Billy Elliot Star Gregory Jbara Exults in His Tony Win
Gregory Jbara’s been on the Broadway scene for more than 20 years now in hits like Victor/Victoria, Chicago and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. He's also appeared in flicks like In & Out and A Midsummer Night’s Dream, lent his voice to animated series like Family Guy and hawked products ranging from restaurant The Olive Garden to the drug Caduet in commercials. And on June 7, 2009, standing center stage at Radio City Music Hall with his new Best Featured Actor Tony Award in one hand and wife Julie by his side (literally, next to the podium), the Billy Elliot star officially cemented himself as a winning force with big-name stage recognition. After a four-year break following his hilarious turn as bodyguard Andre in 2005’s Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Jbara has racked up Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle accolades (and that Tony) for his touching turn as Billy’s blue-collar dad, Jackie, a role he explains he almost didn’t take. We chatted with the L.A.-based actor (and Broadway.com video blogger) about his win, playing dad both at Billy and at home, and his newest gig as a Disney robot.
How long have you been waiting to hold that Tony?
Probably since I started doing theater in junior high as kid in Michigan. I guess I always had some variation of what I would say if I won.
And was your winning speech anywhere close to that?
No, not at all! [Laughs.] I really didn’t know what to say. I also didn’t know that my wife would come [up onstage] with me, so that changed things.
You didn’t plan on bringing her up there?
No! She’d only just arrived in New York 24 hours earlier, and I was just so thrilled to see her—we’ve been long distance for months. I realized that, if I won, I wouldn’t see her [during Tony night] for at least two hours, maybe longer: I’d be backstage talking to press and she’d be in the house of Radio City Music Hall all alone. So I sort of figured, if I didn’t let go of her, I could have her with me all night.
Did she have any idea you would do that?
When I found out a few weeks before the awards we weren’t allowed to take our spouses on the red carpet with us—only presenters, performers and nominees were walking—I brought up bringing her up with me and she said, “Well that’s just not done. This is your night.” Then on Tony night, she turned to me and whispered, “No one else brings their spouses up there! Don’t bring me!” I told her if it was a huge issue then I’d leave it alone, but laid the “I love you and want to share this experience with you” treatment on. She crumbled, of course. But I still didn’t know until right before they announced me what I’d do.
You went out of your way during your speech to thank Billy’s other rotating stars Tommy Batchelor [Billy] and Frank Dolce [Michael], who were not nominated.
Well, you know, people forget that these are just children, who are being asked to cope with adult issues and carry an entire show. [Broadway] life can be hard on them. I can still remember a tech rehearsal where all four Billys [Tony winners David Alvarez, Trent Kowalik and Kiril Kulish, as well as understudy Batchelor] were sitting next to each other in the front row, and the tech team said, “OK, the Billys are going to rehearse flying.” Tommy was injured, so the other three rushed up to go fly and he had to stay seated. And I looked over and Tommy just quietly started to cry in his chair because he was so frustrated at being hurt. I’ve never been able to get that image out of my head. So they deserve our thanks. We’re asking the world of these kids.
Was it a shock when David Bologna [for his turn as Michael] was nominated without Frank Dolce [who shares the role] being included?
My favorite part of the nominations was David’s performance being recognized. But yes, Frank being left out was a shock. But Frank went off and landed a TV series, so really he’s doing just fine.
Did you think you would win?
I saw most of my competitors. Chris Sieber was genius—that role [Lord Farquaad in Shrek] could have been a big stinker in the hands of a lesser actor, but he pulled things out that made you go, “You’re sick and wrong and brilliant.” I saw Will Swenson when he was in Rock of Ages, so while I didn’t see him for his role in Hair I knew exactly what he was capable of; my wife also developed an immediate Broadway crush on him, for the record. I’ve known Marc Kudisch [9 to 5] forever and already knew what I was up against, and I see David Bologna in our show weekly. So in no way did it feel like a given that I’d win. But my comfort came from this: Paulie Dean, our electrician on the show, is one of the no-bullshit godfathers of behind-the-scenes-Broadway. The night before the nominations came out, he came to me and said, “Tomorrow? You have nothing to worry about.” And I was nominated. The night before the Tony Awards, he came to me again and said, “Tomorrow? You have nothing to worry about.” He was right.
