September 7, 2023 • 22 mins
Toronto based Film, TV, and Theatre actor, George Krissa is Baring It All with Call Me Adam. He most recently starred in Hallmark's The Holiday Sitter alongside Jonathan Bennett, making history as the network's first ever LGBTQ+ lead romcom.
Now George is coming to New York City to make his cabaret debut at Chelsea Table & Stage on September 23, 2023.
In this interview, George is baring it all about:
- Creating his upcoming cabaret show
- Singing showtunes with Jonathan Bennett
- His love for potato chips
- Country Music
- Life on the Prairie
- So much more
More on George Krissa:
George Krissa is a Toronto based film, TV, and theatre actor. Most recently starring as Jason Devito in Hallmarks The Holiday Sitter alongside Jonathan Bennett, making history as the network's first ever LGBTQ+ lead romcom.
As a musician, theatre artist, and actor, George has had the pleasure of performing for audiences across Canada and in the United States. Notable credits also include starring as Rocky in The Stratford Festival's record breaking production of The Rocky Horror Show, Tommy Albright in The Shaw Festival's production of Brigadoon and was the recipient of The Musical Stage Co.'s Banks Prize award for theatre artists.
George has appeared on screen in Hallmark's Roadtrip Romance, Lifetime's Trapped with my Husband, CBC's Coroner and Murdoch Mysteries, and Breakthrough Ent.'s The Dwelling.
Special Thanks:
- Dan Fortune, Fortune Creative
- Theme Song by Bobby Cronin
- Podcast Logo by Liam O'Donnell
- Edited by Adam Rothenberg
Connect with Me:
Website: www.callmeadam.com
Facebook: @CallMeAdamNYC
Instagram: @CallMeAdamNYC
Mentioned in this episode:
GME (Good Morning Entrepreneurs) Commerical
I want to tell you a personal behind the curtain story that I may not have fully shared here. For the past two years, I have been part of an amazing community built for and by entrepreneurs called My Sexy Business. We have a wonderful weekly live streaming show called GME (Good Morning Entrepreneurs). As an Associate Producer and Roving Reporter, I can easily say this show is for you, the entrepreneur who is in search of community and getting your questions answered. Our Co-Hosts and Roving Reporters share life experiences that will hopefully make you feel less alone on your entrepreneurial journey. We'd love for you to join us every Friday at 8 a. m. Eastern Standard Time at https://www.mysexybusiness.com/gme
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Bobby Cronin (00:00):
Hey everybody.
(00:01):
It's Adam, live and in person for you.
Hey everybody.
It's Adam Wonder who he'll interview.
Call Me Adam dot com.
Adam Rothenberg (00:18):
Hey everybody.
I'm so excited to be back in thecloset where I record all of my
podcast and video interviews.
Today, I get to speak with Toronto film,TV, and theatre actor, George Krissa, who
most recently starred as Jason DeVito inHallmark's The Holiday Sitter, alongside
Jonathan Bennett, making history asHallmark's first ever LGBTQ lead romcom.
(00:47):
Now George is coming to New York Cityto make his cabaret debut at Chelsea
Table and Stage on September 23rd.
And for those of you who don't knowme, my name is Adam Rothenberg and for
the past 14 years I have been goingbehind the curtain with celebrities
from Broadway, film, and television.
With over 1, 500 interviews under mybelt, I get my guests to reveal the
(01:08):
secrets of their lives and careers.
So without further ado,welcome George Krissa.
Hi, George.
George Krissa (01:15):
Hi, thank you.
Secrets?
I don't know if I haveany (George & Adam laugh).
Adam Rothenberg (01:19):
We'll soon find out.
But let's start with the wholereason that brought us here together
today, and that is your cabaretdebut at Chelsea Table & Stage.
So, what made now the right time to makeyour cabaret debut in New York City?
George Krissa (01:38):
Well, I have, like, musical theatre and, and theatre is something that
I've been doing for ever, professionally,for the last, um, well, since I was 20 or
so, um, and after doing this movie, I'vebeen kind of introduced to a whole new
audience and I get a lot of messages frompeople in New York and, um, and so I just
(02:02):
thought that it would be a great time tokind of take advantage of that and, um,
and reach some, some new people and, andshow, uh, kind of the other side of the
coin, because I, I love singing and, um,reaching people through song, you know.
Adam Rothenberg (02:22):
Well, that actually leads perfectly into my next question,
which is what do you get from musicthat you don't get from acting?
George Krissa (02:30):
Musical theatre and stuff like it is it is acting.
So like, I get the same,um, I love to tell stories.
So I get that, that same kind of,um, rush and satisfaction from that.
But, what's different about, um, beingon stage versus, um, being on set is when
you're on stage, you get instant feedback,you know, if a joke lands, people laugh,
(02:54):
if, if they don't like it, they leave, orthey boo, or you hear, or you hear them
starting to look through their programs,and you're like, oh, I'm starting to
lose people, so you, there's that, andthere's that connection that you get,
just, you know, when you're singing, youcan look into, into someone's eyes, and,
um, there's a, a real personal connectionthat, um, you, a personal connection with
(03:19):
the audience that you don't necessarilyget, um, through TV and, and film.
Yeah, and what's, and what's funnyabout, TV is that it, um, you do it,
and it, and it's great, and you'rehappy with how it went, I, you think?
And then, you have to wait such along time before you see the finished
product, and you have to wait evenlonger before you can, you know, see,
(03:41):
if its, if its had an impact on people.
So, um, yeah, I'm, I'm, Ilove being on stage, the best.
Adam Rothenberg (03:48):
Oh, that's awesome.
Well, we are very excited that you arecoming to New York City for this cabaret.
Now, out of all the cabaret venuesin New York City, how did you choose
Chelsea Table & Stage to be the place tomake your New York City Cabaret debut.
