Jeremy Kushnier, who made his Broadway debut in 1998 as Ren McCormack in the musical adaptation of Footloose, is back on the New York stage in the hit revival of Little Shop of Horrors at the Westside Theatre.
Kushnier, who has also been seen on Broadway in Rent, Jersey Boys, Jesus Christ Superstar, Cirque de Soleil Paramour, Head Over Heels, and the recent revival of Merrily We Roll Along, is currently playing semi-sadist dentist Orin Scrivello (and several other roles) in the Michael Mayer-directed production of the Howard Ashman–Alan Menken musical. The actor, who will continue in the show through mid-November, is sharing the stage with Gossip Girl’s Thomas Doherty as Seymour and Emmy nominee Madeline Brewer as Audrey.
Regional audiences may have seen Kushnier’s work in the touring productions of Next to Normal, Jersey Boys, Aida, and Rent, while his screen credits include The Good Wife, Nurse Jackie, Chicago Med, Person of Interest, and F/X: The Series.
In the interview below for the Playbill series How Did I Get
Here—spotlighting not only actors, but directors, designers, musicians,
and others who work on and off the stage to create the magic that is
live theatre—Kushnier explains why Little Shop continues to be such a relevant piece of theatre and that he wouldn’t mind doing Footloose for a third time.
Thomas Doherty and Jeremy Kushnier in Little Shop of Horrors
Emilio Madrid
Where did you train/study?
Jeremy Kushnier: When I was a kid, I took classes at the Royal Winnipeg Ballet and a smaller school called Winnipeg School of the Performing Arts. But I didn’t have any post secondary training.
Was there a teacher who was particularly impactful/helpful?
I’d say Jeff Kula, my middle school music teacher, was a huge influence on me.
What made this instructor stand out?
He started what was basically a rock band in my seventh grade, which gave me the opportunity to front a band singing everything from James Brown to Phil Collins. It was an awesome experience and one that really helped my confidence.
Has the dentist been a dream role of yours?
It’s funny because before I started, I honestly have to say it wasn’t on my radar. Mostly because I never get cast in roles like this. However, now that I’m doing it, it has very quickly become one of my favorite roles.
Do you have a favorite moment in the show for Orin—what makes that part particularly special?
There are a couple things that make this such a special part. If I were to say one specific moment in the show, it would have to be “The Gas.” Getting to be that broad and take that many chances comedically has been not only a challenge but a huge joy. The Seymour I’m playing opposite really dictates the direction of that number. Having Michael Mayer trust me with a role like this is a real honor. Like I said, I don’t get the opportunity to play in this kinda sandbox very often, so getting to flex my comedy chops like this has been a real gift.
Why do you think Little Shop continues to be a hit with audiences so many years after it premiered?
It’s funny, I was just speaking to someone about this exact thing. I think the idea that we are in a very politically scary moment makes this a super relevant piece. Yes, it’s a comedy and a broad one at that, but at its heart it is a musical about the dangers of capitalism and excess. So I think there are a lot of levels to be mined and reasons why people might want to see this piece.
Can you share a favorite moment from being part of the Merrily revival?
I had the immense honor of covering our very own Reg Rogers at Merrily, who is currently playing Mushnik at Little Shop, and very early in my tenure I got the chance to go on for him as Joe. I was really nervous not only because it was very early in my time there, but also because Reg is such an amazing actor and had really made this part his own in a way that very few actors could do, so it felt super daunting to step into his extremely large shoes. However, the whole cast was so amazing, and I felt so supported and cared for and ended up having an amazing time.
A few years ago, you had the chance to revisit Footloose at the Muny. What was it like for you to step into the role of Rev. Shaw Moore, after creating the part of Ren on Broadway?
Footloose holds one of the most dear parts of my heart for so many reasons. Obviously, it was the show that brought me here and started a whole new chapter for me that I never even imagined for myself. So when I had the chance to reexamine the show from that perspective it was a real gift. Also seeing it now as a father and someone with much more road behind me made me truly appreciate how wonderful a story it is. I really hope that we see it again here in New York someday soon. Also I’d love to do it again, just saying.