You thanked hundreds of fans for their support, by name, on your web site after the win.
Thousands, really. I went through all my old databases and collected every name I could. I felt it was important because every little thing affects whether you work in this industry. I only got the part because Nicole Kidman got pregnant!
I’m sorry, what?
Nicole Kidman got pregnant and couldn’t do [Billy Elliot director] Stephen Daldry’s film The Reader. So the film got pushed back a year, pushing Billy back a year, which meant my personal agenda finally allowed me to get back to Broadway. Without that delay I wouldn’t be here. I started thinking about every silly, little thing like that and just felt every person who’s ever touched my life deserved thanks, because without them I may not have gotten here.
It’s been hard for you to leave your family in L.A. to do this show. Has the show’s success validated that choice?
Honestly? The whole impetus for returning to Broadway was so I could vote to ratify a strike for the Screen Actors’ Guild. Leaving my family was the hardest choice to make. But I felt very strongly about the SAG strike. So I knew if I could land myself an Equity contract I’d have a way to support my family while SAG took a stand. That might sound trite, but the last time SAG went on strike it wiped L.A. out—we were living on savings and praying. So coming here was a survival decision that ultimately became the best experience I’ve had as an actor so far. The award is just an honor and a bonus. It did remind me, however, that live theater is my home.
We've seen your sense of humor in Broadway.com's video blog. Who really revels in the backstage shenanigans?
Surprisingly? Carole Shelley [Grandma]. She can be very naughty! I’ve long since learned not to try and one up her, because the woman is sharp. And the kids in our show too. Honestly, these little ballerina girls? Some of the stuff that comes out of their mouths, you just go, “Wait, how old are you?"
Has working on this show better prepared you for your own children’s adolescence?
Nope! Five and eight year olds are mind-blowing enough. My two sons have already learned the great power of manipulation and “creative word use.” By that I mean they know how to choose their words so they’re never quite lying. To some degree you’re impressed that they’re so incredibly savvy and conniving. But you still have to reprimand them. It’s interesting to go, “Man, that is so cool you pulled that off—but I still have to ground you.” But having boys seems like it's easier than having girls!
You’ve got another son coming into your life: Will Chase, who’s taking over the role of Billy’s older brother. How is that going?
We’ve had a few [new cast members] join recently, and to have them be as excited their first night as we were on ours just rejuvenates the cast. It’s a true shot in the arm. Will and I actually worked together on a soap opera a few years back, but I didn’t remember! I was the judge and he was a defense attorney. I was so blindly trying to learn my legal jargon lines in time for filming that I had to be reminded that we’d even worked together. But he is a sweetheart, outrageously funny and absolutely brilliant in the role. People really need to come see it.
What about the comments that Will’s too old to play that part?
At first I was worried about that, actually. But we had our first put-in rehearsal recently and even with his beard still unshaven and no make-up on, its uncanny how young he looks from the audience. You’d never be able to tell he's [38]. He must moisturize!
So, the products you do commercials for on TV: Do you use them?
Ha! Until recently I’d never eaten at an Olive Garden-—we actually took some young friends to the one in Times Square after the show one night because they thought it would be funny. Suddenly the general manager comes over and goes, “I know who you are...”. So we got the meal for free that night. But generally, no. I don’t really eat at Olive Garden, and as a result I don’t need to use blood pressure or high cholesterol medication. And I don’t wear glasses yet. Someday!
You’re a big voiceover actor. Where have we heard you?
Ripley’s Believe it or Not is the big credit; people think it's [host] Dean Cain, but it’s me. That’s one of the bonuses of having your brother be the executive producer of the show! I’ve done Family Guy and American Dad, which are a blast because they’ll let you try whatever you want, but the one I’m proudest of is I’m the new voice of the animatronic newscaster in Spaceship: Earth at Disney’s Epcot Center in Florida!
Wait. You’re a Disney robot?
Yes, I’ve been immortalized! [Laughs.] They completely updated the whole ride a few years back and it’s finally up and ready to go. So I’m the guy talking about Amelia Earhart; there’s a real robot with my voice coming out of it. It’ll probably be there another 30 years before it gets updated again, so I’m excited!
See Gregory Jbara in Billy Elliot at the Imperial Theatre.