George Krissa (04:03):
The one and only?
Well, I, um, I saw, so last year Isaw, um, IT, the parody musical there.
And I was like, oh, thisis kind of a cool space.
And then.
Um, uh, Steven Brinberg, who's a cabaretartist, invited me to sing a song with
him, um, this past, uh, May, whilewe were in town for the GLAAD Awards.
(04:27):
And, um, so I got to, to sing asong there, and it's just, it's
such a beautiful venue, and thepeople were really nice, and it was
just a really relaxed atmosphere.
And, um, you know, because it's arestaurant, the lights are low, but
you can still, still see people,and they're right at the edge of
the stage there, so you can...
Um, again, get that instant feedbackand if they don't like it, they
(04:48):
can throw their dinner at me.
So it's kind of perfect.
Adam Rothenberg (04:52):
Well, I hope you didn't get hit with any food.
George Krissa (04:55):
No, they, luckily they didn't have very good
aim (George and Adam Laugh).
Adam Rothenberg (04:59):
Or you had great reflexes.
George Krissa (05:00):
Yeah, exactly.
Yeah.
That one.
Yeah.
I did dodge that really fast.
Yeah.
Adam Rothenberg (05:06):
Now, which, um, now according to press notes,
this show is, um, the titleof this show is "Love Notes."
And it takes us on a whirlwindride through the worlds of
Broadway, Pop and Country Music.
Now, what, um, what was the firstsong or the first story that
you knew had to be in this show?
George Krissa (05:28):
Oh, what was the first one?
Well, I knew, so I wanted toincorporate, um, some, like a little
bit of the things that I've, I'vedone in the past, and I, I generally
play a lot of, um, romantic charactersand the leading men type things.
(05:48):
And so I wanted to, uh.
For people who maybe haven'tbeen in Canada, they get to
see, um, some of those things.
So I, I recently did, um, there's acouple of beautiful theatre festivals
in Canada called the StratfordFestival and, um, the Shaw Festival.
Uh, and so I recently did Brigadoonat the Shaw recently, 2019.
(06:11):
So I really wanted to incorporate,uh, or include, um, a song from
that, my favorite one from the showcalled "There But For You Go I."
And, um.
Yeah, I called it "Love Notes" becausethat's, I, that's kind of the theme
running through all of it is, uh, is love.
It's not, like, that sounds, I'm gonnabe honest, that sounds really cheesy.
(06:34):
Heheheheheheh It's not, it's notcheesy, it's um, it's just a collection
of songs that I love and that I...
Um, that touched me and then I, I thinkwill, um, other people will enjoy as well.
And I wanted, and so I'm also includinga song, uh, from Moulin Rouge, the
musical, because um, Jonathan andI, Jonathan Bennett and I would
sing Moulin Rouge in the makeuptrailer at the beginning of the day.
(06:56):
So I just, I thought I'd, um,bring something that, like that in.
So yeah, like different, uh, all my,some different projects throughout
my life I'm including a song from.
Adam Rothenberg (07:04):
Oh my God, that's amazing.
George Krissa (07:05):
Yeah.
Adam Rothenberg (07:07):
And I love that you and Jonathan sang songs at the
beginning of the day in your trailer.
George Krissa (07:13):
Oh yeah, no, he is a huge, probably a bigger
musical theater nerd than me.
He knows all the words to everything.
I mean, he dressed up as, um,Elphaba from Wicked for Halloween.
Adam Rothenberg (07:25):
Yeah.
George Krissa (07:25):
And, uh, and he knew the arm choreography.
Like he's, he's like, he'sthe, he's the real deal when it
comes to being a theatre fan.
So, yeah.
And actually he put the musical on.
He put musicals on.
Not, not even me, which is kind of crazy.
Adam Rothenberg (07:39):
Oh my God.
Now, what do you hope, um, audiences, whenthey come to see you on September 23rd,
what do you hope they will learn aboutyou from this show that they can't get,
maybe say if they went to look at yourwebsite or they went on your Instagram?
George Krissa (07:56):
I hope that we, that we go on a little journey together.
I hope that they feel something andI hope that they, um, enjoy the music
because I, I truly, singing is agreat passion and a great joy of mine.
I went to school for music.
That was kind of my gateway into thebusiness was I wanted to sing, first of
(08:16):
all, and I was like, I'm not going to bea solo artist, I'm not going to be a pop
star, so the best way to do singing isto do musicals, because you get to sing.
And then, um, I realizedhow much I loved acting.
And, um, so, yeah, I hope that we getto go on a little journey together and
(08:38):
we get to share some beautiful music.
Adam Rothenberg (08:40):
I love it.
And what did you discover aboutyourself in putting this show together?
George Krissa (08:45):
Uh, what did I discover about myself?
Um, that picking songs is hard, likenarrowing down songs is hard because, you
know, there's so many beautiful songs thatI would love to do and, um, whittling it
down to, you know, your favorite 12 or 13,but then also thinking about the flow of
(09:09):
the show so that it's not, um, 12 balladsin a row that make everyone fall asleep.
Um, so yeah, I discovered that,uh, I don't know if I just, this is
something I already knew, but thatit's picking rep is, it's hard.
Yeah.
Adam Rothenberg (09:25):
Yes.
Yes.
Now, one artist I just discoveredthat we both love is country
artist Deana, Deana Carter.
George Krissa (09:32):
Yeah.
Adam Rothenberg (09:33):
You did an amazing cover of Strawberry Wine.
George Krissa (09:36):
Thank you.
Adam Rothenberg (09:38):
Which you have a snippet on your Instagram.
Um, I mean, what is it, um, like,what is it about her and her
music that you resonate with?
George Krissa (09:49):
Well, you know, I'm from a really small town in Canada
called Lashburn, Saskatchewan.
