Three-time Tony-nominated actress Carolee Carmello chatted with Digital Journal’s Markos Papadatos about “Songs for a New World,” her career, and being an actress in the digital age.
‘Songs for a New World’
Carmello exclaimed that “Songs fo a New World” is a “great show.” “It is moving, and I think surprisingly relevant even though it was written by Jason Robert Brown about 27 years ago.”
“The show feels appropriate right now because we have been a part of a very strange year and a half, and these songs seem right for the moment,” she said.
‘Indoor Boys’
She opened up about being a part of the award-winning digital series “Indoor Boys,” which was co-created by Alex Wyse and Wesley Taylor. “Isn’t that a great show? I love those people,” she said. “It is such a good cast and I hope they do more of it.”
Carmello played the role of Ellen in “Indoor Boys” for which she won the 2020 Indie Series Award for “Best Supporting Actress – Comedy.” “It was a fun character to play. Also, Veanne Cox was wonderful. I was shocked, I was really shocked. It was during the pandemic so we couldn’t go out there,” she said.
“I was thrilled to be nominated again and I was not expecting at all to win this time. It was great. I really give all the credit to that to Alex and Wesley since they wrote it so well. I was sitting in the living room all by myself,” she said with a sweet laugh.
The digital age
On being an actress in the digital age, she said, “For somebody my age, it may be a bit hard to get used to. During the shutdown, we tried to do some kinds of performances online or Zoom but it just wasn’t the same. I think there is a place for recorded material but the live theatre is a very special art form, and I don’t think it will ever be replaced. There is something really different about being in a room with a bunch of people that are participating in this art form together, and sharing the experience.”
Carmello shared that she enjoyed playing the role of Dolly Levi in “Hello, Dolly.”
On the title of the current chapter of her life, she said with a chuckle, “Sliding into retirement.” “I will do a little bit more but I am looking at the horizon for the next part of my life, maybe I will slow down and do some more concerts,” she explained.
Advice for hopefuls in acting
For young and aspiring actors, she said, “It’s such an unstable business, now more than ever. This particular moment in history is probably the hardest to try and make your mark on the stage since there is not much going on, unfortunately, but I think it will change. If this is really what you want to do, then hang in there. You might need to be a little more patient than you want to be since the business is slowly picking up speed.”
“If it’s a person’s dream to do this, then they should pursue it,” she added.
Success
She defined the word success as “making a living doing acting and not having to support myself in any other way, and I have been able to do that.” “I have fulfilled that definition of success, and it feels pretty good to make a living doing something that I love doing,” she said.
Fans
For her fans and supporters, she said, “I am so grateful that has been so supportive in all my different things and endeavors. The fans really make the experience so much more special.”
