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Video: Max Chernin & Talia Suskauer Are Getting Ready to Hit the Road in PARADE
Jan 2, 2025
Meet the Franks! Max Chernin and Talia Suskauer are getting ready to hit the road in the national tour of Parade. Watch in this video as the pair chats more about how they manifested sharing the stage together, how they are getting ready to tour the country, and so much more.
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0:30
Welcome to Backstage with Richard Ridge
0:33
The Tony Award-winning Best Revival of a Musical, Parade, is about to kick off their North American tour on January 11th at the Proctor's Theater in Schenectady, New York
0:45
And joining me are the two stars from Parade. Please welcome Max Chernin and Talia Suskauer
0:52
Hello. Well, first of all, I'm looking at your background. I'm figuring, how are the two of you and where are the two of you
1:00
We are good, first of all, and we are on our lunch break at rehearsal
1:06
Yeah, at the new 42 studios. Okay, I am so excited that you two are taking out the North American tour of parade
1:15
Tell me how excited the two of you are. Oh, it's so thrilling
1:19
I think it was such a wonderful chapter when it was up on Broadway
1:23
and I think it's so special that we're finally getting to share it with audiences across the country
1:27
I think, especially right now, it's an important story to tell. And I don't know, it's for both of us, I think, kind of a dream show to be working on
1:38
Yeah, I mean, obviously Max had his involvement with it on Broadway
1:42
And my involvement with it was in the audience as a spectator and an admirer
1:48
But, you know, we kind of manifested weirdly doing this together. Yeah
1:53
After I saw, I'll share this story. It's kind of a funny little story. After I saw the show, and Max and I had kind of only known each other peripherally
2:01
the way that people do through concerts and things like that. And I sent him a message, and I congratulated him on being part of something
2:07
that was just so moving and special to me. And he said, let's play Leo and Lucille on tour
2:16
I have those messages still. And so it kind of feels very out of the shift that we are getting to do this together
2:23
How many years later? You're a half later. You're going to have a year. Yeah. Yeah. Okay, so, Max, you have the longest history with the show
2:30
I mean, I love this show. I mean, I saw the original Broadway production numerous times
2:35
I knew Hal and, of course, Alfred Yuri and Jason Robert Brown. It was life-changing then, and then to see Michael Arden's glorious production
2:43
that, of course, was first done at Encores, which you were a part of
2:47
Give me your history. Did you have any idea you'd start at Encores, then go to Broadway
2:52
and now take this across the country? I mean, well, the city center to Broadway pipeline is pretty, pretty sound and secure these days
3:04
I think most people going in, it's either like, well, maybe this will be something
3:08
But I could tell when we started that there was something there, there was something cooking that Michael had been working on in Ben and Michaela and our producers that were kind of like shudging the show
3:20
but the event itself at City Center, I thought added so much to this American story
3:29
like working at that historic, because City Center is so historic and the architecture and we had that 22-piece orchestra
3:36
that it was like, it was this event that was almost too big to contain in those six performances
3:45
So like having the chance to then have a run and like give it a second life on Broadway
3:50
was just like so wonderful and just a wonderful way to keep telling that story realistically
3:57
And yeah, the way that Michael paints this world and grounds us all with the text and the
4:06
truth of the text is so special. And I think something that Jason and Alfred have spoken on as affecting them in a way
4:15
that they hadn't felt when they first approached this material, that somehow visiting it
4:20
now in 2023, 24, 25, it's even more resonant than it was when they wrote it in 98, 99
4:30
Yeah. Jason said that he had written it as a piece of history and presented it to be written as a piece of history
4:36
And it felt that way back in the 90s, but now it's unfortunately very, very relevant
4:43
We're living in it. Because we're going to get into that. I mean, what I love about this show is you're taking this
4:50
all across North America, you know, and if there's no better time than having parade go now
4:56
So what are you looking forward to the most? The two of you are playing some incredible cities
5:01
you know, that don't always get, you know, people dream of maybe I can come to Broadway one time
5:05
and see something, but you know, this is a gorgeous production of this show
5:09
that says so much when you're going across the country with it. What are you each looking forward to the most
5:13
about taking this city to city? I, well, first of all, I love touring
5:18
I toured with Wicked, And it just a very unique opportunity to bring Broadway to people that might not necessarily have the means to go to New York and go to Broadway making it more accessible to people around the country
5:33
And so I love that part of it. And then especially with this story and at this moment, it feels like we are almost being called
5:41
to duty almost. That's how I feel. It feels very purposeful and very important
5:48
And I am so excited to be bringing it truly coast to
5:51
coast. We get to go to Atlanta where our story takes place, took place. And, you know
6:01
