Video: JONAH's Gabby Beans is On the Rise!

Hello everyone and welcome to another episode of On the Rise with Candace Cordelia here with Broadway World

I am so, so excited to present to you one of the best actresses I feel who is in the game today

And she's perfect. She's like, what? But I really mean that I recently saw Gabby Beans in the production of Jonah in New York City

Wonderful play. You all should run to go. see this while you can. And without further ado, Gabby Beans, welcome. Wow, what an intro. I'm speechless

Thank you so much. That is so incredibly kind. Thank you. Oh, you're welcome. You're welcome. And certainly

just a tour of course, your performance is Anna and Jonah and Jonah itself will get more into the show as time goes on

But my first question for you, Gabby, is I need to know the origin of your name because I think it's so

Gabby Beans, when I first heard it, I was like, wait, this is like a fabulous stage name

And I would just love to get to know more about your name, how it came about

Wow. Yeah. So, I mean, I have to thank my parents. They're really, they're, they're, they, so my, my full name is Gabrielle, Ariana, Beans

And so, I just, my whole life, I went by. Gabby and so when it came time to select a name for SAG, I thought Gabrielle Beans doesn't feel

quite right, but Gabby Beans feels like that's who I am. I'm Gabby, you know, so it's actually

funny that you should say it's a great stage name because my first manager who I am, you know

love very much and who helped me a lot. When we first met, he said, you know, you're a serious actor

and Gabby Beans is not the name of a serious actor. And I considered changing my name or switching it up

But then I was like, you know what? No, it just feels right. That's just who I am for better or for worse

So it makes me happy when people say they think it's memorable or something

I think Beans helps a lot. So thanks, Dad, for having the last name, Beans

There you go. There you go. And I think you should keep it for as long as possible

Don't change it. don't revert it back. Oh, no, we're here. We're locked in now

It's Gabby Beans till, you know, Gabby Beans is no more. Amen, amen

So I did some research on you, Gabby, and you have such an interesting background

I mean, one of the things that I learned is that you are an army brat

And I know for me growing up, and this might sound really weird, I always kind of romanticized

the idea of two things, army brats and kids going to boarding school

So, and I don't know why. maybe it's because I wanted to be both of those things

I would like to know more about your background, traveling around as a child

how that informed yourself as an actor and really getting more into acting as time went on

in that type of situation. Absolutely. I mean, I think that it's actually pretty common

for actors to have sort of nomadic early life experiences. And I think that makes a lot of sense

I'll speak for myself. moving around like every two years or so means that you learn to make friends quickly

you learn to adapt to new social situations really quickly, and you get a lot of different perspectives on the world

and you meet a lot of different types of people. So I think that my background, having moved around a lot

definitely created a rich sort of wellspring of different experiences and people I've come across

and also just understanding how to kind of slot into the situation easily

And you know, you learn how to make people comfortable. So there's a lot of things that you learn

as an army brat that I think helps in this industry. But I, you know

I really enjoyed my childhood, you know, like I, I, New York City is like the only place where I don't feel restless

So I think that there's, I have a lot of wanderlust and, and yeah

So it's funny that you would romanticize being an army brat. That's hilarious

I think most people are like, are you okay? You know what I mean

So this is like a novel and incredible experience for me to have this

You know, wow, yeah, like I was in barracks before. or like, you know what I mean

But there's also, like, you get to have some really unique experiences. Like, one story I can share is at one point my dad was running this school that trains, like, NATO forces, basically, in Germany

And so my summer job for, like, two years was working in the Weapons of Mass Destruction Department of this NATO school

So, like, I would prepare, like, I would prepare power points of gruesome wartime injuries so that

that international doctors could practice triaging people in mass casualty situations. So you get some like interesting experiences like that, you know

