39.9 F
Schenectady
Friday, April 24, 2026

Jeffrey T. Kelly embraces the part of ‘Rooster’ in Annie national tour at Proctors

spot_img
spot_img

Jeffrey T. Kelly, a self-described ‌non-theater kid ‍from Massachusetts, discovered his passion for the stage in his early 20s. His journey led him⁢ to ⁤the national tour of‍ the Tony Award-winning musical “Annie,”​ where he plays⁣ the role of Rooster.‍ The musical is currently being performed at Proctors in ‌Schenectady until Sunday, Jan. 14.

Q: What was your reaction to being cast in the role of Rooster?

A: I didn’t think⁤ I’d love “Annie” nearly as much as I do. I remember when I got the call for ​it. I was like, “OK, ‘Annie,’ that’s cute. I’ll have some​ fun with it.” Then I got in, really saw the show, and I just kind of fell ‌in love with‍ the material. It’s a ​fun national‌ tour to be on.

Q: How were you cast in your role?

A: Someone in the⁤ cast who knew me prior, knew ‌they were looking for ‌a Rooster. They reached out to our agent, and the creative team and said⁤ to take a look‌ at this guy. I was always in the running for Rooster, I never was even in the running for ensemble or anything else in ​the show.

There’s something really fun ‍about playing the bad guy. I was in “Million Dollar Quartet” right ‍before ​this and in “Jersey Boys” playing Tommy DeVito.​ They’re not the same by a mile, ⁣but at the ‌same time, there’s something about playing that bad guy that is a really fun thing to do. When I ​saw that I was ⁢getting called in for that, ⁣I ⁣was really gung-ho ⁢about it and had a lot of fun with the audition process.”

Q: You ⁢call yourself a ‘non-theater’‍ kid, and‍ now you are on a ​national tour. How did​ that happen?

A: I did a very brief stint of theater in middle ⁢school, but I wasn’t into it. ⁣I just kind of did it because it was something​ to do, I had a friend who was in it, and I think I had ​a crush​ on a⁣ girl when‍ I⁣ was ⁤in middle school. When I was about to turn 24, I found theater, and then I⁢ started doing musical theater.

Q: How did you hone your craft?

A: I had been doing a‍ bunch of⁤ stuff ⁣in the community theater scene, and during the summers I would do regional houses. I ended up getting cast in the same show with a friend, and when I saw him in rehearsals for “Hair” in Provincetown [,Massachusetts]. He had just grown tremendously‌ as a performer, and I picked his brain about it.

He said he went to AMDA [American Musical and Dramatic Academy]. ​He told⁢ me that AMDA is a great ⁣way to get some well-rounded ​training. I was going ‌to New York, I would audition and get the callback, but then I ⁢wouldn’t be able to get ⁤through the‌ dance calls.

Q:⁣ Looking at your⁢ resume — it worked out. With roles in “Hair,” “Million Dollar Quartet,” “Jersey Boys,” “Next⁤ to Normal,” “A Few Good Men” and now the ​national tour of “Annie.”

A: I did write in my‌ New ‍Year’s ‌resolutions that I wanted ⁢to book a [national] tour. So​ much⁤ of this ​stuff is right time, right place, who you know, on pretty much every level.

You could be in the⁤ worst regional house and just sing the ⁢right song in the right⁤ room, ‍and one person‌ really likes it.‍ It’s always like the stars align, that type of thing. I’m fortunate to⁤ be here.

Q: You are cast with Samantha Stevens, who plays Lily, Rooster’s girlfriend. Good chemistry is required for a top⁣ performance, how has that occurred as you both start ​your first national tours?

A: The characters are written particularly in this version of the script. I think ⁢there are a lot of ⁤scripts out there that ​are more caricature — even more — than what ⁢we’re doing up on stage. We could kind of hop in and play in this grounded way to figure out the chemistry of⁤ the two characters.

Q: In your first national tour, were you intimidated by stage veterans Christopher Swan as Daddy Warbucks,⁤ Mark Woodard’s FDR and Stefanie Londino’s Miss ⁤Hannigan?

A: I was ‌really intimidated by all the ⁤vets that were‌ here. We had all of these people who​ were well-established principal characters, and specifically Chris, who is a touring veteran. He’s done so many different tours, and he’s been⁢ doing it for years and years and​ years. There is ⁣an element of like, “Oh, I’m in the presence of greatness.”

We⁣ signed up for sharing a car, so right off the ‍bat, when were‌ in Fort Lauderdale, I think, getting to know him and Mark — because​ we’re​ both in the car together on that level⁢ — really⁤ helps me sort of get a feel for what⁤ this side⁤ of the‍ job — the touring, and​ the national tour side, learning about‍ long runs of a show.

Q: You have had some interesting roles to date —‍ including ‍the role of Lt.‍ Dan ​Kaffe in​ “A Few Good Men.” What was that like?

A: I hadn’t actually seen the full​ film, but I knew that it was a political drama. I was at the audition with another man that I had worked together with in “Next to Normal.” ⁤He ended up playing Colonel Jessup and‍ I really wanted to do this show with him.

It was heavy material — a lot‍ of material, but it⁢ was a really fun show. Dan is in every single‌ scene, and ⁢I remember not ⁣being‍ intimidated by⁣ the amount of dialogue. Early in the⁢ process, I​ got off book [without script] ⁤as fast as I could so that I could just⁢ kind of enjoy it.

I remember it being a ⁤ton and it was very ⁣dense. It was a good experience because of that intensity. I think it got me to realize that if you just kind of tackle something ahead of time, it makes it a lot easier to do roles like that.

Q: You then follow ⁣up that with three different roles in “Friends: The Musical Parody” Off-Broadway.‍ What was ​that experience like?

A:⁤ I ⁤wasn’t even a “Friends” fan when I booked that. I just saw that it was an off-Broadway show, ‍and said I’m going to go for it.⁣ The Gunther [role] ​was actually more of an ASM [assistant stage manager] track than a performance track because ‍you were doing a lot of ‌prop handling backstage. Then I was also swinging [understudy] for Joey and Ross, and at one point, ‍had performed for both of those roles. It was funny, a funny time.

Q: With ⁢eight performances in six days at Proctors, is there a more anticipated performance for you?

A:⁣ The matinees hit‌ a⁤ lot harder, ⁤it’s the​ middle ⁤of the day, and the audience has got a lot of energy so — as a performer — we do feed off that energy.

Saturday matinees tend to be really good,⁤ that’s ⁣when parents ‍are more apt to bring their⁤ kids. When the kids are in the audience, the ⁣parents are having ⁢fun, because⁢ the kids love the dog [Sandy].

Q: You are ‍active on ⁣TikTok (@keffjellysingsnstuff) and in one post you post in character.

A: There is a trend where people talk about their own ​real-world ⁣experiences‍ with some crazy stories out there, ⁣some ridiculous stuff.

A lot of⁣ my following‍ are theater kids who all know the story of Annie and her relationship with Rooster and Hannigan. I decided I was​ going to do the trend, be in character and it was⁢ just⁤ fun for‌ the theater kids that follow me. That’s the⁤ sort of energy I think that I like to have on stage with it, too.

Q; What’s next for Jeffrey T. Kelly?

A: I’m ‍looking for future work in the summer and if they do this tour next ​year, hopefully, I get invited back.⁢ I⁢ want​ to stay on the road. I want to do some summer stock this summer ⁤and help my ​parents for a little bit. ‌If I could ⁣get a month’s ⁣break, that’d be neat.⁢ I’m just happy‌ to be​ here, happy to be plugging away, and want to keep‌ doing that.

Tickets are available through Proctors.

spot_img
Kiara Thomas
Kiara Thomas
I uncover quirky and compelling stories. Always on the lookout for the 'why' behind the 'what'.
Latest news
Read More

18 COMMENTS

  1. Jeffrey T. Kelly’s portrayal of ‘Rooster’ in Annie national tour at Proctors was spot-on, truly capturing the essence of the character.

  2. Der bedeutendste Unterschied zwischen Casinos mit echtem Geld aus Deutschland und jenen internationalen Echtgeld Online
    Casinos mit EU-Lizenz ergibt sich allerdings aus der staatlichen Regulierung.
    Die können sowohl in Deutschland als auch in anderen europäischen Ländern oder europäischen Offshore Gebieten ausgestellt sein. Wer als Spieler in Echtgeld Online Casinos sein Glück mit richtigen Einsätzen versuchen will,
    sollte auf die Lizenzierung achten. Echtgeld-Einsätze mit
    Stunden- oder Tageslimit etwa sind für jeden Spieler sinnvoll, um sich selbst zu kontrollieren und seine Ausgaben stets im Blick zu
    behalten. Derartige Funktionen zeugen in jedem
    Fall von einer gewissen Verantwortung gegenüber
    und Interesse am Spieler und sprechen für die jeweiligen Echtgeld
    Online Casinos. Im besten Fall verpflichten sich seriöse Echtgeld Online Casinos zu weit
    mehr Maßnahmen im Sinne der Suchtprävention und des Spielerschutzes, als
    sie innerhalb der Europäischen Union vorgeschrieben sind.

    Sobald ihr euch für eines der Top Echtgeld Online Casinos entschieden habt,
    könnt ihr die Registrierung vornehmen. Schaut euch die Testberichte an oder besucht am besten direkt die
    Echtgeld Online Casinos, um euch dort ausgiebig umzuschauen. Diese findet ihr weiter oben in unserer Top 10 Echtgeld Online Casinos.

    References:
    https://online-spielhallen.de/wazamba-casino-aktionscodes-ihr-schlussel-zu-aufregenden-boni/

  3. Bad Kissingen ist ein Kurort in Niederfranken in Bayern und die
    Hauptstadt des Landkreises Bad Kissi… Seitdem hat die Stadt ihr Angebot
    an Thermal- und Gesundheitseinrichtungen ausgebaut.Bad Kissingen ist auf Anwendungen mit Mineralwasser und auf Moorbäder spezialisiert und bietet besonders gesundheitsförderliche Anwendungen an. Bad Kissingen ist ein Kurort in Niederfranken in Bayern und die Hauptstadt des Landkreises Bad Kissingen. Das Casino bietet Werkzeuge für Selbstsperre und Limits sowie Partnerschaften mit Organisationen wie der BZgA für Unterstützung.

    Mit schnellen und sicheren Auszahlungen können die Kunden ihre Gewinne mit minimaler Verzögerung genießen, während der Service auf Elite-Niveau sicherstellt, dass jede Anfrage
    oder jedes Anliegen mit größter Sorgfalt behandelt
    wird. Schließe dich unserer pulsierenden Community an und erlebe den ultimativen Adrenalinkick – egal welches Spiel
    du spielst, wir haben die Vibes, die dich immer wieder zurückbringen werden!
    Mit über 100 Spielautomaten und mehreren Tischspielen ist für jeden Spielertyp etwas dabei.
    Sie können traditionelle Tischspiele wie Roulette, Blackjack und Poker spielen, sowie elektronische Versionen dieser Klassiker.

    Bavarian Texas Holdem hingegen konnte ich leider
    nicht spielen, weil der Tisch überfüllt war.
    Man kann Spiele wie Book of Ra oder Lucky Ladys Charm an den Novomantic-Geräten spielen. Hier können bis zu acht
    Personen spielen, zusätzlich stehen zwei Touchscreenmonitore am Tresen der Bar bereit.
    Ebenfalls Schade, dass ich nicht spielen konnte.

    References:
    https://online-spielhallen.de/legiano-casino-deutschland-ein-umfassender-uberblick-fur-spieler/

  4. If issues remain unresolved, players can contact the casino’s licensing authority.

    Creating an account is necessary for depositing funds, claiming bonuses,
    and withdrawing winnings. Many international sites welcome Australian players operating
    in a legal grey area. Remember, responsible gambling and choosing licensed, reputable casinos are key to a safe and enjoyable experience.

    I realised that finding the best online casino real money is not about luck.
    I actually tested a lot more betting sites, which I could not include
    on my top 10 online casinos list because they did not meet my best Australian online casino list selection criteria.
    Online.casino, or O.C, is an international guide to gambling,
    providing the latest news, game guides and honest online casino reviews
    conducted by real experts.

    References:
    https://blackcoin.co/minimum-deposit-casino-sites-with-payid/

  5. The train from Sydney to Canberra will take approximately 4 hours.
    Explore the most current information on trains from Sydney
    to Canberra Sydney Airport‍International Terminal T1,Bay
    9, bus & coach bays This service stops daily at the Sydney International Airport (T1).
    Please check our booking page for service availability.

    You can translate from English on various platforms like Translate.com.
    After you enter the text and click “Translate”, you will get the translated text
    instantly. To use Translate.com, simply go to the website and enter your text
    in the translater box provided. You’ll have a chance
    to manage your time and create the office of your dreams at home.
    Sign up and take the assessment test in your language(s).
    Yes, our Translate API allows you to create language projects, easily monitor progress, and receive processed results.

    Enjoy a meal or snack every time you fly with us, as well as a range of refreshments including
    beer and wine.∆ Flight prices are per adult in Australian Dollars, based on payment at qantas.com by BPAY made 7 days or more before departure, or PayID.
    All of your travel details in one place.

    References:
    https://blackcoin.co/malina-casino-australia-your-ultimate-gaming-destination/

  6. Play with peace of mind — Crown Sydney is committed to
    safe, secure, and responsible entertainment for all guests.
    Gaming is monitored by independent regulators to ensure transparency and
    fairness at all times. Crown Sydney’s main gaming floor operates 24 hours a day,
    7 days a week. The dedicated Poker Room at
    Crown Sydney hosts cash games and tournament events throughout the week.

    Between February and March 2018, tower cranes were assembled
    on site, to commence works on the main core and floorplates, which would see the structure start to rise throughout 2018.

    In October 2012, Premier O’Farrell announced that the NSW Cabinet had reviewed
    the proposal and decided that the government would enter into detailed negotiations with Crown Resorts for the establishment of a
    casino and hotel complex at Barangaroo. Ferries and harbour cruises are a memorable way to experience the beauty of one of the world’s great natural harbours.

    References:
    https://blackcoin.co/online-casino-bonus-guide-in-australia/

Leave a Reply to slot thailand Cancel reply

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here