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RadioFree.com: Given that there will be a whole generation growing up with Blue's Clues and You, how do you feel about working on something that fans may remember fondly from their childhoods?
BD: We've been doing interviews all day today, and this is a recurring theme for me. I have always gravitated towards projects [with] themes of mentorship or education, or guiding kids or interacting with kids. And I've always loved that personally. So it feels great. It feels great to have something that feels exactly like its main purpose is very noble and very well-thought, and very well-executed. And on top of that, it turned out to be something that once it's all done and we're watching it, we really like it. And that's very nice. That's satisfying.
BRIANNA: Yeah, I would actually agree with the same things. And you said a really fun word that I love: noble. [laughs] Living life in a very noble way? You don't always get the opportunity to do that! And I think that's a fantastic description of it. You do feel like you're doing a noble deed for the younger generation. And for me, it actually gives me a sense of purpose to give back in a certain way where, like I said, you don't always get that opportunity. So I think just living through this and going through it, I'm like, "Okay, I have a purpose to stay into this character to really deliver everything she's trying to say, and send a message that is impactful and is doing good."
BD: Yeah, that's the goal...It's positive rather than negative, that's for sure!
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The dream of Broadway is such an aspirational thing in this movie, and BD, you had the good fortune of having a very memorable Broadway debut with M. Butterfly. I don't know if it was anything at all similar to what the character of Josh experiences, but what do you remember from that whirlwind experience of auditioning, landing a coveted role, and then having such a warm reception from audiences?
BD: [laughs] Well, just to align it with the movie, I relate to Josh's passion and desire. [Brianna and I] talked about being college students, and wanting to be actors, and what that was like, and how that informs who we are. And that informs my feelings about the movie, and about the way that we see Josh in the movie. His dream's so potent, and I remember what that feels like. In fact, my favorite part of the movie is where I get to tell Josh that he has the part in the show. I get to tell him that as actor to actor, but I also can't help but feel invested in the character of Josh. I don't know, there's just something that I found really touching about that.
Brianna, according to your bio, you played Belle in a high school production of Beauty and the Beast, which ignited your passion for performance. What do you remember from that early experience of realizing you enjoyed theatre and getting an immediate reaction from an audience, and that you wanted to make a career out of it?
BRIANNA: Wow, I love that, thank you for doing that research! [laughs] When I played Belle, I realized this might actually be a thing for me. I had experiences with stage performances before, at a pretty late age. But I had a high school director, Yvette Lawrence Bishop, and she really led me and believed in me. I approached it from a singing perspective, actually, which is very interesting, because I used to do choir and everything. And I was like, "Something's missing. I don't know what it is." But then I found out they were doing a musical. I had never done a musical where I was playing a part and I was with a cast (maybe, like, Wizard of Oz once). And the whole experience of it was vigorous rehearsals and everything. And by the time I got into it and I was believed in, I was like, "Whoa, there's so much to give back here." And I think the feeling of it...I have to remind myself of this, because doing voiceover and doing TV/film, you get different experiences from everything you do, from each avenue. And when music and acting come together for me, especially if it's on stage, I feel like a completely different person--I feel like I'm floating.
BD: I agree with that...I really relate to that. By themselves, each is great; but together, they're incredible.
BRIANNA: Yes! Yeah, something about it. [laughs]
Thanks for your time today, it's been wonderful to speak with you both!
BD: Thank you, Michael!
BRIANNA: Thank you so much!
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