Actor Grant Evan Explores Race, Class & Drag in 'Ain't No More'

EDGE: What do you hope audiences are going to take away from the show?

Grant Evan: Our show ends on such a powerfully emotional note and such a provocative punch that what I hope people walk away with is introspection about what it means to build community, and the importance of sticking together and protecting our disenfranchised. That hope for optimism, that hope for care, that hope that we are in love with each other in spite of our big flaws is something that I hope that people take away from the show.

EDGE: You were cast by Stephen Schwartz in the "The Baker's Wife" in New York. What was the story there?

Grant Evan: I had just finished another contract, and my agent was like, "I'm not sure what's coming, and you're not lined up for anything." And I was like, "That's okay, I'll hunker down and do some auditions and we'll see what happens." And literally, on a Thursday night, he said, "You have six hours. I need you to turn in a tape singing anything by Stephen Schwartz, anything." At that time, I had one song by Mr. Schwartz in my book, which is "All Good Gifts" from "Godspell." I was like, "That'll work."

On Saturday, while I was out grocery shopping, my agent calls and goes, "You booked 'The Baker's Wife' off Broadway. Do you want to know who cast you in it?" I was like, "Yeah, sure, of course." He's like, "Steven Schwartz picked you to do this." So, that is how I found out that not only was I booked for another contract that was starting in two days, but also Stephen Schwartz himself had listened to me sing, which was insane.

Fun fact: I got to sing "Meadowlark" in front of him – not well, not brilliantly; drunkenly, and at a cast party. And it was totally worth it. 10 out of 10, we'd do it again!

"Ain't No Mo'," a collaboration between Front Porch Arts Collective and SpeakEasy Stage Company, plays Jan. 10 – Feb. 8 plays at the Boston Center for the Arts.