Uh huh.
Um, which, and, like,Saskatchewan is, is the prairies.
It's like the Texas, Canada.
And so, I grew up on country music.
And, um, I would take the school busin the morning and "Strawberry Wine"
(10:10):
would be, it would be on all the time.
And so it just, it, uh, it just, itjust reminds me of, of my, my prairie
days of, of simpler times when.
Yeah, you could just ride the schoolbus and then, and then you'd meet your
dog at the end of the driveway andthen you'd go watch some cartoons.
Like, wasn't that fun?
Adam Rothenberg (10:29):
Yes.
George Krissa (10:30):
Yeah, and there's just something so beautiful about
that, that song in particular too.
Um, the melody, since I was little,has always, has always struck me
as, as really, really beautiful.
Adam Rothenberg (10:41):
Now with the cabaret show, is this maybe, is this
potentially like a springboard into...
Something more with music,like maybe recording an album?
George Krissa (10:54):
Um, oh, uh, maybe.
This kind of button in the back of mymind is something that I've always kind
of wanted to do, but, um, you know, it'stime and finding the right people to work
with, and like, I do write my own songs,but I, I don't share them very often.
(11:14):
I feel like so much of this business isputting yourself out there, um, to be...
commented on or to be, you know, reviewed.
And I love writing songs, but that's,that's just, uh, so far, that's just
for me because no one can tell me thatthey're not good if they can't hear it.
So...
Adam Rothenberg (11:35):
That is true.
That is true.
But, people also can't tell you howamazing they are if they can't hear it.
George Krissa (11:42):
That's also true.
So, yeah, so at this point, like maybeI would, um, I would record a couple
of songs just for, just for, justfor, I've, I've always really wanted
to do some, some Christmas stuff,like to put out some Christmas songs.
So maybe, maybe that'll happen.
Adam Rothenberg (11:57):
Well, put it on like your vision board and...
It'll come,
George Krissa (12:01):
Yeah, I'll manifest it, I'll manifest it into being.
Adam Rothenberg (12:05):
Exactly, exactly.
And do you have any pre showrituals when performing live?
George Krissa (12:11):
No, I warm up and, uh, and then that's it.
And then I go and I sing.
There's, I feel like there's so manyways to, um, overcomplicate or overthink
things that we do in this crazy business.
Um, and my voice teacher, uh, did ashow with Maggie Smith once, and, um,
(12:37):
he always says that she would alwayssay, "Start before you're ready."
So, um, that's what I do.
Just start, just go,something's gonna happen.
Adam Rothenberg (12:48):
That is, I've never heard that before, but I love that.
George Krissa (12:50):
Isn't that great?
Adam Rothenberg (12:51):
Yeah.
George Krissa (12:51):
Start before you're ready.
Because then you're like, thenyou have time to overthink it and
then time to plan and things arealways best when you don't plan.
So, um, yeah, start before you're ready.
Adam Rothenberg (13:02):
How do you celebrate after a performance is over?
George Krissa (13:06):
Oh, chips.
Always, always chips.
Like chips are for whenyou're happy and celebrating.
Chips are for when you're sad.
Chips are for when you're bored.
Chips are for when you'rewatching TV or in a car.
Adam Rothenberg (13:20):
Any specific kind of chips?
George Krissa (13:23):
Uh, I love a kettle cooked.
Um, I love a chips and dip.
I love a popcorn.
I love a Dorito.
Um, And then like, the flavors bear in.
De Depending on what we're celebratingor how sad we are (Adam & George Laugh).
Adam Rothenberg (13:42):
I love that.
I love that.
And somehow yet you manageto stay so physically fit.
George Krissa (13:48):
I work out as much as I do exclusively so that I can eat garbage.
And I'm like, I wish I was kidding.
No, I, I Workout sothat I can eat bad food.
I love it.
I love garbage food.
Adam Rothenberg (14:01):
That is best answer.
So I do I do have to ask you a fewquestions about "The Holiday Sitter"
because I'm sure anybody watching ifI did not ask some specific questions
about it I would get a lot of angrypeople commenting, so to avoid that.
George Krissa (14:18):
Yeah
Adam Rothenberg (14:19):
What was your biggest mishap to happen while filming?
Like, was there a missedline, a wardrobe malfunction?
George Krissa (14:26):
Oh, God.
Awkward.
Missed lines?
Missed lines, probably?
Not that I can remember.
Um, wardrobe malfunctions?
No.
It, but we were also shooting inVancouver in August and I was in, I would
have, I would have my long pants, a tshirt, a cardigan, a jacket and scarf.
(14:50):
And it was like, I don't knowwhat this is in Fahrenheit, but
it was like 35 degrees Celsius.
So it was hot, hot, hot.
And um, I'd be like, you know,sweating through everything.
So wardrobe wise, that wasa bit of a malfunction and
there's no way to stay cool.
You just gotta, this is just how it is.
You're just, you're just too hot now.
Um, and, uh, malfunction wise,Jonathan is the best kind of nuts.
(15:15):
Uh huh.
Yeah, and, um, so just watchinghim, like, goof around and, and
play and try stuff and, uh, makebits and see if they landed and...
Adam Rothenberg (15:29):
Okay, so the last thing I heard was Jonathan is crazy in a good way.
And he's always trying to do bits andstuff, and then that's where it ends.
George Krissa (15:37):
Yeah, so, um, so, we would, uh, like, so, watching him,
like, try bits and see what landsand see what people laugh at and
stuff, that was, that was, that was,uh, the best kind of chaos, I guess.
Adam Rothenberg (15:54):
Was there a particular, did he play any jokes on you?
Was there anything, like, a really,like, juicy behind the scenes thing
that he did that, that you remember?
