Scott Bakula has only the highest praise to share for Jason Robert Brown's newest musical, The Connector, which Bakula is currently starring in Off-Broadway at MCC Theater. "The book for this is one of the best books I've ever read for any musical," said Bakula in an appearance on The Today Show.
The Connector follows two young journalists (played by Ben Levi Ross and Hannah Cruz) in the late 1990s, pitting ambition against values in the race for the ultimate scoop, with Bakula leading one of them as a mentor.
Bakula describes the musical as almost being like a "play with music," with the topics explored in the work being both an important reflection of the culture within the journalism industry in the '90s, and a relevant conversation today. "It's a different world. There weren't a lot of women writers. Our lead young lady in the show (Hannah Cruz), she wants to be a writer. I ignore her, because that's the way the world worked back then," says Bakula.
Bakula is largely known for his roles in film and television, but his career initially began on Broadway. He shares his excitement for signing on to a project that allows him to bring out his musical side again. "I have a regular Friday class that I go to and sing, and I have for years. Whenever I'm in town, I'm doing that," he says. "I've always wanted to come back and do a musical in New York."
To hear more from Bakula about The Connector, watch the full interview in the video above.
The Connector is conceived and directed by Daisy Prince and features a score by Tony-winning composer Jason Robert Brown. The book is by Jonathan Marc Sherman. Originally slated to end February 18, the production will now play through March 3 at MCC's Newman Mills Theater.
The cast also includes Joanna Carpenter, Max Crumm, George Dvorsky, Ashley Pérez Flanagan, Danielle Lee Greaves, Mylinda Hull, Daniel Jenkins, Cedric Lamar, Jessica Molaskey, Fergie Philippe, Eliseo Román, Ann Sanders, Kyle Sherman, and Michael Winther.
The Connector features choreography by Karla Puno Garcia, scenic design by Beowulf Boritt, costume design by Márion Tálan de la Rosa, lighting design by Jeanette Oi-Suk Yew, sound design by Jon Weston, and orchestrations and arrangements by Brown. Tom Murray is the music director and Kristy Norter is the music coordinator. Erin Gioia Albrecht is the production stage manager and casting is by Patrick Goodwin of The Telsey Office.
The Company of MCC Theater's The Connector
The Company of MCC Theater's The Connector
The Company of MCC Theater's The Connector
The Company of MCC Theater's The Connector
Scott Bakula
Scott Bakula and Ben Levi Ross
Mylinda Hull
Hannah Cruz
Fergie Philippe, Hannah Cruz, and Ben Levi Ross
Ben Levi Ross, Scott Bakula, Jessica Molaskey, and Michael Winther
Ben Levi Ross
Ben Levi Ross and Hannah Cruz
Ben Levi Ross and Hannah Cruz
