As a fan of dark comedies on television, I first learned of Steven Pasquale from his portrayal of dim-witted but courageous firefighter Sean Garrity on the F/X series Rescue Me. As one of the rare characters on Rescue Me that always provided comic relief, I was surprised to find out that this was Steven’s first foray into comedy. Rather, Steven came from a theatrical background, and had released a vocal-jazz album called Somethin’ Like Love in 2009 through PS Classics.
Steven’s streak as a leading man in theater continues with The Robber Bridegroom, which opens at the Laura Pels Theatre in the Harold and Miriam Steinberg Center for Theatre on Mar. 13. Produced by the Roundabout Theatre Company in association with Daryl Roth Productions, The Robber Bridegroom finds Steven portraying Jamie Lockhart alongside Ahna O’Reilly and Leslie Kritzer. Running as a limited engagement through May 29, this 2016 production marks 40 years since The Robber Bridegroom first hit Broadway; its original Broadway cast included Kevin Kline and Patti LuPone.
In advance of the Mar. 13 opening of The Robber Bridegroom, Steven tackled some Q&A about Downtown. The “Phillipa” referenced within the interview is none other than fiancée Phillipa Soo, the award-winning lead actress in Hamilton. For more info on Steven and his various projects, follow him on Twitter via @StevePasquale. Tickets and other details about The Robber Bridegroom can be found at here.
What attracted you to The Robber Bridegroom?
Steven Pasquale: Alex Timbers. I didn’t know the show, but Alex is one of our great living American directors and I have been dying to get in a rehearsal room with him.
How would you describe to the show to someone who’s never seen it?
S: A crazy, weird, hilarious, romp.
What was your first role on Broadway?
S: I played the asshole in Neil Labute’s Reasons To Be Pretty. In my opinion, Neil’s best play, which is saying something.
Did you move to New York simply to pursue a career in Broadway?
S: Basically, yes. I dreamed of a life on Broadway. I love the theater life.
What was the best play that you saw last year as a fan? I recall you recently praising Hamilton on Twitter…
S: Hamilton is absolute genius. Phillipa and Leslie [Odom, Jr.] are giving two of the great musical performances of all time. And Lin Manuel’s genius staggers me every time I’ve seen it. The count is currently 10, I think.
When you first moved to New York, which neighborhood did you live in?
S: I lived on the Upper West Side for my first 10 years in New York. Since then, I have done the Village, Tribeca, Morningside Heights, New Jersey, and now happily Harlem. Harlem is completely amazing right now.
What is it that keeps you based in New York all these years later?
S: New York is the best city in the world and I have no interest in living anywhere else. In my mind being successful means leaving New York as little as possible.
When the opportunity to play Sean Garrity on Rescue Me came up, were you ever worried about it interfering with your established theatrical career?
S: Rescue Me was amazing. I had never played comedy before and had a blast exploring that part of my tool kit. But yeah, sure, it was hard to have to say no to some pretty dreamy theater roles.
How much of your character Sean Garrity is there in you?
S: Zero of Sean Garrity is me. That’s why he was so fun to play.
What is it that you prefer about theater over TV and movies? Is it simply the live audience?
S: What I prefer about theater is the process, the bond, the schedule, the life, the live element…
Do you have another album in the works? Or any musical aspirations beyond the theater?
S: I don’t right now, but am open to it. John Pizzarelli could talk me into another. That guy is a genius.
Is there a particular professional accomplishment of yours that you’re most proud of?
S: Yes. Making a life and a place for myself in this business and this town. Amazes me every day that this is my actual life. I’ll never forget what it felt like to be a young actor wishing so hard for someone to want me to be in their play.
When you’re not busy with your career, how do you like to spend your free time?
S: Enjoying the city’s food scene with Phillipa is my favorite downtime activity.
Finally, Steven, any last words for the kids?
S: Pursue good work, not fame. Keep your life small and spend as much time on-stage as possible. Theater is our medium. Film is the director’s medium. TV is the writers’. The theater is where it’s at.
-by Darren Paltrowitz
