Actor Robin Lord Taylor (“Gotham”) chatted about starring in the Off-Broadway show “Kowalski,” which is being performed at The Duke on 42nd Street.
Aside Taylor, the cast also includes Brandon Flynn, Alison Cimmet, Ellie Ricker, and Sebastian Treviño. This play was directed by Colin Hanlon from a script by playwright Gregg Ostrin.
James Dean once said: “Dream as if you’ll live forever. Live as if you’ll die today.” This quote to Robin Lord Taylor.
Being a part of ‘Kowalski’
On being a part of “Kowalski,” Taylor remarked, “It has been an incredible experience. It has been fulfilling in so many years. It feels like a part of me is alive again, and I just love that feeling. Every day is a gift.”
“This play is about two artists, Tennessee Williams and Marlon Brando, who are at the top of their game, and they are not willing to comprise their artistic integrity for anyone,” he explained.
“They stand up for what they believe in, they come together and they clash, but the art that they make out of that clash changed the world,” he added.
Playing Tennessee Williams
Taylor is stoked to be playing the iconic Tennessee Williams in this play. “First of all, to be able to play one of the most groundbreaking writers in American history is thrilling in and of itself,” he admitted.
“Also, to be able to play a character that has such a full emotional life is great. At times, my character is full of fear and fearless. He can be sure of himself and then completely insecure,” he elaborated.
“I love playing characters that have those dualities that come into play, and this character has them throughout the whole show, and that’s so fun,” he acknowledged.
Working with the ‘Kowalski’ cast
“I love the entire ‘Kowalski’ cast… everyone is so talented,” he exclaimed. “Even when we first met, Brandon Flynn and I had a deep, natural connection, which is based in mutual love and respect, and we have natural chemistry. It was a dream come true to come into this project and meet Brandon, and feel that connection.”
“Sebastian Treviño is incredible. Thank God, I have Sebastian to play opposite with because he is so kind, loving, and generous. I am so grateful for them each day,” Taylor added.
The digital age
On being a part of the digital age, Taylor said, “It’s a dance that I do. I am middle-aged, and I grew up in the ’80s and ’90s, so the Internet and social media weren’t a part of my life until I was an adult. I just look back and think about how fortunate I am.”
“I can’t imagine starting my career now and have this whole other world and pressure going on at the same time as trying to get a career in entertainment off the ground,” he noted.
“I have to put up very strong boundaries with myself because it can be daunting,” he added.
Stage of his life
On the title of the current chapter of his life, he revealed, “Going with the Flow.”
“The show ‘Kowalski’ is my first, real Off-Broadway production,” he said. “It has been years since I had done a play. This is something that has been on my bucket list for decades now.”
“This has truly been the most terrifying job I have ever done. From day one, when I first got the script, I have been agonizing over it. This play taught me that I have the ability to move through my fears and to conquer my anxieties, and to feel a little brave for once, and that feels so good,” he said with a sweet laugh.
“I am in the present moment, enjoying my amazing castmates and enjoying this brilliant play, and I love walking to work each day on 42nd Street,” he noted.
“I am a kid from smalltown Iowa, and I feel so grateful because of all these lovely things. I want to keep enjoying every second,” he added.
‘Gotham’
Taylor described “Gotham” as the show that changed his life. “I knew at the time that my life wasn’t going to be the same after ‘Gotham.’ To this day, it continues to be a part of my life,” he said.
“One of the good things about social media and streaming platforms is that things don’t go away the way they used to,” he noted.
“Now, it is incredible because people are still discovering ‘Gotham’ and there is a whole new Penguin iteration and there is a whole new ‘Gotham’ universe that is coming out now,” he elaborated.
“It was honestly one of the highest honors in my life to be a small part of the ‘Batman’ universe, so what a dream that was,” he admitted.
Superpower of choice
Taylor listed “teleportation” as his superpower of choice.
“If I could snap my fingers and be at my mom’s kitchen table right now, hang out with her and have a cup of coffee, and zip right back to my apartment, that would be great,” he said.
Success
On his definition of the word success, Taylor said, “Success means to live truly and honestly in the moment without wear of what is to come. That feels like success to me.”
“Also, peace of mind is one of the most valuable things in life,” he added.
Closing thoughts on ‘Kowalski’
For fans and viewers, he remarked about the play, “After seeing ‘Kowalski,’ I want people to realize that life is too short to not follow your dreams. So, live your life with integrity, stand up for what you believe in, and follow through with it because as far as we know, we only get one chance.”
To learn more about “Kowalski,” check out the show’s official website.
Read More: “Kowalski” review.
