ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: So youve got a few performances under your belt already.
Hows it going so far?
RORY OMALLEY: It is like a dream.
Credit: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for THE TONY AWARDS
Just a total, total dream.
I feel like Im a kid again.
To be walking into that stage door every day is absolutely phenomenal.
I cant even put it into words what it feels like.
It is a gift to get to be on that stage in every way.
And I am fully aware of that.
I did three years of readings and workshops and saw every line coming together and every moment of that.
And for this, Im jumping onto a fast-moving train.
And its totally different, being a fan of the show enjoying it.
And Lin has just been a dream, and so was Jonathan Groff.
I think that they all know how special it is, and they arent taking it for granted.
What were some of the specific things you and Jonathan talked about?
Basically, he told me to have fun.
That was most important, and it wasnt even something he had to say.
The guy is just so full of charisma and joy that its contagious.
I realized that going into this show, I dont have to figure out how to make it better.
I dont have to figure out like, Well, what can I do to add toHamilton?
Just do your job and do whats on the page, which is brilliance.
So its really about getting out of the way.
And I couldve watched it many, many, many more times.
Do you already have people hitting you up for tickets?
Within the same breath that it was announced.
Its absolutely something that I dont take for granted at all.
But its pretty easy this time because Im like, I have no way in.
Im very timid about asking for tickets.
Im like, Just keep me around!
I wanted to ask you about the Order of the Garter coronation ceremony.
What was that like?
Oh, I was so scared.
They didnt say like, This is whats going to happen.
They didnt walk me through it.
I was like, Am I going to have to do like a keg stand?
What kind of hazing is involved here?
But I was still nervous.
And I was like, I dont know what this is!
But it was so funny and so much fun.
To get to be welcomed into the cast in that way was just unreal.
Im already writing it for whenever that happens.
And he was like, Are you terrified?
And I was like, YES.
Thank you for saying that.
And he really kind of walked me through it, and its been the truth.
Is that intimidating, or is it fun to have the spotlight like that?
Its a little bit of both.
To be like, Im going to take us somewhere now!
Come along, kids!
Its so cool, but it also is totally weird.
So its definitely very new.
And when its THIS audience, they give you so much.
And every audience is different, so its like having a new scene partner every single show.
How have you approached that?
Yes, Ive heard a lot about the walk, the physicality.
So my choices were: Dont fall.
That was basically my walk.
You have to be careful!
So Im kind of just going from there.
And I havent fallen yet.
Because youve got heels, and Ive heard that the crown the is really heavy?
Yes, its definitely a bit of a balancing act in a way that Im not used to.
I cant believe women walk around in stilettos.
I would not make it two steps.
But Ive been wearing the shoes.
As soon as I get to theater, I put them on and walk around.
People are like, Wheres Rory going?
And Im not going anywhere, Im just practicing walking in these shoes.
So is it starting to feel more normal, being a part of the cast?
I do have one story about that.
I was really nervous, and I was supposed to go to the stage door.
And I go up to the stage door, and I go to open it, and its locked.
And Im like, Oh no.
Oh no, whats happened.
Which makes a lot more sense.
But you know that moment when youre so nervous and you do the craziest, dumb thing?
Its like the first day of school.
You didnt know which stage door it was?
But that will forever be a metaphor for me joining the cast ofHamilton.
