World news and discussion on TalkFuse.
‘Being American feels helpless and scary’: actor Ben Platt on nerves, queer songs and why he couldn’t do it without his husband
Actor Ben Platt is performing in Midnight at the Never Get, a London production set in a 1960s Greenwich Village gay bar, where he portrays an expressive cabaret performer named Trevor. The musical features compositions specifically crafted to explore queer romance, marking a significant moment for Platt—despite three decades of professional stage work dating back to childhood, this is the first time he has played an openly queer character with songs exploring queer relationships, which he describes as profoundly liberating.
In conversation, Platt discusses the central role his marriage to fellow actor Noah Galvin plays in managing his anxiety whilst pursuing demanding creative work. He reflects on the current moment for LGBTQ+ rights in his native United States, characterising it as frightening and demoralising given what he perceives as stalled or reversed progress. Nonetheless, he expresses cautious optimism about New York specifically, pointing to recent political shifts as grounds for hope.
In short
- Platt stars in Midnight at the Never Get playing a queer character with explicitly queer songs—a first in his 25-year stage career
- He credits his husband with helping manage anxiety and expresses concern about gay rights progress in America whilst remaining hopeful about New York
- The role represents a watershed opportunity to sing love lyrics between men after decades in musical theatre without such representation
Explained simply
Ben Platt is an American actor with a three-decade career in theatre. He is currently performing in Midnight at the Never Get, a musical set in a 1960s Greenwich Village gay bar, where he plays a cabaret performer called Trevor.
This is the first time in his long stage career that Platt is playing an openly queer character whose storyline centres on queer romance and relationships. In interviews, he has described the experience as profoundly liberating.
Platt has discussed his concerns about LGBTQ+ rights in the United States, describing the current climate as frightening. He has spoken about how his marriage to fellow actor Noah Galvin supports him through demanding creative work, and has expressed cautious optimism about recent political developments in New York.
Americas Celebrity Culture Entertainment Health Mental Health Music World