On The Road: Shoba Narayan

Today's edition of On The Road features my beautiful new friend Shoba Narayan! Shoba is a Pennsylvania native and is currently starring as Eliza Hamilton on the Philip national tour. Before this, she was in the 12-time Tony nominated musical Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812. In that role, she made Broadway headlines in 2017 by being the first South Asian female in a principal role in more than a decade. I am thrilled for you guys to get to know this strong female lead and find out what she loves about playing Eliza!

How long have you been a performer?

I’ve been performing since before I can remember, but I have been very fortunate to be able to do this professionally for the past several years.

What was the first show you ever saw that changed your life?

Oh my gosh… Well I owe a lot to movie musicals, especially Fiddler On the Roof, Wizard of Oz and West Side Story - all of those films made a huge impact on me and were always available for me to watch when I was growing up in Pennsylvania. As far as live musicals go, one of the first Broadway musicals I saw in NYC that truly blew my mind was Thoroughly Modern Millie. After seeing that show I knew I wanted to be an acting-singing-dancing tour-de-force like Sutton Foster.

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

My answer is split here :) The Great Comet, which was my Broadway debut, was the most thrilling (and terrifying) production I’ve ever been part of. We were asked to break the fourth wall, run all over the house, high kick, climb hundreds of stairs, sing very difficult music (and jump vocal styles) all while playing instruments...I had no choice but to jump in and run with the opportunity. That show challenged me and helped me grow in so many ways, and I am so grateful for it. Now, I get to work on HAMILTON. So, #dreams ! This show is special on so many levels - from how it tells the history of our country, to the humanity of the piece, to its diverse casting. It’s been rewarding to rehearse and originate the role of Eliza in a brand new company and tour the country to tell this story. Also, the show is incredibly challenging both mentally and physically, so it’s an actors dream - it has made me a better artist and person. It’s going to be hard to top these past two shows but I hope I do :)

How did it feel the night you made your Broadway debut in The Great Comet?

I couldn’t believe it was happening- I had dreamt of the moment for years! The show itself was a huge celebration, but moments like our toast to “happiness freedom and life” during “the abduction” felt especially weighty for me in the best way possible. I will also never forget staring up at our beaming comet at the end of the show thinking wow, this moment is pretty magnificent. When I exited the Imperial stage door to sign playbills for the first time, I remember my (older and wiser) colleague handing me a sharpie and saying to me “This is first of many of these nights for you.” It was a gracious thing to say and the perfect ending to my debut night.

Do you have a favorite moment or memory from your time in The Great Comet?

Being a part of that company was a lesson in what it is to be a multi-faceted artist and a creator.. I will never forget singing and playing our instruments in the middle of Rockefeller Plaza before we shot our Today Show appearance in the early hours of a Pre-Tony Awards morning, surrounded on all sides by fans and New Yorkers. We had so many moments like that where we were just messing around with our instruments, blending styles and sounds-- creating something quite beautiful. That was how we frequently spent our down time backstage. The collaborative nature of my cast mates was definitely a highlight of my experience.

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

Ummm the day we (The Great Comet) were nominated 12 times and got updated signs outside of our theater saying that we did!

Who is the coolest celebrity you’ve ever met at work?

Hmmm… I was pretty excited the nights Paul McCartney, Tina Fey, and Steve Martin came to Great Comet. Ben Stiller came to the show like 10 times and I loved whenever he did because he would laugh so hard during the show….it was pretty incredible seeing a comedic actor I admire - a guy who has made me laugh so hard through the years laugh during a show I was part of.

What has been your most memorable moment on tour so far?

There have been so many memorable moments, but if I have to pick one it would have to be the EduHam presentations we (Hamilton cast members) get to watch high school kids perform at. It’s so powerful to watch kids share music they’ve created to tell history or speak on a social issue in their own voice and style. It reminds me how brilliant kids are, that they are not afraid to speak out and how that energy is going to change the world. Getting to perform Hamilton for them afterwards is THE BEST because they are incredibly vocal audience members who tell you exactly what they are thinking. The push and pull between performer and audience member is really amped up during those shows!

Do you have any special rituals or moments that happen backstage before or during the show each night?

Before every show, our cast does a “circle up.” We hold hands and take a moment to collectively breathe together. Someone usually shares a thought, a message of gratitude, or a word we can use as a mantra throughout the show. It gets us all dropped in and ready to take the ride together for the next 3 hours.

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

WATER WATER WATER

Tea!

Grethers Pastilles

Hand Sanitizer

What is your favorite thing about your job?

Getting to play a complex role like Eliza and getting to work with a very talented company of artists every night.

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

Tour life isn’t always easy! I miss my fiance, my family and friends back in NY. But I know these are sacrifices we must all make for our careers, and luckily I have all of their support to make that happen. We FaceTime, text and call as much as we can.

What is your favorite fun fact about Hamilton?

There are so many....but one you may not know is that Eliza’s Burn dress is coated with flame retardant spray so a bad situation doesn’t arise!

What is your favorite part about playing Eliza?

I love that she gets to take such a full journey through the course of the show, from joy to heartbreak, to finding forgiveness, ultimately dedicating her life to serving the greater good. She inspires me on a daily basis to try to do good in the world and to improve the lives of children whenever possible. When we began our tour, I started an initiative to work with foster kids and orphanages by volunteering to giving a musical theater masterclass in every city we go to. It has been a rewarding and eye opening journey for me and my castmates, and a really amazing way to honor Eliza’s legacy outside of the show. A longer blogpost about my experience working with with the foster kids and orphans around the country is coming in the next couple weeks, so stay tuned! :)

What is your favorite number to perform in your show?

I love the song/scene Take a Break. It’s a beautifully written scene that delves into her relationship with her husband, sister and son and how they have evolved through the years. It’s very playful and fun (I get to beatbox!) and I love how we get to see how passionately Eliza felt about keeping her family together. It’s Quiet Uptown is a challenging scene to do every day, but I enjoy that as well - even though it makes me very sad.

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

Every night I feel like I lean into a new lyric and discover a double meaning or a part of history that I didn’t know before. Or some shows I’ll listen closer in to the string section (for example) and to hear how their part accentuates certain moments in the show, or how they play a certain theme over and over again. There’s always something to new to learn and notice.

What is it about this job that makes you come back each day?

The urgency my company feels to share this story and message to people across the country everyday,

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

Be confident in what you bring to the table. What makes you unique makes you special.

What piece of advice would you give your 18 year old self?

It’s going to be a bumpy ride. Focus in on practice and studying. The long hours of dedicated work pay off. I promise. Also, you’ll need to maintain that level of dedication even after you’ve booked your first few jobs! It never stops! Make exceptional work the new normal.

What advice would you give to a young person who wants to pursue a career in the arts?

If you’re in it for the glitz and glamour - you might be disappointed. The business is not just the opening night party or the movie premier. You need to enjoy the process - the ups and downs, the creation of something new, working on your craft. You need to really love it.

FUN FACTS:

What was the first Broadway show you ever saw?

42nd Street

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

Wicked

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

Oh my gosh this is going to be hard. I loved Seattle, LA and Salt Lake City!

What is your favorite costume in Hamilton?

The parchment dress I wear at the top of the show! I only wear it for the opening number but I wish I wore it more because it’s so gorgeous.

What is your favorite costume you've ever worn?

Natasha’s fabulous white coat in The Great Comet.

Images by Meghan Doherty

Cleveland, Ohio