Actor Jessie Mueller is establishing quite a track record. The Broadway star currently leading the ten-time Tony-nominated revival of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Carousel, has been nominated for a Drama Desk or a Tony Award (usually both) for every role she has originated on Broadway.
She received her fourth Tony nomination on May 1 for Julie Jordan, a performance that also earned her a Drama Desk nod. Last on Broadway leading the company of Sara Bareilles’ Waitress (earning her Drama Desk and Tony nods), Mueller won both awards in 2014 for creating the role of Carole King in Beautiful. Prior to that she was Drama Desk-nominated for Helena Landless in The Mystery of Edwin Drood. All this after earning Drama Desk and Tony nominations for her Broadway debut in On A Clear Day You Can See Forever opposite Harry Connick, Jr. So what feels different this time around, as a seasoned nominee?
“It’s always thrilling because you feel like it’s always lovely to be recognized for the work you do and to feel like people love it as much as you love it,” she says in the video above. “The energy of a room like this today is a celebration of what we do and theatre and it’s our chance to show and remind the world what’s happening here and how powerful theatre is.
“It's a pleasure to look around the room and to be in the company of artists like this—this doesn’t happen every day,” she says.
Mueller is most excited about being nominated with all of her co-stars: Joshua Henry, Lindsay Mendez, Alexander Gemignani, and Renée Fleming. “It's just such a thrill because any of us are only here because of all the others.”
As for playing Julie, Mueller brings new perspective to the role. “I find her to be kind of fearless, which I think is so fascinating,” she says. “She’s so true and fearless in what she is feeling and experiencing, especially in the way she loves. And it's not that everything always turns out perfectly when you do that, but I think being fearless in love is something to aspire to, and I think that's one of the things I admire most about the character.”
Watch the full video interview above.