I think that that's one of the spots I'm really looking forward to playing. I think it feels
6:07
like we're honoring these people, the lives of these people by almost bringing this story back
6:12
there and telling it. Yeah. Yeah. I think this show in particular really has the ability to
6:20
ask questions and to have an audience walk away, really feeling affected and really feeling
6:26
like maybe they witnessed something that they hadn't really known about before
6:31
This part of American history is usually a paragraph in American history textbooks
6:38
and we are cracking it open and really giving people a chance to think about what is the
6:43
history of our country? What does it mean to be a bystander? What is our relationship with humanity and the way that we treat
6:50
and respect our neighbors. And so I hope that people walk away having a little bit of a more like intellectual interaction with our show
6:59
But I also know that in every one of our audiences there's going to be some like theater nerdy kid
7:06
whose favorite show is going to be parade and they get a chance to see it like this
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And I think that is so special. And I can't wait for like all the all the nerds to come out and like see our show
7:17
And also I think all the all the people. that identify with the different communities
7:23
within this show, seeing themselves on stage, you know, as a young Jewish nerdy actor boy
7:29
like this would have meant a lot for me to go see this specifically done
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So, and I'm looking forward to Cleveland. We're going to Cleveland. We're going to Cleveland
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Hometown boy. It's going to be wild. All the temples are coming out
7:42
So, you know, yeah. Let's talk about these two roles. I mean, finding your own Leo and Lucille Frank
7:48
and finding it together. What's up in my life? Mike, like with Michael Arden in the rehearsal room and you finding them together and making
7:55
these roles your own, what's that been like? You know, I talked about this a lot with, you know, playing Alphaba and obviously like 25 people
8:05
at that time had done the role on Broadway. So I got that question a lot
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And I think my answer to it, which was true and remains true, is that anything that you're
8:15
stepping into that someone else has previously done, it's yours just by the nature of you
8:19
being a different person. And I think with this one, you know, there are fewer women that have done this in this
8:24
capacity, which I, you know, the company is remarkable that I am in, truly
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But I feel, first of all, I maybe out of all the roles that I've played, this is the close
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Lucille and I intersect the most, like we intersect most closely. So I, you know, she's Jewish
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I'm Jewish. She, a lot of people think that she was much old
8:49
than like I am at the time of that the story took place
8:53
She was in her early 20s. I'm in my late 20s. So like age wise is very similar
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And then, you know, really the only major thing that's different is that she
9:03
she might not be allowed to silently to be as outspoken as I am now
9:09
You know, so it's been really cool finding my way in and where Talia and Lucille
9:14
kind of go like this a little bit. And then obviously doing it with, I hooked a jackpot with
9:19
this one. And we're lucky that we not only get to be husband and wife on stage, but we also
9:25
do love each other in their life. Yeah. Yeah. It's special. I think we're also gifted with such a
9:32
beautiful book and score that like where we're starting from day one already has so much detail
9:39
and so much richness baked into it already. So we could sit here and just read the words out
9:44
out and it would already feel like something. But to then also be given the gift of working with Michael Arden and his whole team who
9:52
are always emphasizing how much authenticity they want, like sewn into this piece is just
10:00
it's a gift as an actor. And I hope it's equally as a gift for our audiences to walk away saying, oh, we really saw
10:07
really real people, you know, telling the story and playing these characters
10:11
and if they met me on the street, they'd be like, wow, parts of who we are meeting Max on the street
10:18
we're in that performance. Parts of Talia were in that performance. Yeah
10:22
Okay. So sorry. I think another really cool thing that I've learned
10:27
this is my first time working with Michael, is that he takes such care for every single individual in the room
10:36
And, you know, I think that we're checking in with us. like he cares for his actors in a way that I truly have not ever maybe experienced
10:46
And it maybe very emotional and allows me to actually feel safe enough to go to the places that the show requires us to go to So it a dream It an absolute dream
10:59
And I'm sure Michael's learning more about the show every time he does it, you know
11:02
with two new people taking on these roles and whatever else. Like, oh my gosh, let's mind this a little more
11:08
Let's delve into this a little more. So what I want to ask each of you is
11:12
I know you're only in rehearsals right now, but Max, when you see Talia
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is there a favorite moment that you like watch or like, oh my gosh, that's become one of my favorite moments that she does
11:21
