Tony-nominated actor Jared Grimes (“Funny Girl”) chatted about starring in the Off-Broadway show “Not Ready for Prime Time.”
The play was written by Erik J. Rodriguez and Charles A. Sothers, and it was directed by Conor Bagley.
‘Not Ready for Prime Time’
“Not Ready for Prime Time” is the unauthorized and unsanitized look at the early years of “Saturday Night Live.” It will run through December 7th at the Robert W. Wilson MCC Theater Space in New York.
This is the first New York stage production to dramatize the creation of “Saturday Night Live.”
It takes audiences behind the scenes of the scrappy beginnings of “Saturday Night Live,” following the chaos, brilliance, and creative collisions that shaped an American comedy institution.
“I love it,” he exclaimed about being a part of this show. “I didn’t grow up when it was happening in real time but getting to tell the story of how a group of talented nobodies became somebodies and revolutionized television history, makes me extremely grateful.”
Playing Garrett Morris in ‘Not Ready for Prime Time’
On playing his character, he said, “I love that how if it weren’t for Garrett Morris, doors wouldn’t have been opened for me to do what I love to do every day as jack of all trades entertainer.”
Lessons learned from this show
On the lessons learned from this play, he reflected, “It taught me that the stories of those who have given so much to the world of entertainment have to be told in a way that allows us to completely and truthfully understand their sacrifice.”
Future plans
Regarding his future plans, he shared, “My plans include telling more stories about artist, black artist in particular, who the world has too often either for forgotten or taken for granted.”
Career-defining moments
On his career-defining moments, he revealed, “Every day I wake up and dedicate myself maniacally to the crafts I love within the arts, ever-define my pursuit of wanting to simply get better and better and better.”
The digital age
On being a part of the digital age, he admitted, “It feels like the Wild Wild West and The Matrix at the same time.”
Advice for young and aspiring performers
For young and emerging performers, Grimes said, “Create your own standards of growth within acting to exceed every day. No one will challenge you more than you yourself. Anything outside of that kind of mindset is cake.”
Tony nomination for ‘Funny Girl’
Grimes scored a Tony nomination for “Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical” for his acting work in “Funny Girl.”
“The Tony nod was a blessing and an honor,” he said. “Immediately after that moment in time, I have been hard at work at striving to fulfill what I believe is my ultimate purpose in the arts,” he elaborated.
Success
On his definition of the word success, he said, “The word success doesn’t mean anything to me. It’s just a word. Only the way you feel about how you dedicate yourself to what you love really counts.”
“I don’t think words or perceptions can truly measure what we have to offer. Our spirits determine where we are in life at any given time,” he added.
Closing thoughts on ‘Not Ready for Prime Time’
For fans and viewers, he concluded, “Come hang out with us, and find out how much a laugh truly costs for a couple of talented folks who changed the course of comedy and television history.”
For more information on the Off-Broadway show “Not Ready for Prime Time,” visit its official website.
To learn more about Jared Grimes, follow him on Instagram.