George Krissa (16:05):
Well, I remember, like, watching from, uh, the monitors, like, I
think it made it into the movie, but hewas, like, trying stuff with them, uh,
after we meet, after we, we meet eachother the first time, uh, he's, like,
in the living room, and he's, like,playing with stuff, and he, like, flips
(16:25):
over some, some Christmas balls, um,and, uh, everyone behind the camera went
and, um, yeah, that was pretty funny.
I like it.
There was, that was like one oflike 15 things that he tried.
I'm sure that there was likespecific jokes that he, he played,
but because there were so many, Idon't think that I can remember it.
(16:49):
Do you know what I mean?
Adam Rothenberg (16:50):
Yes.
Yes.
I completely understand.
George Krissa (16:53):
Yeah.
Adam Rothenberg (16:54):
Well, I just have a few last questions, um, before we wrap up.
So I have a few rapidfire questions for you.
George Krissa (17:00):
Okay.
Oh my gosh.
These make my brain paralyzed.
Okay.
Okay.
I'm ready.
Adam Rothenberg (17:04):
Hopefully they won't be too hard (George & Adam Laugh).
Uh, coffee or tea?
George Krissa (17:09):
Coffee.
Adam Rothenberg (17:09):
And how do you take it?
And how do you take it?
George Krissa (17:12):
Uh, one cream, one sugar.
Adam Rothenberg (17:14):
Perfect.
George Krissa (17:14):
Or one milk, one sugar, or one oat milk and no sugar.
Those are my three.
See?
But see, I can't do rapid fire becauseI like options (George Laughs).
Adam Rothenberg (17:23):
Um, boxers or briefs?
George Krissa (17:25):
Boxer briefs.
Adam Rothenberg (17:27):
Summer vacation or winter retreat?
George Krissa (17:30):
Summer.
Winter is terrible.
Adam Rothenberg (17:33):
Yeah.
George Krissa (17:33):
I, like, no, I'm, I, like, it's winter, eight months
out of the year up here in Canada,and it's, it's a nightmare.
I hate it.
No, summer everything.
I live in the wrong place.
Yeah (George Laughs).
Adam Rothenberg (17:46):
That's actually for the rapid fire questions.
George Krissa (17:48):
That's it?
Adam Rothenberg (17:49):
Just a few.
George Krissa (17:52):
Wait, give me some more.
I want some more.
Adam Rothenberg (17:54):
Okay, um, Superman or Wonder Woman?
George Krissa (17:58):
Oh, Henry Cavill.
He's like my hero.
So, yeah, Henry Cavill as Superman.
Adam Rothenberg (18:05):
Gotcha.
Um, Batman or Robin?
George Krissa (18:11):
Oh, Batman.
You don't have to think of more.
That was just fun (George and Adam Laugh).
Adam Rothenberg (18:19):
I could keep going.
George Krissa (18:20):
Yes.
Adam Rothenberg (18:21):
Um, but I do end, uh, I do end all of my
interviews with this question.
George Krissa (18:25):
Okay.
Adam Rothenberg (18:25):
So, my podcast is called Baring It All with Call Me Adam.
So, if you could bear it all and revealsomething about yourself that you have
not talked about in a previous interview,what would you share with me today?
George Krissa (18:39):
In another life, I would love to be, like, a professional merman.
Adam Rothenberg (18:46):
I love that.
George Krissa (18:47):
Yeah, no, I grew up, I was a competitive swimmer growing up,
and I love being in water, and um, Ilove swimming, and and, uh, and, like,
there's people that are actually, like,it's their job to be mermaids and, like,
swim around and, and, like, I don'tknow what they do, but they, like, swim
in the ocean and take videos of it.
I just think that would be so much fun.
(19:09):
To just, like, swim.
I don't know what to say.
That sounds so lame.
Adam Rothenberg (19:13):
No, that sounds amazing.
George Krissa (19:17):
Yeah, no, and the other thing, I'm not, I'm not at all, um, cool.
So, that's another thingthat no one maybe knows.
I'm not at all cool oranything like that, so.
Adam Rothenberg (19:27):
Oh my god, I would disagree.
This has been so much fun.
And I do have a confession ofmy own, speaking of Merman.
I mean, growing up, I loved swimming.
It was my favorite activity.
I used to, when I would swim,I used to pretend that I was
Aquaman swimming underwater.
And I would be like, you know, callingall my fish friends and everything.
I'd come like, swim withme and catch the bad guys.
(19:48):
I'm totally on boardwith the whole merman.
George Krissa (19:52):
Well, yeah, cause like, I feel like when you're underwater
like that, that's, that's as closeas any human will ever be to fly.
Like that's what flyingwould feel like, I think.
Because you're like, you're weightless,you can go wherever you want.
You can like, You're not stuck on, on,so yeah, I think that would be, I think
that would be really, really cool.
My favorite movie was Splash, do youremember with Daryl Hannah and Tom Hanks?
Adam Rothenberg (20:15):
Of course, yes.
George Krissa (20:16):
Yeah, and um, there's a particular, particular scene where she's
like, she like sneaks into the bathtub inthe middle of the night and she like puts
her feet in the water and she gets a tail.
Adam Rothenberg (20:24):
Yes.
George Krissa (20:26):
I would watch that over and over, I'd like rewind it and watch
it cause I was like, Oh, maybe if Iput my feet in the water, but it has
to be salt water, but I don't know.
Alas, they just stayed legs.
Adam Rothenberg (20:37):
Yes.
And Tom Hanks is banging on thedoor, Madison, what's going on?
George Krissa (20:40):
Yeah, get out.
And then she's like, I just,yeah, just give me a second.
I'll be right out.
Yeah.
Adam Rothenberg (20:45):
Yeah.
I used to pretend that I was Madisontoo, swimming underwater and...
George Krissa (20:49):
Yeah, I think we all did.
