Broadway vet Cheyenne Jackson is already a pro at belting out tunes on stage, and thanks to guest gigs on Glee and 30 Rock, he has been schooled in the art of the small screen, as well. Now, Jackson takes on his most challenging endeavor yet: writing and recording a full album of his own.
"Ive always written music but now, actually sharing it, you feel vulnerable. You feel like thats your baby," Jackson tells The Hollywood Reporter. "Im learning that that is OK. Hopefully people like it, its been getting a nice response, but thats not really the point. What Im learning is that its OK to put yourself out there and be vulnerable.
PHOTOS: Tonys 2012: Stars of Stage and Screen Celebrate Broadway's Big Night
Jackson says he expects to release a full album in late fall, but he has already debuted two singles from the untitled release: Drive and Before You. Right now, Jackson says hes about 11-songs-deep in the recording process, including five that were co-written by Sia. (Most recently the Australian pop singer/songwriter was featured on Flo Ridas Wild Ones.) As for any vocal collaborations on his album, Jackson says hes open to the idea but only if it makes artistic sense.
I do love a good collaboration, but not for shock value. I liken it to kind of stunt casting on Broadway or something. It really needs to serve a purpose, Jackson says, before adding that hed love to work with George Michael, KD Lang or Adele. Im dreaming big, baby! he exclaims.
Aside from Jacksons budding career as a solo artist, he also nabbed two high profile gigs that flex his acting chops, as well. Jackson recently wrapped filming the pilot of NBCs Munsters reboot Mockingbird Lane which is in contention for a midseason start and is currently working with Steven Soderbergh on HBOs mysterious Liberace biopic, Behind the Candelabra, alongside Michael Douglas as Liberace and Matt Damon as his younger lover, Scott Thorson.
I didnt go to school for acting, but I have been schooled, Jackson says of learning from his co-stars. I watch, I absorb, I justI am schooled by osmosis. Its amazing to watch them, truly.
Jackson says that Candelabra is about halfway through shooting and that audiences will be blown away by Douglas and Damons performances. Its just so exciting to watch them work, he gushes.
PHOTOS: Broadway Musicals That Have Sung Their Way to the Big Screen
For his part, Jackson plays a man named Billy Leatherwood, but keeps tight lipped about character details. You know its top secret, so you probably know as much as I do, he teases.
I did as much research as I could about my character and really just read everything I could, he says of his preparation. I spoke to some people who were in that inner circle back in the day, and who definitely know what went on, and I just pulled as much material as I could.
And really, with hair and makeup and costumes, once youre on set, these amazing sets, the tone is set, he adds. All you have to do is be in the moment.
Its not all drama for Jackson, though, as he brings a bright spot of comedy to Mockingbird Lane as the overly cheery Scoutmaster Steve. Coming off a recurring role on NBCs 30 Rock, Jackson says he likes to take a page from Alec Baldwins book of comedy.
Comedically, Ive learned the most from Alec Baldwin because he can find three different meanings in one line reading, he says. He is just so proficient at that.
Tina Fey the same thing, he adds. She is always self deprecating when it comes to her acting, but shes wonderful.
Of Mockingbird Lane, Jackson insists, People are going to be really excited by this.
Bryan Fuller (Pushing Daisies) wrote it, so he has this wonderful, dark subversive, but also, wonderful way of coming at the material, he teases. Bryan Singer (X-Men, Valkyrie) directed it, so visually it looks like a feature film. Its amazing.
Email: Sophie.Schillaci@thr.com; Twitter: @SophieSchillaci
0 comments:
Post a Comment