on Broadway in the revival of Finian's Rainbow, and has just released an album of love songs with theater vet Michael Feinstein, the Power of Two.  Recently, entertainment's hottest asset sat down with the Wall Street Journal to discuss his career in "three mediums," just what it feels like to get those great reviews, and growing up without running water.

On his accolades for Finian's Jackson tells the Wall Street Journal:

"The first show back was really weird because all of us had gotten these great reviews...It almost does the same thing to you as really bad reviews because bad reviews, you're thinking, "Oh man, everyone hates me and I have to do this right now." But really great reviews you're thinking ... 'What the hell did I do? I'm trying to remember what I did before.'"

On growing up in nature, Jackson reveals: "It's bizarre. My parents were hippies in southern California and my Dad had been in Vietnam and they wanted to start a family and create a life that was totally different than their childhood. They wanted us to grow up in nature...My dad built our house. We lived on 40 acres. We were very poor, but I didn't know I was poor. ... My neighbors next door thought we were really rich because our house was bigger and we got indoor plumbing first."

To read the full interview in the Wall Street Journal Online, click here.

Cheyenne Jackson is an award winning stage and film actor currently starring as Woody in the new Broadway revival of Finian's Rainbow at the ST. James Theatre. Most recently Cheyenne was rocking the house as Sonny Malone in the smash hit Xanadu (Drama League, Drama Desk nominations) on Broadway. Off and on Broadway he starred as Joe Hardy in the New York City Center production of Damn Yankees opposite Jane Krakowski and Sean Hayes, Nicky Silver's The Agony & the Agony with Victoria Clark, All Shook Up (Theater World Award, Drama League, Outer Critics Circle nomination) the premier cast of Altar Boyz, Aida, Thoroughly Modern Millie, The Cartells, On The 20th Century and The 24 Hour Plays. Jackson's film credits include the Oscar nominated United 93, Curiosity and Hysteria. He has guest starred on TV in "30 Rock," "Ugly Betty," "Lipstick Jungle" and "Life After Mars." Additionally, he portrayed "Sebastian Kinglare" for the Sony/Lifetime Television pilot "Family Practice."

Finian's Rainbow plays the ST. James Theatre, 246 West 44 Street. The performance schedule is Tuesday through Thursday at 7pm; Friday and Saturday at 8pm; with matinees on Wednesday and Saturday at 2pm, and Sunday at 3pm. Tickets are $35 - $75 in previews and $50 - $120 post opening.

There are also special post-opening Wednesday evening prices as low as $25.00. Tickets may be purchased by visiting www.telecharge.com or by phoning 212.239.6200. For groups, which are on sale now, phone 212.541.8457 or 1.800.BROADWAY.

For more information about Finian's Rainbow, visit www.FiniansOnBroadway.com.

 

 

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