How old were you when this all took place? I was in high school

So I was like 14 to 15. Yeah, another part of that job that was really fun is that you got to be, pretend to be like a casualty

in a mass casualty situation. So you get a car and it's like you are

from smoke inhalation or you have severe burns and then you have to sort of enact that and then

the doctors come through and triage you. So anyway, you know, rich, narratively rich experiences all

around. Absolutely. So that is fascinating. And thinking about that and also you're moving around

every two years, when did acting first come into your world and when did you decide that this was

something you wanted to do. I mean, it was always sort of percolating in the background, this want, this need to perform

I danced when I was younger, so I did ballet and tap and jazz and stuff, and I always enjoyed

performing, and that kind of ended when I was in my early teens

And then I really got into, like, acting and, like, doing school plays and stuff more

in late high school. But, you know, when you come from a family where no one is professionally in the arts, the idea that that would be a career path is something that is just sort of, it seems untenable or something

So it wasn't really until I started, I entered the end of my undergraduate experience that I started to really seriously consider pursuing it

as a career. And you went to Columbia and double majored in neuroscience which is completely out of my depth and theater What was that like juggling both of those completely different worlds In hindsight I can say I appreciate it

It was a lot of work. And I don't, you know, I basically didn't sleep for four years

because there was no overlap between my theater classes and my neuroscience classes

And I was also pre-med. So I was just like always studying

But I think that it makes sense to me that I would have those interests

because I think the sort of common ground of both those areas of study is trying to understand

human behavior, trying to understand our motivations and what, you know, understand what this human experience

like what it's composed of, like how it happens. And so whether you're looking at that from an artistic perspective or whether

you're looking at it from a neurobiological perspective, you're still sort of like trying to poke at

the same thing. And that's how I sort of made sense of it in school. So what was the catalyst

when you decided, okay, I'm not going to go premed. I'm not going to continue studying medicine

then I'm just going to go straight forth into acting and go to London and study Atlanta

Like, what was that defining moment for you? It was a really, it's, you know, it's funny because you have these moments in life that at the time

you don't realize how important they are. And then in hindsight, you're like, oh, that was a turning point

And for me, I was in my second semester of my senior year at Columbia

And I was in a huge sort of meeting. So when you're pre-med at Columbia, before you can even apply to med school, you have to go through this institutional review process as an undergrad because they want to keep their applicant pool strong

So you go to this meeting and there's a checklist on a pink sheet of paper of all the things that you have to do before you're allowed to apply for medical school

So it's an informational session about that. And I remember sitting in the informational session and looking at that pink piece of paper and just

being like seeing the choice point and sort of understanding that I could go down this path

and I could go through the motions of applying to medical school and going through medical

school and whatnot or I could do something that felt more scary but more true

which was to follow my actual passions. and I was very scared at that time to pursue my, my like, legitimate interests

But the, but I also felt a strong sense of fear. Like I felt this fear

I was like, I just know deep down inside that if I don't really give this a try

I am going to regret it for the rest of my life. And so the fear of living, the fear of living with this regret was more compelling than

the fear of failure in that moment. And I think that's grace. You know, I think that's grace

Yeah. And then you found your way to London. But even before then, what did your family say

I mean, what were they just like, what are you doing? Yeah. I mean, listen, they weren't

they weren't psyched. You know, it wasn't a celebratory moment. But I think they also

respected my decision. And my parents helped me pay for grad school

And so they supported me in the, even though, you know, maybe emotionally, it took them some time to adjust to my decision in the ways that matter

They supported me. And I'm very, very grateful for that. That's beautiful

And I lived in London for a time, and it's my favorite city

So I am in a lot of wonderful artists study there and come from London and then just ply their crafts all over the world

what was that experience like studying at Lambda and really getting immersed in the culture of England and just being free to do your thing while you were overseas

It was really beautiful. I will always look back at that time in my life with so much fondness. I mean, first of all, doing actor training in a country whose greatest writer is a playwright is really nourishing

So there's a certain level of respect specifically for theater. in that country that is super inspiring