Adam Rothenberg (20:51):
I always look over if I'm on a boat or something
being like, is she there?
Should I jump in the waterand see if she's there?
Love that.
George Krissa (20:58):
She's never there.
Adam Rothenberg (20:58):
Never.
Never.
George Krissa (21:00):
Never there.
Adam Rothenberg (21:00):
Oh my gosh.
Well, this has been somuch fun talking to you.
George Krissa (21:03):
Yeah, likewise.
Adam Rothenberg (21:04):
Thank you, and everybody listening and watching, you have to come
see George Krissa in his cabaret debut atChelsea Table and Stage on September 23rd.
I will have the ticket link on my websiteat Call Me Adam dot com, and we can't
wait to see you sing your heart out.
George Krissa (21:23):
Yeah!
I'll see you there.
I'm so excited.
Adam Rothenberg (21:26):
Me too.
Thank you again.
George Krissa (21:29):
Yeah, thanks for having me.
Adam Rothenberg (21:30):
Alright, have a good day everybody.
Bobby Cronin (21:33):
He'll get the dirt and the scoop and the story For he happens
to be in the know Just ask anybodywhose had him, Adam, lives for the
business of show Call Me Adam dot com
Hey everybody.
(00:01):
It's Adam, live and in person for you.
Hey everybody.
It's Adam Wonder who he'll interview.
Call Me Adam dot com.
Adam Rothenberg (00:18):
Hey everybody.
I'm so excited to be back in thecloset where I record all of my
podcast and video interviews.
Today, I get to speak with Toronto film,TV, and theatre actor, George Krissa, who
most recently starred as Jason DeVito inHallmark's The Holiday Sitter, alongside
Jonathan Bennett, making history asHallmark's first ever LGBTQ lead romcom.
(00:47):
Now George is coming to New York Cityto make his cabaret debut at Chelsea
Table and Stage on September 23rd.
And for those of you who don't knowme, my name is Adam Rothenberg and for
the past 14 years I have been goingbehind the curtain with celebrities
from Broadway, film, and television.
With over 1, 500 interviews under mybelt, I get my guests to reveal the
(01:08):
secrets of their lives and careers.
So without further ado,welcome George Krissa.
Hi, George.
George Krissa (01:15):
Hi, thank you.
Secrets?
I don't know if I haveany (George & Adam laugh).
Adam Rothenberg (01:19):
We'll soon find out.
But let's start with the wholereason that brought us here together
today, and that is your cabaretdebut at Chelsea Table & Stage.
So, what made now the right time to makeyour cabaret debut in New York City?
George Krissa (01:38):
Well, I have, like, musical theatre and, and theatre is something that
I've been doing for ever, professionally,for the last, um, well, since I was 20 or
so, um, and after doing this movie, I'vebeen kind of introduced to a whole new
audience and I get a lot of messages frompeople in New York and, um, and so I just
(02:02):
thought that it would be a great time tokind of take advantage of that and, um,
and reach some, some new people and, andshow, uh, kind of the other side of the
coin, because I, I love singing and, um,reaching people through song, you know.
Adam Rothenberg (02:22):
Well, that actually leads perfectly into my next question,
which is what do you get from musicthat you don't get from acting?
George Krissa (02:30):
Musical theatre and stuff like it is it is acting.
So like, I get the same,um, I love to tell stories.
So I get that, that same kind of,um, rush and satisfaction from that.
But, what's different about, um, beingon stage versus, um, being on set is when
you're on stage, you get instant feedback,you know, if a joke lands, people laugh,
(02:54):
if, if they don't like it, they leave, orthey boo, or you hear, or you hear them
starting to look through their programs,and you're like, oh, I'm starting to
lose people, so you, there's that, andthere's that connection that you get,
just, you know, when you're singing, youcan look into, into someone's eyes, and,
um, there's a, a real personal connectionthat, um, you, a personal connection with
(03:19):
the audience that you don't necessarilyget, um, through TV and, and film.
Yeah, and what's, and what's funnyabout, TV is that it, um, you do it,
and it, and it's great, and you'rehappy with how it went, I, you think?
And then, you have to wait such along time before you see the finished
product, and you have to wait evenlonger before you can, you know, see,
(03:41):
if its, if its had an impact on people.
So, um, yeah, I'm, I'm, Ilove being on stage, the best.
Adam Rothenberg (03:48):
Oh, that's awesome.
Well, we are very excited that you arecoming to New York City for this cabaret.
Now, out of all the cabaret venuesin New York City, how did you choose
Chelsea Table & Stage to be the place tomake your New York City Cabaret debut.
George Krissa (04:03):
The one and only?
Well, I, um, I saw, so last year Isaw, um, IT, the parody musical there.
And I was like, oh, thisis kind of a cool space.
And then.
Um, uh, Steven Brinberg, who's a cabaretartist, invited me to sing a song with
him, um, this past, uh, May, whilewe were in town for the GLAAD Awards.
(04:27):
And, um, so I got to, to sing asong there, and it's just, it's
such a beautiful venue, and thepeople were really nice, and it was
just a really relaxed atmosphere.
And, um, you know, because it's arestaurant, the lights are low, but
you can still, still see people,and they're right at the edge of
the stage there, so you can...
Um, again, get that instant feedbackand if they don't like it, they
(04:48):
can throw their dinner at me.
So it's kind of perfect.
Adam Rothenberg (04:52):
Well, I hope you didn't get hit with any food.
George Krissa (04:55):
No, they, luckily they didn't have very good
aim (George and Adam Laugh).
Adam Rothenberg (04:59):
Or you had great reflexes.
George Krissa (05:00):
Yeah, exactly.
Yeah.
That one.
Yeah.
I did dodge that really fast.
Yeah.
