Brittain Ashford, who recently starred alongside Josh Groban in the Broadway musical “The Great Comet”, which garnered 12 Tony nominations last year, is making her way to San Francisco this week.
A singer-songwriter at heart Brittain’s recently embarked on a small tour throughout the west coast, doing her own music, and will stop by the Lost Church this coming Thursday, Feb. 8. We reached out to this talented lady to chat about her experience being part of a Broadway hit musical, what it was like working with director Rachel Chavkin, and what San Francisco audiences can expect at her upcoming show.
Tell us a little about your experience performing on Broadway with the show “The Great Comet.”
I never thought I’d have a life in the theatre in the least, but it was such an amazing experience to help develop a show and walk it from its infancy to the Broadway stage. I had my ups and downs, points of total exhaustion, but overall it was such a rewarding adventure. In part because, top to bottom, I got to work with some really beautiful souls. I think Dave is a genius and our entire production team (big shouts to Mimi Lien, Paloma Young, and Bradley King) were all superhumans making amazing things happen. And yes, Josh Groban is a prince. Phillipa Soo is one of the most gracious people I have ever met. Denée Benton is a magical source of encouragement and positivity.
How did the opportunity to be a part of the show come about?
I had met the composer, Dave Malloy, at a party. We became friends, he came to know my music. One day he asked me for drinks and pitched the idea to me. I wasn’t sold on it at first, explaining that I had never done theatre, but he was really intent on getting me to do some workshops. The rest is history.
What was it like with working with director Rachel Chavkin?
Working with both Rachel and Dave (as well as the rest of the production team) was always pretty inspiring. Rachel really has a way with people to make them feel heard. And she works with such humor and grace under tremendous pressure. I know there were times when a million things were being thrown at her and she never made whatever was going on behind the scenes part of our lives on the stage.
Are you most comfortable being on a theater stage or club stages like the one you’ll be on at the Lost Church in San Francisco this week?
I think I’m most at home performing my own music, which isn’t to say I don’t love the theatre. But there is something freeing about knowing I wrote the thing that I am performing and have the luxury to change something if I feel like I want to or need to. Am I a little froggy? Can’t quite get to the high note? That’s fine, I can take a lower harmony. Don’t feel like playing that super bummer song? Fine! Let’s throw in a cover of Girls Just Wanna Have Fun. It’s something I really feel like I can own a little more.
What’s your music like?
Often introspective, occasionally sad and/or hopeful. Someone said to me recently it’s like Wye Oak meets The National, which I think is fair? It’s always important to me to put the story and emotion at the center of the songs I write.
What can San Francisco audiences expect at your show?
Four parts music, one part dad jokes? Our live shows tend to be a little louder than the records might indicate, and we try to play a variety of songs from both records. And maaaaybe a surprise cover or two.
Also, worth saying, the Lost Church is a very special place. This show might be quieter than some, just given the intimacy of the room.
If you have any time off in between gigs, what will you do in San Francisco?
Not sure we’ll have much spare time, but likely just eating good food and walking around. Not an exciting answer, I know, but we really like to try to get a feel for a city when we stop. Personally, I love San Francisco and will try to visit with some friends, family, and drink good coffee.
What’s one thing most people would be surprised to learn about you?
I studied neither theatre nor music. I went to school for English and Comparative History in Seattle, always thinking I would go back to school to get my masters so I could teach high school. But sometimes… the universe has other plans.
Amina Shareef Ali and Brittain Ashford (NYC) play the Lost Church on Thursday 2/8 // $10 before/$15 day of show
Photos courtesy of Matt Ross Public Relations
