Corbin Bleu’s Broadway Evolution In ‘Gatsby’: Interview

Nick, Daisy, and Gatsby have such strong chemistry. When you started rehearsals with Eva Noblezada and Reeve Carney, when did you really feel that dynamic click?

Corbin: Back when I did the show in London, I was originating the role there. I got to be in the rehearsal room with all the actors throughout the entire process, building the show from the ground up. What I’ve never experienced, until now, is originating a role, then going back into the same show and replacing.

When you replace, your rehearsal time is much shorter, and you don’t actually get to rehearse with everyone. You work with either a dance captain or a swing, and they play multiple parts — you really only get one or two rehearsals with other people, and then you’re on.

I was lucky enough not to be alone in joining the cast in this iteration. It’s me, Reeve, and John Behlmann, our Tom. The three of us got to be in the rehearsal room together, and build our rapport and our chemistry.

I didn’t really get to work with Eva much beforehand, aside from a few very short rehearsals. What is so fascinating about that process is that Eva and my cadence, our rhythms, are sort of built on stage in front of audiences. That makes it exciting, and it’s been really great to work with her.