BROADWAY SWISHER: 'Pippin' star Molly Tynes performs at 'Songs in the Key of Equality' on May 20, 2013 at Le Poisson Rouge

BROADWAY SWISHER: ‘Pippin’ star Molly Tynes performs at ‘Songs in the Key of Equality’ on May 20, 2013 at Le Poisson Rouge

By Scott Harrah

Molly Tynes is currently in the cast of the must-see revival of Pippin on Broadway. The show has been nominated for 10 Tony nominations (and received 5 stars from StageZine).

We first met the talented Ms. Tynes at the kickoff party for Swish’s “Songs in the Key of Equality,” where she’ll be performing May 20, 2013 at 7:00pm.  As I was leaving, I mentioned to this gorgeous, sweet-natured woman that StageZine was reviewing Pippin a couple nights later and she insisted that I, along with StageZine’s co-publisher, David NouNou, come visit her backstage after seeing the show. Going to see Molly Tynes backstage at the Music Box (and seeing Pippin itself) was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

She previously appeared in the American Repertory Theatre’s production of the show as well. Ms. Tynes has also appeared in Legally Blonde at the Arvada Center (Brooke Wyndham); the first National Tour of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang; and Curtains at the Paper Mill Playhouse. Molly Tynes is also an aerialist and an instructor at the Goodspeed Musicals Audition Intensive and at Broadway Bodies in New York.

StageZine spoke with Molly Tynes about why she is performing at “Songs in the Key of Equality,” a benefit concert for straight LGBT alliance Swish on May 20, 2013 at 7:00pm at Le Poisson Rouge. Be sure to get tickets to see her and many Broadway and off-Broadway stars performing for a great cause. This is the eighth installment in our series of features on the cast and team behind the show to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the nonprofit Swish.

What inspires/moves you to lend your time to Swish and the LGBT rights movement in this way? 



This is a country that values equality. Throughout our history, there have been great moments when we have acknowledged the mistakes of our past and resolved to achieve a more total equality for all:  the abolition of slavery, women’s suffrage, the end of segregation laws, etc. One such moment is happening right now. It is very exciting. Now is a very important time for us as a nation. We have the chance to take a huge step forward and recognize marriage equality federally. Now, more than ever, we need to raise awareness about this important issue so that we may affect necessary change and help progress this country towards “equality for all.”

What are the current creative projects you are working on?



I am currently in the cast of Pippin on Broadway, and at the moment that occupies pretty much every waking hour of my life! This show is truly a dream job for me though, so I couldn’t be happier.

Tell me what equality means to you.

Merriam-Webster defines equality as, “an ideal of uniformity in treatment or status by those in a position to affect either.” The second part of that definition really speaks to me: “… by those in a position to affect either.” That means equality is a conscious act. It doesn’t just happen on its own; it requires a choice. We actively decide to treat people equally. And we must continue to make this choice daily by evaluating our behavior and by reminding ourselves that all people deserve to share the same rights and freedoms.

How can theater and the performing arts promote tolerance, love and acceptance of the LGBT community?



We have access to a lot of people as performers. We can use that visibility to help raise awareness and to show the humanity of all different types of people. So much of prejudice and intolerance is based on ignorance. If we use ourselves as examples to show people that those different from them are human too, perhaps they will re-evaluate their ideas about how others should be treated.

Tickets for “Songs in the Key of Equality” on May 20, 2013 at Le Poisson Rouge are available online at https://donate.swishpride.org/page/contribute/cabaret2013

Published May 17, 2013