Tony Award Winner Jessie Mueller
Returns to the Seth Rudetsky Concert Series
Sunday Nov 8 & Monday Nov 9
Producer Mark Cortale has announced that Tony award-winner Jessie Mueller will return to The Seth Rudetsky Concert Series on November 8th at 8pm and again on November 9th at 3pm. She joins a star-studded November lineup that includes Beth Malone, Lillias White, Adam Pascal, Patti Murin and Colin Donnell, for the weekly virtual series hosted by Seth Rudetsky and based on the international Broadway series that began at The Art House in Provincetown ten years ago. LaChanze’s recent live concert, which was fabulous, will also now be available on-demand through November 9th at Thesethconcertseries.com.
Jessie Mueller most recently appeared on Broadway and at Steppenwolf in Tracy Letts’ new play The Minutes alongside the playwright, Armie Hammer and Blair Brown. She received a Tony nomination and Drama Desk Award for her performance as Julie Jordan in the recent revival of Carousel opposite Joshua Henry and Renee Fleming. Prior to that she originated the role of Jenna Hunterson in composer-lyricist Sara Bareilles’ hit Broadway musical Waitress for which she was nominated for a Tony, Drama Desk and Grammy award. She earned all three awards for her starring role as Carole King in Beautiful-The Carole King Musical. She recently starred as Marian in The Music Man with Norm Lewis and Rosie O’Donnell at The Kennedy Center. Other major Broadway credits include Nice Work If You Can Get It, The Mystery Of Edwin Drood (Drama Desk nomination), and her Broadway debut as Melinda in On A Clear Day You Can See Forever opposite Harry Connick, Jr. (Tony and Drama Desk nominations). She portrayed Carrie Pipperidge in the New York Philharmonic’s staged concert production of Carousel at Lincoln Center, and was a part of Carnegie Hall’s family concert series, Take the Stage with Broadway Stars. Mueller began her career in Chicago and was named Actor of the Year in 2011 by The Chicago Tribune. Four years later she received Chicago’s prestigious Sarah Siddons Society Award. Recently she collaborated on Broadway for Orlando’s “What the World Needs Now” benefiting our brothers and sisters in Orlando.
It was a pleasure to sit down with Jessie Mueller just days before the concert for this exclusive Hotspots interview:
At what age did singing and acting become interests of yours and when did you know singing and acting were going to officially be your career?
I think I was intrigued by the age of 4 or 5 because my parents were taking me to the theater. However, I did not think it was going to be my career until I started working professionally right out of college.
What was your first professional/paying gig?
Right out of college, I was hired to be in the chorus at Drury Lane Theatre outside of Chicago in “Once upon a Mattress.”
What was your first big break, and what was your first Broadway show?
They are one and the same. I worked in Chicago for 5 or 6 years in the theater, and then my first gig on Broadway and my first big break was “On A Clear Day You Can See Forever” with Harry Connick Jr.
Do you remember how it felt when they called your name as the winner of the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical for Beautiful-The Carole King Musical, and can you describe it to me?
It felt like everything sped up and slowed down at the same time. My mind and body were focused on different places and I remember thinking that I shouldn’t trip over my dress. I was very aware, but having an out of body experience.
Where do you keep the Tony?
It’s on a shelf in my office.
Tell me something people would be surprised to know about you?
I once painted an art mural in a spa.
Describe yourself in three words.
Caring, goofy and faithful
Are you excited to be a part of The Seth Rudetsky Concert Series on November 8 & 9, and what should our readers expect from the concert?
Any time you get Seth on a piano in a room it’s going to be a good time. I don’t know what the state of the world will be on Sunday, but either way we will all need music and laughter. I am hoping with all my heart it will be a celebration. But with Seth there is always something unexpected, so it will be a good time.
What does the future hold for Jessie Mueller?
I think we will know more about what the future holds in a few days, but I hope it holds peace and strength and tenacity and fortitude to make our world better. I hope very soon we will be able to gather together again.
That was my last question. Is there anything else you want to say?
Yes, it’s such a strange hard time for everyone and I feel so thankful to people that are turning to the arts and artists for joy.
Each weekly show will premiere Sunday nights at 8pm with a second showing Mondays at 3pm for viewers in other time zones like the UK. Tickets are available at thesethconcertseries.com for $25 each. Also – for the first time – VIP tickets that include access to the artists’ sound check are now on sale for Jessie Mueller.