Adam Rothenberg (05:06):
Now, which, um, now according to press notes,
this show is, um, the titleof this show is "Love Notes."
And it takes us on a whirlwindride through the worlds of
Broadway, Pop and Country Music.
Now, what, um, what was the firstsong or the first story that
you knew had to be in this show?
George Krissa (05:28):
Oh, what was the first one?
Well, I knew, so I wanted toincorporate, um, some, like a little
bit of the things that I've, I'vedone in the past, and I, I generally
play a lot of, um, romantic charactersand the leading men type things.
(05:48):
And so I wanted to, uh.
For people who maybe haven'tbeen in Canada, they get to
see, um, some of those things.
So I, I recently did, um, there's acouple of beautiful theatre festivals
in Canada called the StratfordFestival and, um, the Shaw Festival.
Uh, and so I recently did Brigadoonat the Shaw recently, 2019.
(06:11):
So I really wanted to incorporate,uh, or include, um, a song from
that, my favorite one from the showcalled "There But For You Go I."
And, um.
Yeah, I called it "Love Notes" becausethat's, I, that's kind of the theme
running through all of it is, uh, is love.
It's not, like, that sounds, I'm gonnabe honest, that sounds really cheesy.
(06:34):
Heheheheheheh It's not, it's notcheesy, it's um, it's just a collection
of songs that I love and that I...
Um, that touched me and then I, I thinkwill, um, other people will enjoy as well.
And I wanted, and so I'm also includinga song, uh, from Moulin Rouge, the
musical, because um, Jonathan andI, Jonathan Bennett and I would
sing Moulin Rouge in the makeuptrailer at the beginning of the day.
(06:56):
So I just, I thought I'd, um,bring something that, like that in.
So yeah, like different, uh, all my,some different projects throughout
my life I'm including a song from.
Adam Rothenberg (07:04):
Oh my God, that's amazing.
George Krissa (07:05):
Yeah.
Adam Rothenberg (07:07):
And I love that you and Jonathan sang songs at the
beginning of the day in your trailer.
George Krissa (07:13):
Oh yeah, no, he is a huge, probably a bigger
musical theater nerd than me.
He knows all the words to everything.
I mean, he dressed up as, um,Elphaba from Wicked for Halloween.
Adam Rothenberg (07:25):
Yeah.
George Krissa (07:25):
And, uh, and he knew the arm choreography.
Like he's, he's like, he'sthe, he's the real deal when it
comes to being a theatre fan.
So, yeah.
And actually he put the musical on.
He put musicals on.
Not, not even me, which is kind of crazy.
Adam Rothenberg (07:39):
Oh my God.
Now, what do you hope, um, audiences, whenthey come to see you on September 23rd,
what do you hope they will learn aboutyou from this show that they can't get,
maybe say if they went to look at yourwebsite or they went on your Instagram?
George Krissa (07:56):
I hope that we, that we go on a little journey together.
I hope that they feel something andI hope that they, um, enjoy the music
because I, I truly, singing is agreat passion and a great joy of mine.
I went to school for music.
That was kind of my gateway into thebusiness was I wanted to sing, first of
(08:16):
all, and I was like, I'm not going to bea solo artist, I'm not going to be a pop
star, so the best way to do singing isto do musicals, because you get to sing.
And then, um, I realizedhow much I loved acting.
And, um, so, yeah, I hope that we getto go on a little journey together and
(08:38):
we get to share some beautiful music.
Adam Rothenberg (08:40):
I love it.
And what did you discover aboutyourself in putting this show together?
George Krissa (08:45):
Uh, what did I discover about myself?
Um, that picking songs is hard, likenarrowing down songs is hard because, you
know, there's so many beautiful songs thatI would love to do and, um, whittling it
down to, you know, your favorite 12 or 13,but then also thinking about the flow of
(09:09):
the show so that it's not, um, 12 balladsin a row that make everyone fall asleep.
Um, so yeah, I discovered that,uh, I don't know if I just, this is
something I already knew, but thatit's picking rep is, it's hard.
Yeah.
Adam Rothenberg (09:25):
Yes.
Yes.
Now, one artist I just discoveredthat we both love is country
artist Deana, Deana Carter.
George Krissa (09:32):
Yeah.
Adam Rothenberg (09:33):
You did an amazing cover of Strawberry Wine.
George Krissa (09:36):
Thank you.
Adam Rothenberg (09:38):
Which you have a snippet on your Instagram.
Um, I mean, what is it, um, like,what is it about her and her
music that you resonate with?
George Krissa (09:49):
Well, you know, I'm from a really small town in Canada
called Lashburn, Saskatchewan.
Uh huh.
Um, which, and, like,Saskatchewan is, is the prairies.
It's like the Texas, Canada.
And so, I grew up on country music.
And, um, I would take the school busin the morning and "Strawberry Wine"
(10:10):
would be, it would be on all the time.
And so it just, it, uh, it just, itjust reminds me of, of my, my prairie
days of, of simpler times when.
Yeah, you could just ride the schoolbus and then, and then you'd meet your
dog at the end of the driveway andthen you'd go watch some cartoons.
Like, wasn't that fun?
Adam Rothenberg (10:29):
Yes.
George Krissa (10:30):
Yeah, and there's just something so beautiful about
that, that song in particular too.
Um, the melody, since I was little,has always, has always struck me
as, as really, really beautiful.
Adam Rothenberg (10:41):
Now with the cabaret show, is this maybe, is this
potentially like a springboard into...
Something more with music,like maybe recording an album?
George Krissa (10:54):
Um, oh, uh, maybe.
This kind of button in the back of mymind is something that I've always kind
of wanted to do, but, um, you know, it'stime and finding the right people to work
with, and like, I do write my own songs,but I, I don't share them very often.
