BWW Interviews: Jessie Mueller and THE AMERICAN SONGBOOK at NJPAC on 10/25

New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) will present "The American Songbook" on Sunday, October 25th at 7:00 pm. The performance will feature Jessie Mueller and Jared Spector of the Broadway hit, Beautiful. The evening will also include cabaret great, Marilyn Maye and Defying Gravity: Stephen Schwartz & Friends.

Join theater insider and host, Ted Chapin as he chats with the stars after their performance in the intimate Victoria Theater. The American Songbook sessions are taped before a live audience for future broadcasts on NJTV, WNET and WLIW21.

Broadwayworld.com had the opportunity to interview Jessie Mueller about her career and the upcoming performance of American Songbook at NJPAC.

Mueller has performed on Broadway in Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, as Carole King (Tony Award, Grammy Award, Drama Desk Award), "Billie Bendix" in Nice Work If You Can Get It opposite Matthew Broderick, The Mystery of Edwin Drood (Drama Desk Nomination), On A Clear Day You Can See Forever opposite Harry Connick, Jr. (Tony and Drama Desk nominations). She has also performed in Carousel! at the New York Philharmonic and Into The Woods as "Cinderella" at the Delacorte Theatre. Her regional credits include Animal Crackers (Goodman Theatre, Chicago), She Loves Me (Writers Theatre), Guys and Dolls, Fiddler On The Roof, Shout! (Marriott Lincolnshire), Meet Me in St. Louis (Drury Lane Oakbrook), and Henry IV Parts I and II at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre and The Royal Shakespeare Theatre in London.

Tell us a little about your earliest interest in performing.

My parents are actors, so I was exposed to it all from an early age. I remember seeing a musical my dad was in when I was 4!

What are some of your favorite performers or performances?

The first time I ever saw Harry Connick Jr live...never forget it. I love seeing people do what they were born to do. When people perform with freedom and joy, there's nothing like it!

Your experience includes a number of genres including classical theater. Tell me a little about your training.

I didn't really start performing until I was in high school. I started studying classical voice at that point too. After that I studied at Syracuse University in their acting program. And then I think it was a lot of trial by fire and learning on the job, watching people, gaining skills as I needed them.

Why is the American Songbook at NJPAC such a fantastic show for metro area audiences?

You get to see so many diverse artists exploring a truly American art form, and in such a state-of-the-art venue that's in such an accessible location!

What are some of your plans for the future?

Well, you just never know do you? I hope to continue working with talented challenging people and continue to fill my personal life with time with loved ones! Oh...and see the world!

For more information on "The American Songbook," visit, http://www.njpac.org/events/detail/njpac-and-njtv-present-american-songbook-at-njpac. Tickets can be purchased at the New Jersey Performing Arts Box Office, by calling 1888-GO-NJPAC or visit their web site at, http://www.njpac.org/.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of NJPAC