And then Talia, when you watch Max, are you like, oh, my gosh, that moment that he does blows me away
11:28
Yeah, right at the top of the show, our first scene together
11:32
I've kind of been, like, granted a little bit more freedom into some of the, like, fun, like, Yiddishy, like isms of it all
11:42
And it's been really fun to play a little bit at the top
11:46
I think it's easy to kind of jump into the stoicness of this piece
11:51
It's high drama. There's a lot of drama. But so far my favorite thing is kind of starting it with a little bit of sense of play with Talia
12:01
And I think we're starting to just find body language and fun ways to play off each other
12:08
So that's bringing a lot of joy to my heart right off of that. And I love watching her in that moment
12:13
Oh. I would say, I mean, it is really easy to act opposite this person
12:21
I don't have to do much. I literally, in terms of responding to him, I just have to take what he's giving me
12:26
And y'all are not ready for the depth and the heart that this man brings to this role
12:34
It's unlike anything I've ever seen. Get ready for this man's performance because, I mean, it's going to knock you out of your chairs
12:42
Yeah, I wouldn't say it, but it wasn't true. Okay, so now let's talk about touring
12:49
So have you both toured a lot or Tali, have you toured the most? I love it toured for the longest
12:56
I've only toured with, I'm an old bro. I toured with Wicked six months pre-pandemic and then six months post-pandemic
13:03
So I've pretty much a year and I loved it. I really, really did
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And that job required a different skill set and different ask of me
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This as opposed to this one. But I think I can't wait to get back out there and play some houses that I've been to
13:22
and also some new ones. No, because Matt, have you toured a lot
13:27
I opened the First National of Bright Star, but I just did a small stint with them
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but will actually be at the Amundsen in L.A. and the current in SF where I was with a lot of the same, with like the original, like
13:40
I mean, Kusack and AJ Shively, we all went out together. So, yeah, but this will be my first, like, biggest, I don't know, she's a pro
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I'm just following her lead. No, because my question for both of you is touring is a big deal
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You get a trunk on how many trunks you get. So I'd love to ask people who are touring
13:56
What are the things you have to put in your trunk to go on the road
14:01
Like, what are some of those diehard things you're like, I have to have this? So, Talia, what are some of the diehard things you have to bring on tour
14:08
Yeah, I would say humidifier. is huge, especially right now. It's like, you know, the winter
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We're starting in some very cold places. So that's going to be very important. I would say my main things that you have to bring
14:21
obviously aside from the essentials, are the things that make you feel like you have a little bit of home
14:26
Yeah. Boyce at home. You know, like bring your favorite pillow. You bring a blanket that you love
14:30
You bring the candles that remind you of your home. Like, just like things like that to me are as important as the essentials
14:37
Is there a fun item you want to bring like, okay, besides all the essential
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stuff I have to bring. This is coming with me too. You just bought Amazon
14:46
The blanket? Oh, yeah. I have a wearable blanket. We're not talking snuggy. We're talking like, it's a dress with sleeves and a hood and it's
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shirt aligned and it's in a pocket in the front and I will be wearing that often
15:00
I might get two, one for the dressing room and one for my hotel. Okay, so I've heard about that and I hear they're absolutely sensational
15:08
That seems to be this new thing. So when you greet your fans or when, or before a half hour, you two, you have to get her one too
15:14
You both need to have one. Open and wife, embroidered. Yeah. Yeah
15:19
It's very, it's, it's, it will be my favorite thing. Okay, so you said that here at Broadway World
15:24
You're both going to have to have that wearable blanket for each of your dressing rooms
15:29
Yeah. You know, so, okay, so Tully, this little show called Wicked, which has become this worldwide phenomenon
15:35
and now the film is everywhere. Do you remember the first time you were green and, like, what was it like
15:40
just being Elphabah in Wicked. I mean, that was my life's dream
15:45
And I'm not exaggerating about it. Like I, from a very, very young age, I was like, this is what I'm going to do
15:52
I have to do this. I don't think I had a tweet from like high school
15:56
And I was like, if I only ever do one thing in my life, it's, I'm going to play Elbaugh
16:00
and Wicked, which was amazing. But I got the chance to like be a part of that legacy
16:04
But I loved it. Yeah, the first time I got painted green was in my dressing room in Las Vegas, which I get to be back in
16:09
Oh, wow. We can ring it out. Okay. No. But yeah I never forget it It was very very special And I mean playing alpha boat has been the greatest honor of my life I been in and out a few times since I left from being a full
16:28
But yeah, to be a part, especially now that, you know, Wicked is a part of the social fabric of, like, the world now
16:37