So I loved that element of it. And then Lambda was just a really beautiful place to study

I mean, aside from all the tutors who have incredible stories and incredible breaths of knowledge and things to share with you

just being around that level of talent, I mean, some of the best performances I've ever seen in my life

I saw in our rehearsal rooms in Lambda. of young actors who are operating from a place of real freedom and hunger and just gift

So it was just a really awesome place to actually learn how to do the job

And yeah, I love being in London. It's just, it's a really special city

I really like British people. I love the sense of humor. And people have a facility with language there that's really amusing

you know, it's financially, it's, it was tough, you know, like, I, there's maybe, yeah, there's

some stories I could tell about things I had to do to make it work, but, um, but it was, it was a

beautiful time. That is beautiful. I completely understand. I know where you're coming from

Yeah, it's like, you know, at that time, like, also the exchange rate was crazy

So, like, you would go to the grocery store and buy like a cheese sandwich and be like, oh

okay, seven pounds. That's fine. And then you look at your bank account

you're like, that was 14. Exactly. That was 14 dots for that cheat sandwich

I can't do this. This cannot continue. I know. And people talk about New York

I mean, New York is expensive too, but, you know, looking back, I'm like, yeah, they're both kind of on the same crazy plane

But like you said, you make do, you figure it out, make it work. And you look back at those times

and you think that was an amazing experience, wouldn't trade it for the world

Absolutely. Absolutely. Absolutely. So. So now, you know, Tony nominated fantastic for the skin of our teeth

And you've been on television shows like Succession, which has been such a massive hit

And Ray Donovan and now you're in Jonah. You know, I'm still, I just saw it yesterday

And by the time this airs, it'll, you know, saying that will be a little bit old

But I'm still unpacking it because there's a lot. As you know, there's a lot of themes

It's very heavy. And there were times where I was sitting in the audience

and it just literally took my breath away Like I didn I had to really kind of just humble myself and ground myself a bit to the next scene And there a lot that goes on

The direction is absolutely phenomenal. I love, I just love the direction and the performances as well

I have to ask, you know, when you first saw the script

you first read the words of Jonah, what were your first thoughts, you know, going into the situation

Yeah, you know, that's funny. you would ask my first thoughts because I think like really what hit me when I read the script

was not really conscious thought. It was more just a very profoundly large swelling of feeling

And it wasn't like an articulate feeling. It was just being, I felt moved to tears. And you know

you read a lot of scripts and I can't say I've ever had a reaction to a piece, the way

I had a reaction to reading Jonah for the first time. So that was initially it

I was like, okay, well, something's definitely resonating here for me. There's a power in this writing

And then when I was thinking about doing it, you know, having been asked to do it, I was, I was just aware of what a challenge it would be

you know, 100 minutes on stage, you don't leave the stage, you're dealing with multiple timelines

you're dealing with some very tender subject matter, you're dealing with a character that is

navigating really difficult life circumstances. And so I was like, wow, this is a lot

I was like, I don't know, I don't know if I can do this. Like, I

literally didn't know if I could, if I had the ability as an actor to do it

And whenever I have that feeling, I'm like, oh, that's what you need to do

Because, you know, you always want to be playing at the edge of your ability, or at least I do

Because I think that's how you grow. And so I was very afraid, but I was also very excited

Wow. And I can understand because, like you said, it's a lot. it's a lot for the audience

so I could only imagine as an actor going through the scenes

and like you said it's nonstop. There are no intermissions so your stamina has to be on point

Speaking of stamina, what was that like for you having to go

night after night? And of course you have more nights to follow just back to back on stage, no

breaks, just getting through it until the end. You know, we're sort of a little over, we're

you know, well into preview now and and I'm really feeling a lot of relief

because I think that this process more than any other really requires a lot of faith

and I have to thank very, very, very strongly. I have to thank

Donya and Rachel because I have had moments in this process where I was like

I just don't know if I can do this. This is just really difficult technically

And at every moment where I was having a little bit of doubt or a little confusion, they were like, we completely believe in you

