A love story in a gay bar in the 1960s. Why a new role in London was the most personal in the career of musical star Ben Platt

Actor Ben Platt stars in London production of musical Midnight at the Never Get, which tells the love story of two men in 1960s New York City. For the Tony Award winner, who gained worldwide fame thanks to the project "Dear Evan Hansen", this work was the first experience of playing the role of an openly queer character on the theater stage.

Platt openly admits that throughout his life his constant companion is high anxiety. In an interview with the publication The Guardian He notedthat the support of her husband, actor Noah Galvin, and the opportunity to focus on creative projects help him cope with this condition. At the moment, both spouses work in theaters in London, which the actor calls an important factor in his psychological stability.

Liberation through music

The action of the musical Midnight at the Never Get takes place in a gay bar in Greenwich Village in the middle of the last century. Platt plays Trevor, a cabaret singer who, according to the actor's description, "wears a heart on his sleeve", showing sincerity and emotionality. The production is gradually revealed as a deep and unusual story that goes beyond the standard genre.

For Platt, the performance of Marc Sonnenblick's songs is of fundamental importance. Despite 25 years of experience in the theater, it was the first time he had the opportunity to play a multifaceted hero, whose vocal parts directly describe the details of a same-sex romance. The actor calls this experience "liberating", since he has not had such roles before in his career.

Political context and professional path

Although the musical was not intended to be a political statement, it comes at a time when the United States is experiencing stagnation or even regression in the field of human rights. Platt admits that the situation in the country makes him feel helpless and afraid. Nevertheless, he finds reason for optimism in political changes within New York, pinning his hopes on the new leaders of the city.

The actor's professional career began at the age of six. The key stage was the musical Dear Evan Hansen, for which Platt had to devote himself completely to the character and the emotionally difficult role for several years. Subsequent work on the film version in 2021 was accompanied by public criticism due to the actor's age, which he calls a painful but important experience that taught him to move on.

Twenty-year project

One of Platt's most unusual works is his participation in Richard Linklater's film "We Ride, Ride, Ride..." (Merrily We Roll Along) based on the musical by Stephen Sondheim. The director decided to shoot the picture in real time for about 20 years so that the actors would age in sync with their characters. Filming, which also features Paul Mescal and Beanie Feldstein, is due to be completed by 2038, when Platt turns 45.

In addition to long-term projects, Platt has expressed a desire to someday star in Tony Kushner's play Angels in America. However, he considers his ideal career scenario to be the regular appearance of new, original works that can suddenly change the theatrical landscape.