‘Hadestown’ National Tour Star Nathan Lee Graham Talks Life on the Road, LGBTQ Representation: ‘I Could Not Double Act’
Nathan Lee Graham in Hadestown (Photo by T Charles Erickson)
Nathan Lee Graham is crystal clear about his personal and professional identity.
"My pronouns are he, him—diva. And I'm a very proud Black gay man," he says.
If there was ever any doubt, Graham confirms the ingredients that lend themselves to the quality, consistency, and elegance synonymous with how he shows up in the world at the top of our virtual chat. Draped in all black and seated comfortably across a bright orange sofa, Graham has broken his self-imposed rule of silence during the day to speak with The Reckoning during downtime in West Palm Beach, FL, a stop before he arrives in Atlanta on the national tour of the Broadway musical "Hadestown." The 2019 Tony Award winner for Best Musical will play at Atlanta's Fox Theatre from January 10-15.
"Hadestown" tells the story of two intertwining mythical Greek tales—young dreamers Orpheus and Eurydice and King Hades and his wife Persephone—with a twist. The musical invites audiences on a hell-raising journey to the underworld and back.
A multi-hyphenate talent of the Broadway stage ("The Wild Party," "Priscilla Queen of The Desert") and screen ("Sweet Home Alabama," "HITCH"), Graham is Hermes, the show's narrator. Since joining the tour last fall, he has dazzled audiences and critics alike with show-stopping performances. "Hadestown" marks his return to the stage and touring after working successfully for years in film and television. Graham says he had something to prove by signing up to perform eight shows weekly on top of a grueling travel schedule.
"I wanted to get back on stage to see if my old ass could do it," he says jokingly. "It's been exciting and challenging being on the road after so long. The last time I was on the road, the Golden Girls were going off the air."
At the insistence of fellow actor Judith Light, Graham says it was vital for him to flex his theatre muscles again.
"I remember Judith Light saying to me once, 'Nathan, don't be away from the stage too long because it's a muscle that you'll miss, and you'll be terrified when you go back on stage if you haven't done it in a while.'"
Never one to shy away from an artistic challenge, Graham steps into Hermes following the Tony Award-winning performance by the legendary André De Shields, who originated the role on Broadway. Graham tells The Reckoning that he considers De Shields his spiritual twin.
"André is a dear friend. And my career sort of bookends with him all the time," Graham says. "Being able to do this role is a gift. And if I could emulate, imitate, anything that he's done, I will always try to do it. Of course, it's coming through my body, this vessel, so it's going to be different. But the intent will be the same," he adds. "He's a genius, and he's also very giving and supportive."
“I remember Judith Light saying to me once, 'Nathan, don't be away from the stage too long because it's a muscle that you'll miss, and you'll be terrified when you go back on stage if you haven't done it in a while.'
- Nathan Lee Graham
While Graham and De Shields have not been in direct contact since embarking on the tour, an embrace between the performers at New York City's Shakespeare In The Park, two weeks before Graham landed the role in "Hadestown," paired with messages of support from De Shields that has made its way back to him through mutual friends, exemplifies the type of support between the two performers that Graham says he desires for all Black gay men.
"He was sitting right behind me [at Shakespeare in the Park], and all we could do was embrace for what seemed like an hour," Graham says. "We have a mutual admiration society. It's so important for Black gay men to have that and to be seen having it and to lift each other up in support of that."
Graham also credits De Shields as one of the "early purveyors of living authentically from the very start." A lesson Graham has also implemented in his life and career, specifically when choosing television and film roles.
"For me, it was not possible to be the best artist possible and to also lie about who I was," Graham says. "To be the kind of artist that I wanted to be, I could not double act. I could not say, well, how would a straight person do this? And then go and portray that role. Trust me, none of my straight colleagues were complaining about playing straight roles. So I didn't see any point in me shying away from gay roles being a gay person."
(Top) Matthew Patrick Quinn, Maria-Christina Oliveras (Bottom) Hannah Whitley, Nathan Lee Graham, Chibueze Ihuoma, and company in Hadestown North American Tour 2022. (Photo by T Charles Erickson)
Becoming More Of It
Graham tells The Reckoning that he takes his responsibility seriously to show up and represent himself authentically for other LGBTQ people that will experience his work.
"That is my activism," he says. "We all do it in different ways. Mine is to always show up, always be there, always be consistent, always be around, always be a part of the narrative."
However, in a world forced to readjust amidst the ongoing threat of COVID-19, Graham and his cast mates are limited in their face-to-face interactions with audiences to remain healthy and performance ready. While the sacrifices are necessary, Graham admits that life on the road can be lonely.
"To do the kind of performances that I like to do and the work that I like to do, you have to be alone most of the time," he says. "It's quite ironic that I have sort of a lonely life in order to be very sort of public."
But whatever energy Graham could exert offstage during interactions with fans or in his personal life, he bottles it all up for an onstage explosion that he describes as an out-of-body experience.
Nathan Lee Graham (Left) and company in Hadestown North American Tour 2022 (Photo by T Charles Erickson)
“When the lights hit me on the stage, I let the energy of whatever’s happening take over.”
"When the lights hit me on the stage, I let the energy of whatever's happening take over," he says. "I trust all the work that's been done before. And so, sometimes, I even hover above myself and watch myself work because I'm allowing that energy to take over. I know that sounds crazy to some people, but that's what happens," he adds.
Graham hopes his energy will be palpable and unite "Hadestown" audiences, particularly when hatred and divisiveness permeate American culture.
"Even if you interpret the show differently, when you leave that theater, you've had two and a half hours of being together for a moment where we all can sort of be equally enjoying or experiencing something," he says.
With "Hadestown" extended to tour North America through 2024, audiences across the country will continue to have an opportunity to experience Graham's incredible artistry. And if they're lucky, he will not only maintain his commitment to show up—but to the delight of theatergoers everywhere—he'll apply the advice to his life that he freely gives to others:
"Whoever you are, whatever you are, become more of it, is what I always say."
"Hadestown" will open at Atlanta's Fox Theatre on January 10 and run through January 15. You can purchase tickets here.
