The Irrational’s Jesse L. Martin, Karen David discusses a musical chapter

The unreasonableA musical chapter felt like a long time coming – but that was not always the plan Jesse L. Martin and Karen David to sing on the popular NBC series.

In Weekly USA unique clip from the episode on Tuesday, March 18, Martin’s character, Alec, performing the A small shop of horrors Song “Feed Me (Git It!)” Like Audrey II, aka the plant trying to convince Seymour to murder someone. Martin, 56, and David, 45, broke Why were they not in a hurry to sing on The unreasonable Despite their proper backgrounds in musical theater.

“He took a complete convincing to me. When I started playing this role a couple of years ago, the idea of ​​me came up and I literally said, ‘Listen, I understand that everyone knows that Jesse L. Martin can sing – but it doesn’t mean he shows singing in every role he never does,’ ”said Martin alone Us. “I would like to save that for moments when it should actually be out there.”

Fortunately, “Silly conversation” Between Martin and David prepared the road for their characters to become indoor in a local play.

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“We were fantasy about what kind of cases we would go on and I was like, ‘wouldn’t it be amazing – because we were both theater – if we finished infiltrating this local theater company and they did, like, a production of Hamlet or something?’” Martin remembered. “We thought Shakespeare and we didn’t take a musical. But we made a kind of occasional mention to our showrunner, Arika mittmanAnd before you knew it, he came back as we were going to explore a small theater community. “

Martin had only one condition in terms of performing on stage, adding, “It would have to be crafted as an accident. Like, there’s nothing where Alec was ever there – but that’s me. “

Before joining The unreasonablewho first performed in 2023, Martin The role originated from Tom Collins in Broadway’s Rent. Continued to do stage work with performances at Venice Trader, Winter Story, Romeo and Juliet and more. Meanwhile, David has a background as a singer as well as musical roles as Harden.

“We’ve all wanted Jesse to sing since the first day of the show, but for all the reasons he mentioned, I fully understand (the wait). I am often asked to sing about different roles, but it has to make sense and be an integral part of the story line, ”explains David. “But I was secretly hoping – if the show could arrange an opportunity where it made sense for Jesse – that it was possible. So I was so glad when everything literally fell into place for this, as, the stars were really aligned. “

David specifically enjoyed how the episode Alec’s relationship benefits With her character, Rose.

“He is definitely drawn to the world of Rose. So we see how supportive it is as a partner and wants to help Rose resolve this case – even if it means he might have to throw himself into a role he would never think he would have to do, ”he noted. “I also love that everyone has had to learn that much about Rose including that this huge theater is bold and loves all things theater and went to Drama College and is so passionate about anything on stage.”

He continued: “Rose lived ficeriously through Alec had to perform as a plant so much fun. We also had a great view together where she tries to help summarize Alec’s courage. I love the roller-coaster of emotions that they took us through in that same scene. “

According to the official summary, Alec and Rose must “go indoors to infiltrate the community theater production” of A small shop of horrors in order to solve an actor’s murder. However, joining the cast may “make them right in the murderer Crosshairs.”

Martin and David suggested that A small shop The first choice was not necessarily, but it became the most logical.

“I gave a list of things that I knew I could jump to immediately because we don’t have much time to prepare for these things. We also had to deal with the idea of ​​what rights are available to what. I gave A small shop On my list just because I know I could play the plant. I knew that role, ”Martin remembered. “So it became a natural choice. It also fits so well in the story, this idea that I end up playing the plant. I’m not on stage, so I can watch what happens with the rest of the characters, which is why I’m there in the first place. The choice worked out beautifully. “

In spite of feeling anxious for performing on The unreasonableMartin got a blast. “It has never happened to me that making a play within a show on a show would feel exactly the same as it is when you make a play in real life,” he said. “There are the crew – the people we love and work with them every day – who became an audience and they saw a play, which they don’t usually have to do either. So it became a real play for us. “

The “biggest shame” was that they couldn’t perform for more people. “That would have been amazing to be able to make the whole show literally and invite not only the crew but people from the local theater company here in Vancouver,” added Martin. “But it felt like a real drama (because of that).”

David admitted that returning to the stage reminded her How much she lost a theater.

“We are always told at a drama college that it’s so important to go back to the roots of your theater if you have time because it really subdues you and keeps you on your feet and keeps you sharp. It has been a very humble experience, ”shared with Us. “He took me back to the days of my theater in London and being in the West End. Only that sense of community every night is happening and it was so amazing. I was just holding every minute because I knew I would have to enjoy this as he passed so quickly. “

The unreasonable Tunes on NBC Tuesday at 10 pm ET.

With reporting by Nicole Massabrook