(11:14):
I feel like so much of this business isputting yourself out there, um, to be...
commented on or to be, you know, reviewed.
And I love writing songs, but that's,that's just, uh, so far, that's just
for me because no one can tell me thatthey're not good if they can't hear it.
So...
Adam Rothenberg (11:35):
That is true.
That is true.
But, people also can't tell you howamazing they are if they can't hear it.
George Krissa (11:42):
That's also true.
So, yeah, so at this point, like maybeI would, um, I would record a couple
of songs just for, just for, justfor, I've, I've always really wanted
to do some, some Christmas stuff,like to put out some Christmas songs.
So maybe, maybe that'll happen.
Adam Rothenberg (11:57):
Well, put it on like your vision board and...
It'll come,
George Krissa (12:01):
Yeah, I'll manifest it, I'll manifest it into being.
Adam Rothenberg (12:05):
Exactly, exactly.
And do you have any pre showrituals when performing live?
George Krissa (12:11):
No, I warm up and, uh, and then that's it.
And then I go and I sing.
There's, I feel like there's so manyways to, um, overcomplicate or overthink
things that we do in this crazy business.
Um, and my voice teacher, uh, did ashow with Maggie Smith once, and, um,
(12:37):
he always says that she would alwayssay, "Start before you're ready."
So, um, that's what I do.
Just start, just go,something's gonna happen.
Adam Rothenberg (12:48):
That is, I've never heard that before, but I love that.
George Krissa (12:50):
Isn't that great?
Adam Rothenberg (12:51):
Yeah.
George Krissa (12:51):
Start before you're ready.
Because then you're like, thenyou have time to overthink it and
then time to plan and things arealways best when you don't plan.
So, um, yeah, start before you're ready.
Adam Rothenberg (13:02):
How do you celebrate after a performance is over?
George Krissa (13:06):
Oh, chips.
Always, always chips.
Like chips are for whenyou're happy and celebrating.
Chips are for when you're sad.
Chips are for when you're bored.
Chips are for when you'rewatching TV or in a car.
Adam Rothenberg (13:20):
Any specific kind of chips?
George Krissa (13:23):
Uh, I love a kettle cooked.
Um, I love a chips and dip.
I love a popcorn.
I love a Dorito.
Um, And then like, the flavors bear in.
De Depending on what we're celebratingor how sad we are (Adam & George Laugh).
Adam Rothenberg (13:42):
I love that.
I love that.
And somehow yet you manageto stay so physically fit.
George Krissa (13:48):
I work out as much as I do exclusively so that I can eat garbage.
And I'm like, I wish I was kidding.
No, I, I Workout sothat I can eat bad food.
I love it.
I love garbage food.
Adam Rothenberg (14:01):
That is best answer.
So I do I do have to ask you a fewquestions about "The Holiday Sitter"
because I'm sure anybody watching ifI did not ask some specific questions
about it I would get a lot of angrypeople commenting, so to avoid that.
George Krissa (14:18):
Yeah
Adam Rothenberg (14:19):
What was your biggest mishap to happen while filming?
Like, was there a missedline, a wardrobe malfunction?
George Krissa (14:26):
Oh, God.
Awkward.
Missed lines?
Missed lines, probably?
Not that I can remember.
Um, wardrobe malfunctions?
No.
It, but we were also shooting inVancouver in August and I was in, I would
have, I would have my long pants, a tshirt, a cardigan, a jacket and scarf.
(14:50):
And it was like, I don't knowwhat this is in Fahrenheit, but
it was like 35 degrees Celsius.
So it was hot, hot, hot.
And um, I'd be like, you know,sweating through everything.
So wardrobe wise, that wasa bit of a malfunction and
there's no way to stay cool.
You just gotta, this is just how it is.
You're just, you're just too hot now.
Um, and, uh, malfunction wise,Jonathan is the best kind of nuts.
(15:15):
Uh huh.
Yeah, and, um, so just watchinghim, like, goof around and, and
play and try stuff and, uh, makebits and see if they landed and...
Adam Rothenberg (15:29):
Okay, so the last thing I heard was Jonathan is crazy in a good way.
And he's always trying to do bits andstuff, and then that's where it ends.
George Krissa (15:37):
Yeah, so, um, so, we would, uh, like, so, watching him,
like, try bits and see what landsand see what people laugh at and
stuff, that was, that was, that was,uh, the best kind of chaos, I guess.
Adam Rothenberg (15:54):
Was there a particular, did he play any jokes on you?
Was there anything, like, a really,like, juicy behind the scenes thing
that he did that, that you remember?
George Krissa (16:05):
Well, I remember, like, watching from, uh, the monitors, like, I
think it made it into the movie, but hewas, like, trying stuff with them, uh,
after we meet, after we, we meet eachother the first time, uh, he's, like,
in the living room, and he's, like,playing with stuff, and he, like, flips
(16:25):
over some, some Christmas balls, um,and, uh, everyone behind the camera went
and, um, yeah, that was pretty funny.
I like it.
There was, that was like one oflike 15 things that he tried.
I'm sure that there was likespecific jokes that he, he played,
but because there were so many, Idon't think that I can remember it.
(16:49):
Do you know what I mean?
Adam Rothenberg (16:50):
Yes.
Yes.
I completely understand.
George Krissa (16:53):
Yeah.
Adam Rothenberg (16:54):
Well, I just have a few last questions, um, before we wrap up.
So I have a few rapidfire questions for you.
George Krissa (17:00):
Okay.
Oh my gosh.
These make my brain paralyzed.
Okay.
Okay.
I'm ready.
Adam Rothenberg (17:04):
Hopefully they won't be too hard (George & Adam Laugh).
Uh, coffee or tea?
George Krissa (17:09):
Coffee.
Adam Rothenberg (17:09):
And how do you take it?
And how do you take it?
