Submit your entry for ELLE's monthly column, “Showstoppers,” in which theater's biggest stars reflect on moments in their careers when the famous phrase “the show must go on” became all too real. How do pros react and what can they learn from when things don't go according to plan onstage?
Malea Joy Moon, who won the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her role as Ali in the musical “Ally” this month, Hell's KitchenShe shares how she overcame her recent injury. Hell's Kitchen Inspiration, Alicia Keys, who wrote songs for musicals, and her journey to Broadway.
I got injured a while ago. I tripped onstage and landed on my ankle the wrong way. That was a problem in itself. But it wasn't until a week or two later that I actually had to start the show again. I was dancing in “Kaleidoscope,” one of the big numbers in the first act. I always look forward to doing that onstage. It's a fun number. I get to perform it with the dancers, which isn't always possible in the show, because it's usually just my character, Ali, who is onstage. It's always fun when you feel the love of the cast and the energy is there.
But when I was sitting at the piano playing that song, I stepped on my ankle the wrong way when I was getting off the piano, and it re-injured me. But strangely enough, I was able to carry on and I played the rest of the song, and I felt the best I'd felt in days. It's funny how things just work out. The minute I got off the stage after the applause, everything just worked out. The dance captain was right there and he said, “Take a breath. Let's see how it goes.” Everyone was hugging me and saying, “Are you OK?”
Our cast is very family-like. I could always count on someone being there if something went wrong, especially if I got hurt or something serious. They sat me down in a chair, gave me some Advil, and the physical therapist came in and looked at me and made sure I was OK. I was like, “I think I'm OK. I just need to bandage it up a little more.”
The show went on. That's live theater, that's work.
Talkback
The Journey to Broadway:
“I wish I could put it into words better, but I don't yet. I try to take it day by day, prepare, sleep, stay hydrated, that sort of thing, but when I actually have the time to sit back and think about what's going on around me and this journey that I'm on, it's crazy.
“I finished school in 2022. I started working in film and TV, doing workshops and stuff here and there and then auditioning. Hell's Kitchen I said no at first. My self-esteem was so different then and I felt this project was too big for me. Why am I getting dragged into this?
“Of course I auditioned. The audition was great. I ended up in development at the Public Theater and then it was produced at the Lafayette. That's when I met Alicia. [Keys] Everything just fell into place after the first few days. The creative team, the cast, the atmosphere, the Public Theater, everything about it, it was like they were praying for me to stay in this role for as long as possible. They taught me so much, they gave me opportunities, and now here we are. It's amazing.”
On winning the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical:
“It seems so fairy-tale-like, so corny, like a Broadway movie. And when you think about it, and I'm not saying I'm the first person to do this, but what kind of world is it that you can graduate from college with no degree, go on to Broadway, star in a Broadway show and even win a Tony? It was the best surprise ever. It was totally unexpected.”
“Just to be nominated alongside veterans like Kelli O'Hara was just unbelievable. It was an honor just to be there. When my name was called, I was like, 'This is a dream. This is something I've dreamed of for so long.' I never thought it would happen at 21, that's all I'll say.”
On his relationship with Alicia Keys:
“She's a friend. She's like a sister, a mom, a teacher, a mentor, a guru. She's a household name, an international superstar, obviously an R&B icon and now she's on Broadway.
“From the beginning, she's been such a sweet, calming presence that I could always count on if I needed help or wanted to be advocated for. Whenever she gets the chance, she takes me to dinner and we eat sushi together, she checks in on my health, makes sure I'm meditating, drinking water, sleeping, doing all the good things. She's very protective and I'm so grateful to her.”
On her co-star and fellow Tony Award winner, Keshia Lewis:
“Kecia Lewis is one of my favorite people I've met over the last two and a half years working on this project. She's one of the most calming, kind, and collected people. She brings me so much comfort when I'm going through different things on this project and learning how to navigate new situations. I've been lucky to have her to turn to, especially when I really needed support.
“She's always been there for me. Watching her walk up on stage at the Tonys and receiving that bouquet that she deserves, it's not like, 'Oh, I knew this was going to happen,' but she's magical and incredibly talented and an incredible human being. She really, really deserves it. Sharing that night with her was just so much more on this amazing, amazing cake.”
Regarding parental support:
“I didn’t have a performing arts-driven youth. If you think about it, I definitely did shows and stuff at my public high school, but I wasn’t part of a local theater as a kid or anything like that.
“I’m grateful to my parents because no matter where we lived or what opportunities or resources we had at the time, they made sure I was exposed to good art, whether it was just different genres of music, giving me a very diverse taste in music as I was growing up or making sure I went to the movies. of The Lion King It was the first Broadway show I ever saw as a kid. I still remember it. I must have been about 7 or 8 years old.
“My parents have always been very, very supportive of my dreams, making sure I auditioned for shows, that I was in band, and danced in middle school. I can't imagine how hard it was for them. My dad grew up in the Bronx, so it wasn't a glamorous upbringing. My mom is an immigrant from Belize. As they grew up and took their place in the world, they not only encouraged me to succeed in life, but to find my passion and follow my dreams. No matter how hard it was, they were always stewards in my life. I am grateful to them for everything I have.”
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
Maleah Joy Moon currently stars as Ali. in Hell's Kitchen at the Shubert Theatre. Tickets can be purchased here.
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