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.