George Krissa (17:12):
Uh, one cream, one sugar.
Adam Rothenberg (17:14):
Perfect.
George Krissa (17:14):
Or one milk, one sugar, or one oat milk and no sugar.
Those are my three.
See?
But see, I can't do rapid fire becauseI like options (George Laughs).
Adam Rothenberg (17:23):
Um, boxers or briefs?
George Krissa (17:25):
Boxer briefs.
Adam Rothenberg (17:27):
Summer vacation or winter retreat?
George Krissa (17:30):
Summer.
Winter is terrible.
Adam Rothenberg (17:33):
Yeah.
George Krissa (17:33):
I, like, no, I'm, I, like, it's winter, eight months
out of the year up here in Canada,and it's, it's a nightmare.
I hate it.
No, summer everything.
I live in the wrong place.
Yeah (George Laughs).
Adam Rothenberg (17:46):
That's actually for the rapid fire questions.
George Krissa (17:48):
That's it?
Adam Rothenberg (17:49):
Just a few.
George Krissa (17:52):
Wait, give me some more.
I want some more.
Adam Rothenberg (17:54):
Okay, um, Superman or Wonder Woman?
George Krissa (17:58):
Oh, Henry Cavill.
He's like my hero.
So, yeah, Henry Cavill as Superman.
Adam Rothenberg (18:05):
Gotcha.
Um, Batman or Robin?
George Krissa (18:11):
Oh, Batman.
You don't have to think of more.
That was just fun (George and Adam Laugh).
Adam Rothenberg (18:19):
I could keep going.
George Krissa (18:20):
Yes.
Adam Rothenberg (18:21):
Um, but I do end, uh, I do end all of my
interviews with this question.
George Krissa (18:25):
Okay.
Adam Rothenberg (18:25):
So, my podcast is called Baring It All with Call Me Adam.
So, if you could bear it all and revealsomething about yourself that you have
not talked about in a previous interview,what would you share with me today?
George Krissa (18:39):
In another life, I would love to be, like, a professional merman.
Adam Rothenberg (18:46):
I love that.
George Krissa (18:47):
Yeah, no, I grew up, I was a competitive swimmer growing up,
and I love being in water, and um, Ilove swimming, and and, uh, and, like,
there's people that are actually, like,it's their job to be mermaids and, like,
swim around and, and, like, I don'tknow what they do, but they, like, swim
in the ocean and take videos of it.
I just think that would be so much fun.
(19:09):
To just, like, swim.
I don't know what to say.
That sounds so lame.
Adam Rothenberg (19:13):
No, that sounds amazing.
George Krissa (19:17):
Yeah, no, and the other thing, I'm not, I'm not at all, um, cool.
So, that's another thingthat no one maybe knows.
I'm not at all cool oranything like that, so.
Adam Rothenberg (19:27):
Oh my god, I would disagree.
This has been so much fun.
And I do have a confession ofmy own, speaking of Merman.
I mean, growing up, I loved swimming.
It was my favorite activity.
I used to, when I would swim,I used to pretend that I was
Aquaman swimming underwater.
And I would be like, you know, callingall my fish friends and everything.
I'd come like, swim withme and catch the bad guys.
(19:48):
I'm totally on boardwith the whole merman.
George Krissa (19:52):
Well, yeah, cause like, I feel like when you're underwater
like that, that's, that's as closeas any human will ever be to fly.
Like that's what flyingwould feel like, I think.
Because you're like, you're weightless,you can go wherever you want.
You can like, You're not stuck on, on,so yeah, I think that would be, I think
that would be really, really cool.
My favorite movie was Splash, do youremember with Daryl Hannah and Tom Hanks?
Adam Rothenberg (20:15):
Of course, yes.
George Krissa (20:16):
Yeah, and um, there's a particular, particular scene where she's
like, she like sneaks into the bathtub inthe middle of the night and she like puts
her feet in the water and she gets a tail.
Adam Rothenberg (20:24):
Yes.
George Krissa (20:26):
I would watch that over and over, I'd like rewind it and watch
it cause I was like, Oh, maybe if Iput my feet in the water, but it has
to be salt water, but I don't know.
Alas, they just stayed legs.
Adam Rothenberg (20:37):
Yes.
And Tom Hanks is banging on thedoor, Madison, what's going on?
George Krissa (20:40):
Yeah, get out.
And then she's like, I just,yeah, just give me a second.
I'll be right out.
Yeah.
Adam Rothenberg (20:45):
Yeah.
I used to pretend that I was Madisontoo, swimming underwater and...
George Krissa (20:49):
Yeah, I think we all did.
Adam Rothenberg (20:51):
I always look over if I'm on a boat or something
being like, is she there?
Should I jump in the waterand see if she's there?
Love that.
George Krissa (20:58):
She's never there.
Adam Rothenberg (20:58):
Never.
Never.
George Krissa (21:00):
Never there.
Adam Rothenberg (21:00):
Oh my gosh.
Well, this has been somuch fun talking to you.
George Krissa (21:03):
Yeah, likewise.
Adam Rothenberg (21:04):
Thank you, and everybody listening and watching, you have to come
see George Krissa in his cabaret debut atChelsea Table and Stage on September 23rd.
I will have the ticket link on my websiteat Call Me Adam dot com, and we can't
wait to see you sing your heart out.
George Krissa (21:23):
Yeah!
I'll see you there.
I'm so excited.
Adam Rothenberg (21:26):
Me too.
Thank you again.
George Krissa (21:29):
Yeah, thanks for having me.
Adam Rothenberg (21:30):
Alright, have a good day everybody.
Bobby Cronin (21:33):
He'll get the dirt and the scoop and the story For he happens
to be in the know Just ask anybodywhose had him, Adam, lives for the
business of show Call Me Adam dot com
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