July 24, 2013

JBB Exclusive: Interview with Miles Aubrey & Preview of His Cabaret Debut at Stage 72 at The Triad on July 29!

July 24th, 2013

500miles

As you guys know, JERSEY BOYS cast member Miles Aubrey will be making his cabaret debut at Stage 72 at The Triad on Monday evening, July 29th at 7PM. It was fabulous catching up with Miles last week and to find out more about his upcoming show!

Jersey Boys Blog: Hey, Miles, it’s great to catch up with you! We’re excited to hear about your cabaret debut next Monday at Stage 72 at The Triad! Has a NYC cabaret performance been on your bucket list for a long time?

Miles Aubrey: Absolutely Susie. I used to do this sort of thing all the time back in Nashville, singing out writer’s nights and acoustic gigs. So this has been a long time coming!

JBB: You’ll be playing original music and telling stories from your days back in Oklahoma and your years in Nashville. Could you give us a little sneak peek into what’s in store for the audience next week and what will make this cabaret so unique?

MA: Well, I’m a songwriter and guitarist first. So, I want my show to focus more on the songs than the singer. I’ll probably talk a little before each song, to share the inspiration behind it, as well as any co-writer involved. There are some striking similarities between being a Nashville writer and a New York actor. I think people will find those interesting!

JBB: It must be like night and day to work on a big production like JERSEY BOYS compared to creating and producing your upcoming cabaret performance! For those of us not in show biz, could you tell us about the planning process for a cabaret show? What are the challenges of doing a cabaret versus performing in a big company like Jersey Boys?

MA: Well, the main challenge has been getting people to come see it in the middle of vacation season! Haha!

The other big difference is that in JB, I’m one of many people telling an amazing story that’s been scripted for me. With my Triad show, it’s all me all the time! So I’ve got to create a show order that makes sense, and have some storytelling ready to keep it smooth and interesting. But my main hope is just to keep it casual and fun, more like a night at the Bluebird.

JBB: You’ve been playing Norm Waxman (and others) on Broadway for nearly five years now, plus nearly two additional years on the national tour. How do you remain to keep all the roles you play so fresh after all these years? Do you think your upcoming cabaret, as well as other creative endeavors away from Jersey Boys, helps you to revitalize your roles on stage and to keep it fresh?

MA: This is a great question Susie and you hit it right on the head. I have one of the best gigs on Broadway and I’m so thankful for it. But yes, extracurricular gigs like this cabaret, or session work, putting a band together or recording a CD are very important for keeping yourself fresh and having new challenges to work on. After a night like this, you step back into your role on stage with even more appreciation and gratitude.

JBB: Exciting to hear that your wife Erica will be performing backup vocals with you on stage next week! I imagine being on stage together for your NYC cabaret debut makes this even more special for you. Will this be the first time in quite some time that the two of you have performed together and what does this mean to you to have her join you on stage?

MA: I’m thrilled that Erica is available to join me, not only for harmonies but to sing a few of my tunes meant for a female vocalist. She’s an incredibly versatile singer, having just stood by for Kelli O’Hara in Far From Heaven, but she absolutely nails the country/folk sound as well. We’ve sung out a few times in the past year or so, but not a whole show like this. I can’t wait to share the stage with her!

JBB: With so much original music, Miles, are there any plans in the near future for you do a recording? We hope so!

MA: Well, much like this cabaret, I have a few recording projects that are way, way overdue! A blues guitar album, an instrumental acoustic project and of course, some of the songs I’ll be playing on the 29th. But my real goals for recording are to have my songs cut by country artists back in Nashville. That’s the main thing I’m pursuing.

Thank you so much to Miles Aubrey for this marvelous interview & a preview of his cabaret debut at the Triad on Monday night! Break a leg, Miles!

For tickets, click HERE.

2 Comments »

  1. I hope I can see his performance too, I like his performance in JB. Thanks!

    Comment by Eric — July 28, 2013 @ 11:46 am

  2. Miles, you and Erica knocked it out of the park tonight. When I hear that an artist will entertain me with “original” songs, I have no idea what is coming.

    Well, this was one incredible evening. You are an incredible songwriter. Each and every song had a story, and I’m certain that each audience member could relate to several. For me, “Eighth and Figueroa” was immediately identifiable as my favorite restaurant, “The Original Pantry” in downtown LA, which I discovered when I worked for the LA Times over 30 years ago. The beautiful “Edgartown” made me reminisce about my many summers in Martha’s Vineyard (and if you do meet my friend, pls. urge him to get that screen in his guest bedroom repaired). Your so sad “Mrs. Looney” sadly reminded me of an old college friend I kept meaning to call but never did, and received a call one morning that she had died suddenly. “This Old Guitar”, perhaps the best of them all, reminded me of my own father’s teachings when I was a young boy. And the list goes on and on.

    I also learned that you lived in Nashville for so many years, where you met your wonderful wife, Erica, whose talent was also so apparent. Her “Stand Up Like a Man”, while funny, also conveyed a powerful message. And prior to the show, she really showed her southern hospitality by greeting each and every one of us…I’m so used to the NY tough love approach, I didn’t know how to react.

    It was such a wonderful journey, Miles. You really should put these songs into an album. Each one was more powerful than the last. Congratulations.

    Comment by Howard Tucker — July 29, 2013 @ 11:12 pm

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