Ep262 - Andréa Burns: Theatre is the Ultimate Form of Expression

This is the fourth episode of a special 4-part takeover with cast & creatives from Hulu's new musical series UP HERE. Make sure to stream the entire 21 song UP HERE soundtrack everywhere you find your music.

Andréa Burns is currently in the original musical comedy series, "Up Here" playing Rosie, a strong and supportive “Latin Jewish” mother. The actress lets us in on how she ended up in the show and talks about her childhood friendship with fellow actress, Katie Finneran. Being raised in movie musicals, she was always amazed at how you could use your singing voice to tell a story and describes musical theatre as one of the ultimate forms of expression. She speaks candidly about playing a homemade collection of Billy Porter's recordings in the delivery room as she was giving birth, the thrills of moving into New York to meet people and create something, and performing for the sake of performing, regardless of how a show is going to turn out. Andréa also talks about her latest role in "Up Here" and how she found familiarity with the character, Rosie. With the surge of musicals on tv and film, she reflects on its positive outcome, including reaching a wider, global audience to tell real human stories and make an emotional connection.

Andréa Burns is an actress who’s won a Drama Desk Award for her creation of the role of Daniela in the Tony Award-winning musical "In The Heights". Her other Broadway credits include "On Your Feet", "The Rose Tattoo", "Beauty and the Beast", and "The Full Monty" among others. She was in the original cast of "Songs for a New World" opposite Billy Porter, and was selected by Stephen Sondheim to create the role of Celeste in his musical "Saturday Night". She can be heard on the soundtracks for the film versions of "In The Heights", "Tick, Tick... Boom!", and "Vivo". Andréa's tv and film credits include "The Electric Company", "Jessica Jones", "West Side Story", and "Blue Bloods". Currently, she can be seen as Rosie in the original musical comedy series, "Up Here", streaming on Hulu.

Songs used in this episode:

• Can I Ever Know You
• Please Like Me
• Can I Ever Know You (Finale)

Connect with Andréa:

• Website: http://www.andreaburns.com
• Instagram: @theandreaburns

Connect with The Theatre Podcast:

• Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast
• Twitter & Instagram: @theatre_podcast
• TikTok: @thetheatrepodcast
• Facebook.com/OfficialTheatrePodcast
• TheTheatrePodcast.com
• Alan's personal Instagram: @alanseales
• Email me at feedback@thetheatrepodcast.com. I want to know what you think.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices