ADAM FLEMING
| Adam is currently appearing as Boq
in the Chicago sitdown production of WICKED. Hes also known for
his appearances in the off-broadway show Bare, the original broadway
cast of Hairspray and the wonderfully terrible movie Marci X. [To start off…what exactly do they put in the water in Marietta??? You, Tyler Hanes, and Michelle Kittrell…] HA... I dont know... flouride!? How do you get into musical theatre? What sparked your interest... was it a show you saw or ?? Well, I was always in chorus at school.....in 3rd grade we did some dumb "history lesson" musical and we danced in it....that's when the interest in dance started... but I was always interested in acting and singing....but I remember seeing Cats and not liking it  so, no,
I wasnt really influenced in something I saw... It was just something
i wanted to doYou went to Pebblebrook High School, a performing arts magnet school. Can you talk a little about that? |
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I could talk a lot about that... but I won't
HA... It changed my life! I went to a local high school for 9th and 10th
grade and then transferred to Pebblebrook my junior year... so when I
got there I had a lot of pressure to step up and a lot of negativity from
other kids who had been there for 2 years who thought I stole their parts.
I was a dance major so I took dance class EVERY day and often had rehearsals
for the show choir or a show every night and most saturdays! It was like
college....and I drove 45 mins one way every day! I couldnt have asked
for a stronger foundation! I wouldnt be where I am today without that
school and those teachers!
Speaking of college, did you enjoy CCM? Would
you suggest other aspiring actors to attend?
CCM is an incredible program! Of course I would recommend it to anyone
who wants to go into musical theater... The only reason I left after
a year is Pebblebrook... I felt like I had already been beaten into
submission (ha) and I needed to learn by doing instead of conforming.
What have you been listening to lately?
hmmm...my Ipod is usually on Remy Zero, Jack Johnson, Spring Awakening,
or some random mix I made on the train 
What is your favorite musical?
I don't know... heh... I don't think I have a favorite... but I like dark stuff... I loved Sweeney Todd... I just like meaty shows that have something to say! But I also like entertaining fun shows too... Les Mis was my favorite back in the day
Do you write your own music or have interest in writing your own music?
No... but if I ever got into that I would be more into writing the lyrics than the music.
If you can improve one thing about yourself, what would it be and why?
Everything 
cause im a self concious actor!! HA!
Let's have a little fun…
What do you like to do when you are alone? Feel
free to say something naughty!
Usually just chill out! I've been living alone for the first time in Chicago so the only thing I do different is walk around naked! LOL
You're a white boy, so explain the bubble butt. Where'd it come from?
Ha! I guess it's a combination of genes and ballet
Tell us one embarrassing or little known thing
about yourself.
Hmm...When I was in middle school I was in gym class and the bell rang,
everyone was leaving the gym and I had been sitting at the top of the
metal bleachers... I tripped and everybody turned around to watch me
roll all the way down to the floor! I'd say that was embarrassing
If you could outlaw one thing, whether by act of law or act of god, what would you outlaw and why?
Temperatures lower than 40 degrees! Chicago has been unbelievably cold!!! It was under 10 degrees for at least a week this winter!
Are you seeing anyone? This is vital information man!
Ha! Unfortunately, no I'm single... well, I did go on a date the other
day... so we'll see 
Have you had any interesting "survival"
jobs?
I was an office assistant for a few months... It was fine, a very laid
back situation but it was really hard to pretend like I was ok with
it!
Career…Talk about doing your first production
in New York.
Well my first REAL production in NY was Hairspray! so I'd say it was
fuckin amazing!!! I got my equtiy card with that show....and I had no
idea what was going on or how to conduct myself at the beggining of
rehearsals... I knew Shoshana Bean, Eric Anthony, and Matt Morrison
from either college or working together before so that made me a little
more comfortable but it was a crazy experience going to the 42nd street
studios every day to rehearse a BROADWAY SHOW!!! Then when the show
did so well it was like living in a tornado... I always felt like I
was just trying to keep up!
Do you consider it to be your big break?
Well Hairspray put me in the mix but I'd like to think it hasnt happened
yet. 
I used to tease you about assuming no one wanted your autograph when you were Sketch in Hairspray. Do you think you have a fan following now?
Yeah... surprisingly... BroadwayWorld has been really good for me. lol Free publicity! But everyone has always been very kind and supportive!
What is your most embarrassing moment onstage?
Most embarrassing would probably be when I forgot the words to "It Takes Two" when I went on as Link in Hairspray one day when Matt was out. I made up something unintelligible but it seemed to rhyme somehow! LOL But it was really the three girls' faces downstage right watchin me on the passerelle... They just lost it... I'm sure my face got SO red!
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I've heard the cast of Hairspray referred
to as a family, would you say thats accurate? You've had some long stays with recent
shows. What things do YOU do to keep shows fresh for you? |
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Tell me about Broadway Bares...
Broadway Bares was soooo fun!!! Mostly it just got me to get my body
in shape... and Ive tryed to make it my motivation for going to the
gym all year round... just in case I want to do it again next year!
I thought it was hysterical watching you grab
Marissa's boob in the Broadway.com backstage video... but mine are bigger
LOL Marissa's awesome! She's fuckin crazy so I love messing with her!
How are you liking things in Chicago?
It's cool! I've learned a lot about myself... both onstage and off.
Living alone for the first time, playing a principle role for the first
time. It's been a huge learning experience but I'm ready to come home!!!
I'm counting down the days!
How do you relate to Boq, if at all?
Well, all my Boq really wants is for people to like him, make his family proud, and express an undying love... I can identify with all of that! Also, I've been the underdog for much of my life so I try my hardest to make Boq the most lovable annoyance I can!
What do you think of the real world political subtext in Wicked?
I love it! I think it's one of the things that makes the show so universally
enjoyed! For the musical theater people they get the belting and the
dancing and the drama and for the suit and ties/husbands/fathers theres
the disregard of minority rights and propaganda to influence a gullible
community... with the spectacle of the set and costumes to drive it
all home. Although I do wish there was more of the politics from the
book in the show. I loved elphaba beeing more of a terrorist! 
In keeping with the idea of plot analysis, have you noticed any interesting plot holes in Wicked or any of your previous shows?
Well it's there in Wicked for sure!!! But I have to believe it all to do it 8 times a week so I kind of slide over them... I can't think of anything right now... It all seems to work in my head lol
Where do you see yourself five years from now?
A Tony nominee working with Ryan Gosling on some edgie character drama!
LOL 
What is your dream role?
Huck Finn in Big River
Melchior or Moritz in Spring Awakening (I havent seen it... but LOVE
the music!!!!!)
Id like to play Lewis in Pippin again
Marius in Les Mis
Tobias in Sweeney Todd
I'm sure there are more! LOL
What do you want to accomplish in your career?
Probably what every actor wants. To open peoples eyes to why they do
what they do and to help them understand we're all just human
WORD ASSOCIATION: (these can be one word answers
or short stories)
1. Starmites 2001 / I was sooooo young!
2. Mamma Mia / FUN
3. Hairspray / Huge learning experience
4. Bare / Huge sad learning experience
5. Wicked / Happy and lucky to be a cog in the machine... even if I forget sometimes!
6. Pippin / Poor
7. Joseph... Dreamcoat / Poor
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8. Dare / Even bigger learning experience 9. Marci X / Celebrities are people too! 10. "Adamness" / Flattering...but
not sure how 11. Harvey Fierstein / Momma 12. Dee Hoty / Classiest, hardest working, needs a Tony!! 13. Jenna Leigh Green / Sweetheart... crazy belt 14. John Hill / Brother... comic
genious |
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16. Marissa Jaret Winokur / Strength!
17. Ben Vereen / Crazy!!!!
18. Shoshana Bean / Sister... cant wait to see her win a Grammy!
Finally…
Rant. Whine or bitch about anything that you want. No holds barred.
If I get one more fuckin sinus infection I'm gonna scream!!! I'm so
fuckin sick of this fuckin snow!!! I'm over Chicago!!!! I can't beleive
I've lived in New York City for almost 7 years and I got my wallet stolen
by a pair of pick pockets in Chicago!!!!!!!
AHHHH! I think
that's it for now lol
Many thanks to Adam for doing this interview,
even if it took a year for it to happen.
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