We have no worry. We know that you're going to be able to do this

And having that support and having that faith really made a world of a difference, as well as just both of them being brilliant artists and just amazing people

So now that we've gotten our reps in, you know, I feel like my feeling

feet are underneath me and I'm starting to really find the joy and the play in the piece

But initially it was hard, you know, like we were in early in previews. We were really still working it out

And I think that this piece is really like emotionally athletic and like anything that's

athletic, you just have to practice it. And you have to be able to have certain parts of it be unconscious

so the parts that you are conscious for and that you have to exert effort with

you can be fully focused on. So it was just about sort of getting that agility together

It's profound. It's very profound. I like the way you explained it. And everyone, there's only four of you as the main characters

Everyone just phenomenal. Pulled their way. And it left me thinking, I want to see what all of you do in the future

Because one is just so unique in their performance. and everyone gave such a realism to their performances

And I think that's one of the most important things. I feel like I have either met or could mean

any of these characters in real life. And the show itself really straddles between real life

and imagination. And there are times where you're thinking, what is real? Is this real

Who is real? Back in time, all of this. What was that like having to switch between

you know, those moments where I'm sure you're thinking, oh, the audience is probably going to think

what is this even like a real thing? Are these real people? Is this really happening as an actor

much less watching it as the viewer? Well, I think Donia and Rachel

made a really important creative decision early on in the process, you know

because I asked, I was like, you know, some of the scenes take place

in perhaps an imaginative space without putting anything, trying to give anything away

And I was like, well, should we, you know, is there a tonal difference? And what we kind of landed on was like, no, all of this is happening presently for Anna

You know, like it doesn't matter where it's happening, when it's happening

All of it is happening for her now. So really it's just about being present in the moment and understanding where she is at that point in her life and in her journey

And another thing that makes it a lot easier is exactly what you mentioned

And my castmates are all so incredibly gifted, charming, unique, and imaginative that one of the joys of this piece is just playing with them

You know, is just we're allowed to be really alive within this

And every show really is different. And we kind of just ride the wave of it

And we're really there with each other, you know. And so they're bringing so much rich material and just beauty so that I, you know, I just have to kind of listen and respond and keep in mind like what my intentions are

And if I if I'm able to do that, then the show feels good. And I also will say that like Rachel's writing is just so specific

And all of, you know, all of us have sort of, I think I think I can speak for all of us

when I say that we've just tried to meet the specificity of the writing

You know we just trying to transmit the clarity of her vision as clear with you know as much purity as we can And that requires a lot of like letting things fall away and arriving in a really kind of naked and vulnerable place

But it's also very rewarding because when the play is moving the way it wants to move

you know that something like really real and special is happening. and you can feel in the audience that it's landing

You know, there's some moments in this play where I feel an energy in the theater

that I have never felt in any project as a viewer or as a performer

And so I feel very lucky to be able to be part of a piece

that can do that for people. Absolutely. And I know exactly what you're talking about

because there really are moments where I wasn't lying. It just really takes your breath away

you could hear a pin drop. And some parts, for sure, awkward

because you're sitting among strangers. So it's like going through this ride together

Imagine how I feel. No, I'm joking. I'm joking. I'm joking. I'm joking. I'm loving it

Yeah, as you shouldn't. But there's still that sense of respect. It's like we all are going through the journey together

no matter how awkward or tense it gets. And at the end, it was worth the ride

Like that we'll never get that experience again. But I feel like that's the beauty of it

and the beauty of the future as well, you know. Just kudos to everyone who's involved in this production

So thank you. I will pass on your kudos. Thank you so much for seeing us

Oh, of course, of course. And I wanted to add because I was telling one of my friends this last night

He couldn't come with me. But he loves Timothy Shalemate. And I don't want to miss him. Hagan

