Come what may… Kevin Keller (Casey Cott) will find a way to participate in a musical.
EW can exclusively report that Cott, who is wrapping up his seven-season run on Riverdale as Kevin Keller, will take over as bohemian lover Christian in Red Mill! Musical comedy on Broadway.
Cott will don Christian’s overcoat starting August 1, joining the recently announced Courtney Reed as Satine. This is an appropriate step for the actor whose character on Riverdale was obsessed with drama and was the brains and driving force behind many school musicals.
Based on the 2001 Baz Luhrmann film of the same name, red Mill follows Satine, the sparkling diamond of the Moulin Rouge nightclub in Paris, and her doomed love affair with the poet and hopeless romantic, Christian. With remixes of classic pop songs, it tells the tragic story of their love against the backdrop of 19th century Paris. Directed by Alex Timbers, red Mill premiered on Broadway in 2019. It won 10 Tony Awards, including Best Musical and trophies for the work of actors Aaron Tveit and Danny Burstein.
We spoke with Cott ahead of the announcement to get his thoughts on joining the cast and this spectacular, spectacular experience.
Image News Agency/NurPhoto/Shutterstock Casey Cott
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: Do you remember the first time you saw red Millthe film, and what was your reaction?
CASEY COTT: The first time I saw red Mill the movie was many years ago and I just remember thinking it was so magical. I’ve always been a huge Baz Luhrmann fan and there’s no surprise red Mill translates to Broadway so seamlessly. I’ve also been a huge Alex Timbers fan for many years. The two have created such a wonderful show and it is truly humbling to be a part of it. When I found out I got the part, I went back and watched the movie again. I was just as captivated as the first time. It’s such a timeless classic and so much fun to see how every member of the film’s cast now has these amazing careers. I’m such a big fan of it all!
Was playing Christian one of your dreams?
Playing Christian is more than a dream come true. Growing up as a theater kid, you dream that one day you will have the privilege of being on Broadway. It’s amazing. The talent within the cast is insane. I look forward to learning from all of them and sharing the stage every night. The character itself is filled with such an array of dynamics/twists/twists which, again, are entirely due to the superb creative team!
Making it the perfect next project to tackle after completing seven seasons on Riverdale?
I don’t know if there really is a “perfect project” to succeed in the past seven years. Riverdale was and always will be such an important part of my life. We are so lucky to have him and to have had one last season to say goodbye. That being said, I’ve been looking forward to getting back on stage for a while, and to do so with this cast and crew is so exciting. I believe it was time for me to graduate from high school as I am 30 years old and my wife is expecting a child in a few months. I’m not totally sold, I can still get 16! As an actor, I’m just happy to work and create. Theater is such a sacred place for creativity and for being able to immerse yourself in it momentarily. I am so grateful.
Christian is a lover, a romantic and a bohemian. What do you most identify with in him and what is the hardest part of playing him?
Well, Christian is from Lima, Ohio, which is amazing because I grew up in Cleveland, Ohio – just a two hour drive east of Lima, so we definitely have that in common. I like Christian’s optimism. If he thinks it’s possible, it is. The simplicity of his belief in love creates such inner madness and it’s so much fun to watch as an audience and play as an actor. I love trying to make people laugh and I think Christian does too. Hopefully, once in the rehearsal room, I find some additional similarities and differences. I think we both love each other passionately, which I hope is reflected in my performance.
What song are you most excited/nervous to sing live and why?
Brutal question! So hard to limit myself to just one because the list of songs I can sing is “crazy”. A song close to my heart is “Come What May”. It’s just such an iconic number in the movie, and every time I hear it, I can’t help but smile knowing I can sing it eight times a week with Courtney Reed. She’s phenomenal and such a veteran and it’s such a beautiful moment in act two where, for a brief break, Christian and Satine learn to love each other in a simple yet amazing way.
Have you sought advice from original Broadway Christian Aaron Tveit?
I haven’t had a chance to speak with Aaron, but I’d love to too. I am, like everyone else, a big fan of Aaron. From next to normal For Wretched For Catch Me If You Can For red Mill “I just think he’s so talented with a resume that speaks for itself. I know they fired Schmidadon in Vancouver, where we shot Riverdale, and I always hoped that we would meet, but we hope it will happen in New York! I heard he likes golf, just like me, so maybe I can give him a quick ride.
Also a big fan of Derek Klena, who currently plays the role. I had the pleasure of meeting him a few times, and we were together in a fantasy football league last year! I hope I can also sit with him and gain as much insight as possible.
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