And before you know where you are, there you are… on Broadway! It’s no secret that I’m a huge theater nerd, and that’s why I’m so excited that I got to talk to actress Katie Rose Clarke (she/her) who’s currently on the big stage in a Sondheim revival, starring alongside Daniel Radcliffe, Jonathan Groff, and Lindsay Mendez—amongst many others. (If you’re a theater nerd like me, you know that’s a big deal.)

So, let me entertain you with some insider info on the production, Jonathan Groff’s spit, and insight into Katie’s life outside of the show! P.S. If you wanna buy tickets—trust me, you do—you should get ‘em ASAP.

Have you always wanted to be a performer?
I started performing in high school and knew then that it was what I wanted to pursue. I auditioned for every big musical theater school and didn’t get into any. So, I stayed close to home and went to a small school with a good theater program. At the time, it felt like a big rejection, but looking back I know It was the perfect place for me to grow.

You’re in Merrily We Roll Along which recently opened on Broadway. What’s the show about and who is your character, Beth?
The show tells the story of three friends over the course of 20 years, and how their friendship shifts and changes over time. But the story is told in reverse. You see the end of these friendships and relationships and then go back in time to slowly unravel how they fall apart. I play Beth, the first wife of the central character, Franklin Shepherd, played by Jonathan Groff. The audience meets Beth at the end of her marriage to Frank.

How exciting is it to be in a Stephen Sondheim revival?
I’m thrilled to be in a Sondheim show. I’ve never ever been cast in one but auditioned many times. His shows are the ones you strive to be part of. His writing is unmatched. He created his own style within the musical theater genre. It’s a huge honor to be in the cast.

The cast for the show is incredible. How has it been working with everyone… and has Jonathan Groff spat on you?
The cast is really remarkable. Lindsay Mendez and I have been friends for ten years. I’ve known Jonathan for about 15 years. It’s a dream come true to be onstage with them. And yes, Jonathan is known to be pretty spitty! We have all gotten sprayed [laughing]. And I play his wife, so we kiss quite a bit as well. There’s no getting around the spit!

This is probably an impossible question, but do you have a favorite role you’ve played?
It is impossible. I’ve loved every role for different reasons. I’m very connected to Beth. I’m so inspired by her spunk and her courage and how selflessly she loves Frank.

What’s the best show you’ve seen lately?
I haven’t gotten to see much since we’ve been getting Merrily open. But I was a part of The Heart of Rock and Roll for many years and they’re coming to Broadway this spring. I can’t wait to cheer them on. The team is so wonderful and all very dear friends of mine.

When you’re not on stage, where can we find you?
I’m a mom of three pretty young kids—a five-year-old, two-and-a-half-year-old, and one-and-a-half-year-old. That occupies all of my time outside of the show. It’s the greatest and hardest job of all, and I absolutely love being a mom.

Lastly, is there anything else exciting coming up for you?
My biggest news is that I get to chaperone a field trip for my daughter’s class next month. Now that Merrily is open, we aren’t rehearsing during the day, so I have my daytimes a little more free to plug in as a mom. I’m thankful for any time I can balance work and motherhood.

Now that you’ve gotten to know Katie a little better, I’ll see you at The Hudson Theatre where we can get to know Beth, too.

Humming a Sondheim song,
Reina Sultan, associate editorial director