As soon as he came and I was like, you were on intimate to show me so much

South. Florida Shalame, here we go. I guess that a lot, but it's a compliment

I was like, he just is giving me that Timothy Shalmay vibe

Young Prince, young Prince. I mean, what can you say? He's like, he looks like an angel

Absolutely. He moves like, you know, the wind. Yeah. No, Hagen is a really, really, really special performer, and we're so lucky to have him

He's so charming. I love it. I think it's the hair. I think a lot of it has to do with the hair

It is the hair too, though. The hair and the cheekbones, yeah. Yes, the eyes, but also how he moves, just his movement and being very aware of space

And that's a skill that, I mean, it can be taught. But for him, everything just looks seamless

Everyone just seems very comfortable in the space and their characters and what you all were doing

Yeah, I can't stress enough how gifted and giving. I mean, I should say, like, this is a story about, this is a very feminine

It's weird because it's me and three dudes, but it's a feminine play. It's about, you know, it's about Anna, who is a woman, her imaginative space, her relationship to her body, her relationship to her autonomy. And all of the men in this play respect that deeply. And they understand what the assignment is. And the assignment is to tell Anna's story. And they have made space

for that to be at the forefront. And I'm very grateful for that

They're just wonderful, wonderful people. It's lovely to hear it. It's so great

And all of that comes through in the show and shines just so brightly

What's next? I know Jonah has some time to go thankfully and you'll be at the Laura Pell's theater

for some time, which is absolutely amazing. But after Jonah or even in between

I mean, what else do you have in the works that people can check out from Broadway World

and beyond. Absolutely. So I'm going to be on an Apple TV show called Presumed Innocent, and that's going to be

coming out, I think, sometime the summer of this year. I'm really excited to see how that turns out

I play a lawyer. I have a very severe Bob, but it's kind of a psychological thriller

And yeah, so check that out. And then be on. that? Who knows? I mean, last

year we had a lot of really important strike activity which meant that a lot of things were

kind of on hold, but things are starting up again. So who knows

Lovely, lovely. And it seems you're very drawn to dramas, thrillers, just heavy material

So can we see you possibly getting into comedy or animation or..

Candace! I would love to do comedy. I, listen, I love to laugh

I love to laugh. I love to make people laugh. Definitely after this, I hope it's a comedic

Would love to be it. But no, I love comedy. I mean, Skin Up Our Teeth was a comedy

True. Yes. And I did a, you know, a part at the end of last year that was definitely more comedic

And I feel very, very comfortable, even more comfortable doing stuff that's just straight up funny

But, you know, um. I think things come into your life for a reason

And this came into my life for a reason. And the reason is still revealing itself every day

But I'm really just honored to be part of it. And ultimately, I just want to do meaningful work

So to be able to do that right now is like the fulfillment of what I want in life

And so I'm very happy. That's so great to hear Gabby. And my last question for you because I know that you are also a writer

what would you like to do next in that field? Yeah, I, let's see

I have a couple features that I've written. And once this play, once we're open, I want to really start editing those in earnest

But yeah, I just like, you know, Solange has this quote where she says her work is to

world build so so that black girls can like see themselves and it's more expansive futures and I think

that that's kind of what I want to do I want to like build expansive worlds um through film that you know

the younger version of myself would have liked to live in and feel seen by and feel inspired by so

that's like the more overarching vision um and yeah so more on that soon

Yes, we'd love to see that as well. Oh, my goodness. Thank you so much, Gabby Beans, for this lovely conversation

And, you know, we salute you. Keep doing what you're doing. You're fantastic in Jonah

And, you know, just thank you for your gifts and talents. Thank you

Thank you for getting the word out for the show. See Jonah, everybody. Yes

And see about us. Yes, go see about everyone in Jonah. Thank you so much for watching this episode of On the Rise with Piannazfordelia

And please do check out more of Gabby Beans with her website

for social media and all of her upcoming projects. Once again, thank you for watching, and we'll see you next time