Tell me about a time you almost gave up but didn’t.
I mean I feel like that happens all the time. This career is filled with so many ups and downs that I don’t think I could count how many times I questioned what I was still doing. But part of what I think makes anyone successful in any career is that ability to get back up on the horse and know that the upswing will come again.
Thomas Doherty, Madeline Brewer, Reg Rogers, and Jeremy Kushnier in Little Shop of Horrors
Emilio Madrid
What do you consider your big break?
I think for me there were a few and more to come. I mean, obviously, Footloose was the show that brought me to New York. It was my first chance at originating a leading role in a brand-new musical, but getting hired for my first big job in Toronto in the original company of The Who’s Tommy when I was 19 was also a huge break. I kinda look at every opportunity as a big break.
Doing Little Shop is a huge break for me because I’m getting a chance to show this community a different side of what I can do. And I know there will be more big breaks in the future (maybe the very near future).
What advice would you give your younger self or anyone starting out?
It’s advice that I give to anyone who asks, and that is: If you really love doing this and can’t imagine anything else that you’d rather do, then don’t let anyone get in your way of doing it. It will be hard, but if you’re doing it cause you love it, you will always be successful.
What do you wish you knew starting out that you know now?
How hard the business can be. By that I mean that your present successes are just that, present. You kinda start from scratch every time you finish a project. So don’t assume that it will get easier, ’cause honestly it never really does.
In such difficult times in this country and around the world, how do you think theatre can play a positive role, either for yourself and/or the community at large?
This is a hard one and one that I’ve been thinking about a lot lately. I think doing what we do is something that can be a balm in times like this. Getting the opportunity to give people an escape or shine light on important moments to make people think and start conversations feels really important in difficult times. I mean, I’m not trying to say that we’re gonna save the world with theatre, but it sure will help.
What is your proudest achievement as an actor?
Sticking with it.
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Photos: Madeline Brewer and Thomas Doherty in Little Shop of Horrors Off-Broadway
Photos: Madeline Brewer and Thomas Doherty in Little Shop of Horrors Off-Broadway
16 PHOTOS
Thomas Doherty in Little Shop of Horrors
Emilio Madrid
Morgan Ashley Bryant, Savannah Lee Birdsong, Thomas Doherty, and Christine Wanda in Little Shop of Horrors
Emilio Madrid
Reg Rogers, Morgan Ashley Bryant, Christine Wanda, and Savannah Lee Birdsong in Little Shop of Horrors
Emilio Madrid
Thomas Doherty, Madeline Brewer, Reg Rogers, and Jeremy Kushnier in Little Shop of Horrors
Emilio Madrid
Madeline Brewer, Savannah Lee Birdsong, Christine Wanda, and Morgan Ashley Bryant in Little Shop of Horrors
Emilio Madrid
Madeline Brewer in Little Shop of Horrors
Emilio Madrid
Madeline Brewer and Thomas Doherty in Little Shop of Horrors
Emilio Madrid
Thomas Doherty and Reg Rogers in Little Shop of Horrors
Emilio Madrid
Thomas Doherty in Little Shop of Horrors
Emilio Madrid
Thomas Doherty and Jeremy Kushnier in Little Shop of Horrors
Emilio Madrid
Thomas Doherty in Little Shop of Horrors
Emilio Madrid
Thomas Doherty and Madeline Brewer in Little Shop of Horrors
Emilio Madrid
Thomas Doherty in Little Shop of Horrors
Emilio Madrid
Thomas Doherty and Madeline Brewer in Little Shop of Horrors
Emilio Madrid
Thomas Doherty in Little Shop of Horrors
Emilio Madrid
Thomas Doherty and Madeline Brewer in Little Shop of Horrors
Emilio Madrid