Interview: Ashley Brown and Kevin Kern on Performing with Frank Wildhorn at BYU

Tony-nominated composer Frank Wildhorn will return to Brigham Young University to perform his music with Broadway vocalists, including new songs and selections from THE SCARLET PIMPERNEL, JEKYLL & HYDE, and more.

The concert will be presented in BYU's de Jong Concert Hall as part of its BRAVO! professional performing arts series on Friday, March 17, 2017. For more information and to buy tickets, visit arts.byu.edu.

The list of performers includes Ashley Brown, who was the first to play the title role of MARY POPPINS on Broadway; Kevin Kern, who was the first to play J.M. Barrie on the national tour of FINDING NEVERLAND; Teal Wicks, who played Emma in the Broadway revival of JEKYLL & HYDE; Jackie Burns, who was the standby for Idina Menzel in IF/THEN; and Dallyn Vail Bayles, who played Enjolras on the national tour of LES MISERABLES. They will be joined by the Young Ambassadors, with Wildhorn himself at the piano.

Ashley Brown and Kevin Kern shared their thoughts on the upcoming concert with BroadwayWorld.

1. What are you most looking forward to about performing with Frank Wildhorn at BYU?

A.B.: I've always been a huge fan of Frank's work. He doesn't know this yet, but almost every song I sang in high school for any drama competition or performance was one of his songs. I was obsessed with Linda Eder and his music. I still to this day view her as one of my favorite voices. So I've loved revisiting this material as an adult and more settled in my own talent and being able to make them completely my own. I'm also learning songs of his that are completely new to me. So I guess I'm looking forward to singing his material with him for the first time. His songs are so much fun to sing.

K.K.: When I was in college, I once performed at an event to honor Jule Styne for his contribution to the history of musical theater. In a totally impromptu moment, Mr Styne took the stage and asked Carol Channing to come up from the audience and join him onstage. He sat at the piano and accompanied her as she sang one of his (and her!) most famous songs, "Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend"! I was floored by the moment. And what struck me most was how tickled Ms. Channing was to be singing the song that made her famous with the man who wrote it. Now I'm no Carol Channing, although Frank certainly occupies a lofty place beside writers like Jule Styne! But I do know now how Ms. Channing felt that night. Singing a song like "This Is the Moment" with Frank at the piano is a treat most singers only dream of. It's thrilling for me and I hope just as special for the audience.

2. Have you performed with Frank Wildhorn in the past, and if so, in what setting?

A.B.: We have crossed paths and sang a lot in the past, but we have never performed together. So this is our first time.

K.K.: I only met Frank within the last two years. I was originally hired to do a demo recording of some songs of a new show he wrote. Then I got a chance to perform with him at one of his concerts at 54 Below in New York City.

3. What are some of the songs the audience can look forward to hearing?

A.B.: "In His Eyes" from JEKYLL & HYDE, "Big Time," "When I Look At You," "This is the Moment"... I mean the list goes on and on. There are so many great songs in this concert.

K.K.: Well, as I said, no show of Frank Wildhorn music is complete without "This Is the Moment"! There will be other longtime fan favorites like "Into the Fire" from THE SCARLET PIMPERNEL and songs from BONNIE & CLYDE. For me, though, there is a newer song called "Change the World" that I think everyone will just love.

4. Will this be your first time in Utah?

A.B.: This is my first time as an adult in Utah. I went on a ski trip there when I was six years old. And that's it. I think I will remember more after this trip!

K.K.: I haven't spent much time in Utah, and I'm really looking forward to it! I have so many friends from my days in LES MISERABLES with connections in the Salt Lake area, and I'm excited to see the beautiful campus of BYU.

5. Ashley, you are warmly remembered by many as the first person to play the beloved title role in MARY POPPINS on Broadway. Kevin, you were the first to play the role of J.M. Barrie in FINDING NEVERLAND on tour after having understudied Matthew Morrison in the part on Broadway. How have those experiences influenced you as performers?

A.B.: Yes, MARY POPPINS changed my life. I never thought me being a girl from Gulf Breeze, Florida would ever grow up to be the infamous English nanny on Broadway. It was a dream come true. Truly. It gave me a platform as a performer to continue spreading my wings as Ashley the performer. Even well after the show closed. It's funny how much people think they know what I can do based on that role, but once they see me in concert they realize I'm much more than that. I'm not the uptight nanny they are expecting. I love watching and feeling that shift.

K.K.: The entire Broadway and tour experience of FINDING NEVERLAND was a real dream job for me. I loved both casts and was lucky to do the jobs I had in each production. I actually LOVE being a swing and a standby because I love the challenge of playing different parts all the time. It can be a huge challenge and has made me a much more nimble and relaxed performer. That said, getting a chance to actually own the role of J.M. Barrie on the tour was a gift I'll never forget. I got to work closely with all the creatives and really put my stamp on something. I was truly blessed to be in both casts.

6. Why should people go out of their way to attend Frank Wildhorn's concert at BYU?

A.B.: This concert is going to be amazing. He has brought together a fantastic group of singers. This will be all of our first times performing together. So it's going to be such an exciting one night only event. It's all of your favorite Frank tunes with a lot of upbeat numbers and an incredible band! You just don't want to miss it.

K.K.: Well as I said, it's not often you get to see a writer of Frank's stratospheric stature actually sit down and play his own music! It's not hyperbole to say that it can be a once in a lifetime experience his fans will never forget.

7. Is there anything else you'd like to add?

A.B.: I'll be posting lots of videos and pics during rehearsal and performance. So follow me on Instagram @ashleybrown9!

K.K.: Can't wait to meet you all!

Photo Credit: L-R Frank Wildhorn, Dallyn Vail Bayles, Ashley Brown, Jackie Burns, Kevin Kern, Teal Wicks

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