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Video: Andréa Burns & Katie Finneran Talk Working Together in UP HERE
May 17, 2024
Broadway favorites Andréa Burns and Katie Finneran have been best friends since they were 14-years-old. Now, they're appearing on screen together in Up Here, the new musical series on Hulu. Watch a video of the pair discuss bringing musical theatre to television, their friendship, and what to expect from the new series with Richard Ridge now!
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0:00
Tell me how much fun the two of you had working on up here
0:05
Thank you so much. We love you so much. So happy to see your face
0:09
So happy to see you. First of all, we both work with Tom. I mean, I work with him a little bit, readings and stuff like that
0:14
And you know, I did In the Heights with Tommy. You did In the Heights. We've been best friends since we were 14
0:19
Did you know that? No. I know. It's already winning the lottery to get a television show
0:25
but then to get one with your bestie is like... And I think Tommy knew that and..
0:29
Yes, he knew that. So he was very excited to put us together. Yeah
0:34
So we've been like celebrating this friendship for decades, and we finally got a TV show together
0:40
Oh, my gosh. I mean, I saw her do Sally Bowles at 14
0:45
When I really... It was his time. I knew. I knew about life, Katie
0:49
You did. You just wanted it to work out this time. That's right
0:53
And I saw you play Lucy Schmueler in On the Town. Yeah, remember
0:58
And you made a very congested, sinus-y... The beginning of my character career
1:03
My character career. That's right. That's right. Okay. We have to talk about your hair on both of you in this show
1:12
The first time you saw yourself made up. Tell me about when you saw yourself in the mirror
1:16
all made up as these characters. I can tell you that when I saw myself made up
1:21
and also costumed by the brilliant Nikki Smith, I was like, this is my mother
1:26
I literally... I went running to Katie because of course, together I was like, look at me, leather
1:33
I'm a young woman. I am my mom right now. Incredible. I mean, it is incredible
1:38
Her mother is stunning. I've known her since I was 14. Just a beautiful elegance, beautiful Venezuelan woman
1:46
And you did. You freaked me out with that blue jumpsuit. Yeah, and it was just the 80s and the hair
1:51
Really, really something. That's her mom. Love it. And you? And I had bangs
1:57
Nobody talks about the show. They're just like, they just write. Bangs. Bangs
2:02
In capitals. So I bring to you bangs. I love the look
2:07
How much fun is it? I mean, this is the best of like the musical theater world
2:12
meets incredible TV on Hulu. Like what has it been like working with all of your friends on this
2:18
When I got the appointment and I saw Tommy Kail, Steven Levinson, Kristen and Bobby Lopez
2:26
I was like, I don't really care what you want me to do
2:31
No matter what, I will take out the garbage. I will do the catering
2:36
I want to be with these people for these. Yeah. I think we would have played toothless bag ladies. Anything
2:43
From space. Together. I mean, it was just, it's just like a joy
2:48
It's like falling into like a soft, warm feather bed. It's like so supportive
2:53
We had just such a relaxing, comfortable, wonderful time. Yes. To be with our people in that environment
2:59
I felt free. I felt as well. I mean, it was just like no restrictions
3:03
It was just a gorgeous experience. Yes. Cause we were team players in the theater
3:08
So it was so beautiful to have that kind of, you know, television can be so individualistic at times, but this was really
3:16
everyone understands show mentality. I'll rehearse. I'll rehearse. Stand. My scene is with him and our baby just died and he's my husband and
3:27
he's leaving me. But he, he doesn't rehearse. I'm saving it for the camera
3:31
We're like, huh? Cause we do eight shows a week. Tell me where to stand
3:36
I'm not going to tell you where to stand. Cause I don't know where I'm going to stand. What's your number
3:43
Obviously it was different on this because I mean, this is, like I said, this is the best melding of musical theater and television
3:49
More people are going to be able to watch this on Hulu, which I think is amazing
3:53
And it's going to introduce a whole new world of people to like the best of television meets the best of musical theater
3:59
What that means to both of you. Oh, that means an enormous amount
4:04
I'm thrilled. I mean, they'll know who Norm Lewis is now and, and, and Brian Stokes
4:10
I mean, you're just not ready for some of the performances. Oh my God
4:15
Oh my God. She's going to be a Broadway, you know? She is on Broadway right now. She's currently starring in Parade, you know
4:21
But yes, I mean, the outreach of musical theater is, is tremendous and you know how it is
4:28
It can be divisive. Like there are people who can't live without it like us
4:32
And there are people who just can't appreciate it. And musical theater ends up being like cilantro, you know
4:38
it's like divided, but you really have to try it and decide for yourself
4:42
And now so many people are going to get to try it. And I will say that even people who don't like it, I don't know
4:47
I've done a lot of TV shows. You may know them. You may not know them, but I've been working steadily since like
4:53
I usually last till about like TV stars season, but we usually stay on the air till like episode four
4:59
And then, but that's okay. Cause my kids are going to college anyway. I don't really talk about my TV stuff or my career
5:07
I don't talk about my TV stuff or my film stuff ever, but this is the first show that I'm like
5:12
I can't wait to see that show. I'm on it. And that has nothing to do with it
5:17
I think it brings, it gave me such a, when I saw the trailer
5:21
we haven't really seen the show. We haven't, but when I saw the trailer, it gave me such a dope
5:25
I mean, Sarah tone in infusion that I want to watch it
5:31
just for me. Yeah. And it's, it makes you happy. It's funny
5:36
but I think it really makes you feel like you're not alone. We all walk around with a lot of neurotic inner voices and it's really
5:44
nice to see that other people are dealing with that too. And that you have no idea really what's truly going on in another
5:51
person's mind. So. And may Whitman and Carlos Valdez, not musical theater
5:55
People are so fantastic and so funny and vulnerable and warm. And, and it was just a dream
6:07
Did we wake up at the same? I've been up since four. I've been thinking a lot about this
6:15
New York is where real writers live. And I am starting to think that I am a real writer
6:20
Why didn't you tell me? Do not say it careful. Now keep it to yourself lens
6:27
I just have all these voices in my head all the time
6:32
Now you've done it. Nice pants. Thanks. They're new. I mean, they're not new
6:38
I wear them a lot. Sounds like they have a very rich history
6:43
I know exactly what you're going to say. I wasn't going to say anything. Enjoying the view. You don't need her
6:47
Mama's here. Okay. That's creepy. You can really trust someone to understand what you are all about
7:13
I came here to focus on myself. This could be a life-changing opportunity
7:17
You have no reason to believe that. What about this reason? It's funny. The devil's actually a very misunderstood card
7:25
Did you always want to be a writer? I think I always knew I had something to say
7:30
but just afraid no one wanted to hear it. She doesn't like you. She just thinks you're rich
7:34
Hey, don't listen to her. You're doing great, buddy. What are you thinking about? Nothing
7:40
I've listened to so many different people telling me who I should be
7:44
What are you doing? It's different with Lindsay because she's special. That is actually very sweet
7:49
It's time to give up and come home. I belong in this city
7:53
You've been hit by three cabs. At very low speeds. All those voices floating in her head
7:59
saying no to a million different ways. They don't see what I do. She doesn't appreciate you. She doesn't deserve you
8:07
This isn't your life. This is my life. I am sick and tired of everyone telling me what I'm supposed to do
8:19
I need to find my own story. You're gonna be okay? I can handle it
8:28
You're gonna be okay? I can handle it
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