Hometown: Guilderland, NY
Education: Emerson College
Select Credits: Broad Comedy member of the troupe for nearly a decade, recently seen on “Hack My Life” on TruTV , her film “The Cat Callers”(finalist at the New York Downtown Short Film Festival), as well as this past summer’s NYCFRINGE festival with The Illusory Adventures of a Dreamer written by the amazing Michael Bradley Block. You may also recognize her from teenVOGUE’S “Ask a Comedian” video series. Her upcoming project “BERT”, a web series she is co-creating will be hitting YouTube this fall. Throngs of internet trolls are anxiously awaiting the usage of their comment buttons.
Why theater?: I spent about five years performing for children as Helen Keller and this role was my most satisfying theatrical role to date. To tell the story of such an incredible woman is the gift theater gives the world. Before I step on stage I want to run away as fast as possible (every time), but once I’m out there I feel truly whole. That is the gift theater gives me. The gift to trust fall into the story and pleasure of the audience’s experiences.
Who do you play in Broad Comedy?: I play over a dozen characters. We are a fast moving political-comedy-musical troupe (say that five times fast), so every 3-5 minutes I’m someone else!
Tell us about Broad Comedy: Broad Comedy is a musical comedy show. We are a very liberal, sex positive, empowering, feminist and we manage to make that really really funny! We are different from your usual sketch shows however. I think of our pieces more like 20 mini stories rather than sketches that are looking to just find the laugh. You will laugh, but you will also be asked to think. I hope it inspires our audiences to get involved in the movements that matter most to them!
What is it like being a part of Broad Comedy?: This show, the Soho Playhouse run, has been my dream for a decade. I started working with the company when the did a quick run in Boston ten years ago. I’ve since performed with them a Planned Parenthood fundraisers, colleges, the Triad Theater, and the PIT. The show is originally out of Bozeman MT where we have another amazing cast of actresses but now our NYC cast is taking this city by storm. And I’m just thrilled to be part of it!
What kind of theater speaks to you? What or who inspires you as an artist?: Telling stories that make you think. That leave you wanting to do more, learn more, feel deeper or stronger about a topic. I love working on conversation starters! I’m inspired by so many things all of the time. I’m a total nerd for learning and reading. I never feel full of knowledge or curiosity. NYC inspires me. My friends and fellow artists inspire me. I’m also a Yoga and Pilates teacher, I find movement inspires me greatly. I’m mad for magical realism and Gustav Klimt. I like my life sprinkled with a little bit of wonderment.
Any roles you’re dying to play?: Yes! I can’t wait to play Berta in Pippin some day. Trina in Falsettos. I’d love to play Marisol in Jose Rivera’s Marisol (but I never will…for obvious reasons) still I love his writing so much!
What’s your favorite showtune?: This is an impossible question. But I’ll tell you I am looking to learn a few from the new Amelie (which I saw at Berkley Rep).
If you could work with anyone you’ve yet to work with, who would it be?: For TV: I have an actor crush on Walton Googins and Aaron Sorkin. For (recent) Theater: I fell in love with Taylor Louderman (Kinky Boots) this past week. She’s my favorite kind of actress….always busy, always in character. totally committed. For “THE DREAM”: Meryl, Cate, Kate, Helen, Jane+Lili, Judi, Kathy, Julianne, Susan, Sissy, Francis, Maggie, Glenn, Tom, Jack, Morgan, Ed….I’m easily inspired.
Who would play you in a movie about yourself and what would it be called?: “French Bulldogs, Wine, and Ambition” starring Jade Jolie
If you could go back in time and see any play or musical you missed, what would it be?: I recently missed out on The Color Purple and Bridges of Madison County. Tori Amos’ “The Light Princess” that played in the West End. I would have loved to see Philip Seymour Hoffman in anything he ever did.
What show have you recommended to your friends?: Hamilton, have you seen it…the tickets are real easy to get.
What’s your biggest guilty pleasure?: HGTV, give me Chip and Joanna with a side of Nicole any day
What’s up next?: I’m in the middle of writing a new web series and filming that this summer. We have a bunch more Broad Comedy shows coming up. And I’m taking a week off at the end of August for a much needed break away from America!
For more on Molly, visit mollykelleher.com!