Music Mix: 54 Below's Faith Prince and Jason Graae Talk Liza, The Book of Mormon and Once On This Island
The Theater District's swanky new nightclub 54 Below is hosting a slew of Broadway's hottest stars this summer, from two-time Tony winner Patti LuPone to downtown diva Justin Vivian Bond. Broadway.com is asking these talented vocalists to share a few musical memories and tell fans about the music that molded them into the performers they are today. Next up is talented duo Faith Prince and Jason Graae who are performing their new show The Prince and the Showboy at 54 Below through August 25. Below, the friends and collaborators each discuss songs that make them dance, concerts that influenced them and what excites them most about their new show.
What record/album was your favorite growing up?
Faith Prince: The 5th Dimension's The Age of Aquarius.
Jason Graae: The First Family comedy record, starring Vaughn Meader as JFK.
What concert most influenced you as a performer?
Prince: Barry Manilow!! LOL
Graae: Victor Borge when he came through Tulsa.
What is your go-to audition song?
Prince: What is this word—audition??
Graae: “Madeleine” from Jaques Brel—I did it in NYC for 13 years until I got requests NOT to do it, so that's why I moved to L.A!
What song are you most excited to perform in your show?
Prince: A re-working of a song from Book of Mormon.
Graae: The encore, so we can go to the bar. Wait—there is a bar, isn't there?
What musical theater track is the most played on your iPod?
Prince: First of all, I've got NOTHING on my iPod. However, I've worn out Liz Callaway's Passage of Time.
Graae: Good question. Probably "The Big Time” from Will Rogers Follies. I know, I know—but I've loved that song for its unabashed musical comedy fun and hope.
If you can invite any performer onstage for a duet at 54 Below, who would it be?
Prince: Jason!!!!
Graae: Easy—Faith Prince!
What musical theater performer from the past do you wish you can collaborate with?
Prince: Red Skelton.
Graae: Shirley Jones. Oh wait—she's very much in the present, and I just did collaborate with her doing The Music Man at Sacramento Music Circus. She's absolutely incredible!
What album was the soundtrack to your 20s?
Prince: Earth, Wind and Fire's That's the Way of the World.
Graae: Gypsy. Gay.
What’s your favorite love song?
Prince: “It Amazes Me” by Tony Bennett.
Graae: “What More Can I Say” from Falsettos—it slays me.
What song makes you feel sexy?
Prince: “Tell Me Something Good” by Chaka Khan.
Graae: “Liza with a Z.”
What is your favorite workout track?
Prince: “Fame” from Fame.
Graae: The Central Park Reservoir.
What’s the best hidden gem in on your iPod?
Prince: I said, I've got nothing on my iPod! However, I LOVE Adam Guettel's Myths and Hymns.
Graae: The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle.
Favorite break-up song?
Prince: “Give Me Another Chance.”
Graae: That question is just weird.
What song most makes you smile?
Prince: “Better” by Ed Kleban.
Graae: “Waiting for Life” from Once on This Island.
When this song plays, I can’t help but dance:
Prince: “Electricity” from Billy Elliot.
Graae: Emily Skinner singing "Life with Harold" from The Full Monty.
Check out Faith Prince and Jason Graae in The Prince and the Showboy at 54 Below through August 25.
