BACKSTAGE BOY

Source: Next Magazine

He's been part of a legendary larger-than-life boy band for nearly a decade. Now the Backstreet Boys' elder statesman hottie, Kevin Richardson, is striking out on his own on Broadway-in Chicago, no less.
By John Polly

In the brief time that it's been open, Angus MacIndoe has earned a reputation of being a new take on a traditional theater district hotspot. On any given night after the Broadway shows close and the casts head out to relax and revel, you're likely to spot the likes of Bernadette Peters, Joel Grey or Charles Busch, or recent Broadway babies like Stanley Tucci and Edie Falco noshing at a candlelit corner table. So it's kind of a surprise to find-on a freezing Saturday afternoon-a pop megastar tucked away discreetly at a table upstairs, simply sitting finishing his soup. There are no bodyguards, no throngs of handlers, not even a posse of guy friends tagging along for kicks. It's just Kevin Richardson, a new actor in town taking a break from rehearsals for his first big Broadway role.

Of course, Richardson also happens to be one-fifth of one of the most popular pop music groups to cruise through the world's musical pscyhe in decades. The Backstreet Boys have toured the world, played stadiums from Anaheim to Zurich, topped the pop charts with single after snappy single, and won the hearts of screaming teenaged girls-and no shortage of gay men-in the process. In the last couple of years, the boys have stepped back and taken a bit of a break; partly because one band member, A.J. McLean, checked himself into rehab to cope with his burgeoning depression and drinking problem, and partly to just slow down. And that suits Richardson just fine, after nearly a decade of hype, hooplah and hard work. As the oldest Backstreet Boy, Richardson's always sort of carried the mantle as the group's unofficial leader. His style and demeanor is collected and together, but also laid-back and candid. Today, he�s looking good�dark hair and goatee nicely trimmed, sporting a black (cashmere?) sweater and connecting with his intense eyes as he speaks.

"The band's been out of the limelight for a second or two, so that's been nice," the lanky, darkly handsome singer explains, about how he's able to sit here quietly without a riot of mad teenaged-girl fans clamoring outside. "We've had a break and some time to breathe, enjoy our families. Brian [Littrell; Richardson's cousin and fellow band member] and his wife just had a baby. So there's been some much needed time to live a little and to experience things."

Topping his list of new experiences is that of preparing for his Broadway premiere. Stariting January 20th, Richardson will be starring in the long running smash revival of the Kander and Ebb musical Chicago, now in its sixth year. Richardson is playing the role of the slick grand-standing lawyer, Billy Flynn, whose song-and-dance (literally) razzle dazzle gets killer chorines Roxie Hart and Velma Kelly sprung from the cellblock. Richard Gere plays the role in the new film version, and the roster of talent who have embodied Flynn onstage is a varied batch, recently ranging from Taye Diggs to George Hamilton to the current outgoing Flynn, Billy Zane. For Richardson, playing the artful attorney was an offer he couldn't refuse. "I jumped on it when the chance came along," he smiles. "He's a smooth operator; in control at all times, very powerful, very strong. It just looked like a lot of fun, and I said to myself, 'I can do this.'"

Not that this is Richardson's first foray into musical theater (and, hell, he has toured the planet putting on a show for jillions of rabid fans for the last six or seven years). He paid his dues on stage back before the Backstreet Boys. "I've done musicals and lots of regional theater-shows like Pillow Talk and Barefoot in the Park. And I was in Bye, Bye Birdie in high school," he cracks. "So this fits really well." Chicago also affords Richardson a chance to mature his image a bit, moving away from his teen-crooner persona. "It's another way for people to see me in a different light. I'm a 31-year-old man. People might think I'm a little kid, but I've been with Backstreet since I was 21. And we all want to give each other-as a group-opportunities and the freedom to do new things. The timing is perfect."

And if some of Richardson's pop music fans find their way to Broadway to see him, that's just fine. As long as he can get out of the theater alive. "When [the band] walks around as a group, it's just impossible," says Richardson of the fan pandemonium. "But when I'm by myself and I've got a scarf on and a hat, people on the street may do doubletakes but by the time they realize it's me I'm gone. Though last night I was shadowing Billy Zane at the show, and I usually leave the theater before the encore, because when all the shows let out the streets are just packed with people. Then I usually just hit the streets and walk really fast with my head down. But last night I got a little panicked coming out into the crowds. I got stopped a couple of times and then once the photos start it draws more attention�but it's also fun...you know?"

