Andrew Burnap on CAMELOT

Broadway

Andrew Burnap

By
Kobi Kassal
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on
May 9, 2023 12:46 PM
Category:
Features

From Richard Burton to Richard Harris, few have had the honor to play King Arthur in Camelot on Broadway. Enter Andrew Burnap. After winning his first Tony Award for his work in Matthew Lopez's The Inheritance, Burnap returns to the stage in Aaron Sorkin's updated version of the Lerner and Loewe classic which is currently playing at the Vivian Beaumont.

We recently caught up with Burnap to chat all things Camelot, wild games of duck duck goose, and returning to Broadway.

So what is one moment in Camelot that in every performances makes you go “wow, I’m amazing!”?

The fact that I actually got through it.

What has been your motto for this show?

I have a quote on the front of my script from one of my favorite books called The Overstay – it says “Watch over them… a sentinel against the malevolent world.”

Which song in Camelot is your favorite to perform?

I have grown to love "I Wonder What the King is Doing Tonight" – the feelings of anxiety and nervousness and self-doubt that Arthur feels at the start of the story are almost exactly the things I am feeling about doing the very show. So what I am articulating through that song is quite real and present for me. How terrifyingly fun.

Photo: Joan Marcus

Do you have a favorite line in Camelot to deliver?

Too many to choose – but I do find the final exchange between Sir Tom and Arthur uniquely moving and hopeful.

What’s one funny backstage anecdote you can share?

Some of the women of the court prepare a very quick improv to do in-between entrances late in the second act – ranging from duck duck goose to a reimagined soul train. I’m so excited for those 30 seconds every show we do. They come up with such great scenes!

With The Inheritance and Camelot, you love to perform in long works! How do you keep up the stamina for 8 shows a week?

Therapy.

You just recorded your Original Cast Recording! How did that go?
You’ll have to tell me when you listen – I had a blast doing it. How cool to be able to leave something like that behind – fourteen year old me is freaking out, to be sure.

Speed Round! Favorite place to grab a bite in midtown?
I wish I could say something cooler than Sweetgreen.

What’s your go-to Original Broadway cast album?
Company and Rocky Horror Show (Roxy Cast)

Who is your favorite Broadway diva?

PLP [Patti LuPone]

What’s your favorite Golden Age musical other than Camelot?
Singin in the Rain

Camelot is currently playing at the Vivian Beaumont Theatre on Broadway. For more information, visit here.

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Kobi Kassal

Hailing from sunny South Florida, Kobi Kassal founded Theatrely (formerly Theatre Talk Boston) while attending Boston University. He is an avid theatre attender and can be found seeing a performance most nights of the week (in normal times!) He is interested in the cross section of theatre, popular culture, hospitality, and politics. He also loves a good bagel!

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Broadway
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