On The Road: Daniel Beeman

Today’s edition of On The Road features the extremely handsome renaissance man (literally), Daniel Beeman! Daniel grew up in Omaha, Nebraska, and graduated from the University of Missouri. My favorite random fun fact about him is that while he was growing up in the cornhusker state, he was a competitive swimmer AND participated in Irish dance competitions! Truly a renaissance man. Daniel just finished dancing around the United States (understudying Shakespeare and sometimes dressed as an egg) in the first national tour of the hit Broadway show, Something Rotten. I hope you enjoy getting to know him!

How long have you been a performer?

I started singing and Irish dancing when I was around 10 and did that until shifting my focus to theatre in college.

What was your "big break"?

I’d say this is my “big break,” if you’d call it that. This is my first tour and it’s just been such an exciting year and half.

What is your favorite show you've ever worked on?

Definitely this one! But the show that has a special place in my heart is Hair: Retrospection I did a few years ago at the Kansas City Repertory Theatre. Eric Rosen and Sam Pinkleton brought in members of the original cast, the first revival, and us “younger folk” to stage a concert intermixed with stories about the 1960s, backstage life at HAIR, the Vietnam War, and other events.

With fellow cast member Kyle Anderson

What are some items you absolutely can't live without backstage?

W-A-T-E-R. This show is a beast for the ensemble and I think I drink a gallon a show. That, and Altoids.

What is the most interesting day at work you've ever had?

I went on for Shakespeare recently and both of my microphones and mic packs went out so having to do the swap-out-your-mic dance offstage three times between scenes made for an exciting show.

What is your favorite thing about your job?

My favorite part of this job is making the audience laugh every night and doing the show with the best people on the planet.

What is the most challenging part of being an actor on tour?

The hardest part is being away from family and friends but also maintaining your stamina and health. We do eight shows a week and then pack everything up and travel the following Monday to the next city. Our incredible crew works late into the night to make sure it’s a smooth transition but I think everyone would agree that having to up and move every week can be a challenge.

What is your favorite fun fact about Something Rotten?

Our writers, Wayne, Karey, and John, have told us they had been kicking around the idea of this show since the 1995 or 1996. After they saw a little show called RENT, they talked with their friend and the show’s producer Kevin McCollum saying, “We have an idea for a musical.” Fast forward to 2010, Kevin jumped on board, Casey Nicholaw jumped on board, and the show was born. Then fast forward again to the tour and Adam Pascal—who was starring in RENT when they first approached Kevin—is playing Shakespeare. There’s a lot of full-circle-stars-aligning moments and I think that’s just really cool.

Are there any random nightly backstage rituals or moments that would happen with the cast that made you happy?

I’d say singing “Have a good show” to the tune of our overture is my favorite ritual. It happens every performance.

What was your favorite number to perform in your show?

The act one finale “Bottom’s Gonna Be on Top” is my favorite because it’s the first time in the show that the entire ensemble is onstage tap-dancing together. And those COSTUMES are just to die for.

How did it feel to be a giant dancing egg?

It’s just absurd and I love it. I loved the audiences’ reaction when we all come out in act two!

What was it like performing the role of Shakespeare for the first time?

A blur! I was fortunate that I knew about a week or two in advance so I had some time to prepare. I went on in Tampa and I was lucky enough that my parents were able to fly down from Nebraska to see me. It was magical! That role is just so fun to do and our cast and crew is so supportive and they made it much easier.

Did the creative team give you freedom to play Shakespeare in your own ways or are the characters set tracks?

We’re very lucky that Casey and our fearless associates Steve Bebout and Eric Giancola give us the framework and allow our personalities to sparkle. They lead us in the right direction and we’re allowed to find intricacies in the roles that are unique to ourselves and it makes it personal and exciting.

What was your favorite part about telling this story every night?

Hearing the audience laugh. It truly never gets old. It’s also exciting to tell a new story that hasn’t been told before.

What was it about this job that made you come back each day?

The people. We have an amazing cast and crew and I wouldn’t trade any of them for the world.

What is the best advice you've ever been given?

Be yourself. It’s so easy to try to model yourself after others you may idolize but it’s a fine line you have to walk. I definitely have inspirations of my own but I try to make sure that I’m remaining true to myself and allowing my own personality and performance to take the lead.

What piece of advice would you give your 18 year old self? / What advice would you give to a young person who wants to move to NYC and pursue a career in the arts?

This business is a marathon—not a sprint! So, enjoy the ride. Live in the moment and soak up the memories with those around you! It’s easy to get bogged down with showcases and auditions and websites and resumes and headshots and on and on but try to enjoy yourself. Yes, work hard. Yes, strive for your goals. However, allow yourself to be a human and be young and just live. You’ll feel much more balanced and it will actually inform your performances both in the audition room and on stage. Just live!

FUN FACTS:

What was the first Broadway show you ever saw?

The first Broadway show I saw was Big Fish. I wept over Kate Baldwin’s “I Don’t Need a Roof.”

What is your favorite Broadway show you've ever seen?

There’s just so many but my current favorite is 1984. Others are Hand to God, …The Great Comet of 1812, and Hamilton.

What is your favorite restaurant or bar that you've found on tour?

I’m going to have to go with Pony in Seattle and The Tonga Room in San Francisco.

What is your favorite city you've visited on tour so far?

San Francisco hands down.

What is your favorite costume in Something Rotten?

Probably my “Welcome to the Renaissance” costume. It’s just gorgeous.

What is your favorite costume you've ever worn?

Definitely my Shakespeare costume whenever I go on.

Images by Mary Hannah Harte

Atlanta, Georgia