Richardson's not complaining. He actually seems to have a healthy grasp on this celebrity thing, appreciating the opportunities it provides, and also seeing the humor in it-especially in his role as sex symbol. "When we first started out," he says, "we had some pretty provocative movements in our choreography, and to be doing those movements and to look out and see a 13-year-old girl watching you... I would just revert to my theater days, and realize that it's a show and I'm just a performer."

And yes, Richardson did notice more than a couple of gay boys out there among the 13-year-old girls, lovingly watching his every move. "I've always been totally aware of our gay fans," he explains. "They're in every audience all the time. I'm totally comfortable with it. We meet all kinds of fans all the time-in our hotels, coming in and out from shows, shaking hands and taking pictures..." And while he begs forgiveness for sounding like a showbiz interview cliche, he smiles: "I've been performing for a long time and I have lots of gay friends. It's never been an issue." Richardson's aware of an even more devoted sort of queer fan-the lesbian drag-king boybands. "I've heard all about them!" he says excitedly. "I've heard they're really good, and I met one of the women in one of the groups. She showed me a picture of herself. I think she was doing A.J. They love to play with the mascara and the facial hair and the sideburns." Richardson's enthusiasm is genuine. In fact his entire demeanor is that of an earnest and polite young performer, just grateful to be working. A slight Kentucky accent (he was raised on a farm near Lexington, and now owns a 123-acre farm back home-where he "rides four-wheelers and goes fishing and rides horses"-with his wife, Kristin, who's a former Broadway hoofer herself) creeps endearingly into his voice frequently. And when asked about more music coming up, he seems frankly eager to get back together with his bandmates later this year for their next project. And he's even tinkering with the notion of an inevitable solo record. "I've played piano since I was nine, so there would definitely be some piano elements in it," he explains of what the record would really be. "My ideal sound,"-he begins again, smirking in a self-mocking interview-ready tone-"would be soulful, and make you want to move, yet also take you back. I loved the sound of Hall and Oates-that mixed with some Stevie Wonder mixed with Elton John mixed with some funk..."

We talk a bit more about other possible projects. He's looked at film roles, but nothing's thrilled him yet. He's been working to promote awareness about environmental issues, focusing on cleaning up the rivers back in Kentucky, even testifying this year before Congress. And he's still in close contact with all of his bandmates. And no, he didn't realize that another boy band veteran-*NSYNC's Joey Fatone-was also working the boards on Broadway before he signed on to Chicago, but he's sure they both can only help get younger faces into the theater seats. And he's just having a ball working on this show, [In fact, his publicist volunteers, he keeps getting out of rehearsal early-so he must be doing all the right things.] and is relishing the opportunity to be onstage playing a character for a change. "That's the great thing about doing Chicago," he says. "I'm not going out there as Kevin; I'm going out as Billy Flynn. That's just really cool."

He's even got Flynn's favorite lines picked out. "'Physical love ain't so bad either...'-that's a nice line," he says laughing. "And my other favorite? 'You're working with a star, kid. The biggest!' That's a good one, too."

With that, we wrap things up. Richardson has to get back to the theater to join the cast in their post-matinee pasta dinner; he really is digging this whole backstage family thing, evidently. But first, as we prepare to leave, he puts on his heavy black winter coat, wraps a scarf high around his neck and pulls a burgundy knit winter hat down over his ears. We shake hands and thank each other, and then it's out the door on to 44th Street.

As Richardson and his publicist head up the block, the crowds are coming out of the nearby shows. A group of four twenty-something tourists pass by him, stop, turn around and do a double-take. One of them says excitedly, "That was the guy from the Backstreet Boys," and they debate for a second over which one. Looking after him as Richardson recedes down the block, one of the guys calls out "Kevin!" But it's too late. Richardson has moved on, blending into the crowd, just like he said.

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