Charles P. Way says he is “elated” to be on the first national tour of Jagged Little Pill. The UArts grad will return to Philly as a cast Swing. The 15-Time Tony Award® nominated show features the powerful music of Alanis Morissette. The songs are weaved together to tell a fictional story of the struggles of “perfectly imperfect” family.
[Kimmel Cultural Campus’ Academy of Music, 240 S. Broad Street] January 3-15, 2023; kimmelculturalcampus.org
Debra Danese: What was your first break into musical theater?
Charles P. Way: My first break into musical theatre was Escape to Margaritaville at Ogunquit Playhouse in the summer of 2021. I was cast in the ensemble, as well as, Lawyer Dude and Jamal cover. Shortly after, I was nominated for a Regional Award for “Best Supporting Performer.”
DD: What does your role as a Swing cast member entail?
CPW: My role as a swing is simply to be ready to serve the show in whatever way I can. I spent the first month or so learning as much about the inner workings of the show as possible. That way, I always know how best to jump in if the call is ever made for me to jump in.
DD: Which of the shows songs do you most relate to?
CPW: The song that I most relate to is ‘That I Would Be Good.’ I relate to the Phoenix character a bit. My father was also a bit of a deadbeat so I experienced feelings of inadequacy fairly often when I was in high school.
DD: What moment in the show gets the most audience reaction?
CPW: On the surface, ‘You Oughta Know’ is a crowd favorite, hands down! Secretly, I think ‘Uninvited’ is the crowd favorite, but because of how it ends, the crowd is reluctant to applaud!
DD: What are your ties to the Philly area?
CPW: I went to the University of the Arts for four years! While there I danced for several dance local dance companies- Pennsylvania Ballet, Dance Spora, Carbon Dance Theatre, XHale, and Eleone Dance Theatre.
JAGGED LITTLE PILL will play at the Kimmel Cultural Campus’ Academy of Music January 3-15, 2023.