PLAYBILL.COM'S CUE & A: Chad Kimball

By Ernio Hernandez
20 Oct 2009

Chad Kimball
Chad Kimball

Chad Kimball — star of Broadway's new musical Memphis — fills out Playbill.com's offbeat questionnaire.


Full given name: Chad Brandon Kimball
Hometown: Seattle, WA
Audition song: Oh boy. "Lost in the Wilderness."
Special skills: I do a sensible Winnie the Pooh imitation, and I can roll my belly. Fun stuff.
First Broadway show ever saw: The Who's Tommy
If you could go back in time and catch any Broadway show, what would it be? The original Sweeney Todd
Current show you have been recommending to friends: Next to Normal
Favorite showtune: "The Riddle Song" from Floyd Collins
Most played song on your iPod: "Everybody Knows"/ John Legend
Web obsession: stumbleupon.com
Last book you read: Ayn Rand's "The Fountainhead"
Must-see TV show: I just love "The Cosby Show." Currently without a television. Sad, but freeing.
Last good movie you saw: "WALL•E"
Favorite card game: Blackjack
Performer you would drop everything to go see: Ms. Meryl Streep
Pop culture guilty pleasure: Page Six...though, is it ever really on the actual sixth page?
First stage kiss: Guys and Dolls in my high school production.
Favorite post-show meal: Hamburger with fries. Don't forget the mayonnaise and ketchup mix!
How you got your Equity card: The Civil War on Broadway
Worst onstage mishap: Playing Antony in Sweeney Todd at the Signature Theatre in Arlington, VA: a "miscommunication" between myself and the conductor led to my singing two measures behind what the orchestra was playing in the song "Johanna." A couple of instruments (out of sheer sympathy) tried to fill for me; those instruments were a flute and a tympani. Silence. No applause. Then a cast member (again, out of sheer sympathy) began clapping backstage which led to a smattering of quiet, sympathetic applause from no more than four audience members.
Worst costume ever: My "punk" look in Baby at Papermill Playhouse. Tight, tight, tight bright red plaid pants. More like leggings. Oof.
Pets' names: Schroder and Buffy
Favorite junk food: McDonald's
Worst job you ever had: Worked at Fenway Park selling cold Coke. For one game.
TV or commercial gig you most enjoyed: Dodge truck commercial. 116 degrees in the desert, but I got to be in the air conditioned truck.
Leading man role you've been dying to play Dr. Dysart in Equus. I'll have to wait.