That's something that we've all felt. Like, everyone's getting on the Wicked. We've all been, you know, Wicked has been a part of our vernacular and part of, you know
16:45
everything that has been front of mind for us since we all started
16:50
And now everyone is on train wicket, which is, it's cool. So, Max, you got to tackle, you got to work with Steve Martin and Eddie Brickman on Bright Star
17:01
You got to tackle Sondheim. What is it like living in the world of those two different sets of composers and everything else
17:07
doing Bright Star, and of course, singing Sondheim? Yeah, those were two wonderful experiences to kind of start my career
17:15
working with Stephen Eadie was particularly amazing because of how humble they were
17:20
Steve approached the material. Like, Steve is Steve. He approached the material. He said, I've done it all
17:25
I've been an actor. I've been a writer. I've been a director. I've written a play
17:29
He's like, but I've never done a musical and I'm terrified. And it was amazing to see the way he collaborated with Walter Bobby and John Rhodes
17:38
And, you know, Bluegrass is really quirky in its form. The songs can be 30 seconds
17:44
The song is going to be six minutes. And it was cool to see how free they both were, you know
17:52
free of ego to explore it. And then Sunday was like, I mean, just pinch me
17:57
And it was just incredible. And we were, you know, sometimes came to the sits probe
18:02
And I tried to be cool at like the cocktail thing afterwards and just kind of smiled
18:08
and nodded in someone else's conversation. But that, yeah, that was really special
18:13
The most special thing about that is that was the, this is like such a nerdy niche thing, that was the first time that the music for the chromalume in the second act, that was the first time it was played live
18:26
So the coolest part of that is Michael Steribin came in, Sondheim came in, Chris Fenwick, our conductor came in, and everyone watching them witness that get played for the first time during the Sitz probe
18:38
I was just like, this is just so nerdy and cool. and like Janine Tesori, who produced that
18:45
was the original music assistant at Playwrights Horizons. Oh, my God. And was like unpaid
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They just gave her bus tokens to take physical copies of the score
18:57
from Playwrights to Sondheim's apartment. So just being a part of that history was just like such
19:03
so many pinch-me moments all around. Yeah. That's amazing for both of you to have had these wonderful opportunities already
19:10
so young in your careers to work with all these great things and iconic roles and everything
19:14
else. So my final question is, what are you looking forward to the most about taking parade
19:19
across the country? I think a cool thing about touring is that our show, which is always a living
19:30
breathing organism, gets to evolve as we travel based on, you know, we are listening and breathing
19:38
with each other, but our audiences are going to change as we move around the country
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And I think that we're going to learn stuff wherever we go
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And so we're going to start in one place. And I already know where we're starting will be very strong
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And then by the time we close in D.C., the Kennedy Center next September, I feel the show
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will have evolved into a beautiful, almost like a breathtaking experience. And so I really am excited for the journey
20:08
Yeah, I can't wait to see how much it surprises our audiences. I think there are a lot of them, a lot, we're a part of a lot of subscription series
20:16
So people are just showing up to the next show in the season. And I hope they walk away moved
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I hope they walk away humming a tune. Like this is such a, this, if you were to stumble in parade not knowing anything about it
20:29
there's no way you can walk away being without feeling like somewhat affected by the power
20:35
of the story and music and the grandness of it. all. Like, we are traveling with 30, there are 30 company members in this show and that 33
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And like, you just don't see classic musicals like that anymore. And there's a space for
20:50
everything. But like, if one week they're seeing another tour that's passing through, we're
20:56
on the other end of the spectrum. And I just can't wait. I am manifesting that every, that there's
21:02
going to be a lot of like surprise and, and people are just, I know that they're going to be
21:08
moved by this piece. I'll say that out loud. I'll stand by that. So I'm excited to
21:13
receive that perhaps. Yeah. Well, once again, Max Chironin and Talia Suskauer are about to kick
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off the North American tour of Parade to find out when is coming to a theater near you and to buy
21:25
tickets. Go to the show's website, Paradebroadway.com. I want to thank the both of you for sitting
21:30
in that little office during a break of rehearsal. This was really great today
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Thank you. Thank you. Thanks for having us. Well, everybody will see you
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and join them on the road for parade. Everybody else will see you at the theater. Happy holidays
21:45
We'll see you soon. Take care
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