Andrew Rannells on Returning to Broadway: 'Always Keeping My Eyes Out'

By: Mar. 06, 2015
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In an all-new interview with CBS News, GIRLS star Andrew Rannells (Book of Mormon) speaks about his role in the hit HBO series, his upcoming projects and his future plans for another run on Broadway.

The Tony nominee recently appeared on the Great White Way in the starring role of "Hedwig and the Angry Inch," and reveals that he hopes to soon make a return to the Broadway stage. "I'm always keeping my eyes out for that," he says. "It gets tricky with the TV schedule particularly because 'Girls' films from the spring into the summer when a lot of things open. I was so lucky to do 'Hedwig' last year because it fit into that schedule. Nothing makes me happier than being back in New York and back on Broadway. It's what I moved to New York to do."

Rannells also has a guest spot on the Series Finale of FOX's "Glee", airing March 20th. He explains, "A few years ago I worked on the show that Ryan [Murphy] created called 'The New Normal' for NBC that was so great. We only lasted the first season, but it was a fantastic experience. And Ryan has always been incredibly generous. So when he asked if I would come join them, I was very happy and proud that he asked me to be a little part of it."

He continues, "I feel like that show -- whether you watch it, whether you don't -- it made a huge impact on young people. Especially kids who felt a little outcast and lost -- not just gay kids, but that age where everybody feels like a loser and not sure where they fit it. I feel like Ryan was able to speak to those kids and give them a lot of hope and a lot of encouragement. I was very proud to be a very tiny part of that finale."

The 36-year-old portrays Elijah on the HBO series, "Girls". Of his character's development over this past season, the actor offers, "To say that he grows up is a gross overstatement, but at least he's a little bit nicer and more supportive of his friends -- even in a back-handed way like with Marnie [Williams] in that first episode as she was crying outside on the street about jazz brunch. At least there was a version of kindness there -- it was nice to see a different side of him."

Read the interview in full here.

Andrew Rannells received Tony, Drama Desk and Drama League nominations for his work in The Book of Mormon. Rannells was also seen on Broadway as Bob Gaudio in Jersey Boys and Link Larkin in Hairspray. He will soon be seen in Cinemax's 'The Knick' and opposite Anne Hathaway in "The Intern."


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